Heroine Interview from A Doctor’s Mission by Debbie Kaufman

» Posted on Nov 22, 2011 in Blog | Comments Off on Heroine Interview from A Doctor’s Mission by Debbie Kaufman

This week I’m hosting Debbie Kaufman with A Doctor’s Mission and Victoria Burks with A Legacy of Love. If you want to enter the drawings for the books, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (November 27th) evening.

Heroine Interview from A Doctor’s Mission by Debbie Kaufman:

1. Dr. Mary O’Hara, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Since coming to the Liberian jungle and surviving its challenges, I’ve learned not to be so formal, so please, call me Mary or even Dr. Mary.  Just don’t call me a devilwoman.  In this primitive, superstitious place, a lot of the natives find my practice of medicine very interesting.  So much so that it has been mistaken for magic.  The idea that I am a white devilwoman has now brought a lot of unwanted interest from a neighboring cannibal chief.  When I think of what that chief would do to get my so-called magic, I’d much rather be considered boring.  

2.  What do you do for fun?

I love those rare moments on the mission house veranda spending time with my friend Clara and Pastor William when we can just relax and talk. 

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it?

Sometimes I’m a little slow to apologize.  It galls me to be in the wrong, especially when it involves Pastor Mayweather.    

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

Failure.  I feel I already failed when my brother died, and couldn’t bear to let someone down like that ever again.

5.  What do you want out of life?  

Just the chance to work quietly here in the jungle and help people who need my skills.  Perhaps I’ll finally feel like I’ve accomplished some good in the world, and I’ll make up for losing my brother.  Love and a family would be a nice bonus, but the only bachelor in the area is Pastor Mayweather and his main goal in life seems to be to send me back home.  

6. What is the most important thing to you?

I’d really love to gain Pastor Mayweather’s respect.  I’m afraid he looks at me and only sees the potential trouble my ignorance of the culture here often brings us.  

7.  Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?

For so long, I read only medical texts and the Bible.  Now, with little civilization to be found, I take comfort in the Bible as my regular reading companion.  I wouldn’t mind a current popular novel, but getting my hands on something like that when everything comes to us by caravan or runner through the jungle seems unlikely.

8.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My impulsive nature.  It’s gotten me into so much trouble since I got to Africa.  Really, I’m just trying to help.  

9.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

There is plenty of wildlife here, but I haven’t had time to domesticate anything to be a pet.  

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I don’t think I would go anywhere.  I do believe this time and place are my destiny and calling.  I can only hope Pastor Mayweather will finally realize this to be true.