Land Ho!

After 8 days at sea, this was a welcomed sight yesterday morning. Madagascar coastline! Excitement was in the air. 

Land...It is difficult to see but it is really there :)

Tug boat welcome

The Advance team was more excited to see the ship after 6 months than we were to see land. The Advance team went to Benin at the beginning of May to prepare for the ship. They had to do it all again in a different country in 6 weeks. Amazing!

As we arrived to the dock, local people were madly setting up tents, chairs, plants preparing for the President and Prime Minister to come. While we were getting in place and moving and securing the gangway, they continued working. Inside the ship many people were doing the final sweeping, setting up a ward of the hospital to show, and preparing a reception. The President was due to arrive to tour the ship about 3 hours after our arrival.

The first part of the gangway viewed from Deck 7 still being held by the crane

A drone Media used to get photos of us and the ship

Making the tent...safety is not number 1 concern

Gangway

Men controlling the crane, Men on the gangway part giving directions via radio to navigate around the tents

Man below helping secure the bottom

Advance team entering the ship. A true miracle!

The crew quickly changed clothes to  "smart clothes" in order to stand on Deck 7 to watch to ceremony. The President was able to take advantage of Mercy Ships coming to kickoff the year of volunteering in Madagascar. He was broadcasting the speeches on National television. There was entertainment (Musicians and Acrobats), the President and Prime Minister toured the ship, and then speeches were made.

Captain and his wife meeting the President and his wife

We are officially here in Madagascar...the flag is flying on the ship

In a commercial port again

Two of the Gurkhas providing security

In the evening, we had another cultural briefing and report from each of the advance team members. It truly is a miracle that Africa Mercy is here in Madagascar. God gave them strength and perseverance to accomplish what most teams do in 4 months in 6 weeks. In many meetings with people, they were be referred to another person and have a meeting to accomplish more necessary items. Buildings were found for HOPE Centre, eye clinic, and dental clinic, screening sites found, word publicized and heard, day workers hired, port space secured, area researched for security and safety, communications made with the national healthcare workers, and renovations started on the warehouse, dental clinic, eye clinic, and HOPE Centre, immigration details, car registrations for the LandRovers, bank account with a local bank, and more. The ship was able to sail from Canary  Islands to Cape Town. It then sailed through rough seas from Cape Town to Madagascar arriving on time despite leaving a day later than expected. No doubt we were/are padded by prayers all over the world. 

After the meeting, the crew teller agreed to open allowing us all to receive $15 in local currency for today. It was a "run on the bank." They had enough money, but the line was long allowing for more fellowship with crew. We were quickly briefed on restaurants, beaches, places to go and not go, and modes of transportation. There is much to explore and enjoy even in the relatively local area. I had to remind myself why I am here. To serve the people.