John and his family were in the middle of the ocean, onboard our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy.  The ship was on its way to serve the people of Benin, West Africa.  Suddenly, John’s three-year-old daughter was stricken with a disease, taken to the hospital, and it was determined there that she required additional care in London.  

Our crew members meet immediate medical needs AND train local medical personnel.  So, they help people now, as well as in the future!  And that attracts volunteers … like Lindsay McCurley

San Francisco has been called the homeless capital of the U.S.  In 2013, an estimated 4,300 people lived on the streets.  One of their many problems is lack of access to showers. 

Mercy Ships volunteers visited an elderly woman who was dying of cancer.  They found her lying on a mat on the floor of her house.  Two neighbors who helped care for her sat by, watching.

Erich Orrick is a retired veteran who received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  He’s also the founder of Wish for Our Heroes, which assists service members who are coming home.

Jimmy was living in the local marketplace when Mercy Ships crewmembers met him.  The 26-year-old had a sweet spirit in spite of terrible pain and the rejection caused by the foul odor of his infected leg.

Windsor volunteers onboard our hospital ship in the Communications Department.  She describes how someone showed appreciation for the crewmembers.

The children undergoing physical therapy at our Mercy Ships dockside rehab center needed miniature walkers.  There were only five available, and we needed five times that number.

Ed Kolpacki and his daughter Meg suffered severe burns in a home explosion and fire.  A 14-year-old parishioner in their church found a creative way to help.  Brooke Ferricks loves theater.  So, she started her own amateur production company in her basement, with a tiny budget and homemade costumes.

Mercy Ships provides free surgeries to the poorest of the poor.  But we also offer training and mentoring to healthcare professionals in the countries we serve.  We love the idea of leaving a lasting legacy of medical care.