Carl Luther, an alumni of Mercy Ships, is now a missionary doctor in Papua, New Guinea. A patient named Kindame had a large abscess in her abdomen. So, he sent her to the closest surgeon, three hours away. But the surgeon couldn’t do the surgery because Kindame’s blood count was too low, and the hospital didn’t have the blood supply she needed.

Fresh air and exercise are important to the patients recovering on the Africa Mercy. But what do you do when the rainy season drowns your play time? You host an indoor parade, of course!

The winter of 2010 brought the British Isles heavy snowfalls, record low temperatures, and travel chaos.

Many women in Africa are injured in childbirth. It’s called obstetric fistula or vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF). It usually results in a stillborn baby, incontinence, and social isolation. However, a free surgery onboard our hospital ship restores hope. Listen as crew member Tracey Wall explains.

Matthew Walzer, a 16-year-old with cerebral palsy, posted a letter on social media. He said he was going to college in a couple of years and couldn’t tie his own shoes.

Once a year, our hospital ship docks for repairs before heading back to the next field service. Crew member Sally* joined the ship in the Canary Islands. She became ill and was admitted to the hospital, a 30-minute walk from the ship.

In the developed world, cleft lips and palates are quickly corrected by surgery. But, in poor countries, people suffer for years with these disfigurements. Listen to crew member Brenda Sossou’s experience.

Sharing Dots is an organization that provides marketing and media help to humanitarian organizations in Asia. Founders Bryon and Lorilee Lippincott say, “We both have a burning desire for every human being to feel they have value.”

Mercy Ships is truly a global organization, and our crew members come from over 40 nations. Dr. Gary Parker describes this multicultural community of mercy-givers.

Becky Johns volunteered as a ward nurse onboard our hospital ship in the Republic of Congo. She shared this New Year’s reflection.