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Kralen van hoop
Four American women, all with their own challenges, embark on a mission trip to South Africa. Their lives are changed as they encounter a group of South African women who suffer from AIDS yet demonstrate great joy and faith in the face of overwhelming adversity. When the Americans discover the amazing beadwork that has been taught to generations of women in the community, they uncover a way to help these proud people support their families by selling their craft.
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First published January 1, 2010
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November 12, 2025
3.5 Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️
A very compelling, tear jerking read. This is a book about women helping other women in need. The subject matter of AIDS, orphans and starving people in Africa opened up my heart to those less fortunate than me. My eyes consciously opened wide at the mention of dying mothers and orphaned babies…children left alone raising younger brothers and sisters.
We have four strangers in the U.S. going on a mission through their local church to Africa. The mission was to assist these starving people in Africa. The American women are Cassandra, Heidi, Katie and Gabby. Each have their own reason for going on the mission and it wasn’t about assisting these starving, needy people, as you would think. Gabby has had a miscarriage and is running from her pain, Cassandra is a reporter and wants to chase down a story, Katie is a young pregnant teenager, Heidi is her step mother. The women are not prepared for what they find as they arrive. As fate would have it upon arriving, seeing the destitute of families they became invested in the women they meet. Many are dying of AIDS before them. The walk with these faith based African women is inspiring and life changing. Can they make any difference here?
Helping foster a plan to sell the African women’s beaded bracelets in the U.S. could be life changing for these needy families, and they are going to make it happen, somehow. Find some sponsors? Through donations? The story unfolds nicely and tugs at my heart strings.
What I liked about the story; the title “Beaded Hope” is absolutely perfect. The human kindness is healing and uplifting to these needy people. All the characters were rich in spirit.
What I did not like; I wanted more out of the prospect business of selling bracelets for the Africans. I feel like the story would have been richer with that developing more extensively. This is how I came to the 3.5-4 stars. A good humanity story that I recommend.
A very compelling, tear jerking read. This is a book about women helping other women in need. The subject matter of AIDS, orphans and starving people in Africa opened up my heart to those less fortunate than me. My eyes consciously opened wide at the mention of dying mothers and orphaned babies…children left alone raising younger brothers and sisters.
We have four strangers in the U.S. going on a mission through their local church to Africa. The mission was to assist these starving people in Africa. The American women are Cassandra, Heidi, Katie and Gabby. Each have their own reason for going on the mission and it wasn’t about assisting these starving, needy people, as you would think. Gabby has had a miscarriage and is running from her pain, Cassandra is a reporter and wants to chase down a story, Katie is a young pregnant teenager, Heidi is her step mother. The women are not prepared for what they find as they arrive. As fate would have it upon arriving, seeing the destitute of families they became invested in the women they meet. Many are dying of AIDS before them. The walk with these faith based African women is inspiring and life changing. Can they make any difference here?
Helping foster a plan to sell the African women’s beaded bracelets in the U.S. could be life changing for these needy families, and they are going to make it happen, somehow. Find some sponsors? Through donations? The story unfolds nicely and tugs at my heart strings.
What I liked about the story; the title “Beaded Hope” is absolutely perfect. The human kindness is healing and uplifting to these needy people. All the characters were rich in spirit.
What I did not like; I wanted more out of the prospect business of selling bracelets for the Africans. I feel like the story would have been richer with that developing more extensively. This is how I came to the 3.5-4 stars. A good humanity story that I recommend.
January 8, 2012
Review to come I don't normally say this, but this book was an emotional read. It made me cry it was that good. first reviewed here http://belovedgraceful-carissasbooksh...
Title: Beaded Hope
Author: Cathy Liggett
Series: No
Chapters: 46 plus epilogue
Pages: 381
Genre: Christian chick lit/ real life fiction
Rating: 5 Stars 10/10
Four America women with nothing in common build relationships with South African and each other. Cassandra is looking for away to advance her career. Heidi a single mom is trying to figure out what to do with her teenage daughter. Katie is a pregnant teenage trying to figure life out. Gabby is looking for an escape, after suffering another miscarriage. These four women will find more than they bargained for in South Africa, and they will ever be the same.
