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The story begins in April 2016 as the author, a pediatric hospital nurse and medical missionary, travels from Houston to Guatemala to help drill wells and teach health education. She is warmly welcomed by her host family and immediately entranced by their village life. She begins teaching Bible and hygiene lessons to the children at the drill site. Although the initial trip is brief, it leaves a lasting impression, and she finds herself unable to forget the experience after returning home. She retires from her nursing job and becomes more involved in her church's mission work, ultimately embarking on nine trips to Guatemala and six to Mexico over the next several years. She also receives training from Teach to Transform for medical missions. Her work is suddenly halted by the COVID pandemic. She struggles to find normalcy, returning to her hospital part-time as a nurse. Eventually, she resumes her mission efforts with trips to El Salvador and Guatemala. Through it all, she works incredibly hard, sharing her medical knowledge, patience, and faith with those she serves.
This is a heartfelt and intimate look at a life shaped by service, faith, and devotion. The writing primarily consists of the author's diary entries, left in their original, unedited wording. This unfiltered format strengthens the emotional impact. The author's simple language is offset by vivid descriptions that allow readers to envision daily life in the communities she serves. The author's strong faith shines through her words as she continually praises God and seeks to serve Him in her travels and work. Light moments of humor, such as dealing with a cockroach infestation, balance more serious themes. Ultimately, this is a touching tribute to the people she met and a reflection on how profoundly her experiences shaped her life.