Mercy Ships

Graeme Walls

Director, Mercy Ships New Zealand

Being inspired by the work of Mercy Ships in 1983, after visiting the m/v Anastasis during its New Zealand tour, I joined the crew and over the last 38 years have served on many vessels in many roles, including school teaching, leading an adult training school, Director of n/v Island Mercy, Director of Mercy Ships Australia, COO of both the m/v Anastasis and the m/v Africa Mercy and for the last 13 years in my presence position as Director of Mercy Ships New Zealand. I also met my wife NZ Sharon during this time, becoming the 98 couple to have met and married on the Anastasis and producing 3 three children in proceeding 6 years.  When I first went on board the Anastasis I felt a strange impression that this vessel was going to be my home for a period of time, so I suppose you could say that this was my calling.

This morning I will be sharing a presentation about the “Three Pillars of Mercy Ships” and how this brings sustainable change to Health care in the countries we visit. Also a little on what’s been happening over the last year during this Covid season.