Checking “Volunteer Nurse” Off My Bucket List

When I was 16, I watched the movie “The Bucket List” during a Catholic church retreat. It’s about two men who are dying, who set off on an adventure to fulfill everything they want to do before they die. It got me thinking, which prompted me to make a written list of 100 things I wanted to do before I die. You only get one life, and one life to live it to the fullest.

Obviously, as you grow older, your bucket list items can change. Your life changes, and you grow, and the list gets shorter or longer, and the items get deleted or edited to better suit your life than when you were 16 and made your list.

My list is always a work in progress - but Number 15 on my list hasn’t changed at all in the last 16 years. It says: "Be a nurse in Nicaragua for a year."

I get to check that Bucket List item off this year, just in a different way.

I am so blessed to announce that I have been chosen to serve and volunteer on the Mercy Ships Africa, stationed in Toamasina, Madagascar, as a Pediatric Intensive Care (PICU) Nurse from July 5-September 13, 2025! I am ecstatic to go and serve and love like Jesus.

How You Can Help Me Serve

I am beyond grateful that Mercy Ships will cover my airfare to/from the ship and my cabin fees, but I still have a long way to go and would love support. I became a travel nurse this year to help cover some of these expenses, but the more I am researching, the more I am realizing I will be without pay for 2+ months, and life can be expensive. I am reaching out to ask for help in a few different ways.

Non-Monetary Support

I am asking for letters of encouragement I can read while serving, and prayers that my hands can help the people. Mail can take up to three months to get to me, so I’m asking for letters to be sent directly to my house or email before I leave to bring with me that I can read along my journey. I will have access to the internet on the ship, so even messages of encouragement while I’m there would be amazing.

Monetary Support

If you are wanting to help me financially, here are some of the things your monetary donations will be used towards:

5+ vaccines I need to serve in Africa

Malaria medication

Toiletries for 2+ months along with personal medications

My favorite snacks from home

Appropriate clothing to wear on the ship (they have strict regulations)

Cellular plans that the ship provides so I can contact family and friends

Funds towards the "ShipShop" if I forget anything or need extra - Amazon does not deliver to the ship unfortunately.

Borrowing

Here are other things I am looking to borrow from friends and family:

Side table/caddy for bunk beds (I will be sharing a room with 8 other crew members)

Bathroom caddy (will have a communal shower/bathroom)

Strong magnets

Large duffle bags (planning to bring 3-4 with me and they have to be collapsible)

Euro plug adaptors

Anything monetary leftover will be donated to Africa Mercy to continue their mission work to serve the community.

About Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships is a Christian-based hospital ship that provides free medical care to underserved communities that lack healthcare in Africa. They are stationed in one location for about 9 months out of the year.

On the ship, they perform surgeries to treat curable diseases that would otherwise cause a child to die before the age of 5. They serve patients of all ages. More than 50% of Africa's population live on the coast, which is why the ship is stationed in one spot for 9 months out of the year. 9 of 10 people who live in Africa needing surgery go without due to access or cost.

Not only will Mercy Ships provide free healthcare and surgery to those that come looking for it, they will provide training and mentorship to the healthcare professionals in the community. They will be able to precept basic surgeries and show how to care for these people so that when the boat is gone, the community will be able to safely and appropriately care for those in need. Madagascar in particular has only 1 doctor for every 5,000 people. Mercy Ships has trained over 2,000 healthcare professionals in Madagascar since 2007.

This ship, the Africa Mercy, has 80 patient beds and 5 operating rooms. There will be approx 450 crew members on this ship at a time, all volunteers, and volunteering from over 35 countries. I will be working 40-45 hours per week, day/night shifts, and primarily stationed in the PICU ward. Some of the medical things I may see include: cataracts, benign tumors, cleft palates, burn contractures, and bowed legs, among other things.

Mercy Ships has a mission statement to follow Jesus and bring hope and healing to the poor; I have a heart to serve and love more like Jesus.

Thank You

You are changed people when you follow the path the Lord has for you and follow your calling - so give your reluctant yes. I am giving my yes to serve and help as a nurse. It will be difficult being away from the US and my people for 2 months, but I know I would live with even bigger regrets of not serving and wondering what it would be like to be selfless in this way. I am thankful to my boyfriend for finding this opportunity and encouraging me to apply; for my job for giving me flexibility to travel; for my mom for taking care of Roo while I am away; and for my God, who is everlasting, ever-loving, knows my days ahead, and with every setback of my life, sets me up for something greater than I could have ever imagined.

Thank you all for encouraging and supporting me to be more like Jesus, and for making my bucket list item a reality.

What is Mercy Ships 3 minute YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT2qZu6zE5s

*Information in the “About Mercy Ships” above obtained directly from their website: https://www.mercyships.org/*