During our time here we get many visitors that we take a part in hosting. It can range from UN Troops, School kids, Vision Trips to Ambassadors or Presidents. Many come with the expectation of a little ship doing a few surgeries and are often surprised at the size of the ship and go away touched by God in some way.
Recently we have been hosting a lot of vision trips. These are groups of people who have an interest in the work that we do and can either be potential donors or can be a great advocate in getting people involved and getting the word out about Mercy Ships, or on another scale they might already be involved with the work, yet they have never experienced it in reality and visiting the ship gives them a better understanding and touches them in a way that maybe pictures or words can't convey. These trips are really worthwhile as they can come and be a part of community life and see the work Mercy Ships do, face to face. They see the work out in the field, they can sit in on a surgery, they visit in the ward and brush shoulders with the crew at dinner time or in the cafe area.
Recently we had a Sunday Post journalist (Scottish Paper, UK) on board as part of a vision trip, Click here to read his first article on his trip, we look forward to reading the next!
Last week we had the US Ambassador and her entourage visiting for the afternoon. They took a real interest in all that went on here and even chose to sit and have dinner in our dining room amongst the crew. It is really good to have the support of people like this, it makes our work a little easier.
(Tim showing the bridge to the US Ambassador)
(US Ambassador with some of the Africa Mercy Leadership)