Joy called OM USA looking for a team member she could support. "She wasn't particular," says Rob Taylor, Director of Development Services, "as long as they were a crew member aboard Logos II or Doulos" (OM's two ships at the time). Rob had a list of two dozen names and the first one intrigued Joy: Selahu, the only female welder on Doulos. Joy knew immediately, "She's the one I want to support."

Rob continues, "After 18 months I called Joy and told her that my wife, Connie, and I were flying to The Netherlands to visit Doulos and asked if she wanted to send a card or gift with me for her. She was excited, 'You can take a gift to MY welder?' Not Selahu, not 'the welder I support' but MY welder. She had caught the vision! She knew that her support for Selahu was more than money. She knew that there was a special connection between them. She mailed the gift to me and Connie packed it safely in one of our carry-on bags. A few days later we joyously met Selahu for the first time and presented her with the gift from Joy. She beamed and said in halting English, she was so happy to receive this gift. Before we left the ship in Dublin two weeks later, Selahu had given us a gift and a thank you card for Joy. The circle was completed.

"I am always blessed when I see a financial partner take a personal interest in the OM workers they support. I know of donors who have sent international phone cards so the team member could call home. Others have sent care packages that took the edge off homesickness. Thoughtful partners come up with creative gifts and are a great encouragement for our workers in various fields, including those of us serving in home offices. On behalf of all of us in OM – thank you for your kindness and care!"