Log update: May 29, 2021 (written by Mary):

5:00 am:  lost autopilot, have switched to hand steering:

 At the time it happened, I could not see God's genius in losing the autopilot.  Helm steering  has always been difficult  for me to grasp.  I have never had a reason  to  learn it until now.  I'm getting the hang of it, but not without  some frustration  at first.  We have everything  needed to fix the autopilot but need to wait till Livingston to tackle it.    Still running on the engine,  winds not yet blowing as we need.

6:30 p.m.:

We finally  have wind!!   Yay!!"

Log update:  May 28, 2021, 5 p.m.

 

Well, almost done with the Gulf. We should be entering the Yucatan Channel tonight. The Gulf was reasonably miserable. Forecast models all came close if the wind just hadn't been on our nose instead of the beam like they promised. Our diesel has been working hard for 75% of the trip. Praying the fuel holds out!

Once past Cozumel supposedly the eastern trades will take over, hopefully. A bit of sunburn, lots of unpleasant choppy headsets and a bit of queeziness but making way. Hopefully improving soon.

Penny has definitely decided that dolphins are secretly in league with cats and dog should be treated accordingly. At least gives her some excitement.

 

 Log update, May 28, 2021 (written by Mary):

 Very calm seas with a soft swell. Took all sails down and are motoring. 6.5 knots. The engine is sipping fuel. A much needed  blessing as we may be motoring most of the way. That is a lot of fuel!

Looking at the water this morning,  I was reminded of God's  fantastic creativity with color. Its obvious that color is supposed to be a joyous thing. At night the plankton flash light green sparkles, yellow-orange sargasso  seaweed, the changing blues of the water have dancing diamond sparkles when the sun hits it just right and the varieties  of sealife speak volumes. For this moment  in time of recuperating rest, we are grateful.

Log update, May 27, 2021 (written by Mary): 

It's  5:30 am on the 27th of May

Yesterday  we sailed for awhile but the wind just wasn't  there. We are now motor sailing in a very calm sea, just past our halfway  point. The motion is really pleasant now but I  cannot believe  I  did  not bring crackers!!  The one thing that would do wonders for a queasy  stomach! Oh well, crackers  will now become a staple item! We brought  lots of ginger cookies and ginger candy but my stomach wants crackers. That's  why they call the first trip a shakedown. We have discovered  minor issues with a few systems, and adjustments to rigging that will be addressed for improvement.  Very grateful  for radar and AIS navigation systems, lots of big ships in the Gulf.

So far I've seen two distinct types of flying fish. One stands up on its tail and skims across the water and the other looks like tiny birds flying just above the surface of the water. They can "fly'" quite a ways, too, and almost convince  you they are little birds until they suddenly plunk back into the water. Simply delightful!

 Log update: Evening, May 25, 2021 (written by Mary):

We have passed the last of the oil field platforms and head steadily south. We are now just on full sail which gives a much softer ride. There is still a lot of motion but it is easier. Last night the motion was just too violent even though we were going faster than now. We just couldn't sleep.  So much better now, Eric and I are taking turns at watch and getting much needed rest. The next few days in the Gulf should be about the same.

The water is an incredible blue, flying fish are fun to watch and we enjoyed a pod of dolphins for several hours. Now we settle in for the night and hope the day brings good winds.  Blessed rest, we are so grateful.

 Log Update May 25, 2021: (written by Mary):

May 24th and 25th

8:20 - Departed 'Rabbit Island'. Headed to Gulfport Gulf Shipping Channel and entered the Gulf shipping  Channel and headed South. Wind hitting on the port bow, motorsailing using 1/2 Genoa for stabilizing. Choppy seas with 3-4 ft swells. Lots of motion. 2:00 am: engine quit. added more genoa and the mizzen to keep forward course. 5:00 am: engine problem solved, plugged fuel line. Continuing on our way with full Genoa and mizzen.

We are supposed  to have good weather to cross the Gulf. The wind is further South  then they predicted, which means we are beating and going slower, but we are  moving! There is a lot of motion and we are all a little queasy but doing alright. Pray the wind shifts more to the East.

 May 25, 1:40 p.m.:  We are currently  traveling through the last of the oil fields off Louisiana.

A couple of pictures taken before Eric and Mary lost wifi signal.  Mary is very comfortable and "Captain Eric"  is at the helm:

 

 Will keep you posted as we hear from them!

Log update received from Mary last night:

 

May 23rd, 2021
Departure day. 11:20 am - 3:05 pm. "A short first day. We cleared all bridges and anchored at Rabbit Island. Soft, silty mud bottom. Quiet, beautiful night with a slight breeze. We head toward Gulfport in the morning"

It still doesn't  seem  real.  The last few weeks were especially  stressful  with so many last minute things to deal with. But here we are, beginning  the next steps in God's  plan and call on our lives.
Last year when we first got the sailboat and had to deliver it from Fort Pierce, FL. To Slidell, LA., it was the height  of hurricane  season. The vessel systems  were unknown  to us and we were exhausted from three months of non-stop  work regarding selling the ship, moving everything  off, and making two trips  to Florida. But right before we left Florida  with the boat, the Lord encouraged  and strengthened me with an Elizabeth  Elliott  quote. 'When you pray, but God doesn't  take away  the fear, you just do the thing afraid.'
Going ahead, even when I was afraid, gave many opportunities  for the Lord to comfort me with His promises:
' I  will  never leave you nor forsake you'
' The Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to Him and are safe'
' Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all'
Now the Lord has given me a new quote by Corrie Ten Boom. 'You can trust an unknown  future to a known God'

 

 Finally... heading out in the morning!

After a lot of hard work and preparation, Far Horizons is finally heading out to Guatemala in the morning. Weather reports show that this is a good window to make the trip from Louisiana (United States) over to Guatemala.   After getting hit with a lot of rain from the latest storm, and spending the last hours selling things no longer needed (trailer, truck, etc.), it's time for untying all the ropes and pointing Far Horizons in a new direction.  For those who have been following IMS, you may remember that the final destination is to be the Solomon Islands/Vanuatu area, but given the covid restrictions, Guatemala is the first stop. We're not sure how long IMS is to be there, but we already have made some connections with a ministry and some humanitarian organizations that are awaiting our arrival and our assistance.

You will all appreciate the mix of excitement and exhaustion that the IMS staff is feeling.  While Eric and Mary are enroute to Guatemala, we at the home office will post updates, here, as we get them. If they have signal, Eric will post updates on the IMS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/444644079017550

We are hoping that the journey will take no more than a week, at most.  Would appreciate everyone's prayers for good weather, and smooth sailing given that Eric and Mary are very tired and could certainly use a respite. Tonight will be the last time Far Horizons will be docked here: