1. What is your first impression of Julia Keegan? Did your impression of her change at all as the plot unfolded?

2. Were you surprised by Joel’s purpose for being in Sudan? Why or why not?

3. Though it’s fiction, Desert Fire speaks of themes and issues very real in our world. Do you think it’s helpful for fiction to explore controversial issues such as these? Has reading about Darfur in a novel helped you understand the conflict? How?

4. Forgiveness is a theme running through the story. How was it played out in different characters?

5. How did you see God working in people’s hearts through external events? How has He done this in your life?

6. Think of some of the tragedies mentioned in this book (i.e. genocide, Keegan's crime, hungry children...). How did God turn those situations to good for His purpose?

7. There are many contributing factors at work in this book: action, characters, setting, history, religion, politics. What did you find most compelling and why? What clues did the author give to keep you reading? Did you anticipate any of the events in the story?

8. Discuss the novel's ending. What is the final message of this book?