15th of April - Marking our mark in Benin!

A group of us South African in front of the New South African Embassy on Wednesday the 15th of April after we proudly made our mark and voted. This was a proud moment as we were the first South African to vote in Benin. The SA Embassy staff have been a great support to us on the ship and they are very proud of what we are doing. A few weeks ago they came for a braai on board and next week we have been invited to the Embassy for Freedom Day Celebration on the 26th of April.



I even have the thumb to prove it. I was surprised to hear that no other countries 'mark' their voters. People think i have hurt my thumb, and when i tell they why they are very interested to find out. Even though it does not look very pretty - i wear it proudly!

23th & 24th of April - A weekend in Dassa

A few weekends ago we were invited by Daniel and Christian, two bother who work as Day Volunteers as Translators in the Hospital Ward. (Mercy Ships employs about 150 Day Volunteers in each country to serve along side us, as translators, deck hands, galley workers, trainers...) Kate and Suzie have gotten to know them well and they were keen to show us their home town Dassa, about 4 hours drive north of Cotonou. Dassa is known as the City of 42 Mountains.

We set out on Saturday morning all 11 piled into a mini bus and started our adventure. It was a beautiful drive through the outskirts of Cotonou and into the country side of Benin and a real privilege to be accompanied by Daniel and Christian who could tell us the ins and outs of what we were seeing.

On the road to Dassa, 200 km and 4 hours north of Cotonou, Benin

The town of Dassa, from one of the 42 hills (not quiet mountains).

We were invited by family of Daniel and Christian to share a local drink made from the mahogany tree - we all tasted it, but I did not manage the whole cup - very strong and bitter tasting.

Our faithful Mini bus that took us all the way with out breaking down. Every trip you take in Benin you expect at some point to break down or at least have flat tire - but we made it through the weekend with neither event taking place. In the background is the hotel we stayed at for the night. Before we started our adventure we booked at a hotel, but once we arrived and discovered a night club on the group floor and room could be rented by the hour we decided to look for somewhere else. We stayed at the very fresh and clean Ava Maria Guest House in the centre of Dassa.

Hippo Hunting at 7 am in the morning.... Suzie a Nurse from the UK was very excited that there was a village close to Dassa that was famous for it's hippos. So all of us joined in on her excitement and went with for a guided hippo hunt. After a 30 minute walk and much negotiating with the local village chief we sighted a hippo (we think).

The black spot in the middle of the river was the hippo, there were 4 of them but they were very happy to stay underwater and not show themselves. To be honest i was very happy to see them at a distance because the idea of being charged by a hippo was not appealing. Also i think as a South African I have seen plenty of hippos in my life time, and proudly boasted about our beautiful Kruger Park.

Before we headed home we needed to fill up with petrol (gas). In West Africa outside of the major cities there are very few gas pumps. Petrol is sold by the glass jar. It holds at least 10 liters many be more of petrol and is poured directly into your tank through a funnel. They do filter it through a piece of fabric as pour it. Petrol cost about 285 CFA per liter which is about R5, or 50 USc ( my very rough calculations).

Drive through shopping - as we entered the outskirts of Cotonou, we were strongly encourage by the street vendors to buy local products.

It was a very special week and a real treat to see the country of Benin through the eyes of Daniel and Christian and hear them speak proudly of their history and how far they have come as a nation over the last few years. A few short years ago Benin was ruled by a Marxist Government, but the new democratic government has made a big difference in Benin and process is visible and tangible for the people.

Saturday, 16 April - Bab's Dock

A few Saturdays ago a group of us piled in to a land rover and visited a very special place call 'Bab's Dock', which is a private dock on one of the fresh water lakes about 20 km from Cotonou. It was a day to take a break from the ship and get some fresh air and relax.

The last few months have been a very special time on board for me as there as has been a group of South Africans from Cape Town, although i never knew any of them well at home, I had heard of them or have mutual friends and can reminisce about the same places and situations. It was been a great support but also good fun. As all true South African are always game for an adventure or social gathering and we tend to take along whoever and go whereever there is something to do.

