Africa Is Singing Blissfully！

Situated in Western Africa, Ivory Coast has a comfortable climate, and a tidy, modern appearance in its cities, giving a very pleasant first impression to visitors. Knowing about Master's visit, the First Lady of Ivory Coast, Mrs. Henriette Bedie, specially arranged to see Her. Master consented and went to the Presidential Palace accompanied by the Secretary of the Palace (who was also a princess).

The First Lady greatly admired Master's loving compassion. During their happy conversation, it became known that the local hospitals needed some help. Therefore, Master immediately contributed money for purchasing refrigerators, medicine and other urgently needed apparatus. The contribution was received by the First Lady for the hospitals.

In the company of the prince of Ivory Coast, Master visited some orphanages in Abidjan, and the orphans were most delighted to receive the candies, biscuits and fruits personally blessed by Master. There was an amusing episode: the orphanage kept a cute nimble monkey who immediately stretched out its hands asking for blessed food when it saw Master. When Master gave it a banana, it laughed happily with a broad grin. Master remarked that She had never seen a monkey laughing so beautifully; the expression denoted the contentment and bliss as if it was in heaven. Perhaps the soul of the monkey understood that liberation is near having taken one look at an enlightened living Master!

Stepping out of the plane upon arrival at the Benin airport, the National Band waiting struck up the tune used for greeting a national guest. The joyful music soared high, as if announcing to the people of the whole nation, the arrival of this most beautiful and special guest. The whole place was filled with a joyful and loving atmosphere.

The Benin people are cheerful and optimistic. On the streets of Cotonou, the capital, people were singing and dancing everywhere (in their traditional African styles). From adults to children, everyone was innocent and happy. Wherever Master went, She was addressed as the Princess. People were so happy to see Master that they performed as best as they could. When receiving the candies given by Master, they could not help cheering with joy and surprise.

King Aguli Agbo of Benin knew about Master's visit, so he invited Master to his palace. Putting on formal imperial robes, and holding the imperial staff, the King and the Queen welcomed Master with a grand imperial reception, symbolising their highest respect. According to the Benin custom, when people visit, they receive the blessing from the King. However, when the King saw Master, he humbly told the prince, "The power of this Master is greatly superior to mine and you should endeavor to learn from Her." He even expressed his hope to take a photo with Master. When Master was leaving, the King accompanied Her to walk out of the palace, which was a courteous action, unprecedented in the country.

The prince invited Master to visit a former palace (now a museum), and introduced the history and culture of Benin. Standing in front of the statue of a great person, the prince explained that this was his grandfather - a very wise king in Benin history. He was so loved and respected by his people, that they erected a statue of him for veneration. The people often go there to remember his meritorious deeds for the country. Master expressed Her respect by placing flowers at the statue.

During Her stay in Benin, Master also visited children in several orphanages. One of the orphanages was being run by convent sisters, who immediately recognized that Master was no ordinary person, and must be someone with unearthly power. Master gave candies, biscuits and plenty of blessed food to the orphans, and also contributed money for adding facilities to the orphanage.*

On the eve of Master's departure, the First Lady of Benin, Mrs. Nicephore Soglo, invited Her for a delightful meeting at her official mansion, thus sealing the affinity with Master.

Wherever Master goes, She always takes boundless blessings to the place. During Master's voyage to Africa, the people who benefited were not just those who saw Master, because the whole African continent is singing blissfully having been graced by Master's divine love and blessing!