Missionary Kid To Serve Aboard Mercy Ship

Mercy Ships is known for providing surgeries to people living along Africa's coast, but life aboard a hospital ship also requires classrooms. More than 500 volunteers live aboard the vessel, and the presence of many children creates a need for teachers.

Mercy Ships teacher will serve children of missionaries in Africa

Abbie Hewitt is one of the volunteers who will teach first grade students onboard in fall 2026. Hewitt grew up as a missionary kid in India and Thailand before moving back to the United States. A 2025 Cedarville University graduate originally from Springfield, Ohio, she plans to return to cross-cultural ministry, using her degree in elementary education to eagerly serve missionary families and provide spiritual care to the young students. After learning about Mercy Ships, an organization that provides sustainable health care for people in coastal Africa, she began pursuing a role that would let her support the families who live and work aboard the ship.