Desert Medicine
by Judy Alexander
Published by Kregel Publications
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Reviewed by Edyth Abraham
Laurelle, going through a divorce and having to raise her twins alone, realizes that her children need stability in their lives. To accomplish this, she heads to the church next to the nursery she works at, to ask about the Sunday School programs. She enters the church with this purpose but leaves with the name and address of a church member, Rhoda Garcia, who has cancer. Rhoda, who has gone through a lot in her own life, weaves a story of loss, hope and courage as she shares with Laurelle the ups and downs of her life.
Can Laurelle get over her heartache? Will Laurelle see the light of salvation in the stories that Rhoda narrates?
In this book two lives were intermingled: Laurelle and Rhoda’s. It takes a while for the story to accelerate in the beginning; but after the first couple of chapters you are drawn to the characters and their story. There were some scenes and dialogues that are not often seen in Christian/inspirational books; however, they were added to portray Laurelle’s life before she met Jesus Christ.
I found the book refreshing in many ways because it goes against society’s many stereotypes regarding Christians: a divorced pastor, a saved woman who smokes, a non-Christian getting involved in church activities, and many more. This is a wonderful read that portrays clearly the second chances and new beginnings that God willing doles out to those that come to Him.
Armchair Interviews says: Very inspirational.