Volunteer nurse Amy Jones and the Mercy Ships Medical Team visited a local hospital.  They found a boy in terrible pain from a broken bone.  Listen to a West African crew member describe hospitals in Benin.

A 1938 John Deere tractor is a familiar site in Christmas parades in North Carolina.  Some say, “It’s remarkable that the Deere still runs.”

It was Friday night on our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy.  The crew members were relaxing – some playing games, others visiting in the café. An announcement interrupted the fun:  “Please stop for a moment and pray for a patient in critical condition.”  

Listen as a Mercy Ships staff member shares some Christmas thoughts.

 crew member shared these insights about Christmas.

A study published in December 2015 concluded that getting into the holiday spirit can be good for your mental health.  It found that performing small acts of kindness helps us deal with stress.

Many wonderful volunteers work together to provide the free surgical care offered onboard our hospital ship.  Listen as a crew member explains.

The free surgeries provided onboard our hospital ships change lives … and futures.  Volunteer Matt Tveite explains.

Sheila Deane of Tennessee shared a special Christmas memory. 

Africa is a beautiful continent full of beautiful people – people with giant dreams and giant hearts.  And the volunteers onboard our Mercy Ship discover that serving Africa changes them.