Heidi Niclas volunteered as a nurse onboard our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, in Madagascar. She worked with women suffering from obstetric fistula – an injury caused by obstructed labor during childbirth. Listen to her description of her patients.

Qirong Chen, a small boy in China, was always tired. He couldn’t run and play with his friends. He was diagnosed with a heart problem. But there wasn’t anyone near his village who could do pediatric heart surgery.

Marie Angele is a single mother struggling to raise two children in Madagascar. But life was even more difficult because of a large tumor on the right side of her face. Her husband abandoned her. Friends rejected her. Work was hard to find.

An instructor at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit issued a challenge: “design to fill a need.” So, student Veronika Scott designed an insulated overcoat that could double as a sleeping bag. She made 25 of them and gave them to homeless people in the city park. People were grateful, but one woman said, “We need jobs, not coats.”

First impressions make a difference. Here at Mercy Ships, we strive to make a good first impression on all who set foot onboard our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy.

Marion was battling depression and could barely drag herself out of bed.

Her counselor wisely said, “One surefire way to feel better is to find someone needy and help them.”

Volunteering as a nurse onboard our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, often involves more than just medical care. Listen to Nurse Sarah Strickland’s description of a day on the ward

Fenosoa lives in his grandpa’s hut even though his parents are in the same village. Why? His grandpa, Papa Denis, says, “Because he loves me.”

No matter what language is spoken, an expression of love will always be understood. Here at Mercy Ships, we believe that serving the world’s forgotten poor through free medical care communicates the love of Jesus. Crewmember Emmanuel Essah from Benin, West Africa

Sharon, a staff writer on our hospital ship, shared her observations of the children’s orthopedic ward.