Celebrating all that has been accomplished and all that is to come
As the final pages of the 2020 calendar come to an end, we take a look back at all we’ve experienced together – in our families, as an organization, and as a global community. This year was one of unexpected change and new discoveries. Together, we prayed, we reset — and we persevered.
As we look back on 2020, we are so grateful for all that has been accomplished. Although the Africa Mercy was impacted by an early departure and her field service unexpectedly cut short, our heart and our mission remained steadfast. Throughout this year, we’ve seen our community come together like never before to continue making a life-changing and lifesaving difference in the nations we serve.
What does our unwavering presence in Africa look like? From donations of PPE equipment to our partnering countries across the continent, to supplies, donations, and volunteers making their way from around the world to ensure the Gamal Abdel Nasser University dental clinic in Guinea could continue its vital work, hope and healing abound.
And while our surgical programs were placed on hold, our training programs continued to flourish, shifting the classroom to a digital format by providing virtual telemedicine courses to Africa’s medical professionals. Through each training program, the medical teams we partner with across the continent continued to learn vital new skills — and discovered new ways to pass on their training to others.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support of our friends and partners. Whether through prayer, volunteering, donations, or financial gifts, our dedicated supporters are essential to the mission of Mercy Ships to bring hope and healing.
Join Us in Doubling the Impact in 2021
During this season, we are filled with hope for all that lies ahead. We believe that 2021 holds a transformative new promise — one of hope. A hope to celebrate changed lives. A hope to gather and share life together once more. A hope to hold friends and family close. A hope to travel and explore the world with reopened eyes. A hope to continue reaching, teaching, and providing more hope and healing to those who need it most.
As we end this year, we are especially excited for the return of the Africa Mercy to Africa in 2021. While COVID-19 forced our ship out of service early in 2020, over the last several months, we have been eagerly planning for her return voyage. Soon we will return to the beautiful country of Senegal to continue our life-changing mission for those in need.
This upcoming year holds another exciting opportunity — the maiden voyage of the Global Mercy. The newest addition to our fleet has spent the past few months undergoing finishing touches in preparation for her first launch. The Global Mercy will house 6 operating rooms and 199 patient beds, while a state-of-the-art simulation lab will allow us to expand our training capabilities in an unprecedented way — empowering local medical professionals to learn the best practices for surgical treatment in low-resource environments.
The launch of the Global Mercy will bring more than technical training and surgical care to the African population. She will bring a new wave of hope for individuals and their families, many of whom have spent years praying for a miracle. She will bring a new world of training and opportunities for future generations of healthcare systems. She will bring a ripple of change throughout the continent — and we, for one, cannot wait to see this story unfold.
Merry Christmas to the Mercy Ships Community — Near and Far
This Christmas season, we’re taking time to reflect — and to hope. As we gather together in spirit to celebrate Christ’s birth, we’re reminded of exactly why we do this work. Just as the birth of Jesus signaled a new hope and a light in the darkness, so we will continue striving to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus.
Join us for this new year in our mission to impact more lives than ever before. Together, we’ll keep hoping, keep inspiring, keep giving, and keep celebrating. We have a feeling it will be a year to remember!