Stephanie Melodrama

Christmas Letter 2007

December 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

We have experienced many MIRACLES this year during both joy and difficulties. GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL, STEADFAST, PATIENT, ABOUNDING IN LOVE, JUST, FORGIVING, COMPASSIONATE . . .

Debbie has been memorizing Psalms 34 over the past year. It has been very helpful during the good times and the bad times.

"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him and be radiant, so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him! O fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no want! The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, O sons, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life and covets many days, that he may enjoy good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned." Psalms 34

Deb’s Dad and step-Mom, Warren and Bernie Nicodemus, visited us at Friend Ships’ Port Mercy (Lake Charles) January 2007. We had a great time exploring Sam Houston Jones State Park and being together. (Picture: We are in the mess hall of M/V Spirit. She currently houses about 2/3 of the crew. {The rest of the crew lives in RVs.} She was donated to Friend Ships in 1985 and has sailed to Africa, Croatia, Albania, Central America, Russia, and many more countries).








Steve was named Mechanic Supervisor, which according to him he doesn’t get to do much mechaniking because he needs to keep everyone else busy! He did a lot of work with the crane this year including putting up a huge 48’x60’ vinyl cover on 5-40’ containers, hoisted a huge vinyl tent that will eventually be used as our outdoor kitchen, and a swimming pool liner (again made with vinyl) filled and slowly lowered into a former fuel tank. The pool was ready July 4th, so we had a ball and it was a great place to cool down! We also used the pool for ship safety training. Steve and three other men drove to Friend Ships Storehouse One in Wilmington, California to bring back trailer loads of items. He also had the opportunity to visit his Mother while there—on Mother’s Day! Earlier in the year, Steve injured his back but kept going anyway. He finally had to quit early June and spent a week in bed. But the Lord had another MIRACLE in store as he used a chiropractor friend of Friend Ships to bring about healing and restoration. We praise HIM!


Steve attended a week-long training of basic survival early in April sponsored by Mercy Ships. He really enjoyed the first-rate instruction and hands on experience. In a full fire-fighting suit, he had to locate an injured dummy and put out wood, petroleum, and electrical fires. He also suited up in a ‘Gumby suit.’ A bright orange suit that is worn during abandon ship exercises. Just like getting dressed in the fire suit, there is a time limit of getting the Gumby on also. He then jumped from a diving board into a swimming pool experiencing the possibility of having to do that in a real life abandon ship situation. The entire class had to practice the “May Day” signal of distress. Steve said, “May Day! May Day! May Day! This is the good ship Lollipop, Lollipop, Lollipop. We have 5 children on board who have burnt tongues because they licked candy. We need immediate assistance. Our quadrants are…” which was somewhere in Yellowstone National Park! Come to find out, this practice and all the exams were given to the Coast Guard and they can review Steve’s information at any time! He also studied basic first aid, CPR, care for stroke and choking victims, etc. He received a certificate for "Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Basic Safety Training." (Picture: Steve, in a raft in Friend Ships' pool (a former fuel tank), during ship safety training).




Debbie was named the Resource Development Supervisor after her boss left to get married. (Boo for Deb. YIPPEE for boss!) But, Debbie has two wonderful girls working with her (Glenda and Tami), procuring needed items from companies. (YEAY!!) (Picture: Debbie, Theresa, Glenda, Rebeka, and Tami). Debbie also worked on and received free shipping to send vinyl to Peru after an 8.9 earthquake hit there. One of God’s many procurement MIRACLES. The vinyl, grommets, and grommet tools were given to the Southern Baptist Convention of Peru. She’s awaiting an answer regarding donated transportation to Roatán, via Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, to get supplies to our facility and crew. The Dream Center in California paid for a shipment of vinyl, food, clothing and linens to the Dominican Republic after 2 rivers flooded. The vinyl is wonderful shelter material. Debbie also prepared and worked at the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans. The really cool thing was that Steve got to go, too(!), to IWBS and also Captain Stan and his wife, Sharon. Steve and Capt. went to the many booths to see what Friend Ships needed and to ask if the companies would consider donating their products. Sharon stayed with the Friend Ships booth display and Debbie went to the numerous companies that donate to us to personally say “Thank You!” MIRACLES included a lady chasing Debbie down an aisle, extending an invitation to her company’s party and stating that she is working on her president to agree to donate to Friend Ships! (The food at the party was outstanding and the tables and chairs were dressed in white with huge bows on the chairs' backs!) Another MIRACLE: A company had previously donated a flatbed trailer load of mooring lines. At the show, one of the employees hugged Debbie and said, “I am a born again, spirit-filled believer and I am so glad we could help you!” (Picture: Steve and Debbie at the International WorkBoat Show).

