Imagine combining a family get-together with an act of mercy. Each year, Karen Hanovich and her six sisters and her sister-in-law spend a long weekend together. They work on charitable projects throughout the year, and then they bring the items to the retreat.

Brittany Blake volunteers as a nurse anesthetist on our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy. At the age of 14, a crisis in her 17-year-old brother’s life set her on a course of mercy.

In January 2006, a Mercy Ships-sponsored church team worked in Honduras. One team member was Chris, a hairdresser from Michigan. She volunteered to shampoo and cut Honduran children’s hair. Some of them had head lice, and Chris was afraid she’d bring the lice back to the rest of the team.

Liz Willock missed her flight and took a later one. It turned out to be an opportunity for mercy. Ellis Hill was her Uber driver for the trip from the airport to the hotel.

Robyn Porep volunteered as a physical therapist onboard our hospital ship in Madagascar. She watched patients work hard to fully recover and loved being a part of their healing.

The snow falls gently on the roof of the inn at Baldwin Creek in Vermont. A perfect Christmas scene! But the owners of the inn, Doug and Linda, don’t have time to enjoy the view. They’re busy getting ready to serve over 200 people Christmas dinner – free of charge!

Many people receive healing from our hospital ship.   But some have incurable conditions. That’s why Mercy Ships has a Palliative Care team. Volunteer Stacia Julian shared this special story.

Prinscio was born with club feet. He learned to walk on the tops of his twisted feet. A dozen traditional healers in Madagascar gave his parents advice, but none of their methods worked.

Six-year-old Brandon was in the top of a pine tree using a handsaw to cut off the top of the tree. His older sister Janine had hoisted him up into the branches and stood nearby. Brandon paused when his dad drove up, and he asked, “What are you doing?”

Music is a universal language. It communicates happiness, beauty, and sorrow. But there’s one musical sound that always brings extra sparkle – the sound of Christmas bells.