New Mercies

Emmanuel: God With Us

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Emmanuel thought he was just experiencing a toothache. But that pain gave way to a bump that grew to the size of his fist. Having heard about a ship t...

Diarra: Joy for the Future

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the month of Advent when we reflect on Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We will be sharing stories of God’s miracles that have changed the lives o...

Umu: Surgery That Brought Peace

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the month of Advent when we reflect on Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We will be sharing stories of God’s miracles that have changed the lives o...

Samba: Hope For a Second Chance

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Holiday Stories of Hope and HealingThis is the month of Advent when we reflect on Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. We will be sharing stories of God’s mi...

Ria Bos: Director of Patient Selection

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ria Bos grew up in the Netherlands and always had a heart for missions. After becoming an ICU nurse, Ria sought opportunities to use her skills to hel...

Whitney Grant: Come Volunteer with Us

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whitney Grant: Senior Director, HR Operational Effectiveness  One little Facebook video was all it took to start Whitney Grant on a journey that she...

Caroline Mallory: A Dream Job, 7 Years in the Making

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Mallory: Volunteer NurseCaroline Mallory first heard about Mercy Ships in a book she was given when she was a teenager. Later, when she was a...

Paula Pheasant: The One Minute that Changed Her Life

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paula Pheasant - Volunteer NursePaula grew up shying away from the spotlight, with little desire to venture too far from home. But a radio ad she hear...

Rachel Greenland: Transforming Lives Time and Again

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel Greenland - Volunteer NurseAn ad in a magazine led to a tour aboard the Anastasis, which led to volunteering with Mercy Ships for 20 years!  N...

Lily Boeckel: Nurse Educator, Hide ‘n Seek Player, Art Exhibitor

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lily Boeckel was given the book Ships of Mercy by Don Stephens, by her grandmother. It was a discouraging season for Lily in nursing school and she wa...

Larry Mast: A Long Obedience In the Same Direction

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Larry Mast is truly considered a hero of the faith, serving on the mission flied for over 59 years, 39 of which have been with Mercy Ships! As a young...

Estevam Silva: Gaining Wisdom and Cultural Knowledge On Board

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Estevam Silva spent seven years growing up on the Africa Mercy, thousands of miles away from his home country of Brazil. His father is a mariner and w...

Remy van den Bogaerdt: Equipping the Littlest Crew Members and Caring for Families

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Remy was a teacher in her home country, The Netherlands, for 8 years when she began to feel that change was coming. Knowing about Mercy Ships, Remy di...

Trina Laidlaw: Providing Nutrition For Patients

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trina Laidlaw studied to be a dietician, hoping to land a big job in a fancy hospital, but God had other plans. Working in a rural clinic for almost 1...

Diane Rickard: Telling the Stories of Mercy Ships

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Diane Rickard first joined Mercy Ships in 1982 doing public relations for the organization. Now, with a Mercy Ships history that spans 40 years, Diane...

Dr. Sandra Lako: Serving the People of Sierra Leone

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sandra Lako was born in The Netherlands but grew up on board the Anastasis where she spent much time playing with patients in the hospital. What might...

Shawn Thompson: Making the Mission His Own

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Season 4, Episode 3It was a family day trip to tour the Caribbean Mercy off the coast of North Carolina that changed Shawn Thompson’s life. On that ...

David Kpakiwa: Back Home with Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sierra Leonian, David Kpakiwa, had a tough childhood that would have discouraged most. But David was instead empowered by his circumstances and given ...

Nikki Aldum: Back to School

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Season 4, Episode 1In 2005, Nikki Aldum toured the Anastasis in her home country of South Africa. She had been teaching for several years and was happ...

Edna Semiti: Serving the People of Africa

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Edna Semiti is the Director of Human Resources for the Africa Service Center. With this newly formed division of Mercy Ships in Africa, Edna is thrill...

Patrik Bergström: Continuing the Call to Serve

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Patrik Bergström has served with Mercy Ships since 1993, both onvessels and at the International Support Center. His time in both places hasprovided ...

Martha Ashu: Cooking for the Nations

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Martha Ashu grew up in Cameroon, one of seven children. Upon finishing her university degree, political unrest broke out in her country, forcing her t...

Michelle Wallace: Encouraging and Coaching Through Fundraising

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Wallace spent five years equipping crew to come on board with Mercy Ships. Mercy Ships has a unique model in that our volunteers pay to come ...

Kimberly Ames: We Want You!

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In one of her university courses, Kimberly Ames was introduced to Mercy Ships. She was so moved by the presentation and knew she had to be a part of t...

Abdul Cole: Waiting In Line Changed His Life Forever

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Abdul Cole grew up in Sierra Leone as one of seven children. When the Africa Mercy arrived in his home country, Abdul had no idea that his life was ab...