The MIRACLE of “The Wrench.” Debbie sent an email to a company requesting a loan of a hydraulic or mechanical main bearing wrench needed to work on an engine part in our disaster relief/medical outreach vessel, M/V Hope. This company had donated to us in the past, but they never responded after numerous follow-up calls. A week or so later, Captain called another company requesting to buy The Wrench and found out that the hydraulic wrench cost over $8,000, so no wonder the first company wasn’t responding. (Donating is one thing, but loaning expensive equipment is another). This new company offered a good discount on the purchase of the mechanical wrench, but . . . Wally (our 84 year young Chief Engineer) and his engine crew (Steve) were using a box-end wrench with another box-end wrench hooked to it and a bar to break the nuts on the engine part. It was a very slow process with not much ground being gained over a period of 2 to 3 days. Mid August, Captain was telling his woes to our next-door neighbor’s son and he said, “Hey, I have something to show you. Do you have time to come with me?” Captain said, “Sure,” and over to the recycling place they went. Captain was taken into the office where some tools were lying on the floor. There was The Wrench, the $8,000 plus hydraulic wrench that we needed; and they let us borrow it!!! (Pictures: THE HYDRAULIC TORQUE WRENCH (left) and (right) its black box power source sitting in a golf cart).




Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.” M/V Hope sailed with a crew of 44 for Nevis and Honduras on Monday, October 1, but due to unforeseen circumstances, she had to turn around and head for home. On October 10, we left on M/V Mersea with a small crew of 14 to give aid to the Hope. We had mechanical problems, but the Lord was gracious and we were able to bring the Hope home on Monday, the 15th. (More MIRACLES). Man’s plans were to host medical outreaches in Nevis and Honduras with M/V Hope and provide disaster relief aid with M/V Mersea to Nicaragua and Honduras after Hurricane Felix’s devastation. God’s plan was, “Wait.” God’s timing is always perfect and always has a reason. We may never know the ‘why’, but we can still trust Him. (Picture: Debbie and Steve — going out to sea).

After working 14-16 hour days for weeks, all the crew had several days off and then Steve went to work on the Hope. He was down in her belly all of one week working to get a motor out. By Wednesday noon, he had 2 bolts out, but still had 1 more to go, which would then release the motor. It is very difficult to describe how Steve was laying while he worked on this motor. He had bare steel under his head, ribs and feet; everywhere else was just air. He had to use a mirror to see where he wanted to place the cutting torch so he could cut a hole so he would have enough room to remove the bolt. He had a pillow under his head because he couldn’t continuously hold his head up at the correct angle. By Friday noon, he completed the task and afterwards realized how sore his ribs and body were! Steve prayed Friday morning asking the Lord to reveal how, where, and what to cut with the torch. Jesus did; another MIRACLE! (Please see a video at the end of this posting).


We flew to Wyoming for a week the end of May and saw Stephanie, Brody, Kendra, and Jason. We had a great family reunion with Deb’s brothers, families and Mom and Earl. We also saw Steve’s brother and children in Laramie. The last time we saw them was at Kendra and Doug’s wedding in 2004. We haven’t seen Glenn, Sonja and kids since last Christmas. (Picture: The 3 D's— Steve and Debbie, Doyle and Janet, Danny and Nancy).

(Picture below: Brody with first cousin Timothy Maas (wearing cap). Cousin Enoch and Uncle John were there, too).

On a sad note, our youngest son, Jason, was arrested in the fall. We flew to Cheyenne and were able to visit him week days via video monitor. During this time Jason recommitted his life to Jesus and is reading His Word. We know that God is faithful and we know that this too shall pass and that God will bring good out of it. He already has with Jason returning to Him. Address: Jason Maas, 1019 North First Ave, Lake Charles LA 70601




In the fall, Glenn and Sonja, Caleb, Hannah, Lydia and Abigail moved to Rochester, New York where Glenn is working as a tech at a hospital. He has applied to medical schools and had his first interview with SUNY Upstate and has another scheduled in February with the University of Rochester with expectations of more interviews in the future. They are really enjoying Rochester and all it has to offer—the zoo, museums, parks within walking distance, library, and more. Sonja is home schooling Caleb and Hannah and it was very exciting to hear Caleb read his birthday card to us this year! (Picture: Glenn and Sonja, Caleb, 7; Abigail, 2; Lydia, 3; and Hannah, 5). Glenn and Sonja Maas, 1090 South Ave Apt 4, Rochester NY 14620.


Kendra and Doug are finally together in the United States instead of commuting between U.S. and Canada!! Doug received his green card in the summer, so they now reside in Albuquerque. Kendra continues to work towards her Ph.D., doing lab work for statistics, preparing her paper (Yeah, right!), etc. Doug recently got a job working for a large surveying/archeological company. Kendra and Doug Mitchell, 237 Hermosa St NE, Albuquerque NM 87108.


Stephanie and Brody moved into their own apartment this spring. Steph continues to work for Sierra Trading Post, but now is in the Fulfillment Center doing retail. The hours are great for her and Brody and she really enjoys meeting the public. She took Photo Shop classes at the local community college (receiving an “A” in the class!) and learned how to create unique pictures, restore damaged ones, etc. Stephanie Maas, 540 Melton St Apt 2, Cheyenne WY 82009.

We anticipate the possibility of sailing with Friend Ships in April when Friend Ships once again heads to Nevis and Honduras for medical outreaches. But in the meantime. . .

We left mid December for vacation—a coast to coast trip via Amtrak! We are spending Christmas with Glenn, Sonja and the kids, visiting Cheyenne to see Steph, Brody, Jason, Dad and Bernie (Mom and Earl headed south for the winter!); then to Albuquerque to see Kendra and Doug and finally to California to be with Mother (Steve’s Mom). We are excited about this month long trip and again it’s another one of God’s MIRACLES!

God’s greatest MIRACLE to each one of us is this: “For God so loved the world (you and me) that he GAVE his only begotten Son (Jesus) that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s only begotten Son.” (John 3:16-18) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “…the wages of sin is death, BUT the GIFT of GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) “Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3) “Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6) “. . .if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’” (Romans 10:9-11) “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11, 12) “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) Have you opened your heart's door and asked Jesus to come in to be your Savior and Master?

We pray that as you walked through difficulties and joys this year that you too have seen many MIRACLES! But mostly we pray that you accepted the greatest MIRACLE of all: Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord!!

We hope you had a Merry CHRISTmas and Hap-Hap-Hap-HAP-HA----PPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Love, Steve and Debbie


Fun Pictures:


OOPS! The combination of extending the Bantam’s boom and muddy, soft ground around the swimming pool gave Steve a ‘weird sensation!’

















Duffy, Debbie and David doing the caterpillar crawl in Gumby suits.























Memorial weekend fun: Kendra blowing bubbles for Brody with Ruth (Deb’s Mom) nearby.















More Memorial weekend fun: Kick ball—the oldsters against the young'uns. (We lost BIG TIME!!)














