The President's in Town!

A shiny new coat of paint shone in the sunlight off the warehouse opposite the ship. Port employee's had been busy for days patching up holes, quickly building footpaths, painting, sweeping and beautifying the port and especially our berth. Likewise the ship was being spit polished until the emergency strips along the floor were gleaming. Shirts were ironed and epaulettes attached, African outfits were donned and the crew were briefed. Our berth was transformed into a reception area decked out in marquees the colours of the Congolese flag. The President was coming to town!!

President Denis Sassou Nguesso of The Republic of the Congo had travelled down from his home in Brazzaville, the capital of the Congo to visit our little ship. The people of Pointe Noire rose to the occasion and put on quite the show! The Congolese Navy, port officials, military, the Gendarme, the media and many other dignitaries all turned out to honour and welcome the President.

 

 

The President is presented with a bouquet of flowers from Academy student Caroline Marx from South Africa.

Mercy Ships founder Don Stephens, who flew in especially for the occasion from the International Operations Centre in Texas, greets the President on the dock.

A member of the media races up the gangway to get the best angle of the President making his ascent.

The President and his entourage make their way up the gangway.

Our Captain (temporarily, as our permanent Captain was on leave) greets the President at the top of the gangway.

The Presidents passes on his appreciation to the crew for all they have done for his nation.

Signing the visitor's book.

Don Stephens and The Africa Mercy Government Liaison, Pierre Christ present the President with a framed photo of the Africa Mercy.

Don and President Denis captured in a jovial moment.

Each time a President, media team or dignitary comes to the ship, a tour of the hospital is included as it forms the basis of all we do and why the ship exists. President Sassou Nguesso became visibly moved when visiting with the patients and viewing the confronting images of the before.

With Don Stephens and Chief Medical Officer and 27 year Mercy Ships veteran, Dr, Gary Parker.

Before and after.......

 

It is a very great honour for the ship to host the President of the nation that we have been invited to berth in, to bring hope and healing to the poorest of poor. A President can open doors that we cannot and though a President’s powerful influence we can find our way to new regions and gain favour amongst a country’s elite. It is also a chance for us to influence a nation by being a witness, as the hands and feet of Jesus, while the most powerful man in the nation watches on.


"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it."Revelation 21:24

 "Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God." Romans 13:1