During the spring a few years ago, I went abroad to Peru with a group of college students for three months. It was a life-changing semester filled with abundant adventure and opportunity, and stimulated immense personal and spiritual growth. One night in particular was a turning point for me in my study and practice of Christian Science.
Our group of students had just moved to Cusco with plans to live with homestay families there. This was very exciting because we no longer had the comfort of our professors nearby and would not be able to speak any English. We were fully immersed into a Peruvian home to practice our Spanish-speaking abilities.
On the first night of this homestay experience, I woke up with an intense and alarming sickness. It was late at night, and I felt helpless, alone, and scared. The material situation seemed about as terrible as it could be. I remember trying to call my parents over Skype, hoping they might hear the ringing computer and wake up in the middle of the night. Sadly, they never answered, and I quickly felt that I was going to have to handle this situation on my own, with God.
