Aruba

Friends of mine told me how they went scuba diving off the coast of Aruba the last time they went to the Freewinds.

Imagine, having the best Scientology training in the world, in an idylic environment, and being able to go scuba diving too!

(Plus the food is the best!)

Description of the Freewinds

Scientology Today (the Scientology News Site) has a very good description of the Freewinds.

"A |unique Church of Scientology is the Flag Ship Service Organization — located aboard the Motor Vessel Freewinds, a 440-foot ship based in the Caribbean. The ship was acquired in the mid-1980s shortly before the release of the highest advanced auditing level now available. Needing a safe, aesthetic, distraction-free environment appropriate for ministration of this level of auditing, it was decided to return to the sea, far from the crossroads of the workaday world.unique Church of Scientology is the Flag Ship Service Organization — located aboard the Motor Vessel Freewinds, a 440-foot ship based in the Caribbean. The ship was acquired in the mid-1980s shortly before the release of the highest advanced auditing level now available. Needing a safe, aesthetic, distraction-free environment appropriate for ministration of this level of auditing, it was decided to return to the sea, far from the crossroads of the workaday world."

But you have to experience the Freewinds to really understand it.

It is by far the friendliest, safest place I've ever been too.

I always look forward to my visits to the ship with great anticipation, and come home with my "spiritual batteries" completely recharched.

Curacao

Curacoa is the home port of the Freewinds.

It is a beautiful island with such an interesting mix of European and Caribbean.

A great site to visit for more information about Curacao is http://www.curacao.com/

Such a special ship

Most Scientologists who go to the Freewinds come back home with the same impression of the ship. It is the most remarkable place because there is absolutely no counter-intention. I other words everyone agrees completely that everything good you wish to have happen for yourself, your family, your groups, your nation, your planet --- will come off.

And it really bolsters up your ability to simply make the physical universe comply with your intention!

Freewinds Website

Now check out this website http://www.freewinds.org/index.html.

There are some gorgeous shots of the Freewinds on this site that I hadn't seen before.
Makes you just want to get up and go!

More on the Jazz Festival

"Many people paused while looking over the line up of performers for the 2006 St. Lucia Jazz Festival. " Is the opening line to this article: http://www.stluciamirroronline.com/2006/may19/story14.htm

Wish I had been there!

The Freewinds Choir

I bet you didn't know that the "Freewinds" has its own choir!

This is actually a very musical ship - I have previously covered some of the Jazz Nights they have had.

The Freewinds is a fun place to be.

Hot

I remember when I was in Curacao aboard the Freewinds.

It was totally comfortable on board.

But that region is HOT!

I was there in September. And it was about as hot as I'd ever want to be!

Scientology Today

On a website called "Scientology Today" it also has a page dedicated to the description of the motor vessel Freewinds. There are actually many pages on this site that people wouldn't know about, it is definitely worth checking out. It has a site map so that makes it easier to look around on.

Scientology Anti-Drug Campaign

Also featured in the event held aboard the "Freewinds" was the release of booklets designed for drug education and drug prevention use. This is the beginning of a world-wide push to let people know the dangers of drugs and so they don't get fooled.

The booklets themselves are colorful and the information they contain is well researched. There are facts and personal experiences that show how disastrous drugs are to a person's life.

Part of the campaign is being forwarded by a group called the "Drug-Free Marshals" and at the event the actions they are taking all around the world were described in detail. These booklets are being made available to the general public for use.

Both this campaign and the human rights campaign (mentioned in an entry earlier) were covered in detail by the guest speakers, who were introduced by Mr. David Miscavige who emceed the event.

Anti-drug events and activities are covered in the Scientology News.

A MEMORABLE MUSICAL CONCERT On board M.V. "FREEWINDS"

I found an article on te Freewinds band today:

Camella Helene, lead singer with the FREEWINDS band captured the audience with her relaxed easy style, her melodious voice and the songs she selected which were favourites of the audience as well.

"I will always love you,", "R-E-S-P-E-C-T",

"Step by step, stone by stone", and ''Loving you forever''

were among the songs that had the audience handclapping, foot tapping and crooning along with the singer - and all were enjoying themselves immensely. It was easy to see that the singer enjoyed her craft and was at home and happy to practice it with this audience.

It was also easy to see why Los Angeles singer Camella Helene is up for video awards and why she has toured with international singers like Michael Bolton among others.

But the enjoyment of the evening also came from the very accomplished band whose members each hailed from a different part of the world. Just how accomplished they are, was easily seen when time came for them to go solo with their instruments. The electric guitar ''wailed'', the keyboard notes flowed harmoniously and with seamless effort; the bass guitar ''gutted'' out its notes and the drums and cymbals interspersed their dodging beats and crescendos!. Well you would have to be there to know what I mean. >>

Human Rights Event

Another exciting event was held on the Freewinds recently and relayed for Scientologists around the world to see. This event was hosted, as is usual, by Mr. David Miscavige.





Incorporated into this event was a DVD with a difference; The United Nations Human Rights Declaration is not something most people know well as so a very impacting example of each of the 30 points is enacted on this DVD.

Also released were properties to educate parents and youth on the dangers of drugs, as part of the Churches of Scientology's anti-drug campaign which was kicked into high gear with this event.

All an all a very exciting event!

