GivingTuesday is next week! And we wanted to share some of our favorite moments of joy that we’ve seen over the last 45 years.

Today’s moment of joy brings us to Togo in 2011. That’s where we met Therese.

Imagine going in for a major surgery. Everything is ready, there’s just one problem….

You’ll be awake, aware, and in pain the entire time.

The 1990s was a difficult time for South Africa. The nation faced many challenges and anger seemed to thrive.

But underneath the conflict, there were people searching for hope.

When Alasana Dano arrived in our hospital ward in West Africa it was with a spirit of almost tangible hostility. Pain created out of a lifetime of rejection.

In the Bible, Jesus tells his disciples, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move a mountain.” And we have seen the mountains move on board our ships time and time again!

We know a thing or two about running a hospital. And one thing we’ve learned over our 45 years is that it takes heart and passion to run smoothly.

That’s why we’re inspired by people like Matron Betsy Deen!

When was the last time you prayed for something meaningful? Was it for comfort in a challenging moment? Perhaps it was for guidance in a time of uncertainty?

We have begun operations for patients requiring reconstructive plastic surgery aboard the Global Mercy.

What does it take to run a hospital on the water?

Many of the patients we see in West Africa have spent their lives hidden away because of the physical conditions that have imprisoned them in a world of isolation.