Glenn's family had lots of fun riding bikes and/or being towed this summer besides saving on fuel!












Brody and Grandpa having fun in the leaves.














Steve and Debbie attended the musical play Scrooge, which had two Friend Ships crewmembers as part of the cast. David played Bob Crachet and his daughter, Elise, was Tiny Tim. The set and top hat were part of the fun props.
















Help to Guinea, West Africa from Friend Ships:

Early 2007 Debbie was involved with calling churches and organizations offering vinyl to them for future disaster relief, roofing their buildings, etc. A men’s homeless shelter picked up a trailer load of vinyl to cover the men’s barracks. What a blessing that was! Then a New Tribes missionary called while on furlough having heard from a friend that Friend Ships had vinyl to give away. He, his wife (a native of Sulphur, a nearby town to Lake Charles), and children minister to the Landuma people in Guinea, West Africa. We want to share a few pictures and one story of the distribution of that vinyl to the Landuma people.



The missionary reported, “None of the people that are receiving vinyl are believers. The two believers in our village have tin roofs; however, one of them asked for some vinyl anyway. He explained that he wanted to give it to his father-in-law. After this believer was baptized into the Christian faith in November 2005, his wife’s father took his daughter from her husband and forced her to live at his home (4 miles down the road). The father tried to force them to divorce so that a Muslim could marry his daughter, but the believer refused, saying, “Divorce is contrary to God’s will.” After over a year with the issue not being resolved, the wife finally returned to her believing husband. Her father made threats and disowned his daughter. So the Christian and the father-in-law have not been on the best of terms, to say the least. We have been talking in our church meetings about how we need to do good to those who mistreat us, something which is very contrary to the local culture. So the Christian wanted to take this opportunity to do good to his father-in-law, and give him some vinyl for his grass house. Some villagers told the believer that his father-in-law wouldn’t accept the gift because he was still angry, but he decided to take it to him anyway. When he saw his daughter’s husband at a distance, the father jumped up and ran to him with an enthusiastic greeting. He was very pleased with the vinyl. They had a good little chat, and his father-in-law told him to bring the grandkids by sometime and spend the day!” (Picture: The believer, his wives and children.)




(Video: Part 1 of getting the bolt out).

Year 2006--Part 2

We recently celebrated Good Friday. What was "good" about having crucified Jesus? Why did He have to die? He died because it was God’s incredible solution for the "Worst Day Ever." The “Worst Day Ever” when Adam and Eve turned their backs on fellowship with God and eternal life. For just as through the disobedience of the one man (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous. Jesus Christ died instead of us. He willingly died as the sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Our sin. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. It was not only "Good" Friday, but actually should be called "Best Friday" because God gave us the gift of eternal life thru Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. For God so loved your name that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. It is because of Jesus' death and resurrection that we have such great hope. Easter Sunday should be called the "Best Day Ever."

Have a joyous Resurrection Sunday, filled with hope and new life in Jesus!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!!!













Dear Family and Friends—Welcome back for the rest of our 2006 Update!!

