The Preparation

The Application Process

I started the application to join the Mercy Ships team in April 2024. The application included a brief questionnaire, faith survey, and assessment of relevant nursing skills. Applicants are also required to complete a Physicians Evaluation with a primary care provider.

Throughout the duration of the application process, I was connected with a Volunteer Coordinator who kept me on track and answered any questions that came up!

How You Can Get Involved


Packing 

I don’t know about you, but thinking about packing to live on a ship in another country for 14 weeks was definitely intimidating to me. There are a lot of potential opportunities with ship life and I am someone who wants to be prepared for all of them (surprise!). Mercy Ships provided a broad packing list, but I found this blog very helpful from someone who had served on board years ago.

One thing that I’ve had to plan for is the suitcase situation on board. Because of limited space on the ship, volunteers are required to pack everything in either duffel or collapsable bags. I typically travel with hardshell roller suitcases, so I decided to splurge on this Cotopaxi backpack duffel (which I’m pumped about!!). 


Travel Plans 

Thankfully, all the travel logistics were coordinated by Mercy Ships and praise the Lord the the cost of airfare was covered for volunteers due to urgent needs. What an answer to prayer to have that financial blessing!

Another blessing is that I get to travel to Madagascar with one of my great friends Heather! When Heather and I met at Duke Regional in 2022, we discovered our mutual dream of joining Mercy Ships one day. It is so great that we were offered overlapping dates, both starting April 11th!

Our plan for travel...

Raleigh-Durham → Paris → Antananarivo (Madagascar) → Toamasina (Madagascar)

We arrive into Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, late on Saturday 4/12. Mercy Ships has booked us a hotel room for the night before we catch our short Madagascar Airlines flight to the port city of Toamasina in the evening of Sunday 4/13. It looks like a cute boutique hotel with a nice pool and a view! 


 









Comments

  1. Bruce W.April 11, 2025 at 8:38 AM

    Today is the day! We are so excited that your adventure is starting! We will continue to pray for you every day!

    ReplyDelete

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