At the Mercy Ships International Operations Centre (IOC) in Texas there are three flags that fly at the main entrance. The first flag is the flag of Texas, the state in which the IOC is based. The second flag is the Stars and Stripes of America. The third flag is the flag of the country in which the Africa Mercy is functioning. Until we leave South African waters the national flag of South Africa flies proudly above the IOC - it makes me proud to see my beautiful flag flying above the snowy landscape!