My Story

Many of you have asked why I am doing this, why I am paying to serve.  Many years ago my husband Dick and I talked of volunteering on the "big hospital ship". But then he was diagnosed with cancer and that dream didn't happen. Since Dick's death in 2010  I have prayed about God's plan for my life and once again, Mercy Ships came to mind.  I took a leap of faith to retire from my job and applied to serve.  The Africa Mercy is the largest non government floating hospital ship in the world. Every person on board from the Captain to the surgeons, nurses to cooks, housekeepers to deck hands all pay to serve so that surgical services can be provided for free to the poorest of the poor in Africa. I will volunteer for a year beginning March 22, 2013.  I will be one of the admissions nurses and will assist the ward physician complete a thorough health history and physical assessment, give pre and post operative teaching and orient the patient and their family member to the ward environment. If crew were paid, fewer people could be helped. There are about 400 crew members on board from over 35 countries. We all serve so that we can be the hands, heart and voice of Jesus. I can't wait  to get there!