Another Site about Freewinds Jazz

Here's another cool site about the Freewinds Jazz Festival -- this one with photos from the 2004 event.





















Here's the poster































And some photos of performers and audiences having a great time...

Freewinds Jazzy Carnaval

I just saw this great poster on last year's Freewinds Jazz Carnaval.

Stacy Francis was the featured artist. She is such an amazing singer and performer. I've seen her live about five times and each time I forget what a wallop she packs.

There's more information about the Freewinds on www.bonafidescientology.org

More on the Maiden Voyage

I've been attending the Maiden Voyage events and each one has been incredible.

Three weeks ago David Miscavige gave an overview of the activities Scientologists are doing all over the world to expand their churches.

Two weeks ago we found out that 48 new Scientology missions were opened in towns and cities all over the world, and we also saw the plans for new Scientology churches in Orange County, Pasadena, Torino, Venezuela, Atlanta... there were more but I just can't remember them all.

Then last weekend we learned all about the Scientology anti-drug campaign and what Scientologists are doing to guarantee human rights. The Church of Scientology International recently helped Youth for Human Rights International create 30 public service announcements that illustrate all the rights laid out by the United Nations in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We were shown five of these ads at the event and they were so beautiful and so clear and so compelling. They take the subject, which is communicated in very dry, almost legal terms in the Universal Declaration, and turn it into something I believe will communicate to anyone who sees it.

Three of these PSAs can be downloaded from I Tunes (search I Tunes for "Youth for Human Rights")

I always love the briefings David Miscavige gives at these events, and these have been the best I've seen so far!

Freewinds Conventions

There is constant entertainment about the Freewinds, with artists from all over the world.

Also, every week there are conventions of various kinds where Scientologists gather to make plans for improving their communities or their careers. They span the whole gamut, from how to accomplish the most with the Scientology Anti-drug campaign in an area where drugs are a real problem to the community, to how to expand the activities of a particular Scientology church, to how to become more successful as a singer, there is Scientology technology that applies to improving any condition.

And being on the Freewinds is just so much fun!

Freewinds Maiden Voyage

The 18th anniversary of the Maiden Voyage of the Freewinds just took place. Each year this is celebrated by a very special cruise where Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center brief's Scientologists on news of the expansion of Scientology.

It is a very special summit of some of the most active and dedicated Scientologists in the world. They come here from their churches -- from churches in the US such as the Church of Scientology of Tampa and the Church of Scientology of San Diego, and from as far afield as Russia, South Africa and and Australia.

Afterwards, DVD recordings of the events are shown to all Scientologists in their own churches.

This coming weekend, July 1st, will be the first of the Maiden Voyage events at the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles and it will be shown in other Scientology churches the following weekend.

I always find Mr. Miscavige's presentations to be very inspirational and I'm really looking forward to going.

A FREEWINDS' Article

An interesting article about the Freewinds in the Barbados Advocate

"The Business and Professional Women (BPW) Barbados, held their annual candlelight ceremony on Thursday, April 6, honouring the countless contributions of their membership across the globe in one of the largest women's groups on the planet. ...

"On board the MV Freewinds in the Bridgetown Port, several members of the diplomatic corps. including American Ambassador Mary Kramer, Cuban Ambassador, Jose Portela and featured speaker, Her Excellency, Corina Russian, Venezuelan Ambassador to Barbados, to name a few, gathered for this event of international magnitude. "

DAVID MISCAVIGE - GUEST SPEAKER ON THE FREEWINDS

The Freewinds hosts many events throughout any given year - it has become a popular spot for both Scientology and public events with guest flying in from all over the world.

At least once a year Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology is guest speaker at Scientology events held on the Freewinds. The topics Mr. Miscavige speaks about cover Scientology expansion news, Scientology Volunteer Minister activities, progress being made in the Church's human rights campaigns, and many other subjects embracing the Scientology religion's influence in society.

In the five decades since the establishment of the first Church of Scientology in 1954, Scientology has become an integral part of this culture. Throughout the world the Scientology religion has steadily expanded in the last 50 years, from one church to 3,700 churches, missions and groups in 156 countries, serving millions of parishioners in 54 languages.

Mr. David Miscavige has also been guest speaker at many grand openings of Churches of Scientology around the world, and the Freewinds' staff is always honored to have him aboard.

The Free Winds Band

Here's an excerpt from a terrific article.

Freewinds Band being making a number of free concerts in St. Kitts on the cruise ship "Freewinds" and at different location here on the island. It being going on for four weeks long and shows been going great.
The Free Winds Band has performed for 100s of thousands of people all across the Caribbean. They have performed with such stars as Chick Corea, Edgar Winter, Maxine Nightingale, John Novello, Billy Sheehan, Mark Isham, David Pomeranz, David Campbell, Amanda Miguel, Diego Verdaguer, Felipe Gil, Johnny La Boreal, an many other International celebrities and local favorites from all over the Caribbean.

They have appeared internationally on TV and Radio and one of their live recordings was one of the top requested songs of the year on the island of Aruba. In recent years they opened for Oleta Adams at the St. Vincent Blues Festival. They have performed countless charity and benefit concerts for groups such as the Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs as well as the Red Cross and various youth, sports and social betterment organizations, as well as giving countless free outdoor concerts and performing at dozens
of local schools. >> more

More information on many of these entertainers can also be found on the web site of the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre