New Mercies

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 that might be able to help him, Emmanuel prayed for the ship to come. His prayers were answered as the Global Mercy docked in Freetown, Sierra Leone — Emmanuel’s home country. Emmanuel was the first patient in Sierra Leone to receive free surgery on board the Global Mercy. This surgery put to rest his fears and worry over his health. In this episode, you will hear Emmanuel’s story of hope and healing. You will also hear about the special man who helped him through his recovery and why that was so meaningful.  Emmanuel means God with us. Today we celebrate the day God came to be with us as a baby, Jesus. We are grateful that our God knows our burdens and fears. He knows our worries and concerns. In the midst of those, He has come to be with us. We are not alone. Merry Christmas. For more information about Mercy Ships and how you can find your place on board, visit www.opportunities.mercyships.org         Follow us on Instagram at New Mercies Podcast  

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 of four very special people. In December you will get to hear about the lives that have been transformed by the love of Jesus, shown through Mercy Ships volunteers.  This week we focus on Diarra’s story that brought JOY. Diarra was a young teenager when she experienced a toothache. Then a small bump formed in her mouth and soon that bump became a growing tumor. For many years she searched for help until she heard about Mercy Ships on the radio. Joy came when Diarra received free surgery that removed her tumor and opened the doors to live out her dreams.  In this episode you’ll hear Diarra’s story of searching for help, her supportive family, and the gift of joy that came not only to her, but to her husband and daughter as well. For more information about Mercy Ships and how you can find your place on board, visit www.opportunities.mercyships.org        Follow us on Instagram at New Mercies Podcast   

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 of four very special people. In December you will get to hear about the lives that have been transformed by the love of Jesus, shown through Mercy Ships volunteers. This week we get to hear Umu’s story that brought PEACE. Umu was born with a large tumor on the side of her face and neck that only grew bigger as she did. Her mother’s worry grew as well, fearing that the tumor would one day cut off Umu’s airway. Umu’s family searched for help, but there was not even one maxillofacial surgeon in Sierra Leone who could help her. The stress and fear increased daily, until the Global Mercy arrived with skilled surgeons on board who could offer Umu a free surgery. Peace came to Umu’s family as her tumor was removed, as well as the burden of worry and fear they all carried.  In this episode, you will hear about Umu’s brilliant personality, the hopelessness of her situation without access to surgical care, and the gift of Mercy Ships. For more information about Mercy Ships and how you can find your place on board, visit www.opportunities.mercyships.org Follow us on Instagram at New Mercies Podcast  

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 miracles that have changed the lives of four very special people. In December you will get to hear about the lives that have been transformed by the love of Jesus, shown through Mercy Ships volunteers. This week we get to hear Samba’s story of HOPE. Samba was born with a cleft lip — a condition that occurs 1 in 700 births worldwide. Usually, babies are operated on within a year to correct this. But in developing nations like Senegal in West Africa, the lack of resources means that someone like Samba will spend their whole life marked different from others. Samba did live with his cleft lip for 56 years until the Global Mercy arrived in his home country. In this episode, we hear about the painful reality our patients face because of their conditions like a cleft lip. We get to hear from the surgeon who operated on Samba and the transformation that took place in one man’s life because Mercy Ships brought hope and healing. For more information about Mercy Ships and how you can find your place on board, visit www.opportunities.mercyships.org         Follow us on Instagram at New Mercies Podcast  

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 help those in need — that’s when Mercy Ships came into her story. Now, 10 years later, Ria is still volunteering, currently serving as our Director of Patient Selection.  In this role, Ria considers herself a bridge with one foot on the ship, working with our doctors and nurses, and the other on land, partnering with the ministry of health and local healthcare professionals. Ria loves learning from all the people she interacts with. In this episode, Ria shares the streamlined way Mercy Ships approves patients for surgery, the hope that is offered each person, and the night she’ll never forget in Madagascar. She also highlights the lasting impact Mercy Ships leaves in our host nations not only through surgery, but through education and training of local healthcare professionals. This GivingTuesday, consider supporting the work of Mercy Ships through donating at www.donate.mercyships.org For more information about Mercy Ships and how you can find your place on board, visit www.opportunities.mercyships.org       Follow us on Instagram at New Mercies Podcast 

