Zodi Schwind moved on board the Africa Mercy with her family when she was 12 years old.  Growing up on the ship, she developed powerful insights that we often hear from adults. After graduating from the Mercy Ships Academy, Zodi headed off to college, pursuing a degree that was greatly influenced by her childhood aboard a hospital ship.  

In this episode Zodi tells us how seeing poverty daily impacted her, how shadowing an OBGYN in Madagascar changed her future, and why going to Africa felt like going home. This young woman has profound insights that will challenge your thinking and inspire you to leave a lasting impact on your world. 

For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org 

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Volunteer Executive Assistant 

Volunteering as a media liaison and later as the executive assistant on board both of our ships, Kate Pitchford knows just about everything regarding Mercy Ships! Kate had intentions to volunteer for just one year, but five years later is still on board making sure everything runs smoothly.  

In this episode Kate teaches us the importance of “taking the seat” in the market, how God has an epic plan to heal the world, and how one patient screening day in Guinea is a day she’ll never forget. Kate is candid in sharing all she’s learned from living in an international community and how the more she learns, the more she realizes how little she knows. You don’t want to miss the wisdom that Kate shares in this episode. 

For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org  

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Volunteer Physical Therapist

Alli Miller had been a physical therapist for seven years when she felt like it was time to take a break. Alli had long heard about Mercy Ships from her mom and decided now was the time to apply as a volunteer. Shortly after, Alli took off for Cameroon on her first field service. Her love for the children she cared for and the phenomenal crew that she worked with on board inspired Alli to volunteer for two more field services. 

 In this episode Alli explains why physical therapists are an important part of the patients’ complete transformation. She also shares how much she loved being creative with her therapy practice, using new techniques and using everyday materials she found on the docks to strengthen her patients. Alli’s passion for learning, and joy in helping her patients recover will brighten your day. 

 For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org  

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Volunteer IS Specialist

DK grew up in Kazakhstan, helping on the farm and learning electrical work from his father. With a passion for technology, DK later got his degree in informatics and then received a scholarship to study English in the United States. His host family in Pennsylvania shared about Mercy Ships one evening and DK applied to join that night! He had no idea that his life soon would be radically changed. 

In this episode DK shares the powerful story of his life and heart transformation while on board, his willingness to volunteer in housekeeping even though he applied to help in the IS department, and how all the skills he learned growing up on the farm were put to good use on the ship. 

DK has a gentle spirit and a willingness to do whatever and go wherever God guides him. You will be blessed as you listen to this episode. 

 For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org 

 Follow us on Instagram: New Mercies Podcast 

Volunteer Teacher

Susan Waldron entered college with the aspiration of becoming a doctor. But as her university studies were coming to a close, her path changed direction. Susan decided to use her science degree to become a high school teacher. A few years later, Mercy Ships entered the picture and Susan was able to combine her passions for teaching, science, and medicine on board a hospital ship in Africa.  

 Susan answered “yes” to God’s question, “Are you willing to sacrifice everything to follow me?” and volunteered on board the Africa Mercy as a teacher for 3 years. In this episode Susan talks about the joys of building relationships with her students, her love of taking “field trips” to the lab and hospital on the ship, and her candid worry of coming to volunteer as a young, single woman. 

 Susan has as much energy in the classroom as she does in this episode and will motivate you to live a life that impacts others. 

 For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org  

 Follow us on Instagram: New Mercies Podcast 

When most of his colleagues were looking at retirement, Mike Kirchner and his wife felt that they still had a lot of miles left. Rather than retire, they decided to continue their career in the unique environment of a hospital ship. Mike was a high school biology teacher for 21 years in the United States and is now thrilled to be teaching Mercy Ships students who range from grades 6-12.  

In this episode, Mike shares why he’s not interested in sharpening his golf game in the second half of his life, his joys in living and learning from an international community, and his encouragement for people young and old to consider volunteering with Mercy Ships. 

 A sage man with much enthusiasm, Mike is sure to inspire and cause you to seriously consider getting on board with us! 

 For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org 

 Follow us on Instagram: New Mercies Podcast 

Volunteer Medical Supply Assistant
As a civil engineer in Montana, Ben Stewart was enjoying his career. But, with many friends moving away or changing careers, Ben was motivated to make a change himself. Seeking to take a sabbatical, Ben recalled the advice of his aunt and uncle to go volunteer with Mercy Ships. Ben wasn’t how a civil engineer could contribute to needs of a hospital ship, but was surprised to find his skills matched a need on the Africa Mercy.

In this episode Ben tells us how he used his problem-solving degree, why he’s convinced he had the “best job” on the ship, and how he learned a valuable life lesson while volunteering on board. Ben’s joy is infectious and the enthusiasm in his voice will put a smile on your face! 

For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org 

Follow us on Instagram: New Mercies Podcast 

Aby Diouf had completed her degree in English and was working on a Masters in translation when she heard that the Africa Mercy was coming to her home country of Senegal and would be hiring local translators. Aby quickly applied and was thrilled to be accepted to work on board, serving to bridge the language gap between patients and nurses and doctors.  

In this episode, Aby reveals how working on the ship taught her things about her home that she knew nothing about. She shares how seeing the need of her own country inspired her to help and motivate the patients she cared for. Through her stories of helping a scared patient, to her newfound love for children and teaching them — Aby will touch your heart with her passion and commitment to helping her own people. 

 For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org 

 Follow us on Instagram: New Mercies Podcast 

Volunteer Electrician
Justin Brunenkant was an electrician, but always had a pastor’s heart to care for others. When Justin heard about Mercy Ships and how he could use his trade skills as well as do pastoral ministry, all while living abroad with his wife and four children — it almost seemed too good to be true! So Justin took his family to live on board the Africa Mercy as he volunteered as the chief electrician.  

In this episode Justin reveals the highlight of solving problems on board, the joys of serving with his family, and the unexpected gift of getting to pour into the lives of the junior high and high school students on board.

For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org

Follow us on Instagram: New Mercies Podcast

Volunteer Teacher
Beth Kirchner had been teaching kindergarten in the United States for several years when an opportunity arose that matched her passions and love for overseas mission. Beth joined Mercy Ships in 2016 as a kindergarten teacher on board the Africa Mercy and has been living her dream ever since.

In this episode Beth talks about the wild ride of teaching during a 17-day sail around the Cape of Good Hope, incorporating the mission of Mercy Ships into her classroom with the littlest crew members, and the joy of getting to teach a local day crew worker to read.

Through her enthusiastic personality and joy for volunteering with Mercy Ships, Beth will put a smile on your face and inspire you to give all that you have for the sake of another.

For more information about Mercy Ships, go to: mercyships.org

Follow us on Instagram: New Mercies Podcast