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Contagious Hope
One final adventure could cost her everything ... Savannah James, a young New Zealand therapist, volunteers for a six-week mission trip to South Africa. During her journey, she is confronted with AIDS, prostitution, murder, and even a midnight escape to a safe house. Her new friends have struggles of their own, and one may lead them into even more danger. Will Savannah, Blake, and Pumzile ever be safe again? Will they ever be able to make a difference in the lives of those they've come to help or will their final destination put an end to it all?
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350 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2012
200 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Roome
37 books19 followersDebbie Roome was born and raised in Zimbabwe and later spent fifteen years in South Africa. In 2006 she moved to New Zealand with her husband and five children. Writing has been her passion since the age of six and she loves to write stories that touch people's lives and turn them towards God. Over the years she has won many awards and trophies for her work, including placing first in the Rose & Crown Novel Writing Competition in 2009 and 2012 and second in the Faithwriters' Page Turner Contest in 2010 and 2014. In 2015 she placed first in the Faithwriters' Page Turner Contest. Her novel Contagious Hope was a finalist for the Australasian CALEB award in 2013. Debbie's writing has opened doors for public speaking and she is often asked to share her life story and her experiences as a writer.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 25, 2013
I have close ex South African friends, so any story that highlights the difficulties in that part of the world is a winner to me. We need more stories about the negative, heart breaking conditions these people live in. To have no hope is a tragedy, and I really saw the effects of that in this novel.
While I found the writing style a little hard to get used to, the flow of the story kept my attention. I think this is a terrific book to give to anyone with a heart for mission work.
While I found the writing style a little hard to get used to, the flow of the story kept my attention. I think this is a terrific book to give to anyone with a heart for mission work.
September 27, 2013
From our CALEB reviewers:
(1)
Contagious Hope follows the experiences of Savannah James, a young volunteer with a Christian mission to South Africa. Hailing from New Zealand, Savannah, and a fellow countryman, Blake, embark on a series of adventures in this new land. Along with a local girl called Pumzile, they are exposed to the faces of human tragedy resulting from encounters with AIDS, extreme poverty, prostitution, and violence.
As they learn more about their African neighbours, they each make personal discoveries about themselves. The narrative is told in the first person, with the voice moving between each of the three main characters. In this way, the story is told from the unique perspective of Savannah, Blake, and Pumzile, respectively.
Contagious Hope offers a glimpse of the possibilities for change in lives surrendered to God, and affirms the power of relationship among Christians.
8 discussion questions at the back of the book encourage readers to reflect on the issues raised, and explore their own individual responses to some of these challenges. KL
(2)
When young New Zealander Savannah James volunteers for a short term mission trip to South Africa she has no idea of what the next few weeks hold for her. She is prepared to give her all to make a difference in the lives of those she meets but little does she know just how much impact Africa will have on her life.
Savannah is regularly confronted by life at its lowest only to be surprised by the innate goodness of ordinary folk who give without the thought of return.
Debbie Roome, author of fact-ion novel Contagious Hope obviously knows and loves the very heart and soul of Africa. She knows the best about it and the worst about it and loves it just the same. She loves the people and their land and she conveys this love in a contagious way. I really did journey with Savannah and her friends for the six weeks they were in South Africa. I can thoroughly recommend this book to anyone for a good enthralling read. But more especially to those contemplating a mission trip to Africa. It highlights the dangers and pitfalls to avoid at the same time as bringing to light the opportunities there are to make a genuine difference in a world desperately in need of a Saviour. It would make an excellent gift. DS
(1)
Contagious Hope follows the experiences of Savannah James, a young volunteer with a Christian mission to South Africa. Hailing from New Zealand, Savannah, and a fellow countryman, Blake, embark on a series of adventures in this new land. Along with a local girl called Pumzile, they are exposed to the faces of human tragedy resulting from encounters with AIDS, extreme poverty, prostitution, and violence.
As they learn more about their African neighbours, they each make personal discoveries about themselves. The narrative is told in the first person, with the voice moving between each of the three main characters. In this way, the story is told from the unique perspective of Savannah, Blake, and Pumzile, respectively.
Contagious Hope offers a glimpse of the possibilities for change in lives surrendered to God, and affirms the power of relationship among Christians.
8 discussion questions at the back of the book encourage readers to reflect on the issues raised, and explore their own individual responses to some of these challenges. KL
(2)
When young New Zealander Savannah James volunteers for a short term mission trip to South Africa she has no idea of what the next few weeks hold for her. She is prepared to give her all to make a difference in the lives of those she meets but little does she know just how much impact Africa will have on her life.
Savannah is regularly confronted by life at its lowest only to be surprised by the innate goodness of ordinary folk who give without the thought of return.
