sailing-doulos

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One of the questions we're asked is, "What does ministry actually look like while you're living aboard?"

Sometimes...

it looks like a 16-foot inflatable gymnastics mat 🤣

Those of you who know Evy know she loves everything gymnastics. For more than a year, she begged us for an inflatable tumbling mat. Every birthday and Christmas, it topped her wish list.

I would say, "We're hoping to live on a boat someday. Where would we even put something that big?"

She always had an answer.

"It can go in the water!"

"It rolls up!"

"I'll make room!"

Finally, this past Christmas, we gave in.

When we moved aboard, one of the first things she asked was, "Can we bring the mat?"

So...we did.

Once we inflated it and tied it alongside the boat, you couldn't miss it. Bright teal. Sixteen feet long. It quickly became the girls' favorite place to jump, wrestle, laugh, and invent games.

What we didn't realize was that God had plans for that mat too.

It became an invitation.

Kayakers stopped by inquiring about it. Families began introducing themselves. Kids came to play. People lingered to talk.

One of those families was a single mom and her two boys who were anchored nearby. We invited them to join the girls whenever they saw the mat out, and before long, friendships began to grow.

This family is here with us in Green Cove and God continues to give us opportunities together 🙏

On a different day, the boys came with additional friends, another dad with his son and daughter. While the kids were playing in the water, the dad came aboard and we sat together in the cockpit talking about life. Eventually the conversation turned to the story of how God provided this boat and faithfully led our family here.

Encouraged by our story, he shared honestly that he had been hurt by people who claimed to follow Christ but whose lives told a different story. Because of that, he wasn't ready to identify with any particular faith. Yet he also admitted something that really stayed with us: he had never taken the time to seriously explore Christianity for himself.

Thankful for his honesty and willingness to share, we encouraged him to seek God personally, to ask questions, dig deeper, and discover who Jesus truly is.

Who would have thought a gymnastics mat would become a ministry tool?

One of the sweetest parts of this journey has been watching God use our girls. Their love for adventure, gymnastics, swimming, and simply inviting others to join them has become a natural way for friendships to begin.

Children have a beautiful way of bringing people together. Kids are drawn to kids, and before long, parents are gathered in conversation too.

It's been a joy to watch our daughters understand that they aren't just along for the journey, they're part of the ministry God has called our family to! They faithfully pray for the friends God brings into their lives, asking Him for opportunities to share Jesus and trusting Him to work in hearts just as He is working in theirs.

For our family, ministry begins in the ordinary moments...opening our boat, serving others, building relationships, and trusting God with the rest.

We believe He is planting seeds, and we trust Him to water them in His perfect timing.

Would you join us in prayer?

For the specific families mentioned above
For eyes to see the opportunities God places before us
For boldness and wisdom as our family shares the love of Jesus
For hearts to be softened and drawn to a relationship with Him

With love,

Tim, Kim, and girls

P.S. We have a feeling this isn't the end of the gymnastics mat story. 😊 What has God placed in your hands that He's used in an unexpected way to point someone toward Him? Hit "reply" and testify! Tell us about your own "gymnastics mat."

Sharing the gospel on the water, supporting ministries, and bringing hope to the Caribbean.

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