Summer 2009 Newsletter

I serve with Mercy Ships. Everything here, however, is my personal opinion and is not read or approved before it is posted. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships

Every year I make a resolution that I will not complain about the summer heat in Texas. Every year I fail miserably. This year is no different. It is HOT! I can handle heat, you can step in the shade and it cools off, back home noon is the hottest part of the day which makes for a perfectly cooler late afternoon, here late afternoon is the scorcher. Last night at 10 pm it was still 32°C (89F), then add on top of that the 420% (feels like) humidity that clings to you and follows you everywhere. Ugh. Okay, done with the complaining.

I still love my job! We recently had a reunion of the first kids and teachers that were in the school on the Anastasis 30 years ago when Mercy Ships started. I have heard the stories of the antics and hardships endured but to finally meet them was awesome. All grown up now and with children of their own it was amazing to see them reconnect and rebuild relationships. It was pretty amazing and somehow gave validity to my work here. It was the first time in three years that I could actually see tangible results of what I do. God is good to me. Quite a few of them shared openly of what they have gone through since leaving and it was nice to see the group close around the wounded ones and comfort and support them. Jesus in action and a pretty cool thing to witness. Quite a few lessons learned on how to make it a better experience for the next group but I think it was a fairly successful 4 days.

Now on to other projects and catching up on those ones that I had to slack off on due to preparations for the reunion. I still love directing our monthly alumni webcast (see the latest one here) and compiling the alumni newsletter and websites (see one here). Just reconnecting everyday with former crew and to help in little ways is always satisfying. The number of staff in my department has not grown yet and it is still just me and my seven personalities. Would be nice to have at least one person to bounce ideas off and to get input from. Well, so far the requests have fallen on deaf ears so who knows, might be time to get the trumpet out and walk around the city walls seven times.

One constant battle I do fight is the question of financial support. As you can imagine in these economic times people had to cut back on expenditures and most of the time that meant supporting me. I am once again in desperate need. Please help me pray in support and help me find possible supporters. The good thing is that if you are in the US, your support to me is tax deductable. So by helping me you are helping your tax return getting lighter! Finances is not the only way you can support me, prayer is also much needed and a valuable resource to give. Please pray for good health, wisdom and security. I am pretty tired and have not had a break in nearly a year, since my dad’s death.

I am eternally thank full that my visa issues were positively resolved and that I can stay for another two years. Praise be to God for that one! Not sure why but that aged me a few years. I guess I just enjoyed having roots again after all the years afloat. Hard to believe that I am already 7 years, 9 months, 15 days (2843 days) with Mercy Ships. If you wonder how I can be so accurate, there is a pretty nifty website that does it for you here.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support, whatever form that may be in. Without your help I cannot be here living my dream and calling. If you do know of anyone looking to support a missionary, contact me and I will forward you my bio etc.

contact DETAILS

Marius Prinsloo
Mercy Ships
PO Box 2020
Garden Valley
TX 75771, USA

+1 903 939 7000 (work)
+1 903.941.3722 (cell)

marius.prinsloo@mercyships.org (work email address)
marius.prinsloo@mail.com (private email address)
mariusprinsloo.com
bringing hope and healing: www.mercyships.org

banking details:
Send a check made out to Mercy Ships to the address above with a note designating the funds to ‘the support of Marius Prinsloo - #1631’.

by credit card: https://secure.mercyships.org/webinfo/US/staffgiving?staff_data=1631~Marius~Prinsloo