In August, we traveled to Alaska with Debbie’s Dad. We met Dad in Denver and flew to Anchorage. It was a beautiful trip, going by train from Anchorage to Seward then traveling by catamaran in the Kenai Fjords seeing glaciers and their calvings, waterfalls, mountains, stellar sea lions, otters, birds, bald eagles, and lots of seals on the ice flows by a glacier; plus we visited Sea Life and saw birds flying UNDER water! We visited Talkeetna, but Mt. McKinley was clouded over, then took a bus tour for 13 hours in the Denali National Park. God’s creation is so awesome! We saw 3 grizzly bears with a mama and her cub almost within touching distance, plus caribou, moose and her calf, golden eagle, ptarmigan, artic squirrels, and Tiger trees, which look like scrawny sticks with pine needles and are very old. We trained from Denali to Fairbanks and spent most of our time in the dome car enjoying the scenery. Then for 3 days we were in a 12-passenger van with a total of 9 sightseers and 1 guide, driving along the Alaskan pipeline. We drove through some more amazing country side, including the crossing of the Yukon River on our way to Cold Foot, which took
12 hours. We took a 10-passenger airplane flight to Anaktubuk Pass Village—the most inland Eskimo village of Alaska. Our Eskimo guides opened up their new and old churches for us to see and sang “Amazing Grace” in their native tongue. Everything was wonderful! The next day we drove 12½ hours to Dead Horse, better known as Prudhoe Bay. We toured the oil fields and stood by the Artic Ocean then flew back to Fairbanks in less than 3 hours. We rounded off our tour with a stern wheel boat trip, an Athabascan Eskimo village tour, and a dog training session. On our own, we drove to North Pole attending church with friends of Dad’s and fellowshipping with them over their home cooked lunch. On our final day we visited the University of Alaska Fairbanks museum and then drove to Chena Hot Springs where we enjoyed the hot pool and Dad enjoyed their thermal heated greenhouse tour along with other thermal energy features. All of us enjoyed the Chena Ice House Museum where EVERYTHING was carved from ice, but we weren’t persuaded to spend a night in one of the ice beds at $500 each and temperatures of 20º!! AND coming back we saw Mt. McKinley!! We then flew to Portland OR and visited Debbie’s little brother and wife for a few days and on to Cheyenne and played with Brody and visited with Stephanie, Debbie’s step-Mom, and older brother and family. We had such a wonderful vacation with Dad and seeing our family!


When we arrived back at Port Mercy (Lake Charles LA) the end of August, the Spirit of Grace sailed 2 days later with a crew of 42 (including 2 children) to the great nation of Israel. We were privileged to keep the home fires burning this time and be prayer warriors for our sailing crew as they were while we were in Haiti. They delivered 5,000 cubic tons of medical supplies, bedding, linens, paper products, clothing, furniture, hygiene necessities, school supplies, building materials and more. These goods were received and distributed by Joseph Project, a wonderful humanitarian aid organization that works through a network of agencies throughout Israel that help those in need. Among the people that received help were war victims, new immigrants from many countries, terror victims, Arab families in need, the elderly, handicapped, orphans and the homeless. The Spirit of Grace crew was gone from September 2 to January 2 with 40 days spent in Ashdod and 83 days at sea. We had quite a celebration upon their arrival home!! For more info, log on at www.friendships.org
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Regular work continued for Steve as he was kept busy keeping the John Deere backhoe, golf carts, forklifts, International flatbed truck, Bantam crane, vans, crew’s cars, Kenworth semi truck, lawn mowers, and skid loader running. He also flew to Orlando FL with Friend Ships Director Don Tipton to bring back an RV. They had quite an adventure; Steve keeping the RV running on the 4-day trip home and Don driving it. Plus in 1½ hours Steve helped the warehouse crew load a 20’ container with food, rice, and mattresses donated to another ministry and bound for Haiti.


Debbie’s supervisor sailed to Israel, so while she was gone, it was a busy time. Debbie received a donation of water maker filters for the Spirit of Grace and got a full refund from DHL by filing for a ‘delivery date failed’—both were answers to prayer and such blessings! Another big project was preparing for the International WorkBoat Show, held in New Orleans, which included asking for donations of lodging, preparing Friend Ships online advertisement and attending the actual show to meet and thank the many companies who donate to us. She also received a “YES” donation from Princess Cruises to ship supplies from Galveston to Roatán. Thank you, Jesus!!

It was great that Deb’s Mom and step-Dad visited for a week in early November. Debbie and Mom (Ruth) worked in the office together and Earl and Steve worked in the yard.

December 4th, a gift from our Iowa friends was delivered—a 28-foot, 5th wheel trailer with a slide out. It needs some minor work, but it doesn’t leak! We moved in January 14th and are enjoying it tremendously!