Beaded Hope is an awesome read. Very emotional very seldom do I read a book that makes me cry; however with Beaded Hope I was crying off and on through the whole book. The book though fiction is written about an actual missions trip. The bead for hope is an actual project in which women in South Africa and other African countries learn to make beaded artwork and jewelry in order to support themselves and their families.
Beaded Hope is a wonderful read. I recommend that every one read this book; there is even a readers guide at the back of the book; if you wanted to read it for a book club.
Title: Beaded Hope
Author: Cathy Liggett
Series: No
Chapters: 46 plus epilogue
Pages: 381
Genre: Christian chick lit/ real life fiction
Rating: 5 Stars 10/10
Four America women with nothing in common build relationships with South African and each other. Cassandra is looking for away to advance her career. Heidi a single mom is trying to figure out what to do with her teenage daughter. Katie is a pregnant teenage trying to figure life out. Gabby is looking for an escape, after suffering another miscarriage. These four women will find more than they bargained for in South Africa, and they will ever be the same.
Beaded Hope is an awesome read. Very emotional very seldom do I read a book that makes me cry; however with Beaded Hope I was crying off and on through the whole book. The book though fiction is written about an actual missions trip. The bead for hope is an actual project in which women in South Africa and other African countries learn to make beaded artwork and jewelry in order to support themselves and their families.
Beaded Hope is a wonderful read. I recommend that every one read this book; there is even a readers guide at the back of the book; if you wanted to read it for a book club.
February 22, 2011
What an amazing book! This book is definitely going on my list of top 25 favorite books. I won this book in a blog giveaway but it sat on my shelf for too long and I forgot I had it. I was looking for an inspiring book to read on Sabbath and remembered that I had a copy of this book in my spare bedroom.
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I laughed. I cried. I grew very attached to most of the characters. What makes this story so wonderful is that it's inspired by a nonprofit organization. The author decided to write this book after she traveled to South Africa on a mission trip.
Living in the United States, it's easy to forget that there are people who have nothing. My husband and I aren't rich but we lack nothing. All of our bills are paid and we have extra money for buying books, going to cultural events, or the occasional meal out. It's hard for me to imagine that there are people who live in shacks smaller than the size of my living room, who eat less in a day than what I eat in a meal. It's heartrending and this book reflects that reality.
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I laughed. I cried. I grew very attached to most of the characters. What makes this story so wonderful is that it's inspired by a nonprofit organization. The author decided to write this book after she traveled to South Africa on a mission trip.
Living in the United States, it's easy to forget that there are people who have nothing. My husband and I aren't rich but we lack nothing. All of our bills are paid and we have extra money for buying books, going to cultural events, or the occasional meal out. It's hard for me to imagine that there are people who live in shacks smaller than the size of my living room, who eat less in a day than what I eat in a meal. It's heartrending and this book reflects that reality.
April 25, 2017
I really enjoyed this book and would have probably given it a five star rating; however, the ending was just a little too "easy". With all the harsh realities presented in the story, the ending didn't fit for me....(spoiler alert)...it was what we would hope for, but a little too unrealistic.
I loved the characters, their very true to life flaws, and how each one grew and changed through the story. I, also, loved the underlying message of hope and how our faith can help us deal with the most difficult of situations.
I loved the characters, their very true to life flaws, and how each one grew and changed through the story. I, also, loved the underlying message of hope and how our faith can help us deal with the most difficult of situations.
January 15, 2022
What an enjoyable read! I couldn't put it down, and I cried like I haven't cried reading a book in a long time.
March 1, 2011
Beaded Hope is the story of four women who embark on a mission trip to Africa. Each of them has reasons to be sorrowful, scared, or friendless. The trip is taken by all of them to escape from their current life for a few weeks. What they didn’t expect was to find themselves in a land so foreign from their own. They are introduced to Jaleela, who despite having aides has a dream God, one she feels will come true because of these women. Jaleela and the other women make beaded jewelry. She is confidant God will provide the means through these women for the jewelry to be sold in America.
The seemingly small amount of money the jewelry would sell for in America would be a significant amount to these women and their families. Many of these families are made up of only women and children. Many are sick with the aids virus. When the mothers die the children are taken in by other mothers or raised by an older sibling.
