KAILUA-KONA — Missionaries must acquire a wide variety of skills before they set off into the unknown to spread their message. For a handful of young adults from Youth With A Mission in Kona, those skills include basic nautical knowledge as they prepare to travel to remote islands inaccessible by any other mode of transportation.
A small group from YWAM spent Monday afternoon at the Old Kona Airport Park learning the ins and outs of sailing on the open ocean, something most who pursue and remain in the organization’s nautical track will one day need if they hope to realize their goal of becoming international Christian missionaries.
“Usually what (the mission trips) are offering is, of course evangelism and mercy ministries,” said Glenn Borgert, a 30-year veteran of the Coast Guard, who now works with YWAM’s Discipleship Training School and imparted his knowledge to future missionaries Monday. “You can go build things and (there are) medical benefits, too. Our ship in Papua New Guinea is focusing a lot on eye surgeries, dental and basic medical care.
“You don’t have to know how to sail, but you at least have to be familiar with it, because you’re going to be exposed to it.”
Josh Byers, 19, who’s been preparing to join up with the Pacific Link — a roughly 160-foot YWAM vessel in Papua New Guinea — said the training is primarily about two things: Not getting in the way of those charged with piloting the boat, and knowing what’s going on in case you’re called on for assistance in the midst of an emergency.
The instructors focus on teaching sailing specifically, as it is the most involved form of seamanship. If you can function on a sailing vessel, they said, you’re prepared well enough to board a ship of any sort.
“Basic seamanship stuff, if you’re on board, you really need to know,” Byers said. “If something goes wrong, one person standing (in the way) can stop a bunch of people from actually doing their jobs properly.”
Byers has been on Hawaii Island since early January preparing for his mission trip. In a couple months, he will make his way across the world to the Pacific Link, where he will primarily function as an evangelist on all the islands the ship visits. His group will also be accompanied by a medical team offering basic health care services to island natives.
He said he will be aboard the vessel for a month or two and will visit Vanuatu, as well as some small islands situated in the general vicinity of Papua New Guinea.
“Instead of just flying into a place, YWAM ships had a vision of taking boats into isolated islands you can’t reach by plane or by car,” said Jesse Johner, another YWAM nautical missionary in training. “Our focus in nautical track is going to islands like Josh is, and reaching people (we couldn’t otherwise).”
In 2016, YWAM Ships ferried 661 volunteers on three ships in Papua New Guinea, Panama and the Marshall Islands, where they treated 45,000 patients across 135 villages. An additional 8,510 people were vaccinated against a variety of diseases, 181 people received eye surgeries and nearly 11,000 individuals were educated on various health topics.
To help expand those services in 2017, YWAM is hosting the “Restoring Sight Golf Tournament” on March 18 at the Kona Golf and Country Club. The organization is looking for participants, silent auction items, prizes and hole sponsors. Any donations qualify for a tax-deductible receipt.
Those who desire more information can access it by emailing Christina Dixon at golf@ywamships.net or by calling 352-362-6353.
