“You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocket ship underpants don't help.” ― Bill Watterson

In case you are under the assumption that it was always rainbows and butterflies on the ship...

^^I promise Hope really did like me... but she just wasn't having any of my distraction techniques to get her to take her pediasure and medicine that day.

We all have off days. Just because I was volunteering on a hospital ship in Africa didn't mean all felt right in the world. In fact, often quite the opposite. But there is something about traveling and connecting with humans from 70+ different countries, recognizing their fears and frustrations and idiosyncrasies, that reminds you we aren't so different after all. It teaches you to be honest with each other because you're not alone, not crazy (well, maybe a little bit). It encourages you to extend grace, because you've been there, and you've needed grace upon grace yourself. It gives you the strength to choose love and joy when they don't come naturally. And some days, everyone everywhere just needs to do this...

Photo Credit to the talented Mercy Ships photographers (Deb Bell, Michelle Murrey, Catherine Clarke Murphy, Deb Louden).