Through helping and observing the women in Africa they discover and admit to their own weaknesses and they find a stronger faith in God. Each of them returns home with a stronger faith and new friendships. The plight of these families while sad does not overwhelm the book. I wasn’t filled with despair after reading it as I often am when watching some television commercials for feed the children.
While the circumstances are equally as bad as the commercials there is a light of faith shinning through the stories of these women. While the story is fiction, the reality is real. There is a Beaded Hope organization and you can purchase jewelry to help these women and their families.
I liked this book. I was able to learn about another way of life so different from my own. When I finished reading it once again I am reminded of how much I have and take for granted. Bravo Cathy Liggett for getting my attention without making me weary.
The seemingly small amount of money the jewelry would sell for in America would be a significant amount to these women and their families. Many of these families are made up of only women and children. Many are sick with the aids virus. When the mothers die the children are taken in by other mothers or raised by an older sibling.
Through helping and observing the women in Africa they discover and admit to their own weaknesses and they find a stronger faith in God. Each of them returns home with a stronger faith and new friendships. The plight of these families while sad does not overwhelm the book. I wasn’t filled with despair after reading it as I often am when watching some television commercials for feed the children.
While the circumstances are equally as bad as the commercials there is a light of faith shinning through the stories of these women. While the story is fiction, the reality is real. There is a Beaded Hope organization and you can purchase jewelry to help these women and their families.
I liked this book. I was able to learn about another way of life so different from my own. When I finished reading it once again I am reminded of how much I have and take for granted. Bravo Cathy Liggett for getting my attention without making me weary.
October 11, 2020
Having lived in Africa for over 30 of my adult years and also as a child, I was prepared to scoff at this book. I assumed it would be written by somebody who spent two weeks here and assumed they were an expert on Africa. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't like that, at least not too much. Instead, four American women are changed by interacting with African women. This is usually the reality of short mission trips ... those who come are changed more than they change anything while here. I do feel that even in this book the women were definitely in the honeymoon stage of cultural adjustment, but I loved how each woman became more aware of their problems and learned from their African sisters.
December 31, 2018
This was a pleasant read. It is a novel based on four women going on a mission trip to South Africa. She was sometimes a little heavy on apartheid but was very good in the physical descriptions of South Africa. The poverty that describes much of Africa is described rather than stated. This book was given to me by a librarian friend.
December 27, 2019
Excellent and authentic.
The book is very well written and I enjoyed it very much. The story is interesting and engaging and it is clear that the author has participated in an important mission project such as the one described and visited a similar community. Highly recommend it you enjoy Christian or mission stories based in Africa.
The book is very well written and I enjoyed it very much. The story is interesting and engaging and it is clear that the author has participated in an important mission project such as the one described and visited a similar community. Highly recommend it you enjoy Christian or mission stories based in Africa.
December 30, 2017
Inspirational. But not too sure it's realistic.
September 4, 2019
Interesting true story and the lives of four young ladies transformed as they served God in Africa.
April 9, 2020
An excellent book full of change, hope and encouragement. Cathy Liggett has a style of writing that i easy to follow even with various story lines. I am definitely going to read more from her.
March 15, 2021
I loved how well this book was written and I am so glad it ended in a happy note . This book got me very emotional and I just could not set it down it kept me engaged .
March 26, 2021
Great book.
August 27, 2021
When these four women went on a mission to South Africa, who knew that their lives would be as changed as those they came to help? Very well done!
June 11, 2022
Excellent read. Powerful message
May 19, 2017
When we step out in faith to serve others, often we are more deeply impacted ourselves.
The four main characters of Beaded Hope may have been trying to escape or fulfill some personal goal, but God used the women of Africa to change them.
I personally found Beaded Hope to be a bit predictable, but my book club friends loved the story! The characters were women we could relate to, and the reminders were significant.
One thing I particularly appreciated was that the “salvation scene” I was sure would be there, wasn’t. I don’t say that to mean in any way that salvation or the gospel message is bad. But it would have been so expected. I loved the way the gospel was shared, however, in a way that likely had an even greater impact.
Beaded Hope is a sweet reminder of our blessings and the faithfulness of the God we serve. May it also be a reminder to step out in faith to serve in whatever capacity the Lord is calling us.
(This review was first published on my blog -- sarahruut.com.)
