THE BLACKBURNS

Serving with Mercy Ships is about more than changing the lives of others. It has the power to change your life, too. When I walked up the gangway of the M/V Anastasis in 1994, I had no idea how profoundly the journey would shape me. Jesus used my experiences in Africa and the friendships I built with volunteers from around the world to grow and transform me. I invite you to join us and experience that same life-changing journey. As Scripture reminds us: “And we know that in a

At the beginning of August, the Global Mercy sailed from the Canary Islands to Ghana, West Africa. The 11-day journey across the Atlantic was peaceful, restful, and filled with stunning ocean views, unless you happened to be seasick! It was a special time to slow down, enjoy life at sea, and prepare for the next chapter in Ghana. Along the way, I captured some photographs to document the journey, from beautiful sunsets to endless blue horizons. As I looked out across the ocea

In 1994, I joined Mercy Ships as an elementary teacher, as a single person (more to come on that story later). My Dad drove me to Albany, New York. He dropped me off at the M/V Anastasis, and I sailed down the Hudson River, past the Statue of Liberty and then to Rotterdam, Holland. A few weeks later, the Anastasis sailed to Tema, Ghana, West Africa. I will be joining the Global Mercy in the Canary Islands on Wednesday, the 29th of July, and then sailing down to Ghana, wh

Please pray for our new CEO of Mercy Ships, Dr. Michelle White from the UK. We are very encouraged by her leadership during this new season in Mercy Ships. Mercy Ships Appoints Dr. Michelle White as New CEO - Mercy Ships

Warrie and I served on our hospital ship in Africa from 1994 to 2007, and then as a family from 2017 to 2020 (Covid). From 2007 to 2017, we served at our Texas office, with Warrie working with our leadership team, and I was directing our ship school remotely. From 2020 to present, Warrie has worked with our international chaplaincy team, and I have been supporting our teachers and leaders in our ship school from Texas. I occasionally go to the ship to help with various scho