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 about to be impacted. While waiting in line for two days, holding a place for his cousin to be seen by the Mercy Ships screening nurses, the trajectory of Abdul’s life was forever changed. At 14 years old, he decided he wanted to become a sailor.  In this episode, Abdul shares the incredible story of his time in the port meeting Mercy Ships crew...

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 already decided to extend her service and called her twin sister, Dorcas, to come join her. Dorcas was excited to come aboard and volunteer in the human resources department with patient services. Originally from Ghana, both sisters are now volunteering on board the Global Mercy and plan to stay for a few years.  In this episode, Debbie and Docas talk...

Morgan Georgioff is a professional chef in Oregon and desired to use her culinary talents as a ministry. She googled “cooking for Jesus internationally,” and was surprised to find Mercy Ships! After applying, Morgan was thrilled to join the crew on board the Global Mercy, volunteering as the galley team lead.  Now Morgan is growing as a chef and expanding her pallet as she learns about African cuisine as well as dishes from other parts of the world that the crew represent. In this episode...

Robert Corley came to Mercy Ships with a resume that included the US Navy, Nokia, Brinks Security, and Southwest Airlines — organizations and companies that may seem vastly different from one another. But when you step back, it’s easy to see all the varied experience come together to fully equip him to serve as the Chief Operating Officer for Mercy Ships.  In this episode, Robert shares the strategic plans for the coming year to ensure Mercy Ships is prepared to have two ships in field...

Ann Heinrich: Volunteer Counselor Ann Heinrich didn’t have an adventurous spirit, no desire to travel to Africa and didn’t really have missions on her mind — but God had other plans! To an unexpected invitation, Ann immediately said yes to volunteer as the licensed counselor aboard the Africa Mercy for two years. Her husband however, took a bit more convincing! But once on board, it was obvious that God had a wonderful gift in store for Ann and her husband, one that they would never have...

After spending his teenage years in Zimbabwe, Joff Williams discovered what it looks like to put your faith in action. This realization formed his adult years and caused he and his wife to seriously ask what they wanted to do with their lives to live out their faith. A chance meeting with Mercy Ships volunteer surgeon, Dr. Gary Parker at a wedding reception led Joff and his wife to apply as volunteers with Mercy Ships as a family.  After serving for over 5 years at the International Support...

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 strange ailment, Jas was led to volunteer with Mercy Ships. She thought she had retreated to an island to isolate, but God brought her on board to a community where she is rarely alone. Going on three years of service, Ja can’t imagine her life any other way.  In this episode, Ja shares about the miraculous way God brought her to Mercy Ships....

Roger Newquist:  Volunteer Chaplain  Roger Newquist was nearing retirement from his law enforcement career when he began to dream about what was next. He first heard of Mercy Ships through supporting a friend as she went to teach on board. Desiring to go back into ministry, Roger explored Mercy Ships and found a perfect opportunity for him and his family. Upon retiring, Roger boarded the Africa Mercy to volunteer as a chaplain.  In this episode, Roger shares about the thrill of living in a...

Stefan Schmid grew up in Germany with missional minded parents who planted churches. His theological teaching came at the dinner table where his father would nightly share scripture with the family and pray. Stefan had a heart after God and a desire to make an impact in His kingdom. Through various ministry opportunities, Stefan and his family eventually moved to East Texas to serve with Mercy Ships at the International Support Center. Stefan serves as the Field Service Coordinator where he...

Kim Robinson: Volunteer Teacher It was a soft whisper, “Africa,” that got the attention of Kim Robinson many years ago as she was teaching in the United States. That whisper kept coming and Kim knew it was from God, calling her to go to Africa. She heard about Mercy Ships and the opportunities for teachers and she quickly applied. Her initial time on board the first Mercy Ship, the Anastasis, would lead to over 12 years of service with Mercy Ships.   In this episode, Kim shares about the...

Debra Mae Goehringer: Volunteer Dental Hygienist   Debra Mae Goehringer jumped into the dental field right after college and worked six days a week as a dental hygienist. She quickly found herself questioning her decision to be a dental hygienist. But a trip to Tanzania and the words of her father as she was growing up, “if you are going to travel, take a skill with you,” started to ignite dreams for something outside of the American dental office.   Debra Mae decided to volunteer for three...

Julie Remer: Volunteer Nurse Julie 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 new adventure. Leaving her job behind, Julie found freedom to do something she’d wanted to for quite some time — volunteer with Mercy Ships.  Julie and her husband boarded the Africa Mercy and spent three months volunteering and having their eyes opened to new possibilities.   In this episode, Julie shares about the joy of getting to build...