The four main characters of Beaded Hope may have been trying to escape or fulfill some personal goal, but God used the women of Africa to change them.
I personally found Beaded Hope to be a bit predictable, but my book club friends loved the story! The characters were women we could relate to, and the reminders were significant.
One thing I particularly appreciated was that the “salvation scene” I was sure would be there, wasn’t. I don’t say that to mean in any way that salvation or the gospel message is bad. But it would have been so expected. I loved the way the gospel was shared, however, in a way that likely had an even greater impact.
Beaded Hope is a sweet reminder of our blessings and the faithfulness of the God we serve. May it also be a reminder to step out in faith to serve in whatever capacity the Lord is calling us.
(This review was first published on my blog -- sarahruut.com.)
June 10, 2017
Gabby is fleeing a disintegrating marriage after years of fertility treatments and miscarriages. Heidi and her daughter Katie are hiding the secret of teen pregnancy that has ostracized them at home. Cassandra is a no-longer-up-and-coming reporter, hoping for the big story that will rejuvenate her career. The four of them end up on a missions trip to South Africa where they meet women whose faith and passion to help others transforms their lives.
I loved this book because the African women were like women I have met in my years living there. Liggett portrays them as heroeswomen with strong faith in God who open their homes to orphans and children on the street, women who visit the sick and arent afraid to talk out loud about AIDS, women who love their children as passionately as you or I.
Switches in point-of-view to introduce the various characters slowed down the beginning a little bit. And of course, three scenarios also necessitated three endings. (Fewer than Tolkien!) But once I knew these women, both American and African, I was committed to seeing their journey through.
Calling Mamelodi a village is probably intended to convey the idea of a supportive community, but I suspect most readers visualize a smaller, more rural setting than the sprawling, peri-urban community of nearly a million people that is the real Mamelodi. But in the end, Mamelodi is a just name. This story could have taken place anywhere in South Africa, urban or rural.
Beaded Hope is about women helping womenAfrican women helping each other and reaching out with grace to their clueless American visitors. The Americans go home changed, and readers will be too.
I loved this book because the African women were like women I have met in my years living there. Liggett portrays them as heroeswomen with strong faith in God who open their homes to orphans and children on the street, women who visit the sick and arent afraid to talk out loud about AIDS, women who love their children as passionately as you or I.
Switches in point-of-view to introduce the various characters slowed down the beginning a little bit. And of course, three scenarios also necessitated three endings. (Fewer than Tolkien!) But once I knew these women, both American and African, I was committed to seeing their journey through.
Calling Mamelodi a village is probably intended to convey the idea of a supportive community, but I suspect most readers visualize a smaller, more rural setting than the sprawling, peri-urban community of nearly a million people that is the real Mamelodi. But in the end, Mamelodi is a just name. This story could have taken place anywhere in South Africa, urban or rural.
Beaded Hope is about women helping womenAfrican women helping each other and reaching out with grace to their clueless American visitors. The Americans go home changed, and readers will be too.
April 2, 2010
I received Beaded Hope as part of the First Reads program. Let me admit that had I known that this was classified as "Christian Fiction", I probably wouldn't have entered to win a copy. Not that there's anything wrong with Christian Fiction. It's just that I'm not a particularly religious person so I tend to shy away from anything with a religious slant to it (unless it's non-fiction or horror). Probably due to my preconceived notions of Christian fiction, Beaded Hope ended up exceeding my expectations.
I thought that Beaded Hope was a great book. There was a bit of "The Lord will help you if you believe" type of praying, but I felt that was more about the characters personal problems and a part of what they did on their day-to-day life. I didn't feel like I was being beaten over the head with the preaching so that definitely made me enjoy the book more.
I ended up liking all of the main characters. They were all extremely flawed women and I was interested in whether or not they were going to solve their problems. The supporting characters in this book were amazing! I found myself shedding tears from one of their storylines and inspired by the countless others. Some of the book was a bit predictable (mainly the end to Gabby's storyline), but it didn't dampen my enjoyment of this book or its characters (mainly Cassandra, who I found hilarious).
So, in the end, I enjoyed reading Beaded Hope. It did drag a bit in the middle, it picked right back up after that. This was a great inspiring novel about the good of the human spirit and about what comes from helping one another. It's definitely recommended.
