DILI, EAST TIMOR (ANS) -- The world’s oldest missions ship, OM’s Doulos, has brought blessing to Asia’s newest country, East Timor, when the missionary crew used the opportunity to share God’s love with the community of the needy city of Dili.

From November 4th to 11th, residents of Dili opened their harbor and their hearts to the vessel’s international crew.

High Profile Visits onboard

East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and Doulos Director Dr. Daniel Chae

From the outset, the Doulos visit to Dili was a high profile event. East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão was guest of honor at an official ceremony to open the ship’s onboard book fair to the public. President Jose Ramos-Horta and his wife made a visit to Doulos too and interacted with the vessel’s all-volunteer Christian crew. United Nations workers based in the country were also invited to a special program on the ship, where they learned about the ship’s mission to bring knowledge help and hope to the world.

Impact maximized for week long visit

Although the visit was just seven days long, plans were made beforehand to make the most of the time in port. Medical supplies and wheelchairs were ready for donation as soon as the ship arrived, as were boxes of Doulos’ educational books bound for East Timor’s libraries and educational institutions. The vessel itself was also a huge attraction, with 33,000 people stepping on board to visit the ship’s book fair. And, in a country where most of the population are under-25, over 3,500 schoolchildren were welcomed to Doulos for a fun but informative program that explained the crew’s unity and faith.

East Timor represents the 156th country that OM’s ships have called at during nearly four decades of ministry. After leaving Dili, Doulos sailed for Singapore where the vessel will undergo a routine period of maintenance. Future schedules and further details about OM Ships International can be found on the website www.omships.org.

Peter Wooding is European Bureau Chief for the Missionaries News Service -- http://www.missionariesnews.tv. He is married to Sharon and they live in North Wales with their three children. He has traveled extensively reporting from countries including Russia, Dubai, South Korea, Zambia, Gambia, Mozambique, Croatia, Israel and India. He is also the director of ASSIST Europe which is involved in helping children's projects in Vladikavkaz, Russia. For more information on ASSIST Europe, go to http://www.assisteurope.net