When the Africa Mercy comes to a country, she is docked for about 10 months. It’s enough time to see many patients and take on some more challenging cases that a short term surgery group would not have the time or resources to complete.

This is also a great opportunity to really invest in the city and community that the ship is docked in. This inland work with the community is called Mercy Ministries. I knew Mercy Ships partnered with the community, but I had no idea just how much!

There are several government programs, NGO’s, and missionary organizations that Mercy Ships works with here in Conakry. I hope to visit all I can. Today I went to my first one.

Destiny English Academy started out as a school for orphans, but it has now grown to teach children in the surrounding community as well. Grades 1-6 share a school room and it’s very full, but the kids are so smart. Once a week our core Mercy Ministries team goes and does something like VBS for the kids… and they bring along a few of us crew as well. We dance, sing, learn a Bible story, do a craft, and play outside.

We were warmly welcomed into the fray as “aunties”, but it was obvious how much love and trust the Mercy Ministy team has invested in these kids while the ship has been here. It was also apparent what an excellent job their teachers have done and are doing with these kids.

When we look at our TV or our phones, social media or the news… it can seem like things are falling apart.

But let me assure you… There is a whole wide world of people working with God to put this world back together.

P.S. – I forgot how much I love working with kids! ❤️