Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn

 

With a title and book cover like that, how can you help but be drawn in to read it. I found the descriptions of Africa detailed and compelling. I've never really wanted to visit Africa or go on an African safari, but after reading this book, I would like to retrace their steps and see what they saw. 

Lily and Fern have been best friends since they met at a summer camp in Costa Rica when they were teenagers. It's now about twenty years later and Lily has been gifted a safari trip from her father-in-law and she is determined that Fern will go with her. Three weeks later, they are jetting off, first class, to Africa. Follow along with them as they experience the sights and sounds of Africa while also really working through some tough things in their own lives. 

Both ladies find themselves at a crossroads in life and they need direction. But first, they want some sympathy and finally they are ready for solutions. The combination of African surroundings and the depth of friendship and struggles made this book a compelling read for me.

At the top of each chapter there is a quote that kind of gives you a clue as to what the chapter will be about. It added pleasure to the reading process. The quotes could be funny, thought-provoking or simply an observation on Africa, but they went well with the chapter. 

I think my favorite and most thought-provoking one, to me at least was by Oswald Chambers. It said, "Have we come to the place where God can withdraw His blessings and it does not affect our trust in Him?"

I received this book from Revell Publishing and was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own.