Debbie and Dorcas Nutsugah: Twin Sisters Doubling Their Impact On Board

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Debbie Nutsugah came to volunteer on board the Africa Mercy for 6 months as a biomedical technician. But before her 6 months were complete, she alread...

Morgan Georgioff: Nourishing the Crew

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Morgan Georgioff is a professional chef in Oregon and desired to use her culinary talents as a ministry. She googled “cooking for Jesus internationa...

Robert Corley: Chief Operating Officer for Mercy Ships

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Corley came to Mercy Ships with a resume that included the US Navy, Nokia, Brinks Security, and Southwest Airlines — organizations and compan...

Ann Heinrich: Stepping Out of Comfort Zones

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ann Heinrich: Volunteer CounselorAnn Heinrich didn’t have an adventurous spirit, no desire to travel to Africa and didn’t really have missions on ...

Joff Williams: Faith in Action

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After spending his teenage years in Zimbabwe, Joff Williams discovered what it looks like to put your faith in action. This realization formed his adu...

Ja Roache: A Life Beyond Her Imagination

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ja Roache: Volunteer Engineering Administrator Ja Roache had retired and relocated to Hawaii to be alone, but God had other plans for her! Through a ...

Roger Newquist: Caring for the Crew

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Roger Newquist:  Volunteer Chaplain Roger Newquist was nearing retirement from his law enforcement career when hebegan to dream about what was next....

Stefan Schmid: Mighty Encourager

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stefan Schmid grew up in Germany with missional minded parents who planted churches. His theological teaching came at the dinner table where his fathe...

Kim Robinson: Teaching Students and Impacting Africa

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Robinson: Volunteer TeacherIt was a soft whisper, “Africa,” that got the attention of Kim Robinson many years ago as she was teaching in the U...

Debra Mae Goehringer: "If You’re Going to Travel, Take a Skill"

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Debra Mae Goehringer: Volunteer Dental Hygienist  Debra Mae Goehringer jumped into the dental field right after college and worked six days a week a...

Julie Remer: A New Sense of Freedom and Trust in God

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Julie Remer: Volunteer NurseJulie Remer is a pediatric nurse in the United States, but after 14 years in the same job, she felt like it was time for a...

Josh Remer: I Just Want to Serve

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Josh Remer: Volunteer Food ServiceJosh Remer had been a supporter of Mercy Ships for some time but never thought he would be able to serve on board. T...

Sarah Johnson: Blessed to be a Blessing

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Johnson: Volunteer NurseSarah Johnson has been a practicing nurse for 12 years, working in both labor and delivery and ICU. From the time she wa...

Kayla Casaletto: The Fastest Woman in the Canary Islands

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kayla Casaletto: Volunteer TeacherKayla Casaletto was coaching, running, and living life in Indiana when her friend Grace approached her with an oppor...

Grace Flint: Sharing Hope and Healing in All Situations

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Grace Flint: Volunteer TeacherWhile growing up, Grace Flint had heard about Mercy Ships from her father who was in the Navy. But it wasn’t until she...

Eric Baliantz: Fulfillment Through Helping Those in Need

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Baliantz: Volunteer MarinerDuring some downtime as a mariner, Eric Baliantz decided to volunteer with Mercy Ships with motives different than mos...

Erin Muyres: Educating Medical Professionals for a Lasting Impact

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Erin Muyres — Volunteer Medical Capacity Building Projects DirectorErin Muyres was in nursing school in Canada when she began to question her decisi...

Dr. Gary Brandenburg: Keeping a Kingdom Mindset

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Gary Brandenburg serves as the International Spiritual Development Officer for Mercy Ships. In this role, Gary is the pastor that oversees all the...

Holiday Highlight with Kelly Denning

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many of our patients who have endured physical challenges suffer emotionally and mentally as well. Being shunned or cast out of their villages due to ...

Holiday Highlight with Dr. Andrew Clark

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Andrew Clark currently serves as the International Chaplain for Mercy Ships, but first volunteered as a physician many years ago. In the early day...

Holiday Highlight with Carys Parker

25 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our blessings come in many forms and from many places. For Carys Parker, one of her childhood blessings came in the form of an 8-year-old patient on b...

Holiday Highlight with Cara Stafford

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the year is coming to a close, we reflect back on the good times and some of the not-so-good times that left a mark on us. For many of our patients...

Holiday Highlight with Dr. Brian Barki

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the season of giving gifts and we all know that the best gifts aren’t the ones that come wrapped with bows. On today’s holiday highlight, D...

Holiday Highlight with Don & Deyon Stephens

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This holiday season we’re bringing you New Mercies highlights from the past year. So many powerful, inspirational stories have been shared — some ...

Bill Beagley: 30 Short Days Led to a Lifetime of Change

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Beagley heard of Mercy Ships many years ago and soon was aching to volunteer. When he heard that his electrical skills were needed on the Global ...