I thought that Beaded Hope was a great book. There was a bit of "The Lord will help you if you believe" type of praying, but I felt that was more about the characters personal problems and a part of what they did on their day-to-day life. I didn't feel like I was being beaten over the head with the preaching so that definitely made me enjoy the book more.
I ended up liking all of the main characters. They were all extremely flawed women and I was interested in whether or not they were going to solve their problems. The supporting characters in this book were amazing! I found myself shedding tears from one of their storylines and inspired by the countless others. Some of the book was a bit predictable (mainly the end to Gabby's storyline), but it didn't dampen my enjoyment of this book or its characters (mainly Cassandra, who I found hilarious).
So, in the end, I enjoyed reading Beaded Hope. It did drag a bit in the middle, it picked right back up after that. This was a great inspiring novel about the good of the human spirit and about what comes from helping one another. It's definitely recommended.
March 16, 2010
Three women and one teenager, bound together by a mission trip to South Africa. Beaded Hope is a book inspired by a nonprofit organization by the same name.
Gabrielle, a children's minister at Graceview Church, a young woman with a deep love of children, who has struggled with infertility issues all of her married life.
Cassandra, an aging news anchor, desperate to keep her job and looking for a story that will be a heart grabber.
Heidi, a young widow and her teenage stepdaughter Katie, both struggling since their husband and dad passed away.
What could these women possibly have in common and how in the world did they end up on a mission trip to South Africa together?
Beaded Hope is a heartwarming story of the women and children of South Africa, who suffer from HIV and AIDS looking to serve the Lord and looking to make a living for themselves. Paired up with this unlikely mission team, they are quickly becoming friends and each team member, even the South Africans find themselves ministering to the other.
A wonderful story of love, hope and redemption, you will not want to put this book down till you finish it. I cried and laughed along as I read, most definitely a book to keep in your permanent library. 381 pages $12.99 US 5 stars
This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.
Gabrielle, a children's minister at Graceview Church, a young woman with a deep love of children, who has struggled with infertility issues all of her married life.
Cassandra, an aging news anchor, desperate to keep her job and looking for a story that will be a heart grabber.
Heidi, a young widow and her teenage stepdaughter Katie, both struggling since their husband and dad passed away.
What could these women possibly have in common and how in the world did they end up on a mission trip to South Africa together?
Beaded Hope is a heartwarming story of the women and children of South Africa, who suffer from HIV and AIDS looking to serve the Lord and looking to make a living for themselves. Paired up with this unlikely mission team, they are quickly becoming friends and each team member, even the South Africans find themselves ministering to the other.
A wonderful story of love, hope and redemption, you will not want to put this book down till you finish it. I cried and laughed along as I read, most definitely a book to keep in your permanent library. 381 pages $12.99 US 5 stars
This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.
June 26, 2012
Selection of the United Methodist Women's 2012 Reading Program
Education for Mission Category
Fiction
This book is about four women and one teenager making a life changing mission trip to South Africa. The women each sign up for the trip for selfish reasons and end up being humbled and moved by the people they meet. Through their word with others who have so much less than they do, they realize that they need to learn to let go and rely on God and have faith in his plans for us.
I love Christian fiction, the stories are a way for us to learn how to live as a Christian in an entertaining way. This books tells a good story; I really wanted to know what happened to the women, but more than that it had a good lesson. It also told the story of the people of South Africa in a way that allowed us to truly imagine the roughness of life there. We have all heard the facts, but reading a story about individuals allows us to truly empathize.
Beaded Hope is a real organization. Go to www.beadedhope.com
Our Mission
Beaded Hope's mission is to fight HIV/AIDS one person at a time by providing South Africans with the opportunity to earn an income, support their families and nurture their creativity while preserving age-old African beadwork traditions.
Education for Mission Category
Fiction
This book is about four women and one teenager making a life changing mission trip to South Africa. The women each sign up for the trip for selfish reasons and end up being humbled and moved by the people they meet. Through their word with others who have so much less than they do, they realize that they need to learn to let go and rely on God and have faith in his plans for us.
