Walvis Bay resident aboard floating library Logos Hope

Walvis Bay residents looking forward to see the world’s largest book fair aboard the ship Logos Hope mid-July have something more to look forward to – being served by Walvis Bay resident Benizo Smith Junior who is already working aboard the ship for his third month.

Benizo (Bennie) Smith is the son of pastor Bennie and Karin Smith of the Walvis Bay Living Water Full Evangelical Church. Benizo Junior is a youth pastor for the past eight years and when his father showed him the brochure of Logos Hope some months ago, he instantly knew that was to be his next calling. He joined the crew of Logos Hope at the beginning of May and along with 400 other volunteers will bring their life changing stories to the people of the coast and wider Namibia when the ship docks in the last days of July.
A statement of Logos Hope reads: “Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair, will soon bring its international crew with their life changing stories for the first time to Walvis Bay, Namibia.
“Serving on board is the best experience of my life,” said Benizo Smith Junior, 24 years old from Walvis Bay. He just joined Logos Hope in May 2016 and works in the Book Fair.
Benizo only heard about Logos Hope three weeks before he joined. “When my father got the brochure about the ship, I knew this was my opportunity.” Working as a youth pastor for 8 years with his family at a local church, Living Water Family, he knew it was time for him to serve with his own passion. This is his first time stepping out of his comfort zone.
Benizo enjoys working in the international environment. “It’s amazing to live in a multicultural community. Interacting with different cultures helps me to know myself and find my own identity.” He is excited to see the ship sail into his home town. “Namibia is a land full of potential and I believe Logos Hope’s visit can activate the light in Walvis Bay.”
Benizo is one of the ship’s 400 volunteers who represent over 55 nationalities and have left behind families, jobs, and the security of their homes. The crew offers a unique example of unity in cultural diversity. Some come with qualifications to fill specific roles such as engineering officers, plumbers, carpenters, bookkeepers and cooks among others; many young people, come with no professional qualifications except a willingness to serve. Although they have different backgrounds, the crewmembers agree on a common goal: helping people through social service projects and providing good literature.
MV Logos Hope is operated by GBA Ships e.V., an international, charitable organisation registered in Germany. Since 1970, the organisation has welcomed over 44 million visitors up the gangways in over 150 countries and territories around the world.