So many highlights this year with the Haiti Medical Outreach, Alaska trip, Deb’s parents visiting, a new home, but the biggest has got to be that ALL of our kids came to Port Mercy for Christmas!! IT WAS SO WONDERFUL!! (Picture on the good ship Hope—Top row, l-r: Stephanie and Brody, Sonja and Lydia, Jason, Kendra, Doug, Steve. Bottom row, l-r: Hannah, Debbie and Abigail, Caleb, Glenn.)


Glenn, Sonja and the kids were here from the 18th-3rd, so they got to see the Grace came home. Stephanie, Jason and Brody were here from the 23rd-27th and had to drive because the Denver airport was shut down due to snowstorms. Kendra and Doug arrived in the wee hours of the 24th and stayed til the 30th. They treated us to barbequed shish kabobs, which we enjoyed at our 5th wheel trailer. We had such a good time together!! (Picture of Grandkids in Grandpa and Grandma's cabin on the Spirit—counterclock wise: Lydia, Caleb, Hannah, Brody, and Abigail. We toured the Tabasco Company on Avery Island, then traveled via the back roads and saw thousands of water birds and an alligator sunning itself on a round bale that was stuck in a canal ditch. The Maas Mass was also privileged to serve and bless the crew by cooking Christmas dinner. SO MUCH FUN AND SO MANY BLESSINGS!
Highlights of our kids include: Stephanie is working at Sierra Trading Post. Jason was discharged from the Marines in November. He since has joined the National Guard to train as a helicopter mechanic. Kendra passed her comps and is now an official Ph.D. candidate! Glenn is studying for the M-Cat (a medical test) so he can apply to medical schools. (Picture of KIDS in Spirit's "Upper Room"—Sonja, Glenn, Stephanie, Kendra, Doug and Jason.)

We love you! Thanks for sharing our 2006!! From the S-D Maas', Steve and Debbie! XXOOXOXOOOXOOOXOXOOOOXOOXOXOOXOXO

YEAR 2006--Part 1

February 2007
Happy President’s Day, Happy Valentine’s Day, Happy Martin Luther King Day, Hap-Hap-Hap-Hap-Ha—a—a—a—pyy New Year, Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah!!!!

Obviously we’re a tad late in getting our annual missive out to everyone. Believe it or not, preparation was started in September 2006, but then time just snowballed and now it’s already February! Unbelievable!!

The Lord opened many new doors in 2006. For instance we went up in a hot air balloon. It was tethered, but still very exciting. We’ve been in the states now for an unprecedented amount of months, more than 2 years! (It’s not as strange a feeling as it was the first year and it truly is a blessing to be closer to our family plus we love Port Mercy just like we loved Roatán.) We had several friends come see us—a high school girl friend who Deb hadn’t seen since the early 1990’s, a great couple from Rogersville MO, and our special friends from Iowa, that we met in Roatán first because they volunteered for Friend Ships, plus the new family members that the Lord allows us to meet as they come and go or come and stay at Friend Ships. What a privilege to become better acquainted with God’s church!! And then our journeys . . . more about them later.

Our entire family was together twice this year, once in honor of Grandma Picklepuss Pace who passed away in March at Cheyenne, Wyoming. What a legacy she left—47 children, grand children, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and all their spouses plus her famous homemade ketchup, which Deb’s brother is now making for the family. M-m-m-m! It’s been an adjustment without Grandma around. We all miss her. Debbie was blessed to have Grandmas for as long as she did.

Our kids are in birth order and ages of our grandkids were as of March 2006: Stephanie holding her Brody (13 months), Kendra and Son-in-love Doug, Debbie holding Hannah (3 yrs., 7 months), Steve holding Lydia (25 months), Daughter-in-love Sonja holding Abigail (4 months), Glenn holding Caleb (5 years and 8 months), and Jason. Caleb, Hannah, Lydia, and Abigail belong to Glenn and Sonja. But all the grandkids belong to Grandpa and Grandma!!

