Rhonda Callanan and Sarah Ruddle both know what it’s like to be homeless.  Rhonda fled an abusive marriage.  Sarah injured her shoulder in the Army and couldn’t find work.  Then a couple from a friend’s church offered the women a place to stay.

Our volunteer crew often find unexpected connections.  Deck Cadet and 3rd Mate James Meredith discovered that he and the Captain shared the same alma mater. 

Finding activities that all the kids could enjoy was challenging for the orphanage’s two caretakers.  It became even more difficult one day when one caretaker needed to travel.  The remaining one needed ideas and help with the kids.

William Carey, the “Father of Modern Missions,” was away from his India mission station when the print shop caught fire.  It was a total loss.  Carey’s life work of Bible translation and much more … all went up in smoke.

A crew member shares a special New Year’s resolution.

Brent led an army personal security detail in Iraq.  An officer wanted to deliver donated soccer balls and clothes to village children and widows.  Brent was concerned about safety, but he reluctantly consented.

Ten-year old Divine was in the outpatient care center at Mercy Ships.  The wounds from her recent surgery were healing well.  The nurse was gently changing the bandages, and Divine's mom was trying to listen carefully to the nurse’s instructions. But she was distracted by Divine’s little brother, 10-month old Micah. 

Our Mercy Ships volunteers include both medical and non-medical professionals.  You may think that the non-medical ones don’t get to interact with the patients.  But it just takes a little extra effort. 

Heather Kristin is a New Yorker who was occasionally homeless as a child.  She found a great way to help others. 

A college student named Joann was struggling.  Her hard-earned money just couldn’t cover tuition and modest Christmas gifts for her family.