Friends,
Last year, Laura and I learned about Mercy Ships through a video we found online. As we watched, we saw how the healing work of Jesus is still continuing today—physical healing paired with His love and hope for people who often have none.
On this hospital ship, people from many professions—not just doctors and nurses—take part in the holy work of providing life-changing surgeries to the forgotten poor. Laura and I found ourselves wondering, could our family play a role in something like this? Maybe the Spirit was moving us in a crazy new direction.
So I visited the Mercy Ships website and, sure enough, they were looking for a Communications Director to serve on board. It was a two-year commitment—and our whole family would go together.
We showed the video to our kids—Penelope (14), Maverick (12), and Lewis (10)—and they seemed even more excited about the idea than we were! So we applied, prayed, and shared with a handful of family and friends who prayed with us through the process.
In January, we received an official invitation to serve on the Global Mercy, the world’s largest hospital ship, with a crew of about 600 and space for about 200 patients on board. We will live on the ship, and our kids will attend school with the other 70 children there as well. Our service begins in July, and for our first year the ship will be docked in Ghana, Africa.
Once we are settled into ship life, Laura will look for a place to serve on board. My role will primarily be helping tell the stories of hope and healing to the extended Mercy Ships family around the world. I am excited to share how Jesus’ mission of healing continues today through those who follow Him.
We would love for you to be part of this journey with us. Here are a few ways you can be involved:
1. Prayer—prayer, and more prayer
2. Financial support—we have a Mercy Ships webpage where you can give monthly or with a one-time gift using the DONATE NOW button.
3. Stay connected—if you’d like updates, simply email laura@roebuckmedia.com and let us know. We plan on sending out regular updates with our kids as contributors!
We are humbled by this opportunity to serve with an amazing organization. Thanks for your friendship, love and support as we embark on this amazing journey. To God be the glory.
With Hope,
Jacob, Laura, Penelope, Maverick and Lewis
P.S. As you consider donating, if you have questions about what expenses we are raising for, please reach out to me at jacob@roebuckmedia.com