The Votaws' Ocean Adventure » Ministry

We’re Back!

Shirley — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:21:00 +0000

We survived the Gulf of Mexico once again, and once again it wasn’t fun. Oh well, whatdya gonna do? There wasn’t a lot of wind, and half the time, the current was pushing us in the wrong direction. However, we got to see a water spout; we also experienced a line of squalls (brief storms with high winds and sometimes rain). The winds were at least 30 knots, but it was brief and provided some much needed excitement, and a cool breeze.

Cannibal is “home” in Kemah, Tx at a marina for a few months. We will be in the process of transitioning back into “normal” life. Currently, we are in OKC picking up our boys, our dog, and our truck. We really like the marina so far. The pool is right by the boat, the restrooms/showers are nice, the other liveaboards are nice, there are a few other doggies… I think it’s going to be good.

Now it’s time to raise ministry funds and acquire a vessel large enough to carry supplies to missionaries. We have plenty of items ready to go… we just need God to provide the ship and the funds. John will be working on raising funds and booking speaking engagements, and looking for a ship. Vacation is over, its time to work!! You can keep up with the ministry progress at www.sevenseasministries.us!

Happy New Year

Daddio — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:19:31 +0000

Well we did it! We managed to hang around the US until the end of the year. This is not what we had in mind. But everything takes a little longer on a boat. So in order to help maintain our sanity we are going to do a brief recap of our activities aboard since September. We have come a long way, even though we haven’t gone very far.

Before I get to the list, I want to say that we are so excited about this coming year we can hardly stand it. It has taken us 3 months to get ready but we are feeling great about our readiness for the voyage and there is a certain appropriateness about starting fresh in a new year. I’ve got a new log book started and we are eagerly awaiting casting off. As soon as we get our welding done we are off with the first good weather window. We are excited to have a cargo bound for Haiti and to see Seven Seas Ministries begin to bear fruit. We are ready for this next phase of our adventure!

So without further to do, here is the answer to the questions I know you’re asking, “What have y’all been doing for 3 months? How come you haven’t left yet?” In no particular order, this is what we’ve been doing.

Installed Lectrasan system
Put a new raw water pump in the main engine
Brought the boat from Pensacola to Texas
Rebuilt the A/C compressor box in the boys closet
Replaced the fuel pump on the generator
Replaced all fuel filter elements in the whole fuel system for both generator and main engine
Installed plywood panel alongside Garrett’s bunk so his stuff doesn’t fall into the lazarette
Installed grab rail above Garrett’s bunk
Extinguished on board electrical fire
Recharged fire extinguishers
Rewired entire 110 volt system including adding breakers and transfer switches
Replaced oven thermostat valve
Tuned refrigeration system including adding small air circulation fans in each box
Repaired 150% Genoa
Sewed new luff tape on spare 150% Genoa
Repaired 100% jib
Sewed new hanks on staysail
Repaired sail cover
Installed new flood light over sugar scoop
Had propane locker repaired
Ran aground and got centerboard jammed
Built hookah supplied air breathing unit
Unjammed center board
Upgraded wiring from main battery bank to inverter/charger
Rebuilt forward head
Replaced Lexan in forward hold hatch cover
Lubricated all winches
Installed HDTV over the air antenna
Repaired clothes washer
Changed engine oil in main engine and generator
Studied for untold hours and sat through 20 hours of USCG testing to get my License back
Made and mounted port light curtains for the main cabin
Made and mounted privacy curtains for passageways
Repaired outboard motor ignition system
Replaced all cabinet knobs
Loaded cargo of shirts and computers for Haiti
Crashed Shirley’s laptop
Purchased and configured new laptop for Shirley
Bought lots of miscellaneous spare parts, supplies, charts, cruising guides, etc
Built half wall around generator to protect it from gear adrift in the lazarette
Whipped ends of all lines on board
Tuned standing rigging
Replaced ends on both shore power cords
Made up fender boards to span fenders for use at commercial type docks
Lots of reading and researching on cruising and our destinations
Installed new propane grill on aft rail
Replaced gasket on portlight
Gave away and sold unneeded extra sails
Scraped barnacles off the dinghy bottom (a sure sign you’ve been somewhere too long)
Replaced watermaker diaphragm
Replumbed watermaker – hoses and fittings
Provisioned for our trip south
Homeschooled the kids on an ongoing basis
And more stuff that I’ve forgotten

