A yacht operated by Pacific Yacht Ministries (PYM), an independent Seventh-day Adventist ministry, was raided by pirates while moored near Honiara, Solomon Islands May 9.
A yacht operated by Pacific Yacht Ministries (PYM), an independent Seventh-day Adventist ministry, was raided by pirates while moored near Honiara, Solomon Islands May 9.
Nick Clark, captain of the Lavinia, was alone on board, but was unharmed. Clark had become sick with malaria while preparing to depart the Solomons for Vanuatu to meet with another PYM vessel, Windago. While he was bedridden below deck for two days, the pirates came aboard during the night and stole the inflatable dinghy and motor.
“These are essential for transporting medical and dental teams into the remote villages we work in,” says PYM boat operations manager Steve Woodward. “The boat and motor cost about AU$8,000 (approximately US$5,575), and as we had to arrange immediate replacement, this has depleted our emergency fund.”
PYM believes the burglary is an isolated case. Clark told Woodward via satellite phone the villagers were “deeply shamed and sorry” a PYM vessel had been attacked this way. The chief led a search, recovered the motor, brought the culprits to justice, and pleaded with Clark to still return with a doctor next year.
This year PYM hopes to treat up to 12,000 medical and dental patients, and to reach many more with the gospel. “When we serve people’s medical needs, they become open to seeking the God we serve,” says Woodward.
Pacific Yacht Ministries is a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian aid for the relief of sickness, suffering and distress of the underprivileged, through dental and medical assistance to benefit island communities in the Pacific regardless of race, religion or creed.
For more information, visit www.pacificyachtministries.org.
