Journey of Hope

Lurlene McDaniel has written a multitude of books for young adults, consisting of numerous medical situations of young adults and their journeys and struggles to overcome the conditions in which they are placed in. I have read countless books by McDaniel but, I would have to say that her most touching and inspiring book, the one that interests me the most, is Journey of Hope. This particular book by Lurlene McDaniel contains two novels, Angel of Mercy and Angel of Hope.

As her journey begins, Heather Barlow has freshly finished high school and is ready to place her hand of difference on the world. After graduation, Heather decides to continue her optimism in changing the lives of others and sets sail on a hospital mercy ship sailing to Africa. After arriving on the coast of Kenya and is stationed at a hospital in Uganda, however, Heather Barlow has not prepared herself for the misery, disease, and famine in which she encounters.

While stationed in Uganda, Heather meets Ian McCollum, who is also among the medical staff on the ship. Leaving Scotland to help those threatened and in need, Ian also finds himself capable of helping Heather. As weeks pass, Heather’s idealism disappears among the many overcrowded orphanages and refugee camps, as she is faced with the misery in which everyone is burdened by. Only Ian, however, can see past Heather’s fears and help her understand that simply by her hand, she can save those in need, one by one.

The second book of this series, Angel of Hope, continues the moving story of Heather Barlow. No longer in Africa, Heather returns home feeling the joy that she once felt during the mission trip, fading. After experiencing the pain stricken and poverty filled lives of those in Africa, Heather returns still suffering the grief of Ian’s death. Heather now feels purposeless returning to the United States to find that, as she has changed a great deal, her family and sister, Amber, have not. Though Mr. and Mrs. Barlow are both well to do doctors, they only provide for the wealthy, and Heather cannot seem to understand the lack of involvement in the same motivation she is moved by.

Heather’s sense of duty is transformed, however, when she persuades her mother to travel back to Uganda to save the baby she rescued on her previous mission trip. Prior to the journey though, Heather becomes ill and is not able to undertake the trip. Heather then convinces Amber into taking her place. Amber subsequently emerges from her conceited surroundings and rises to the same high level of responsibilities as her sister.

Heather Barlow’s journey is most certainly an inspiring one, one that I feel truly reaches out to me. I have grown up in a Baptist church and since I was about 7, I have wanted to be a missionary. Reading Lurlene McDaniel’s Journey of Hope a few years ago, I still wanted to pursue my passion. Now that I have read her inspiring story once more, I have learned a lot about myself, and what I want to do in life. If you’re looking for a truly poignant, inspiring, and meaningful story, with a hint of a romantic spice, I would definitely recommend reading this series of novels.