Dinner with the President.

Last Tuesday the entire Africa Mercy Crew (about 400 people) were invited to dinner at the President of Benin's palace. The president wanted to honor Don Stephens, founder of Mercy Ships, his wife, a few surgeons and other leaders of the organization. They were kinghted into the National order of Benin, which is the highest award given.

The dinner was scheduled and post-poned 4 times, so no one was really sure it was going to happen, but so glad it did. Buses came and picked us up around 5:00pm, we rode in "Official" buses that did not stop for red lights or anything for that matter. Everything was a process and took a lot of time, needless to say we did not start eating till 9:00pm. Dinner was good, I had smoked rabbit that was very tasty. They also had an array of salads, rice, french fries and other meats (there was even a cooked lamb, on the bone in the pot on the table). Our dessert was seasonal fruit. We dressed in our African Best.

Danae and I with our matching fabric, just different colors that we bought together at the fabric market and our dresses were made by a local tailor.

Some of the girls in my bible study.

The Banquet Hall .

Looked like a wedding reception

President Yayi Boni and his wife.

Mercy Ships presented the president with a picture of the ship made up of little pictures of all the patients we treated.

Some of the traditional African dancers .

It really was a neat and special experience to be a part of.