ON THE ZONG             April/May 2007

Moggerhanger Park

After the dedication of the ship and launch in Cornwall we travelled to Bedfordshire to the headquarters of the centre for Contemporary Ministries to find out what we could do to help with the Exhibition. We were given the responsibility of coordinating the exhibition as far as organizing and training the volunteers as well as developing the presentation of the event.  Thank you for your prayers.  This required a great deal of thought as we had to figure out the best way to marshal the 5000 people attending the exhibition over 10 days as well as train and direct the 120 people, from many denominations, backgrounds, ages, and races who volunteered their time to help.  

The Redemption of the zong

Friday 30 March 2007.  

               Led by HMS Northumberland The Zong sailed up the River Thames through Tower Bridge into the Pool of London.  We were part of a racially mixed choir singing Amazing Grace as we passed through Tower Bridge. 

      After the choir had disembarked and The Zong was firmly moored to three buoys in the Thames adjacent to Sugar Pier the media melee crammed into the 50 seater ferry boat along with the Mayor of London, Ken Livingston, Baroness Cox and several High Commissioners and other dignitaries.

 A chain was fastened across the entrance to the lower deck and cargo hold where the slaves would have been manacled for transportation across the Atlantic to a life of slavery.  Syd handed the mayor scissors that he used to symbolically cut the chain, declaring the exhibition of slavery past and present to be open.  Television cameras and press reporters all safely negotiated the steep steps into the gloom below where a superb exhibition recreated the terrible conditions endured by the millions of Africans torn from their homes and cruelly beaten into servitude.  It was a moving experience.

 We asked you to pray, which we feel certain prepared the way for all that the Lord did.  The slave pens (above) became a place of healing for many who experienced many emotions.  Some told of the experience of feeling the shame of slavery being lifted from them.

Mayor Livingstone was deeply moved by being down in the lower deck surrounded by evidence of the cruelty of the slave trade. Addressing the TV cameras and press he spoke of the need to recognize this forgotten period in Britain’s history in order to deal with the social issues of today. He thanked Clifford for taking this initiative and the quality and dedication of the work.  Clifford talked to him about the transforming power of the love of Jesus and his own need for God's help in the great responsibilities that he carries.  

As Clifford and the Mayor arrived up on deck Liz and Precious Babatunde had just started to sing Amazing Grace.   ( They had  planned to sing as a part of the program, but time had run out and they were getting ready to leave when someone from London Weekend Television (ITV) recognized Precious and asked her to sing for their program.  Precious said only if Liz could sing with her, so they got a camera and began to film.) 

                                                   Truly a day of amazing Grace!

 Syd coordinated our large team of helpers, all wearing bright yellow jackets bearing the Free At Last words and symbol.  There were many opportunities to comfort those who were deeply moved by the experience of visiting the ship. The love of God in the hold of the ship allowed many to find release from their personal legacy of slavery.    Truly, this was an act of redemption – a model of a ship previously owned by a mayor, used to touch a mayor. A ship that held captives, now being used to set captives free!

There was a noticeable change in the proportion of white/black visitors during the time we were open to the public. At first it was mainly white people coming. This changed to equal proportions. But by the final day 80% of those coming were of Caribbean origin and we were unable to accommodate all those who came. Soon after lunch on Bank Holiday Monday we had to put up signs saying that we were SOLD OUT.

The final service on Easter Bank Holiday Monday evening was a memorable occasion.  Many shared about the need for the church to lead the way in reconciliation and abolishing modern slavery. Our friend, Operation Mobilization Founder, George Verwer, who was able to join us at short notice.

To find out more about The Zong please go online to www.spiritofWilberforce.com  or go to freeatlast200 or www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cUQi6RSiZQ where you will find several excellent videos of the slave ship entering London and other information.