This was the first Christmas since Joyce’s divorce.  Her four-year-old son was spending Christmas with his dad.  Her house was in a rural area, surrounded by woods.  The silence emphasized her loneliness.  She thought, “Jesus, do you still love me?”

Newlywed Mary Lou told her husband that she only wanted one thing for Christmas – a Nativity set.  As a child, she’d always been fascinated by the one under her family’s Christmas tree. 

Krystal Reynolds volunteered as a ward nurse onboard our Mercy Ship in Madagascar.  It changed her view of Christmas. 

At Christmas time in Spain, children write letters to the Three Kings – like American children write to Santa Claus.  In 2014, IKEA asked ten children to write letters to the Three Kings.  The letters requested a variety of toys and even a unicorn!

A volunteer nurse onboard our hospital ship tells how a free surgery brightened one small patient’s Christmas. 

Our Mercy Ships are basically floating cities.  So, we need all types of skill sets to make everything run smoothly.

At five years old, Naomi couldn’t walk because of severely bowed legs. Her parents took her to local doctors in Nigeria for surgery.  After casting Naomi’s legs, doctors recommended six weeks of no movement.  

Same Sky is a nonprofit that raises money for female survivors of the Rwandan genocide who are HIV-positive.  Francine LeFrak started it in Africa in 2008. 

Joli was worrying about being useful on a mission trip to Africa.  Her husband was a surgeon, but her skills had been devoted to mothering three children.  What could she contribute to a hospital ship?

Captain Jon Fadely has served onboard all of our Mercy Ships.  He now serves as our Risk and Compliance Officer at our International Support Center.  This solid businessman clearly sees the value of the prayers of our supporters.