title: Melisa: A Chance Enounter, A Special Love
author: James, Bernard
description: Missionary doctor Melisa O'Malley, without aid or financial assistance, brings her disfigured ward Natalie from the Congo to the States for surgery. At the last minute the surgery is cancelled, leaving them alone, short of funds and in despair. By chance they encounter a shy and wealthy businessman, Jim MacArthur, who rescues them from a seedy motel and takes them into his home, bringing a new hope into their lives and his own. This is a simple and tender love story of hope and promise, giving and sharing. At the heart of the story is self doubt and naive innocence; of how the main characters, like all of us, have difficulty coming to grips with and expressing feelings. Most of all it is about love pure. The story is punctuated throughout with interesting and colorful characters portrayed through humor tinged vignettes.