I’d also like to take a moment to thank all the folks who have helped us do all the stuff listed above. It is amazing the resources God puts in your path when you are doing what he called you to do. We have been blessed in lots of ways by lots of folks and this list is incomplete but here it is none the less. Also in no particular order.

My mom and dad, Sue and Travis Votaw – for everything
Shirley’s brother, Kevin Morrison – thanks for all the hours of electrical work
Charles and Katherine Walker – thanks for all the transportation, mail handling and fellowship
Charl DeVilliers the Silent Voyager – for his advice and expertise
Charlie Jones – master craftsman
Phil and Susie Collins – for cars and trips and fun
Phil and Leslie Colquitt for feeding us and helping with mail and transportation needs
Carl Westbrook for being a pastor and believing in the vision God has given us.
Everyone else who has helped with anything else. The list is a long one, and we are overwhelmed by all of the help and encouragement you all have provided.

So together we embark on a new year. If this past year was any indication, we have lot’s of excitement and blessings in store. God bless you all an we look forward to moving forward together through 2008.

Stay tuned. Ciao for now!

USCG License News

Daddio — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:43:38 +0000

Good news! I spoke with the Coast Guard today and received approval to take the tests to renew my license. We hadn’t anticipated any problems but the approval has taken almost a month so we were anxious to hear back from them. Now I need to begin in earnest studying for the tests. Yes that’s plural. Since my license had expired more than a year ago, I must take ALL of the original tests over. Yikes! It will consist of about 8 or 9 different tests taken morning and afternoon for four days. I’m not sure yet when I’ll be scheduling them. I’ve got some studying to do.

The good thing is that this is a significant step for our ministry. Once my license is renewed, I’ll be qualified to act as captain of the ship we eventually get for Seven Seas Ministries. It’s very exciting to think about that day getting closer. In the mean time, the studying and license renewal will also help ensure that I am ready to captain our family sailboat on our upcoming voyage.

The straight and narrow road leads to 501(c)3 status.

Daddio — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 02:53:23 +0000

Well, as you have read, we are incorporated as a non-profit in the state of Oklahoma. As they say at Staples, “That was easy!” But now for the follow-up work of getting the more significant Federal recognition. The final goal is to become a federally recognized 501(c)3 organization. This requires lots of “t” crossing and “i” dotting. Since we have some questions about the best way to represent our ministry so that we are able to expand in the future, we have elected to enlist the assistance of a professional (lawyer). I’ll be sending our information to them tomorrow and should then be just an interview or two (and a couple of thousand bucks!) away from being a 501(c)3. In the meantime all donations to our ministry are tax deductible contingent on our receiving our federal approval. Once received, our federal approval will be backdated to our date of state incorporation . . . does your head hurt yet? Are your eyes glazing over?

Yeah . . . me too. I guess lawyers really do earn their money!

Seven Seas Ministries Inc.

Shirley — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:40:16 +0000

We’re officially an organization. John submitted Articles of Incorporation towards the application for a 501(c)3 and we will have an EIN number later this afternoon. We are opening the checking account for the ministry this afternoon, and depositing our first donation!!! How exciting! It’s amazing to see God work…we are blown away!

A quick “Thank You”

Daddio — Tue, 29 May 2007 13:20:10 +0000

I just want to take a moment and say “thank you” to all of you who have provided us with encouragement and assistance. We have had countless words of encouragement; much prayer; and specific assistance. We have received a couple of offers to store our belongings while we’re gone; and just yesterday we were offered the free use of a friend’s airplane and pilot to help in our search for a boat. We cannot thank all of you enough! We are so pumped about how this is all coming together. God truly is faithful and He uses regular people like you and me to see His plans come to pass.