Josh Remer: Volunteer Food Service Josh Remer had been a supporter of Mercy Ships for some time but never thought he would be able to serve on board. Then, one day he and his wife felt that their current jobs were coming to an end as God was doing something new within them. Leaving behind their jobs, Josh and his wife jumped at the opportunity to take this new freedom and volunteer with Mercy Ships. When filling out the application, Josh willingly checked the box marked “I just want to serve”...

Sarah Johnson: Volunteer Nurse Sarah Johnson has been a practicing nurse for 12 years, working in both labor and delivery and ICU. From the time she was a young girl, Sarah always desired to help people in need, especially in under resourced countries — that’s why Mercy Ships was a perfect fit for her.  In this episode, Sarah shares how her passion for faith and nursing has paved her life’s path. She tells how she used her experience in labor and delivery to help her patients in a very...

Kayla Casaletto: Volunteer Teacher Kayla Casaletto was coaching, running, and living life in Indiana when her friend Grace approached her with an opportunity that she couldn’t say no to! Kayla joined Grace in the Mercy Ships Academy and she came as the P.E. teacher. Having never taught students before, this posed a big learning curve for Kayla. But her passion for running and exercise and all things outdoors, along with her coaching skills, has made for one fabulous teacher. In this episode...

Grace Flint: Volunteer Teacher While growing up, Grace Flint had heard about Mercy Ships from her father who was in the Navy. But it wasn’t until she had graduated from college that Mercy Ships came up once again. Grace was a teacher in Indiana and desired to teach overseas, specifically in Africa, and that’s when she applied to volunteer with Mercy Ships. On this adventure, Grace didn’t go alone — she invited her friend Kayla to join her as a teacher in the Academy. In this episode, Grace...

Eric Baliantz: Volunteer Mariner During some downtime as a mariner, Eric Baliantz decided to volunteer with Mercy Ships with motives different than most — he simply wanted to return to Madagascar. Eric had been sailing on ships since he was 19 years old but had never encountered a crew quite like the Africa Mercy crew. Eric’s eyes were opened to something that he had been searching for his whole life and this discovery caused him to return time and again to this impactful community. In this...

Erin Muyres — Volunteer Medical Capacity Building Projects Director Erin Muyres was in nursing school in Canada when she began to question her decision to become a nurse. During the late hours in the library one night, Erin started to research what she might be able to do with her nursing degree when she finished school, and that was when she discovered Mercy Ships. She spent the next weeks watching every Mercy Ships video she could find, crying through them, and dreaming of a new vision for...

Dr. Gary Brandenburg serves as the International Spiritual Development Officer for Mercy Ships. In this role, Gary is the pastor that oversees all the chaplains both on and off our ships.   He worked in pastoral ministry for over 40 years and throughout his church ministry, he became acquainted with Mercy Ships. Through the years, he has taken on various volunteer roles from board member to training local pastors in the countries where Mercy Ships was serving. When he retired from church...

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 their conditions can leave some suffering in many ways. Our mission is not to just take care of physical healing, but also to restore hope.   In this Holiday Highlight, nurse Kelly Denning shares about the hope and healing that Mercy Ships offers our patients through her encouraging story of a woman who suffered alone for decades, until she...

Dr. Andrew Clark currently serves as the International Chaplain for Mercy Ships, but first volunteered as a physician many years ago. In the early days of Mercy Ships, the hospitals were not located on board, but the medical professionals would go into remote areas and help in local clinics. With limited resources, some situations seemed hopeless — but nothing is impossible with God!   In this holiday highlight, Dr. Clark shares a powerful story of trusting God and watching miracles...

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 board the Anastasis whose name just happened to be — Blessing. In a time of loneliness, Blessing became a friend to Carys and their friendship continues to this day.   In this episode, Carys shares the story of Blessing, the impact of her unique childhood growing up on ships, and how her work today reflects all she gleaned from Mercy Ships.   For...

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, their tumors removed was a highlight, but there are scars left behind. Even if we haven’t had surgery, we’ve all gone through tough times in life that have left marks on us. For volunteer nurse Cara Stafford, those scars are not to be covered up, for they are the very proof that we survived!  In this episode, Cara shares how one young patient...

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, Dr. Brian Barki shares a special gift he was able to give on the Africa Mercy. He also tells about a gift he received and a Christmas on board that he’ll never forget.    For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org                       Follow us on Instagram: New Mercies Podcast 

This holiday season we’re bringing you New Mercies highlights from the past year. So many powerful, inspirational stories have been shared — some too good to only hear once! Our first holiday highlight features Mercy Ships founders Don and Deyon Stephens. They were our first guests on the podcast and always greatly encourage everyone with their words of hope. From an article in Life Magazine, to a meeting with Mother Teresa, they will tell you all about how Mercy Ships began.   For more...