by Madison Dors, Student Public Relations Writer
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.
Mercy Ships provides surgery and support for families serving overseas
According to the National Library of Medicine, more than 5 billion people do not have access to safe surgery. Mercy Ships aims to share the hope of Jesus while offering surgeries that can change lives in coastal Africa, including tumor removals and cleft palate procedures.
While Hewitt recognizes students’ need for education, she also understands they need to be seen and cared for spiritually.
“I’m really excited about this opportunity because I think that I share a lot in common with the missionary kids, growing up as one myself,” said Hewitt. “As a missionary kid, it’s easy to rely on your parents’ faith instead of making your faith your own. I want to lead these kids closer to the gospel, helping them see its beauty with fresh sight.”
Missionary kid background shapes Hewitt’s calling to teach
During her time at Cedarville, Hewitt found that her own understanding of the gospel was deepened through daily chapel services and professors who encouraged and prayed over her dream to be a missionary.
“When I came to Cedarville, I knew that I wanted to use education to do missions, and that flame was only fanned by so many mentors and professors in my life,” said Hewitt. “The education department prepared me so well as a professional, but also as an individual as I’ve grown in my faith."
While attending a Global Outreach Conference in 2024, Hewitt said she felt God calling her to serve missionary families, meeting the same need her own family experienced.
Mercy Ships role meets a need for missionary families and children
The calling is personal. While serving overseas, her family had to leave the mission field because of concerns about her brother’s education. Now, she hopes to help other families stay, supported and cared for, as they serve.
For Hewitt, the uncertainty that comes with volunteering in a foreign culture does not compare with the joy of being able to serve the Lord.
“It’s hard to make the decision to put a hold on paying back significant portions of student loans,” said Hewitt, who is currently fundraising in preparation for the trip, “but I have felt an intense call of the Spirit that this is the right decision to make, and that’s given me immense peace.”
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
