The oceans now carry more than freight. It carries tension, whispers of war and the faint thunder of insecurity that cuts even through steel and waves.

Miguel,a main chef from the Philippines stands in the kitchen. His grip is strong when he shakes your hand, but his eyes have a far-off view - secretly he is looking beyond the ship, beyond the horizon, he is looking home where his wife and children are waiting. The radio talks about attacks around Iran, of ships sailing a route without economic viability, rather on risk. In his hand he holds a CSO Bible in his own language. It is not only paper - it is an anchor. As the world around him shouts louder and louder, he reads with Danie, about tenderness and love that remains soft. He holds it like someone that understands how fragile everything is. 

At the next ship, a young engineer from India remains seated after the meal. He is alone at the table. The plates have been removed, but the tension remains. Every shifting the engine room now feels closer to danger. Every change in direction leads to an urgent question - shall we be safe? He picks up a Bible, seemingly insecure whether it is allowed of not. When he talks to Danie it is soft, insecure. And yet, when he finally walks away, he is holding the Bible close to his chest. It explains his gratitude for the moment of peace that he found at that table.

On another deck, Oleksandr from the Ukraine is standing, staring at the mist hanging ominously over the harbour this morning. His own country has been broken by war already and now the shadows are following him across the seas. The Middle East is on fire and even here, far from everything, he clearly feels the glow of the fire. He is holding a Bible, not with big words or prayers. He is only holding it - like someone needing to find the light, without knowing where it will come from. 

As Danie visits ship after ship, the mist does not lift dramatically. The world does not change suddenly. But, here something else is definitely happening. Hands are extended without agenda. Bibles are being opened like windows. Here, the love of Christ is spread, not with loud noise, only spread in small, quiet deeds.  

The world is dividing, but here connections are found. Where war brings about fear, here you find empathy and softness. It is not because the sea is calm, only because the Living Hope helps to throw out anchor. For a moment, a mere moment, there is the solid knowledge that this Light is stronger than the dark. 

Thank you so much to our friends and donors for making this happen. It helps to shine the Light. The Light helps in a world that needs it so very urgently.