On Our Knees

Cotonou is not what I expected. Yes, it is poor – but I think if I were to take a picture of a running nosed child with token fly it would do the Beninois a great injustice.

Even when without, the locals I have met are dignified. Most are immaculately dressed in beautifully tailored local cloth. It is quite a sight to see women in heels, head wraps and Jackie O style sunglasses riding zemi-johns (scooters) down beach-sand-roads with ballerina poise. And those motorcycles are everywhere. There are thousands that swarm around the roads from every angle without warning (no licence, registration or age is required). But aside from their ‘kamikaze’ driving I have only come across polite, gentle and extremely helpful people who are patient with my poor attempts at speaking French.

Having lived on land for a few days (with a Canadian host family) I got a taste of what is to come in Benin. The cucumbers are obese but their chickens are anorexic. Their pineapples are tall and green and super sweet while their oranges are not so juicy. They sell cheap French chocolate spread – très dangereux! I also was not aware that one who does not perspire could do so at 3am. It is very warm.

When God puts his mind to something it’s surprising what he comes up with. An oil company offered their helicopter (for free) to film the Africa Mercy’s arrival to the port of Cotonou.

The massive ship looked magnificient in the dawn light. The Africa Mercy came into port blasting its horn to a faithful gathering on the dock singing worship songs. This was God’s ship and God’s way.

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