Imagine you're deep in the heart of South East Asia near the Thailand-Burma border. You are a young Australian woman saving lives where conflict is part of daily life. You are in a place where precious lives are only seconds away from being lost. War stares you in the face every day.
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Wellington's Monica Parker has been in that place for nearly five years.
The 34-year-old is the Director of Nursing in South East Asia as part of a Christian partnership relief and development program.
"Periodically I would shake my head and say, 'seriously God, what am I doing here', this isn't what a 34-year-old women should be doing," Ms Parker said.
"But then I find myself meeting incredible people and being part of some amazing moments."
The brave young medico explained her humanitarian mission to members of the Baptist Church in Wellington on Sunday.
Ms Parker's proud father John sat alongside her at the service.
"I am so impressed by her fortitude and her calmness in a volatile and dangerous part of the world. She is a young heroine," Mr Parker said.
Ms Parker says the stories are tragic, conflict is horrifying but the progress and medical breakthroughs are the reasons she keeps going.
She is back in Australia to complete a course on Ultrasound for monitoring new born babies.
Unlike first world countries even birth in South East Asia is a frightening experience, but the joy of new life counters the negativity.
"It's going well. The situation is very complicated. It's very sensitive," she said.
Ms Parker and her team have trained 19 locals and many other village health workers in obstetrics and as medical helpers.
Her father explained his daughter and her team saved the life of one of the country's top military men who had been badly injured.
"It was quite amazing. War does not discriminate.
"One of the leaders of the army was badly wounded and the team went in to save him despite what his men had done to locals," he said. " It just proves how inspirational these people are."
Ms Parker said some of the stories were heartbreaking.
She told a story of a hardworking mother who was taken in from the jungle on death's door.
"As we tried to resuscitate her, her 14-year-old daughter sat there shrieking and calling out for her mum not to leave her," she said.
"Our students gave such great and dignified care, and even carried her back to the village for the family, singing as the processional went forth.
"The next day the husband came back bearing two baby pigs. They belonged to his wife and its considered unfaithful to keep a loved one's possessions for yourself. So he brought them to say thank you," she said.
"Whenever I see those pigs running around I think of the faith of that family."
Ms Parker will return to South East Asia soon to continue her work.
"I am buoyed by the optimism and thankful for the work that God is doing in this location. If I avoid looking at various news sites it is easy forget the turmoil in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine.
"The news of late should direct us to pray, but it should also direct us to act and give thanks to victories and plead for those who need it," she said.
"For each of us, how we do that will look different, but we should not throw up our hands in defeat."
