Shining Star Sailing
Aims to support existing Christian Organisations and missionaries working on coastline. We are dedicated in using a unique sailing vessel to reach people by providing transportation of essential/medical supplies, literature, food or clothing and even teams of people to meet the needs of that particular people group.
We would love you to read our story and find out more about how we can serve you - just click on the link to the left.
LATEST NEWS
It has been a busy couple of months since my return from Sweden in February so we thought that an update was in order.
A young German man named Merlin arrived in April to volunteer for one month on the boat. He was an absolute blessing to the project and came to Cape Town as a response to a request I made for a volunteer during the conference in Sweden. We managed to accomplish so much by working together and we definitely got more than double the work done than what I am able to achieve alone.
During Merlin’s time here we were able to make good headway in many areas. We focused on the major priorities of the boat closely:
- The Keel – sorting, cutting, melting and finally pouring just over a ton of lead.
- The Steering system – sourcing and fitting chain and sprocket
- The Rig (masts etc) – light sand and spray-paint masts white, we also received a quote for our suit of sails.
- The Rudder – transported the rudder and stock to engineer to be straightened and have boot for rudder machined. Once it was ready we then fitted rudder onto boat and fitted boot into place below.
- Hull – Merlin also helped to complete the paint work on the hull of the boat.
During this time, we were visited by another couple down from Sweden, Roger and Anna-lena. I met the couple at the conference and they have really come alongside Natalie and I in supporting our project, both financially and spiritually. It was truly good to have had them here to see first hand what we are up to and to be involved in the project. Their interest and concern for this project has meant a lot to us. The financial support they brought with them from various people/churches in Sweden has afforded us to keep our heads down and pay the bills as we go. Their faith and trust in us and the vision for this boat has encouraged us tremendously.
God has been blessing the socks off this project in terms of keeping the finances available for forward progress and we are almost complete with pouring 3 tons of lead. Praise God that we have reached this huge milestone and that my health is still intact ( NEVER AGAIN!!!)
More recently we employed a carpenter, who unfortunately, turned out to be the wrong decision, and after two weeks of stress, no work being done and items being stolen from the boat we had to let him go (to put it nicely). This really came as a huge setback and we are still trying to pick up the pieces from that little misadventure!!
Prayer requests and personal insight:
More than ever we are pushing hard towards the completion of the boat and more than ever we desperately need your prayers. The Devil is on the move more actively than before and we really feel like we have locked heads in a fight.
Please pray with us for the finances to meet project completion which estimates to a figure of R80 000.
We specifically ask for victory in the daily emotional battles we face with the stresses of this faith walk. The walk of faith is not easy and there really is a reason that God insists we don’t worry about tomorrow but just trust Him for today.
Please also pray with us as we begin to listen for direction as to where God would have the boat by early next year.
Natalie recently returned from visiting her parents who are working temporarily in Holland. This was a real blessing for her and she was thoroughly spoiled for 2 weeks. Our little boy grows by the day and he is already such a blessing to us (apart from sitting in the hospital for 7 hrs on our first visit to government hospital to check all is well) we are eagerly expecting his arrival in late Sept but are really pushing to have the major boat projects out of the way by then.
I continue to do some formal sail training/teaching and yacht deliveries to keep ourselves afloat and it is always difficult trying to find that balance between working for money and working on the boat.
Thank you all for your continuing support of us
Dale and Natalie
SSS
Fullies
FISH HOEK
FULL GOSPEL CHURCH
Creating opportunities through relationships