It has been so good to have some sort of balance back in my life after a season of 100% work focus last semester. I do not mind hard work, but it has been good to relax and get off the ship. I have found that it has help me gain perspective and keep the balance that is so needed when you live is community.

I share these adventures with you as they are part of my life as I serve with Mercy Ships. Enjoy!

A group of us waiting for the boat to take use to Bab's Dock. From left to right: Michal a Sterilizer, from Germany, Suzie a Nurse from UK, Sarah a Nurse from Australia, Kate a Nurse from South Africa and myself.

Traveling through the Mangroves Swamps to get to the lake.

Bab's dock with it umbrella's and hammocks was a very refreshing change from the day to day life on the ship.

Something you need to get used to in West Africa are the friendly lizards - they are everywhere! And they have not fear - they are harmless, but do look a little intimidating.

What lies beneath a smile?

Today while our was sitting having breakfast in the dinning room, i was reminded again about how much i take for granted - even the privilege of being here on board this ship and how each day God is radically changing lives!

As i was sipping my coffee at 6.30 am this morning still feeling a little fuzzy around the edges after a night spent coughing and spluttering ( I am recovering from a bout of flu) I was feeling very sorry for myself realising that it was only Monday and the whole week lay ahead. I decided to look out the window to distract myself and was faced with the perfect reminder of just how wonderful our God is.

The line of patients at the Gangway had been forming since the very early hours of the morning, long before i got to breakfast and people were waiting patiently to be seen or admitted. When a young man, most likely in his early 20s arrived on a zemijan wearing a smile that you could see a mile a way. At first i wounded why he was here, was he one of our day volunteers or a visitor, not thinking for a moment anything more.

When the motorbike came to a stop at the end of the line the driver got off and held the bike, while the young many carefully eased himself off. It was then that i saw his left leg was badly deformed and could hardly hold the weight of his body. (As i looked at him i was ashamed of my own self pity that i started the day with.) As he balanced with help from his friend he proudly unwrapped a small suit case and out of a side pocket produced a small pink card!

The smile on his face only grew - the card that he held was an surgery appointment card whihc he would have recieved at Screening Day! Today he was being admitted and would receive surgery that would restore function to his leg but more importantly would give him 'a hope and a future'

'For I alone know the plans i have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'

Jeremiah 29 verse 11

Please pray for this young man over the next few weeks as i am sure this journey will be very painful, but it will be life changing for him! I thank God for the privilege of watching a small part of what he is doing in this young mans life and seeing what lies beneath his smile.

Screening Day - a picture tour!

Sights and Sounds of Cotonou, Benin, West Africa

The M/V Africa Mercy docked in the Port of Cotonou, Benin, West Africa. This is the road leading to our dock, which we share with fishing trawlers and large commercial loading vessels. Unlike Liberia we do not have our own dock and have to be careful of passing trucks.



As we walk towards the city we pass this fishing village on our left.


Each morning and evening the fishing boats sail past us as they go out to sea to fish for their livelihoods. It is a strange mix of traditional fishing methods with bits of modern technology.


As we leave the 'Zone 4' Port Gate we walk though the 'commercial' part of the fishing village before we walk straight into down town Cotonou.




The Zemijan is the most common mode of transport and there is a thriving industry surrounding it.

The roads are always busy and packed with people and shops.

As you walk closer in to the city, the roads improve and you get to walk on paved sidewalks.

Throughout the city there is a fantastic network of roads and highways leading you to where you want to be. The roads are always full of Zemijans.


Street traders always find ways to transport their wears.


The City of Cotonou seems to build around a network of river leading to the port. The city has grown around these water ways and uses them for all sorts of things.

.... even transport!

The local markets are full of local produce, which is very exciting to see.

The City is growing with many construction projects - build West African Style.

Sunset over one on the many bridges in the city of Cotonou.