When Characters Travel: Central America
When I started writing Leaving Oxford, a character in the story wanted to start a medical clinic in Honduras. Then, in Going Up South, a group of characters travel there for a mission trip. Tackling the Fields begins immediately afterward.
I interviewed so many people about their trips to the country. Several of my nieces and nephews had been on mission trips to Honduras. After hearing their stories, I really hoped I would get to go. I watched online videos about how the planes land on the airstrip amid the mountains. I traveled down roads via internet. I read articles and listened to people talk online. It created a spark of a desire to go see for myself!
Then my church at the time planned for the youth group to go to Guatemala, and they needed chaperones. While it’s not the same country, it was close enough since they are neighboring countries. I signed up!
I saw mountains, tropical flowers, big beautiful brown eyes, tanned smiling faces.
I found hugs, good food, prayers, and love that surpassed language barriers.
My heart ached for an elderly woman with a broken hip sitting in a plastic chair being cared for at home by her two sons. I shed a tear for an orphanage full of adorable children so excited to see Americans they crowded at the fence cheering as we drove up. I’ll not forget special needs children cuddled in the arms of our teens.
I felt humbled by a mother on her knees praying thanks to God over and over for the food our kids delivered to her family. I felt pride as our chaperones and sons and daughters worked alongside the Guatemalan men to construct a cook shed. I admired the great faith and spirit of the Guatemalan women.
The trip I made had a huge impact on me, and I added many details to the stories. I believe the novels were richer because of how God lined up the timing of my travel!
Have you had a trip that impacted you?
I’ll give one person who comments by April 11, 2021 an e-copy from Amazon of one of the three novels mentioned. (US only. Void where prohibited.)
Janet W. Ferguson is a Christy Award finalist and the FHL Readers Choice Award winning author of realistic inspirational fiction. An avid reader, she loved books so much she found a job as a librarian so she could be around them all day. Then she turned that love of story into writing faith-filled novels with characters who feel like best friends. You’ll laugh and cry as the quirky heroes and heroines chase their happily ever after. Janet and her husband live in Mississippi where they say y’all a lot, and she forces him to visit the beach as often as possible. They have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space. Connect with her at http://www.janetfergusonauthor.com/
Hi Janet! Thanks for sharing your travels. I enjoyed your story Leaving Oxford. As a World Language teacher, who has traveled by car coast to coast (26 states) and visited 9 foreign countries on three continents by favorite travel quote: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” (Mark Twain) Therefore I often have more questions after a trip than before. Travel opens my eyes. One of the reasons, I enjoy Inspy Romance blog is because of the interaction with authors world wide and across the US. Best wishes. Happy Writing.
Wow! I haven’t been on any trips like that. Maybe someday!!
No
I love that quote! Yes, there are more questions for sure. I’m so glad you hang out with us.
Blessings,
Janet
I’m not sure I ever will again, but I am glad I was able to.
Blessings :)
Travel in a book can be impacting too :)
Blessings,
Janet
That’s so amazing! I haven’t traveled much but on a trip to Germany I was amazed at how different things are over there but yet they are still similar to how we do things.
Yes, it’s interesting to interact in another culture, but we’re still all similar :)
Wow, it sounds like you were busy and you did a lot of good, traveling to a different culture is very different and very similar to our own. I have gone to Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii, and even so Puerto Rico and Hawaii are in the U.S. things are really different, just actually from different towns than our own we live in. How awesome that you got to do what you did. Have a Great week and stay safe. (not entering this ebook giveaway, but thank you ) Thank you for sharing your awesome travels with us.
Hi Alicia,
I’d love to see Hawaii and Puerto Rico! I bet they both are beautiful!
Blessings,
Janet
I’ve not been on a missionary trip before but I’ve traveled to many places for vacations with my husband. I’m sure a trip like you took would be very impactful!
I have read books where the characters have been or are going on a missionary trip, so I can live vicariously through them.
P.S. No need to enter me for the ebooks because I have these already :-)
This was the only foreign mission trip I’ve been on, and most of it was serving the church and the small community around it. It is interesting to read fictional and true accounts of missionaries. I recently read about Ken Brantley and his bout with Ebola. It was inspiring.
I only went on 1 mission trip (to Mexico) before my daughter grew up and invited me to go on one with her. Since then I’ve been to Peru, Ecuador, Ghana and South Africa. Those trips are totally different from just-for-fun travel trips! And each has challenged me in different ways, although I have to confess, all of them make me thankful for the hot showers and working toilets I have in my own home!
PS No need to enter me for the contest since I have the books already!
I have never been on a missionary trip. I am now handicapped and not able to travel. I have enjoyed looking at videos and pictures from others who have had the opportunity. Thank you for sharing.
Debra,
I love doing the same thing. I don’t have near the energy I had even a few years ago.
Blessings,
Janet
Kris, I love seeing you fabulous pics of your travels! It’s wonderful that you and your daughter get to do that together!!
Blessings,
Janet
I enjoyed a trip to Spain many years ago. While not a mission trip, it was special and one I won’t forget.
I’ve only stayed in 2 provinces in Canada but a place that really impacted me was my Native Reserve past Montreal & it’s very special place. I also went to Wakefield in Quebec for my honeymoon & it was a beautiful country place. In my life I’ve been to many different special places but I’m afraid of heights so if I could I’d go to Italy but by car but not possible lol!!
I love seeing books set in different countries
I haven’t been on a trip that has impacted me like your mission trip.
I have had visiting speakers or missionaries impact me. Like a Christian organization working with children suffering after Chernobyl. I even sponsor a child (where we packed a box of items to help them). We had some children come to Australia and about 20 were in our town and I help with some of the organization. (Getting some freebees for them from places to give them a gift bag to take home etc.)
I’d love to go to Spain! That sounds fantastic!
Heights are scary! Your trip sounds lovely though! I haven’t been to Canada since I was a young girl. I’d love to go back.
That’s sounds like such a great ministry you are participating in! I’d love to see your country, by the way!
The only mission trips I have been on have been here in the states. I did get to travel to France as a young person and it was amazing. Because of my interest in languages, I have seen other cultures (both foreign and domestic) and learned about God’s love embracing so much more than I am able to take in. It reminds me how blessed I am to be included in the precious, merciful love of God and how amazing and powerful God is to be able to create and love so much more than I can imagine, let alone comprehend.
France has amazing food! Yes, we are very blessed :) Wonderful comment!
Have you had a trip that impacted you? I would say yes and no :)
I’ve lived in a different country – saw the poverty – and always remind to my kiddos how blessed they are. But I also encourage them to do missionary trips ; two of my children are going this summer and I’m praying it would be an eye opener for them.
Love your stories!
Thank you! It’s good for all of us to remember!