All aboard. And a call for Support

We've officially set sail aboard the Global Mercy en route to Sweet Salone

Aug 03, 2025

And so we have set sail.

As we push off the dock here in Cadiz, Spain, I can’t help but feel that inevitable flutter of excitement, apprehension, awe, and joy at the future that awaits us.

Another year in Sierra Leone, or more lovingly, sweet Salone to those of us who have fallen in love with this very special country nestled on the horn of West Africa. A country teeming with red dirt, lush green mountains, striking poverty and abundant hugs from the warm arms of the Sierra Leoneon people. We are feeling so lucky to find ourselves in Sierra Leone again. It feels as if we’re returning home. We know the best place to get ice cream, how to weave and navigate the busy malama fabric market, where to find our favorite beaches and pools nestled at the top of windy dirt roads and some of our very favorite people are awaiting us there on the other end of this ten day sail.

For me personally, there is much excitement and anticipation to continue to chip away at the long waiting lists of people we could not help last year and that alone gives me great hope and encouragement for the field service to come. It is always hard to leave a country knowing we won’t be back for a couple years. It felt good leaving last year knowing that we would be coming back to continue to make a dent in the health disparity and education gap that sadly exists in developing countries such as Sierra Leone.

It is nice to be back on board hugging everyone we’ve missed and re-establishing our life and family routines. The boys will start pre-school again in the Academy next week and Olive will join preschool in the new year. Zach is continuing to prepare and work on his ministry with Sahid in the ongoing work of combating the Kush epidemic as well as his passion project, CRUMB. More of both of those to come soon. I’m already knee deep in meetings and education preparation for the Preoperative Clinic as we will be running three general surgery ORs, a plastic surgery OR, a maxillofacial OR as well as starting our Thyroid/Goiter Intake Clinic once we officially start up the end of August. I’m also planning and mapping out ongoing Neonatal Resuscitation classes with Aberdeen Women’s Center which I am so excited about.

For now we’d love if you could join us in prayer:

For a safe, smooth ten-day sail to Sierra Leone. That we would experience excitement, rest, and community as we prepare to arrive and start surgeries and training on board
For the patients we will serve this year and the healthcare professionals we’ll get to train. While I work specifically in direct patient services, one of the things I love most about our organization is our dedication to ongoing training and support of healthcare professionals. Our heart and our goal is to work ourselves OUT of a job.
For continued health and good sleep for the kids. There is always an adjustment period of being around hundreds of new people coming off international flights and historically, the germs like to run wild.

And last but not least, a call for financial support this year.

Last year we did very little fundraising or call for financial support for our family and this year we are in very much need of support.

Many of you know that everyone who works onboard are volunteers and unpaid. I know finances are tight for so many people right now but if you’re willing, we’d love for you to prayerfully consider adopting our family and ministry for the next year. You can do a one-time donation or support us ongoing in a monthly fashion which very much helps provide us stability and security while we serve. More than anything, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.