International Christian hospital ship charity Mercy Ships is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. American Don Stephens, who co-founded the organisation with his wife Deyon back in 1979, spoke via email about how he came to found the organisation as well as some of the ups and downs of the journey since…
Congratulations on the 40th anniversary. When you started out with Mercy Ships did you ever envisage it would last this long and become this large?
“I sensed Mercy Ships had the potential to outlive and outlast my life, but did not conceive of what the incredible impact that has resulted from the past 40 years of service. It is greatly satisfying to know that recently our volunteer surgeons performed the 100,000th surgical procedure on board our ship in Guinea, West Africa. That represents a lot of lives that have been changed.”
OMG, what an achievement you both have accomplished. I am in awe of your commitment through all your struggles to get this point. What you do for soo many disadvantaged African people is nothing short of a miracle.
Congratulations to all the staff that offer their services in so many areas of medicine.