The last trip out on 'Celtic Mist' was made at the end of November with eight of us heading out to the Channel Islands.It was a trip that had much variety and interest and not least made special that two guys returned with a new life to live in Christ.

We headed for Guernsey and hooked up with 'The Rock' church there and had some great times with them including going out on the street after a curry night offering coffee and a chat with the local pub crowd. Joe Kerrigan from Ireland came and brought a spiritual dimension to the weekend that was pretty different and brought a tangible presence of God. Mike,who has been coming to church for over a year made a choice not just to hang out with Christians but become one at last and Rob is testifying to being completely changed in a way he could not have imagined possible after taking a step of faith to believe in Jesus as Joe spelled out the message of the gospel and its relevance today.It was crossing the sea of Galilee that the disciples had a revelation that Jesus was the son of God and its out there on the water today that you cannot but be in awe of the sea and know your own weaknesses. The Psalmist says,

Out at sea you saw God in action,saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean: With a word he called up the wind, an ocean storm, towering waves!.

Coming back proved a very wet and rough ride with strong headwinds and steep waves that soon found the weaknesses in certain members of the crew! Three went down and never came up till we entered the calm waters of the Solent. As with many of these trips, for some it turned out to be more than just an adventure! 'Celtic Mist' that has proved to be a huge help in getting this boat ministry started and the Haughy families generosity in letting us use the boat which is now up for sale.

In its place is 'Ocean Venture', a bigger boat with 13 berths and has MCA compliance which means it is legal to charter.It is also a boat that will be easier to maintain, is a sailing boat as opposed to motor sailor and can get to places quicker and therefore go further! Amazingly, this has been loaned for two years. Its amazing how any of this has come about and getting a berth and haul out for free as well as the boat is testimony to a big God who is able to do so much more than we can do or imagine. We plan to present it mainly to newfrontiers as a 'training,/adventure/ men's groups' on local and trips and further afield with a view to being more 'mission orientated' the year after.It will still be able to offer the times of taking guys out that are struggling in life and could benefit from some friendship and getting away from life's pressures if only for a day or two.That has and will continue to be a core part of the vision.

So,at the moment the boat is out of the water having some jobs done and will be back in and ready to go in February with the help of those that help with skills needed to keep a boat 'ship shape'.Please contact Rick if you want to get involved or get a group together to use it- more importantly is knowing that its something that is in peoples prayers as it seems to be fruitful in one way or another.

A ship is safe in harbour, but that's not what ships are for.

Pictured right, Ocean Venture.