Diary of a Missionary Nurse
The content of this book comes from Patrecia’s diaries, capturing memories, private thoughts, and stories of delightful, tragic, and miraculous events that revolved around the lives of this missionary family and the native islanders they served.
A story of courage, compassion, and calling.
Imagine leaving everything you know—your home, your comforts, your very way of life–for a land once called the “Stone Age.”
This is the journey of Patrecia Gray, a missionary nurse who, with her family, answered a divine call to Papua New Guinea in 1977.
Drawn from her raw, unfiltered diaries, this book captures eight years of life on a remote island. Experience the challenges of delivering babies in unexpected places like a ditch, facing diseases like malaria without modern amenities, and navigating tribal conflicts where life and death hang in the balance.
Discover moments of profound human connection and unexpected wisdom from a culture where the “unlearned taught the teacher.” Witness how faith is tested and sustained, time and again, as “Jehovah Jireh” – God provides – proves true in miraculous ways.
From learning to cook rice from locals to facing down spiritual darkness, Patrecia’s story is a testament to the power of human spirit and divine guidance.
“Diary of a Missionary Nurse” – a journey that will transform how you see the world, and yourself. Get your copy today.
About the book:
In February 1977, Patrecia Gray, her husband Larry, and two daughters, Robin and Melinda, left their West Virginia home to serve for eight years as missionaries in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. The newly independent country had won its independence from Australian control less than a year previously, and much of the land was still labeled by many as “stone-age.”
Papua New Guinea is an island where palm trees sway and the moon seems so close that one could reach out and touch it. Bluish-green Pacific waters lap the shores. Sweet pineapples and orange papayas grow as big as footballs. Luscious guava trees and banana plants wait for children to help themselves. Lemon trees are so loaded with fruit that their branches must be supported.
The island has its own particular scent. The land is rich in oil, gold, cacao trees, coffee trees, timber, and copra.
The people are friendly, strong, and helpful. The island, like other lands, has its “rascals,” as they are called, who can steal, kill, and destroy; yet islanders will not willfully harm a bystander when they are in battle with another tribe.
Papua New Guinea, PNG, is a totally unique habitat.
About the author
Patrecia N. Gray (PNG) was born in West Virginia. She graduated from Indiana University with a nursing degree. She, her husband, and three daughters served as missionaries in Papua New Guinea (PNG) (for) over eight years. At the time of this writing, she resides in the country hills of West Virginia. A few of her accomplishments have been: Pastor’s wife, Music Teacher, Registered Nurse, Health business, Missionary, Radio ministry, Writer and poet, Member of The Point Pleasant Writers Guild and West Virginia Writers
She had been published in the Guilds: Appalachian Heart, Recipes and Remembrances, …Short Scary Stories, and School Days
She has been published in the Point Pleasant Register, Mission Messenger Periodical, the West Virginia Official Nurses Publication, and God Still Meets Needs—Littleton.
She is the author of three books at this time; JESUS, Who is He?, The “Thing,” mothman, devil, or spirits, and To Mother with Love.
All of Patrecia’s books can be found on Amazon.com.
Gray is working on several books waiting to come to full term to be delivered; including: Memoirs of a Missionary Nurse II and III, Spirit of the Jungles; Jesus and Women; My Book of Poetry; and Little Patty Possible.
