Huge floating bookstore and ministry due in Progreso

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Updated: For visitors, free shuttles leave every five minutes July 19-23 from Progreso’s Casa de la Cultura, Calle 25 x 80 (map).

Hours:

  • 2 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19 and Sunday, July 21; 
  • 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21.; 
  • 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, July 22.

Coming off a record-breaking visit in Veracruz, the world’s largest floating bookstore and Christian ministry will conclude its Mexican itinerary in Progreso.

The MV Logos Hope will arrive in Progreso on Wednesday, July 11, but won’t open its doors to the pubic until 2 p.m. Thursday, July 19 and remains until Monday, July 23.

The huge ship carries more than 5,000 titles at “affordable prices.” It also carries out worship services and entertainment.

The ship kicked off its Latin American tour in Cartagena, Colombia, on Jan. 30.

The 132-meter/433-foot vessel was a hit in Veracruz, where the Logos Hope’s visitor count broke the ship ministry’s all-time record at a single port.

A total of 226,554 members of the public climbed the ship’s gangways to browse the book fair, visit the café or attend an onboard event during the six weeks the vessel was open.

The figure represents only the second time any of the organization’s four ships has surpassed the 200,000 visitor tally. The previous record was set 30 years ago; when 201,710 people stepped on board Doulos in Taichung, Taiwan, during a 19-day port call.

Seelan Govender, CEO of OM Ships International, welcomed the news.

“We are constantly asking, ‘Is the ship ministry still relevant? Are we still accomplishing what we believe God has called us to do?’ I believe these numbers certainly reinforce the sense that there is a strong appeal for the ministry we have been given,” said Govender.

In almost 50 years of the ministry, total visitor numbers for a single port have exceeded 150,000 on only eight occasions. Two of the eight were previous calls in Veracruz: in 1982, when Doulos docked for three weeks, and in 2003, when it was the turn of Logos II.

“We offer something different in every port,” Martinez said, noting that visitors will be able to enjoy world literature, cultural events, lectures, concerts, plays and workshops.

Admission for children and seniors is free in every port, he said, adding that for everyone else the “price will be affordable.”

Logos Hope has sailed across Asia, Africa and Europe, boasting more than 46 million visitors.

The ship also plans to visit Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

MV Logos Hope is operated by the German Christian charitable organization Good Books for All and began its journey around the world in 2009.

The 132-meter-long Logos Hope was built in 1973 and originally served as a ferry. It began as a bookstore in 2009 after five years of renovation.

Its selection of books is educational and religious in nature, and are sold at economical prices.

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