It's Worth the Sacrifice

Valerie Lee

A student missionary’s journey and return from a year in the heart of Africa

Catching a snake in the dorm, being a mother to fifty girls, bartering in the marketplace, handing out food to villagers during the drought, being “bit” by a cheetah, coping with homesickness, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro were just some of the adventures and challenges Valerie faced as a student missionary at Maxwell Adventist Academy in Kenya.

What Valerie didn’t expect during her year abroad was how much she fell in love with her adopted country and how difficult it was to adjust to life once she came back to the States.

It’s Worth the Sacrifice chronicles her student missionary (SM) experience and offers advice to those interested in going overseas. Valerie hopes that what she learned will help other SMs while serving and during re-entry.

About the Author

Valerie Lee is an assistant professor in the Biology/Allied Health Department at Southern Adventist University. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time outdoors with her husband, James, hiking, camping, and rock climbing.