Emmanuel thought he was just experiencing a toothache. But that pain gave way to a bump that grew to the size of his fist. Having heard about a ship that might be able to help him, Emmanuel prayed for the ship to come. His prayers were answered as the Global Mercy docked in Freetown, Sierra Leone — Emmanuel’s home country. Emmanuel was the first patient in Sierra Leone to receive free surgery on board the Global Mercy. This surgery put to rest his fears and worry over his health. ...

This is the month of Advent when we reflect on Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We will be sharing stories of God’s miracles that have changed the lives of four very special people. In December you will get to hear about the lives that have been transformed by the love of Jesus, shown through Mercy Ships volunteers.  This week we focus on Diarra’s story that brought JOY. Diarra was a young teenager when she experienced a toothache. Then a small bump formed in her mouth and soon that bump beca...

This is the month of Advent when we reflect on Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We will be sharing stories of God’s miracles that have changed the lives of four very special people. In December you will get to hear about the lives that have been transformed by the love of Jesus, shown through Mercy Ships volunteers. This week we get to hear Umu’s story that brought PEACE. Umu was born with a large tumor on the side of her face and neck that only grew bigger as she did. Her mother’s worry grew...

Holiday Stories of Hope and Healing This is the month of Advent when we reflect on Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. We will be sharing stories of God’s miracles that have changed the lives of four very special people. In December you will get to hear about the lives that have been transformed by the love of Jesus, shown through Mercy Ships volunteers. This week we get to hear Samba’s story of HOPE. Samba was born with a cleft lip — a condition that occurs 1 in 700 births worldwide. Usually, ...

Ria Bos grew up in the Netherlands and always had a heart for missions. After becoming an ICU nurse, Ria sought opportunities to use her skills to help those in need — that’s when Mercy Ships came into her story. Now, 10 years later, Ria is still volunteering, currently serving as our Director of Patient Selection. In this role, Ria considers herself a bridge with one foot on the ship, working with our doctors and nurses, and the other on land, partnering with the ministry of health a...

Whitney Grant: Senior Director, HR Operational Effectiveness One little Facebook video was all it took to start Whitney Grant on a journey that she never would have expected! Happily working in her corporate HR job in the United States, Whitney was involved in her church and had a great community of friends — she was not looking for a major life change. But watching a Mercy Ships video that her friend posted on social media opened Whitney’s heart to something unexpected.&nbs...

Caroline Mallory: Volunteer Nurse Caroline Mallory first heard about Mercy Ships in a book she was given when she was a teenager. Later, when she was about to graduate from college, a guest speaker from Mercy Ships came to her university and a new dream was born. Caroline knew she wanted to become a nurse and go serve on board. Seven years later that dream came true when she boarded the Africa Mercy in Senegal. Now on board the Global Mercy, Caroline volunteers as a ward nurse and has c...

Paula Pheasant - Volunteer Nurse Paula grew up shying away from the spotlight, with little desire to venture too far from home. But a radio ad she heard on the way to school one day gave her a one-minute look into Mercy Ships and opened her mind to adventures that she never dreamed of. Paula Pheasant volunteers as the PACU (post anesthesia care unit) team lead on board the Global Mercy. Caring for patients as they come out of their surgery, Paula is able to witness their first reactio...

Rachel Greenland - Volunteer Nurse An ad in a magazine led to a tour aboard the Anastasis, which led to volunteering with Mercy Ships for 20 years! Nurse Rachel Greenland was made for this kind of work — where she gets to combine her faith and her professional skills to leave a lasting impact on those in need. Rachel is now on board the Global Mercy, volunteering as the ICU Coordinator and nurse in the maxillofacial ward. In this episode, Rachel shares what keeps her coming...

Lily Boeckel was given the book Ships of Mercy by Don Stephens, by her grandmother. It was a discouraging season for Lily in nursing school and she was thinking about quitting. This book opened her eyes to new possibilities that she had never known about and breathed new life into her education. Determined to one day walk up the gangway, Lily worked to gain a degree and experience to make that dream come true. Volunteering on board as the nurse educator, Lily has the opportunity to meet...