The story
Mary Clark McKenzie, newly wed and filled with hope, comes to South Africa with her young husband to seek their fortune. Almost at once he abandons her. Penniless, alone, and pregnant, she is thrust into the chaos of greed and sin that envelops the gold fields of Transvaal following the Boer War. Against her will, she finds herself drawn to the handsome and charismatic local magistrate, Colin Reed, who has shown her unusual kindness.
Then into the African darkness comes an American missionary couple, Daniel and Emma Bryant who bring understanding and compassion to the natives, hope to the beleaguered mine workers…and promise of a new beginning for Mary
The background
Daniel Bryant and Emma Dempsey Bryant started a mission in South Africa in 1904. They were greatly loved and remained for several years, returning to America for the birth of their son, my father.
The natives called Daniel Bryant the modern Moses, and when he returned briefly several years later they lined the road for three miles to welcome him.
The mission still exists today
The Inspiration
Dianna Crawford, my co-author, encouraged me to write this novel, interweaving the story of my grandparents, Daniel and Emma Bryant. But it was their great-grandson, also Daniel Bryant, who came to know them through the letters he found in the old green trunk that made this book possible. Much of the dialogue between Daniel and Emma is taken directly from those letters.