Whitney Grant: Senior Director, HR Operational Effectiveness  One little Facebook video was all it took to start Whitney Grant on a journey that she never would have expected!  Happily working in her corporate HR job in the United States, Whitney was involved in her church and had a great community of friends — she was not looking for a major life change. But watching a Mercy Ships video that her friend posted on social media opened Whitney’s heart to something unexpected. Whitney came to Mercy Ships with 10 years of HR experience, and she was surprised when her new job on board brought challenges that she never faced in corporate America. Whitney recalled, “I had become comfortable and on cruise control. But on the ship, I was challenged immediately.” In this episode, Whitney not only shares about her personal time on board, but she also shares how you can have your own life changing experience with Mercy Ships! Whitney answers questions about how to volunteer, what to expect in the application process, as well as current priority positions.  From getting to grow professionally and personally, to living in a community of people from all over the world – you too, can find your place on board! If you’ve ever wondered how you can join this amazing mission, this episode is for you! For more information about Mercy Ships and how you can find your place on board, visit www.opportunities.mercyships.org Follow us on Instagram at New Mercies Podcast

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 about to graduate from college, a guest speaker from Mercy Ships came to her university and a new dream was born. Caroline knew she wanted to become a nurse and go serve on board. Seven years later that dream came true when she boarded the Africa Mercy in Senegal. Now on board the Global Mercy, Caroline volunteers as a ward nurse and has committed to serve for two years. In this episode, Caroline shares about the moment she got on board the Africa Mercy, a special patient that was on board for 86 days, and the gift of hope she has received through her time serving. For more information about Mercy Ships and how you can find your place on board, visit www.opportunities.mercyships.org      Follow us on Instagram at New Mercies Podcast 

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 heard on the way to school one day gave her a one-minutelook into Mercy Ships and opened her mind to adventures that she never dreamed of.  Paula Pheasant volunteers as the PACU (post anesthesia care unit) team lead on board the Global Mercy. Caring for patients as they come out of their surgery, Paula is able to witness their first reactions as they wake up to a new life. After serving for almost 10 years, Paula shares, “I can’t imagine my life without having been here.” In this episode, Paula shares about the important work she does on board caring for patients post anesthesia, the joy one patient gave her during a time of personal loss, and how God has taken her from the background into a position of leadership.  For more information about Mercy Ships, visit www.mercyships.org Follow us on Instagram at New Mercies Podcast    

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!  Nurse Rachel Greenland was made for this kind of work — where she gets to combine her faith and her professional skills to leave a lasting impact on those in need.  Rachel is now on board the Global Mercy, volunteering as the ICU Coordinator and nurse in the maxillofacial ward. In this episode, Rachel shares what keeps her coming back year after year to volunteer. She also talks about her first impressions, the hard days, and the great rewards that have left her life forever changed. Through stories about special patients and her own self-discoveries on board, Rachel is sure to encourage and inspire you.  For more information about Mercy Ships, visit www.mercyships.org   Follow us on Instagram at New Mercies Podcast      

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 was thinking about quitting. This book opened her eyes to new possibilities that she had never known about and breathed new life into her education. Determined to one day walk up thegangway, Lily worked to gain a degree and experience to make that dream come true. Volunteering on board as the nurse educator, Lily has the opportunity to meet every new nurse that comes on board and help them transition. She also gets to use her experience as a pediatric nurse and help in the wards with the children that receive surgery. When asked why she has returned for a third field service, Lily said, “I’m not done yet with experiencing the goodness of God and seeing his miracles happening on board this vessel.”  In this episode, Lily shares about preparing new nurses to serve on board, her joy in playing hide and seek with the littlest patients, and the opportunity she had to showcase one patient’s talents. For more information about Mercy Ships, visit www.mercyships.org Follow us on Instagram at New Mercies Podcast