There are many reasons to volunteer onboard our hospital ship to serve the poor in Africa.  But our crew often say that volunteering changes them as much as it changes the people they serve.  Volunteer Aisling Russell explains.

Susan Kessler found a creative way to help cancer patients.  She makes hats under the name Maxine’s Pearl of Hope.

Rosa was in her last year of high school when the cataracts started.  Suddenly, all of her future plans came crashing down.   Then she heard that Mercy Ships was coming to her country – Benin, West Africa.  She could receive a free surgery!

A young man named Roswell McIntyre was drafted into the cavalry during the Civil War.  He got scared and ran, and he was condemned to be shot for desertion.

It’s easy for our crew members to get attached to the patients who receive free surgeries onboard our hospital ship.  Listen as a volunteer tells about saying goodbye to a sweet boy named Djazim.

It was a beautiful weekend at the park in Panama City Beach, Florida.  Off-duty sheriff’s deputy Jeff Haire was enjoying time with his family.  Suddenly, he noticed a man carrying what looked like a lifeless child out of the swimming pool.

A crew member shared a memory about her favorite funny Valentine.

Fetene has been a crossing guard at the Harvard Elementary School in Houston, Texas, for 10 years.  The kids LOVE him!  He’s always positive, creating laughter and joy.

Excellent was a baby boy in Benin, West Africa.  His mother left her very sick husband to bring her baby to our hospital ship for a free surgery to repair his cleft lip.  While they were on the ship, her husband passed away. 

Madeleine Heatherton’s personal experience with her very premature son motivated her to produce a documentary about Mercy Ships called The Surgery Ship.  She explains her reasons.