I love Christian fiction, the stories are a way for us to learn how to live as a Christian in an entertaining way. This books tells a good story; I really wanted to know what happened to the women, but more than that it had a good lesson. It also told the story of the people of South Africa in a way that allowed us to truly imagine the roughness of life there. We have all heard the facts, but reading a story about individuals allows us to truly empathize.
Beaded Hope is a real organization. Go to www.beadedhope.com
Our Mission
Beaded Hope's mission is to fight HIV/AIDS one person at a time by providing South Africans with the opportunity to earn an income, support their families and nurture their creativity while preserving age-old African beadwork traditions.
April 5, 2010
After winning this book as a First Read, I sat down and read over half of the book the first night - I just could not put it down! Although I'm really not into "inspirational" stories, there was enough true-life detail and well thought out characters to make this an excellent book, and one that I will certainly recommend to others. It was less a story about a trip to Africa than a story of four women finding out who they truly are, just happening to be together in South Africa. This book does have a very mild Christian influence, but I do not think a person of another religion would be put off by reading it - I love how each woman tells her own story, and without a single narrator, any of the views expressed would belong only to that single character's personality. Yes, this is an "awakening" type story for the four main characters, but it is also a tribute to the women of South Africa who alone are helping their children (and other, orphaned children) survive with a positive attitude through enormous amounts of sickness and death.
January 10, 2016
A fantastic book! The book Beaded Hope by Cathy Liggett deals with the strong emotional struggles of 3 women and a teenage girl who all go on a mission trip to South Africa. Two of the women go with all the wrong motives but all four of these characters undergo transforming changes in their life perspectives through their experiences with a group of South African women they meet. The reader is shown not only the tragic circumstances of a group of women being cared for through a hospice organization for women with AIDS but also the courage and faith these women exhibit in their circumstances. There are so many themes in this book---the grief of a woman who desperately wants to have children and is unable to do so, a mother dealing with the loss of her husband and her stepdaughter's rebellion, a teenage girl coping with the loss of a father and an unexpected pregnancy, and a woman traumatized by her past who is struggling who has put her career before everything and everyone. A pervasive theme in the book is the one of faith and trusting in God to meet our needs.
October 30, 2014
Beaded Hope is the story of four women who went on a mission trip to South Africa. Each of them taking this trip to get away. Once there they learned many of the women they were helping were infected with the aids virus and raising children. They saw the women's deep faith in God and determination to care for their family all while being sick. When theses mothers succumbed to their illness the children were taken in by other mothers or raised by siblings.
The four women helped start a non for profit by selling jewelry made by the South African women to help them support their families.
This book was wonderful. I also had the honor of being invited to a book club where Cathy and Jennifer, the Beaded Hope founder, came and spoke about the book and their experiences/stories on their trips to a South Africa. They also spoke about Beaded Hope's mission and the women it helps. Their stories were very inspiring and full of hope.
The four women helped start a non for profit by selling jewelry made by the South African women to help them support their families.
This book was wonderful. I also had the honor of being invited to a book club where Cathy and Jennifer, the Beaded Hope founder, came and spoke about the book and their experiences/stories on their trips to a South Africa. They also spoke about Beaded Hope's mission and the women it helps. Their stories were very inspiring and full of hope.
March 12, 2010
"Beaded Hope" was a well-written and enjoyable inspirational general fiction. It's fast-paced and full of suspense. I was quickly engaged by the realistic characters and their realistic struggles, and I cared about what happened to them. The world-building was excellent and brought everything (especially South Africa) alive in my imagination.
Most of the main characters were Christians. There was some God-talk and praying, but no preaching at the reader. Unless you're strongly anti-God, you probably won't be bothered by the religious content of this novel.
There was no sex and no bad language. The novel was a bit of a tear-jerker--what happened to the characters made me cry--but it was also full of hope. Overall, I'd highly recommend this well-written novel.
This book was a review copy sent to me by the publisher.
Most of the main characters were Christians. There was some God-talk and praying, but no preaching at the reader. Unless you're strongly anti-God, you probably won't be bothered by the religious content of this novel.
There was no sex and no bad language. The novel was a bit of a tear-jerker--what happened to the characters made me cry--but it was also full of hope. Overall, I'd highly recommend this well-written novel.
This book was a review copy sent to me by the publisher.
