John Steiner is an extremely stubborn man, but then he
hasn't met Hester Detweiler yet. John decides to ride out
the hurricane that is bearing down on the gulf coast of
Florida as well as his home, outbuildings and land he owns
out from Sarasota. Hester is the Field Director of the MDS
(Mennonite Disaster Service). This organization helps
people in need after disaster strikes, regardless of their
religious preference or community standing.
John's property is devastated by the storm and he is lucky
to be alive when Hester and her father, Arlen, find him.
Hester tends John's wounds while Arlen and others
investigate the destruction. At first, John refuses to
leave his property, wanting to cling to his hermit
lifestyle. But when the helicopter arrives to airlift him,
he decides he will at least get his broken wrist tended to
at the hospital. However, he repeatedly refuses help from
the MDS in rebuilding his place.
John continues to be a thorn in Hester's side with every
one of their encounters. She doesn't understand why she
keeps trying to get him to accept help when it is clear he
doesn't want it. But there is something about John that she
sees in herself, besides the stubbornness. Is she running
away from something the same as John? Is she being as
selfish and arrogant as well?
When the devastation from the hurricane is cleaned up in
town and life is almost back to normal, Hester finds
another project that she believes will help restore the
homeless shelter that has been closed down. Her close
interaction with John on this project brings them together
more and more. John has given up his experiment on his
land, trying to live a self-sustaining life without human
interaction. He plans to sell his property and go back to
the Amish community in Indiana where his troubles all
began. Hester needs to use his newly restored packing house
for her project. Can they make this combination work?
A STRANGER'S GIFT is a moving story about letting go of the
past hurts in your life, learning that you can't change the
past and making a plan for the future. There are many other
warm and endearing stories and characters within this
story. Anna Schmidt has given us a real treat with
this inspirational romantic novel. I hope you enjoy it as
much as I did.
On the heels of a horrific hurricane, Hester Detlef, field
director for the Mennonite Disaster Service, blows into the
life of self-made, shunned Amish man John Hafner. Will she
find a way through his shield and into his heart? Although
the hurricane has left John homeless and badly injured, the
last thing he wants is some do-gooder Mennonite woman
intruding in his life. Will his impatience with her
intention of restoring his faith and property keep him from
accepting this beguiling stranger’s kindness?
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