Mercy Ships Africa Blog

As Armella grew, so did the mass behind her ear and her parents’ fears along with it. Desperate for answers but unable to afford a doctor, they turned to the church for support. Judicael, the pastor of their church, is a former Mercy Ships’ national crew who worked in the deck department during the organization’s last mission in Madagascar. With his assistance, 6-month-old Armella would finally be examined by a doctor.

Thirteen-year-old Mohamed is bold, bubbly, and charismatic. He is the eighth of nine children and comes from Koinadugu, a district in the northern province of Sierra Leone. His story is one of resilience and restoration.

Marion was born with an umbilical hernia; a condition that had grown more severe over time. She lost her mother when she was just a baby, and soon after, her father left. That's when her aunt Helen stepped in and took custody of her. "She is like my own daughter, and I want the best for her," Helen said.