April 22, 2013
Beaded Hope is about women helping women-- the wrong assumption is that the American women are going to go help those in Africa, when in fact the African women help the Americans far more.
The American women heading off on a missions trip to South Africa: Gabby, fleeing the pain of fertility and miscarriages and a hurting marriage. Heidi and her daughter Katie, hiding the secret of teen pregnancy that has ostracized them at home. Cassandra, an 'aging' reporter hoping for the big story that will rejuvenate her career.
The African women have deep faith and a passion to help others transforms their lives. Mama Penny, loved by all - does all - a Mother Theresa of Africa. Jaleela, AIDS infected with two beautiful children, looking for a way to help her community by selling beaded jewelry to people in the United States.
Inspiring!
The American women heading off on a missions trip to South Africa: Gabby, fleeing the pain of fertility and miscarriages and a hurting marriage. Heidi and her daughter Katie, hiding the secret of teen pregnancy that has ostracized them at home. Cassandra, an 'aging' reporter hoping for the big story that will rejuvenate her career.
The African women have deep faith and a passion to help others transforms their lives. Mama Penny, loved by all - does all - a Mother Theresa of Africa. Jaleela, AIDS infected with two beautiful children, looking for a way to help her community by selling beaded jewelry to people in the United States.
Inspiring!
February 20, 2012
Four women each beset by their own problems (including a mother and a teenage daughter) set out for South Africa on a church sponsored mission trip. This trip will bind their hearts and souls forever to the women of South Africa as well as one another.
This book gives the reader an inside glimpse at the life and trials of South African women and their children as they fight and try to survive the AIDS pandemic. Be sure to have a Kleenex handy but this book is well worth the read. Makes me now want to find out what I can do to help these South African women and children.
Ligget's characters are well written and even though they are Christians all at varying stages of their faith walk they come through loudly warts and all.
This book gives the reader an inside glimpse at the life and trials of South African women and their children as they fight and try to survive the AIDS pandemic. Be sure to have a Kleenex handy but this book is well worth the read. Makes me now want to find out what I can do to help these South African women and children.
Ligget's characters are well written and even though they are Christians all at varying stages of their faith walk they come through loudly warts and all.
April 28, 2010
This was a truly inspiring book. I knew from the moment I picked it up, that I would have a hard time putting it down. That's just what happened too! I finished it in a few hours!
We often hear of such heartbreaking stories and wonder how people can be so good through so little, the answer is always LOVE. You learn that once again with this story of these women and their journey to South Africa. It makes you wish you had your own triumphant battle of overcoming the odds. Generally we are ordinary people. So we look up to the stories of extraordinary from little or nothing.
Kudos to the author for sharing this story, adapted from their own experiences.
We often hear of such heartbreaking stories and wonder how people can be so good through so little, the answer is always LOVE. You learn that once again with this story of these women and their journey to South Africa. It makes you wish you had your own triumphant battle of overcoming the odds. Generally we are ordinary people. So we look up to the stories of extraordinary from little or nothing.
Kudos to the author for sharing this story, adapted from their own experiences.
May 14, 2016
I was reading this book at work and there were times when I was afraid I was going to start bawling cause there were so many heartwrenching moments, but this was an excellent read. Four women, one was a teen, go to South Africa on a Mission trip in the Spring. They each had their own selfish reason for going but when they connect with each other and with the African women they grow in ways they never knew was possible. Keep some tissues nearby if you are sensitive to stories like this one. Enjoy. Now I want to read a set of books that take place in Africa, gonna have to add them to my list here.
March 30, 2010
I really enjoyed this- while a departure from my usual style, it was uplifting and you really got to know the women as they got to know each other on the mission trip.
I only gave it 4 stars because it was a little predictable, especially the ending and there were times I wanted to slap a couple of the ladies.
That being said, the bonds they formed rang true and I love that it is based loosely on an organization that you can help out the women of Africa- I absolutely LOVE hand up not hand out programs and that's just what this is.
I only gave it 4 stars because it was a little predictable, especially the ending and there were times I wanted to slap a couple of the ladies.
That being said, the bonds they formed rang true and I love that it is based loosely on an organization that you can help out the women of Africa- I absolutely LOVE hand up not hand out programs and that's just what this is.
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