In late April, Steve was named Chief Engineer on Friend Ships vessel, M/V Hope, for the Medical Outreach to Haiti. Hope and M/V Mersea sailed for Haiti May 2 at 12:30 p.m. and arrived at 11 p.m. on the May 9. Steve did an outstanding job as Chief Engineer! He was up early and late, but the Lord was his strength and wisdom. He often made the comment, “Well, I’m a whole lot smarter tonight than I was this morning!” Steve not only kept the ship going and the generator working so we’d have A/C but also the ice maker, coffee maker, water maker, etc. He was off the ship and into the towns of Port-au-Prince and Carrefour 5 times when he either delivered or returned a container. PICTURE: Steve is pulling the support site container onto the roll back truck, a former wrecker truck.

Debbie was Domestic Supervisor on the ship and then as guest volunteers arrived she welcomed and orientated them to Friend Ships, rules and ship ways, assigned cabins, etc. She went to the medical outreach site the first week keeping patients ready for the medical providers, meeting the needs of the crew, etc. The drive to the site was between 45-60 minutes one way on roads that were similar to Wyoming’s cow trails. She also flew once in Friend Ships helicopter from the site back to the ship and was privileged to visit 2 orphanages, one of which was for HIV infected children. ;o( She was pleasantly surprised that the facilities were large, airy, clean, and beautiful. During the following 3 weeks, Debbie prepared documents for offloading the cargo, continued with domestic duties and debriefed the guest volunteers prior to their departure. PICTURE: Debbie and co-workers praying for a patient.


During the 3 weeks of medical and construction work, hundreds and hundreds of people accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Since Friend Ships worked through the local churches, these baby Christians were prayed with and will be led by the local pastors, so they have a church to grow in. Also Friend Ships crew prayed with each patient on an average of 2 or 3 times before they left the site. Additionally over 2850 patients were examined, treated and given medicine; over 2100 patients were seen for reading glasses; 222 patients were seen by the masseuse and/or chiropractor; 66 patients were seen by the dentist with most having 2 teeth pulled, and over 4200 people were fed while they or their family members were waiting to be seen. We left Haiti June 8 at 1 p.m. and arrived at Port Mercy (Friend Ships in Lake Charles) on June 17 at 10:45 a.m. In the middle of that we stopped off at Montego Bay, Jamaica (and swam in the bay!) for 36 hours because a tropical depression had hit between Belize and Cuba. IF we had left when we wanted to instead of when God wanted, we’d have been in the middle of it. God’s timing is always perfect, if we’re patient enough to wait for Him. On the way home, the fantastic domestic crew scrubbed down every one of the 59 bunks (well, at least 7/8) and made them up for the Disaster Relief Training that ran June 26-30.

On the eve before we arrived home, the traditional Captain’s Dinner was celebrated with a delicious turkey dinner and all the trimmings. Original creative poems, The Night Before Haiti and O, Captain, Our Captain, were enjoyed plus a stand up comic, the ‘demon’ within the Capt., and a captain imposter. PICTURE: The ‘demon’ within (Steve), Capt. Stan, and the captain imposter (Debbie).

Almost 50 people from around the country plus the regular Friend Ships crew of 50ish attended the first Friend Ships Disaster Relief Training. Our super talented leaders lectured on a variety of subjects that were very informational for the workshops the students were involved in. Workshops included: food ministry who made our dinners every evening, house to house ministry, roofing and heavy equipment, radio ministry, and site support (disposal of garbage, poop cleaner upper and ship cleaning). We were the ship parents and hosted the guests and again Steve was in charge of the Hope. He and many others also had their first helicopter ride!

Well, this is the first half of our 2006. Stay tuned as more will be coming!! We love you all and miss you tremendously. We certainly appreciate your emails, Christmas updates and phone calls. Keep in touch!! God bless! Love, Steve and Debbie