The novel opens with a scripture about God bringing the Israelites to a bountiful foreign land. The scripture from Deuteronomy 8:7-9 is the source of the common paraphrase, "land of milk and honey."

Clark Edwards interviews Jende Jonga for a job as a chauffeur in the winter of 2007. Jende tells Clark that he has a work permit but not more permanent documents because he is engaged in a request for asylum. Clark says he is not curious about his status. Instead, he wants a driver who unquestioningly does what is needed and with absolute discretion.

Neni Jonga, Jende's wife, shops with Fatou, her best friend, and talks about how much she loves America still, after having been in the country for eighteen months. She works as a home health aide, goes to her classes at Borough of Manhattan Community College, studies, and takes care of her little boy, Liomi, a grade-school student. She remembers with great clarity when Jende sent for them after she and her son received their visas. At 33, she cannot believe how much her life has changed and that she is now on the cusp of fulfilling all of her dreams.