Vaka Hop’e

By Eivind Andås, 28.07.2024 Wharrams attract all sorts of folks. Usually eccentric, unconventional and sea loving people who puts comfort second and aesthetics first. They have traditionally been outcasts of society, someone who doesn’t fit the mold and want to break free. But have you ever heard of a Christian missionary group taking a Wharram […]

It is time to take the Vaka Hop’e out of the water for some TLC and some rest. I’m leaving the Solomon Islands in October, but there’s a massive shift within YWAM Solomons in September, and everything needs to be finished by then. To help us take the boat up, Matthew from Australia has come […]

We’re about to take the Vaka Hop’e out of the water after 6 months of service. I have felt depressed over the last couple of weeks and I think my mood reflects the mood of the Vaka Hop’e. For the past few weeks, she has been sitting in the water, nobody sailing her or taking […]

After one month in and around Munda, it was time to set sail for Honiara. The reason being that the main base of YWAM is there, and we wanted to celebrate and invite people into the vision of the Vaka Hop’e. Mark and Mary with their 4 children had just returned from a furlough in […]

It feels so good to enter the safe harbor at Taro after battling howling wind and massive waves in pitch darkness for the last few hours. I am shaking with adrenalin and from the cold of the rain and the wind. But we’re so happy to be here! Not only have we arrived in the […]

We had a detour to Kimbe in West New Britain to meet with a boat builder who has shown a big interest in our voyage. It was so cool to meet someone passionate about building boats and with tons of experience. While in Kimbe, we discovered the area is famous for fishing and the shops […]

The winds have turned against us, and with it the currents too. I wrote about our sail out of Madang in Winds are changing, where we were fighting the conditions at the cost of our fuel reserve. Using our last drops of fuel, we barely make it to Unea Island, not sure if we would […]

This voyage was always a race against time. The right weather window to sail to the Solomon Islands ends in May, that’s what they say. The northwest monsoon gives way for the southeast monsoon in the southern hemisphere sometime between April and May. March to April is the transition period where light winds are prevalent. […]

Usually, introducing yourself as a missionary in Papua New Guinea gives you good standing with the people. The history of missionaries introducing the gospel to the people of PNG is recent and powerful. They also brought the modern world through services such as schools, medical clinics and infrastructure, good things that benefited the people. Also, […]