John H. Groberg, a middle class kid from Idaho Falls, crosses the Pacific becoming a Mormon missionary in the exotic and distant Tongan island kingdom throughout the 1950's. He leaves behind a loving family and his life, Jean's love. Through letters and musings across the kilometers, John shares his humbling and sometimes hilarious adventures together with"the girl back home", and also her letters buoy his spirits up in difficult times. John must fight to overcome language barriers, physical hardship and also suspicion to earn the Tongan people's trust and love he's begun to serve. All through his three years on the seas, he discovers friends and wisdom . John H. Groberg's Tongan odyssey will change his life for ever.