Charlene, a 23-year-old from chilly Minnesota, volunteers to go to Chad, Africa with the Peace Corps in the turbulent 1970s. Young and full of ideals, she hopes to ease the lives of Chadians, but worries about what prompted her-inexperienced and with few skills-to sign up to teach English for two years in Africa. When she fails to connect with the other volunteers or with Chadians, she feels isolated as she struggles to communicate in French and tricky African languages. Charlene is assigned to a city, where she immerses herself in her teaching. Certain Chadian customs horrify her-particularly the treatment of women, who are often considered lesser than any man. Her ex-lover Madison has a far different experience. He is posted to a remote village where he comes to know Chadians in a much more intimate way. Civil war breaks out. The American ambassador orders all Americans to evacuate. Charlene is baffled when Madison fails to show up. All Americans are gathering in Chad's major cities to flee the country and Madison is a no-show. Where is he? Why isn't he here for the departure? As the war worsens and the Americans load up a convoy of trucks to escape, Charlene has to decide if she can do anything to save the missing Madison before it's too late.