Keren Fuhrmeister: Beauty From Ashes

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer Hospital DirectorKeren Fuhrmesiter was happy working as a dietician in Australia when God started to prepare her for something new. She didn...

Bob & Sherilyn Cook: Ambassadors for Mercy Ships

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bob and Sherilyn Cook can trace their Mercy Ships roots way back to when they were young teenagers at church in rural Colorado. Some of their friends ...

Marty Schwebel: Ministering to the Crew and Beyond

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer ChaplainMarty Schwebel was ministering as a pastor in California when he and his wife decided it was time to take their three sons and exten...

Moise Njipguep: Working Behind the Scenes to Transform Lives

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer AccountantWhen Mercy Ships was serving in his home country of Cameroon, Moise jumped at the opportunity to master his English while working ...

Thomas Dubourcq: Producing Lasting Memories

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Thomas Dubourcq first encountered Mercy Ships in 1991 when he was 17 years old and boarded the Anastasis to perform with his drama group. Little did h...

Sarah Loving: A Nurse's Calling

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer NurseNurse Sarah Loving saw purpose in her pain as God took a hard season in her life and through it, gave her a new calling. While serving ...

Dr. Tertius Venter: A Life Changing Practice

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer Plastic SurgeonDr. Tertius Venter just completed his 40th visit on board a Mercy Ships vessel as a volunteer plastic surgeon. His first visi...

Dr. Rick: CMO of CURE International and Mercy Ships Partner

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer Orthopedic SurgeonWith similar missions, CURE International and Mercy Ships have come alongside to partner together in many ways.  In this ...

Heilke de Heer: Living in a Place of Hope

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Heilke de Heer left her home in the Netherlands to board the Africa Mercy in Dakar, Senegal. She originally came as a receptionist but has willingly v...

Colton Dixon: Singer, Songwriter, Mercy Ships Partner

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Colton Dixon is a Christian artist and former American Idol contestant who is partnering with Mercy Ships to help share the mission of bringing hope a...

Zodi Schwind: Growing Up with Poverty, Surgeons, and the Feeling of Home in Africa

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Zodi Schwind moved on board the Africa Mercy with her family when she was 12 years old.  Growing up on the ship, she developed powerful insights that...

Kate Pitchford: Wisdom from a Woman "In the Know"

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer Executive Assistant Volunteering as a media liaison and later as the executive assistant on board both of our ships, Kate Pitchford knows j...

Alli Miller: A Physio's Mercy Ships Adventure

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer Physical TherapistAlli Miller had been a physical therapist for seven years when she felt like it was time to take a break. Alli had long he...

DK: From a Farm in Kazakhstan to a Ship in Africa

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer IS SpecialistDK grew up in Kazakhstan, helping on the farm and learning electrical work from his father. With a passion for technology, DK l...

Susan Waldron: Science, Students and Ship Life

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer TeacherSusan Waldron entered college with the aspiration of becoming a doctor. But as her university studies were coming to a close, her pat...

Mike Kirchner: Instead of Retirement, Relocation

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When most of his colleagues were looking at retirement, Mike Kirchner and his wife felt that they still had a lot of miles left. Rather than retire, t...

Ben Stewart: The Best Job on the Ship

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer Medical Supply AssistantAs a civil engineer in Montana, Ben Stewart was enjoying his career. But, with many friends moving away or changing ...

Aby Diouf: The Mouthpiece of Her People

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Aby Diouf had completed her degree in English and was working on a Masters in translation when she heard that the Africa Mercy was coming to her home ...

Justin Brunenkant: Keeping the Lights On

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer ElectricianJustin Brunenkant was an electrician, but always had a pastor’s heart to care for others. When Justin heard about Mercy Ships a...

Beth Kirchner: Teaching the Littlest Crew Members

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer TeacherBeth Kirchner had been teaching kindergarten in the United States for several years when an opportunity arose that matched her passio...

Cara Stafford: Growing in Compassion through Volunteer Nursing

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After being a traveling nurse for many years, Cara Stafford had a lingering feeling that God wanted her to use her nursing skills beyond the hospitals...

Carys Parker: Growing Up on a Ship

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Carys Parker boarded the Anastasis at only six weeks old and spent the next 18 years growing up on a Mercy Ships vessel. Daughter of Mercy Ships maxil...

Ellee Rollins: The Honor of Volunteering as a Nurse

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ellee Rollins is a nurse who was raised overseas with her missionary parents and three siblings. It was part of her upbringing to care for others in n...

Dr. Mark Shrime: Part 2 - "Solving for Why: A Surgeon's Journey to Discover the Transformative Power of Purpose"

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Mark Shrime, a volunteer surgeon with Mercy Ships, has recently published a book entitled: Solving for Why: A Surgeon’s Journey to Discover the ...

