“Why Sierra Leone?” It’s a question I hear often, and I’ve become adept at giving the quick, digestible answer.

“The need is just so big” I’ll say. “The lack of access to healthcare and education.” Those answers are true. They’re compelling and easy to understand. They satisfy the polite curiosity of a stranger or the casual question of an acquaintance. But they’re incomplete. They don’t even begin to scratch the surface of the deeper story.

The real answer, the one that sits heavy in my chest, is more complicated. It’s layered and tangled, and to explain it fully means answering questions that dig deeper: “Why Mercy Ships?” and, ultimately, “Why Jesus?”

Why Mercy Ships?

Mercy Ships wasn’t just a career move or a chance to put my skills to use—it was a calling. I first encountered Mercy Ships during a time when I felt adrift, unsure of my purpose but certain that I wanted to do something meaningful. Mercy Ships’ mission spoke to me in a way I couldn’t ignore. It wasn’t just about providing surgeries or training healthcare professionals; it was about restoring dignity, bringing hope, and reflecting God’s love in tangible ways.

When I served with Mercy Ships in Senegal, I met people who had suffered for years from conditions that were treatable, even curable, in other parts of the world. I saw how access to healthcare could transform lives—not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. It was there that I realized this work wasn’t just a “good thing” to do; it was the thing I was meant to do.

But even Mercy Ships is just part of the story. The deeper question is, why was my heart open to this kind of calling in the first place? And that brings me to the real root of it all.

Why Jesus?

This is the hardest part to explain, not because it’s unclear to me but because it’s so deeply personal. Everything about why I’m here—in Sierra Leone, on this ship, in this life—traces back to Jesus.

Following Jesus isn’t just a belief system for me; it’s the foundation of everything I do. It’s why I care about injustice, why I’m drawn to places where hope feels scarce, and why I believe that my small actions can be part of a much bigger story. Jesus calls me to love people—not in a vague, theoretical sense, but in real, practical ways. And for me, that means being here, serving alongside others to bring healing and hope to people who might otherwise be forgotten.

Jesus’ love is radical. It’s uncomfortable. It pushes me out of my comfort zone, challenges my priorities, and reshapes my idea of success. Without Jesus, I’m not sure I’d be here at all. The challenges can feel overwhelming—the systemic barriers, the heartbreaking realities, the weight of trying to make a difference in a world so broken. But I’m reminded again and again that I’m not doing this alone. It’s not about me fixing everything; it’s about being faithful to the part I’ve been called to play.

The Real Answer

So, why Sierra Leone? Yes, because the need is great. Because the healthcare system here is overwhelmed, and strengthening it is vital. But also because of Mercy Ships. Because of the unique way this organization partners with local communities to bring lasting change. And ultimately, because of Jesus. Because He calls me to be here, to love and serve, to show up even when it’s hard, even when it doesn’t make sense.

That’s the real answer. It’s not quick or easy, but it’s honest. It’s the answer I carry with me every day as I step into this work, as I witness both the heartbreak and the hope. It’s the answer that reminds me why I’m here—why I keep showing up, one day at a time.