I started volunteering in Somaliland as a nurse in 2020. Shortly after arriving, the COVID19 pandemic came onto the horizon, and I was thrown into attempting to prepare for the crisis with local colleagues. I was blessed by the way that the hospital cared for me, going so far as to find housing for me. I ended up living with a handful of Somali women who also worked at the hospital or in town. They quickly became friends of mine and we developed trust in one another by sharing our cultures and our hearts. I have found that facing the joys and hardships of daily life has been made much easier by the comfort of being able to do these things alongside friends. Learning about and becoming part of the community here has been a highlight of my experience.