Dr. Mark Shrime: Part 1 - The Work of a Surgeon

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Mark Shrime is an outstanding surgeon who has focused on head and neck surgical oncology throughout his career and is an asset to the Mercy Ships ...

Caroline Kirchner: Celebrating Mother’s Day On Board the Global Mercy

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Mother's Day to all moms throughout the world! Many families come on board our hospital ships, bringing moms who care for their children fr...

Jamie Barki: The Role of a Mom On Board

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jamie Barki is a mom of three children who lives in Oklahoma. When her children were 3, 5, and 7 years old, Jamie and her husband decided to volunteer...

Josh Salmon: Life On Board as a Young Volunteer

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Josh Salmon is currently a college student in Idaho pursuing a medical career, but in high school he had a strong desire to help people in need. So, o...

Patty Stack: Volunteering Wherever There is a Need

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Patty Stack had been working for a company in the United States for 29 years when the pandemic hit and impacted her employment. Seeing this as an oppo...

Dr. Sherif Emil: The Heart of Mercy Ships

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For most people the path to study medicine would not include a trip through engineering school, but that’s exactly where Dr. Sherif Emil began his c...

Captain Josh McGrath: Serving More Than Just the People of Africa

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Captain Josh McGrath came to volunteer with Mercy Ships in 2007 as Third Officer on the  Anastasis in Ghana and Liberia. Josh was newly graduated fro...

Christelle Echu: A Nurse Serving in Her Home Country

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christelle, a nurse from Cameroon, first heard about Mercy Ships when news spread of the Africa Mercy coming to her home country. She decided to volun...

A Passion for the Local People with Nurse Amy Jones

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

At 17 years old, Amy Jones had an experience on a mission trip that sparked a desire to go into nursing and help people who don’t have easy access t...

A Family Volunteering with Mercy Ships with Andrea Scace

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Andrea Scace is a Nurse Practitioner who first volunteered with Mercy Ships 18 years ago. She has recently returned with her husband and three childre...

Adventure, Laughter and Love with Nick and Irene Granger-Brown

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nick & Irene met for the first time as they boarded the Africa Mercy in Dakar, Senegal. Nick from the UK and Irene from Canada, had each signed on...

The Heart of a Nurse with Amber Greenhow Dissake

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Amber Greenhow Dissake is a nurse from the United Stated who first volunteered with Mercy Ships in 2017.  Her first commitment was just for a few mon...

The Role of Managing Director with Warrie Blackburn

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Warrie Blackburn first stepped onto the Anastasis when she graduated from college and went to visit some friends on board. Inspired by what she saw, s...

A Life Changed with Captain Djurre Jan Schutte

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Captain Djurre Jan Schutte was destined for a life on the water as he was born on a vessel and spent the first six years of his life sailing with his ...

A New Hospital: Preparing for Patients Onboard the Global Mercy with Merryl Mackenzie

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Merryl Mackenzie is an OR nurse from Australia who has been in practice for over 40 years. Currently onboard the Global Mercy preparing the hospital f...

Chaplaincy On Board with Dr. Andrew Clark

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Andrew Clark has served with Mercy Ships for 30 years as a physician and serves currently as the International Chaplain. During his time with Merc...

A New School: Teaching in a Floating Classroom with Kathryn Dungworth

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On all Mercy Ships vessels, an academy is offered to all children who come to serve with their parents onboard. Kathryn Dungworth is a teacher from th...

A Brand-New Ship: The Building of The Global Mercy with Jim Paterson

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Paterson is a Marine Engineer from Scotland and currently serves as Marine Executive Consultant for Mercy Ships.  Jim has served the organization...

Giving the Gift of Love with Nurse Susy Horta

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Susy Horta is an ICU nurse from Columbia.  Growing up in a missionary family, Susy always wanted to go serve where there was the most need—that’s...

Giving the Gift of Friendship with Dr. Brian Barki

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Brian Barki is an anesthesiologist from Oklahoma who took his wife and three children to live onboard the Africa Mercy for four years. During his ...

Giving the Gift of Touch with Nurse Kelly Denning

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kelly Denning is a nurse from Australia who has served 3 field services onboard the Africa Mercy. On the ship, Kelly loves to share her passion for mu...

Radical Generosity with Mercy Ships Partner Donors, Ed & Sherri Torres

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to live a life of radical generosity? To give away more than you keep? On today’s episode, Raeanne Newquist spoke with Ed and Sher...

The Future of Mercy Ships with Don & Deyon Stephens

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When discussing the vision for the future of Mercy Ships, Don Stephens brought us back to the original vision saying, “For us, it hasn’t changed —...

The History of Mercy Ships with Don & Deyon Stephens

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Don and Deyon Stephens are an inspiring couple who are the founders of Mercy Ships. In this episode, Ally Jones and Raeanne Newquist sat down with the...