In 1977, Captain Merrill Stubing, Dr. Adam Bricker and a purser named Gopher offered passengers of the Love Boat an opportunity to explore wide-open waters and search for love in the process. This hit ABC television show lasted for nine seasons, and although it has secured a place in TV history, the love boat in this story offers more than Nielsen ratings and a cast of interesting characters. Our story deals with the Mercy Ships organization and Gardner-Webb nursing program alum, Nicole Austin ’05, who is sharing her talent and faith on the high seas with those who are in serious need.

Since 1978, Mercy Ships, whose international operation center is located in the United States at Garden Valley, TX, has operated hospital ships in developing nations.  The mission of Mercy Ships is to be Christ-like and bring hope and healing to the poor without regard for race, gender, or religion.  According to the organization, over the past 28 years, Mercy Ships has performed over 1.5 million services valued at more that 6 million dollars and impacting the lives of nearly 1.8 million people.  Mercy Ships doctors and nurses have performed such surgeries as orthopedic and facial reconstruction, straightening of crossed eyes, cataract removal, cleft lip and palate, and dental treatments.

Mercy Ships, known primarily for its medical work, is also involved in community development projects, such as construction, drilling wells, and teaching sustainable skills.  

Nicole Austin first heard about Mercy Ships while still in high school in Camden, SC and was intrigued by the idea of a floating hospital that sailed from country to country while providing medial care.  She also felt the Lord calling her into missions.  Working with Mercy Ships would be a perfect fit, but college had to come first.  Austin says her time in Boiling Springs at Gardner-Webb shaped her vision in many ways.  “I feel like the nursing program gave me foundation for caring that I wouldn’t have gotten in another program, nursing is so much about outcomes, your goal is to help someone get better.” 

Not long after graduating from Gardner-Webb, Nicole committed to volunteering with Mercy Ships. All Mercy Ship crewmembers are volunteers and everyone raises their own funds in order to be on the mission field.  Individuals can choose to volunteer short or long term.  Nicole has committed through 2008, which means journeys to Ghana, Monrovia, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Austin says that unique opportunities present themselves daily while serving on the Mercy Ships. Her duties began as a ward nurse and she now serves on the HIV/AIDS education team.  Austin and other team members prepare materials, make phone calls, and go into the communities to teach about HIV/AIDS in the churches.  “Using a biblical perspective, our focus is teaching and training members of the local church, because the church has the ability to bring about lasting change in their communities,” said Austin.

The people and places on her journey have tremendously impacted Austin so far. “The needs of Africa are immense and complex.  The Ghanian people are beautiful and resilient, but poverty is widespread and strips individuals and nations of their ability to dream.”  One of those individuals was Chris Sayon, a 22-year-old woman from war-torn Liberia.  At the age of 14, while on the run from murder-minded rebel soldiers, Sayon gave birth to a stillborn baby and as a result developed a fistula (a hole in her bladder).  She lived with the condition for six years until she received surgery on a Mercy Ship. Because of the procedure and people like Austin using their medical talents, Sayon is now healed.

Austin’s story is one of true service. She has left family and friends and a well paying job behind to follow a call to offer hope to the hopeless.  Austin says that her story is also about the Lord teaching her to trust in the strength he promises to supply.  “In some ways serving with Mercy Ships is a sacrifice, but I wish people could understand what a privilege it is to be a part of God’s heart for the nations.”

Austin’s favorite scripture serves as a daily inspiration while she works with a world where hopelessness and fear reign. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 
 - I Peter 1:3

- Paul Foster