Debbie Roome, author of fact-ion novel Contagious Hope obviously knows and loves the very heart and soul of Africa. She knows the best about it and the worst about it and loves it just the same. She loves the people and their land and she conveys this love in a contagious way. I really did journey with Savannah and her friends for the six weeks they were in South Africa. I can thoroughly recommend this book to anyone for a good enthralling read. But more especially to those contemplating a mission trip to Africa. It highlights the dangers and pitfalls to avoid at the same time as bringing to light the opportunities there are to make a genuine difference in a world desperately in need of a Saviour. It would make an excellent gift. DS
November 17, 2015
A warm and pleasing book, told with deep and obvious affection for the landscapes and people of Africa. Despite the location of the first section - the violent slums of Johannesburg - the story is suffused with light throughout.
Savannah James is a Kiwi who has gone to South Africa on a short-term missionary trip. She quickly learns never to go out alone into the danger-infested streets. One evening, however, in company with Pumzile and Blake she goes out in pursuit of a cool drink. After witnessing a murder, all three become targets of the local gangland boss. They are whipped away to a safe house in the Karoo - a remote home operating as an upmarket bed and breakfast.
With the tensions of Johannesburg left behind, they relax and begin to learn about each other's backgrounds: Pumzile's flight from her isolated village and her fall into prostitution; Blake's life in both NZ and the US and his girlfriend back home.
The story is told from three different viewpoints: it was quickly advisable to check who was 'speaking' in each chapter from its title.
Savannah James is a Kiwi who has gone to South Africa on a short-term missionary trip. She quickly learns never to go out alone into the danger-infested streets. One evening, however, in company with Pumzile and Blake she goes out in pursuit of a cool drink. After witnessing a murder, all three become targets of the local gangland boss. They are whipped away to a safe house in the Karoo - a remote home operating as an upmarket bed and breakfast.
With the tensions of Johannesburg left behind, they relax and begin to learn about each other's backgrounds: Pumzile's flight from her isolated village and her fall into prostitution; Blake's life in both NZ and the US and his girlfriend back home.
The story is told from three different viewpoints: it was quickly advisable to check who was 'speaking' in each chapter from its title.
September 7, 2013
Influenced strongly by the enthusiasm of her grandfather, Savannah James has decided to embark on a six-week mission trip to Africa. Her intention is to help out at a home called Mercy House, particularly with children, but the best laid plans sometimes get off course. She and two friends accidentally witness a murder, making them prime targets of a thug and gangster, Josiah. Her adventures lead her to the shelter of a safe house and later, into the densest, darkest Africa.
I think novels like this are great for readers who may consider the mission field for themselves. Experiencing a foreign culture through the fresh eyes of a character may give us more of a feeling of being there than simply reading about it in text books. The intense, sultry heat, cultural differences and ways in which the locals think are vividly described.
The supporting characters are good. As with many other main characters, Savannah has a couple of sidekicks. There's fellow-Kiwi Blake, with whom there are always romantic undercurrents, and the African princess-style Pumzile, who initially views Savannah with scepticism and low expectations.
High among my favourites is a couple named Hendrika and Willem, who carry out a wonderful ministry for which there is no way accolades or pats on the back could possibly be forthcoming, challenging us to think about our motivations for the things that we do. You have to read the book to find out what I mean.
Sometimes, books like this, which contain such a wealth of information about a foreign land, may cross the line into one of those hybrids which seems a cross between a novel and a text book. I guess different readers may have their own opinions about whether Contagious Hope falls into this category. As I read it fairly quickly and didn't get bogged down, I think it escaped this for me. The author had a lot of information about Africa to pack into the pages, and I think she did a great job of processing her experience for the benefit of others.
I think novels like this are great for readers who may consider the mission field for themselves. Experiencing a foreign culture through the fresh eyes of a character may give us more of a feeling of being there than simply reading about it in text books. The intense, sultry heat, cultural differences and ways in which the locals think are vividly described.
The supporting characters are good. As with many other main characters, Savannah has a couple of sidekicks. There's fellow-Kiwi Blake, with whom there are always romantic undercurrents, and the African princess-style Pumzile, who initially views Savannah with scepticism and low expectations.
High among my favourites is a couple named Hendrika and Willem, who carry out a wonderful ministry for which there is no way accolades or pats on the back could possibly be forthcoming, challenging us to think about our motivations for the things that we do. You have to read the book to find out what I mean.
Sometimes, books like this, which contain such a wealth of information about a foreign land, may cross the line into one of those hybrids which seems a cross between a novel and a text book. I guess different readers may have their own opinions about whether Contagious Hope falls into this category. As I read it fairly quickly and didn't get bogged down, I think it escaped this for me. The author had a lot of information about Africa to pack into the pages, and I think she did a great job of processing her experience for the benefit of others.
March 18, 2013
I enjoyed it, but I felt as though there was not enough description, and it was written like an essay paper instead of the way people really talk.
I love God, and I loved the gist of the story about them helping others in missions. I would actually like to do this some day. I realize parts of the world are hellish. I truly do, but I believe there was too much happening to the characters for this to be reality.
I love God, and I loved the gist of the story about them helping others in missions. I would actually like to do this some day. I realize parts of the world are hellish. I truly do, but I believe there was too much happening to the characters for this to be reality.
November 27, 2012
I enjoyed this book but found it a little slow at the start but couldn't put it down once I got into it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews