Books published by Lighthouse Publishing

Ally, Josh and Brendan are half-siblings living in Melbourne, Australia, whose family life is anything but ideal. During a chance family outing, the children discover a sacred scroll which offers them a solution to their problems… Without forewarning, the children mysteriously find themselves in first century Palestine where they are compelled to live in a strange fishing village. In their desperate quest to get back home, the children learn about family relationships and God's amazing love for them. Thrilling adventures will ensue as the children embark on the ride of their lives! This time-travelling tale allows Jesus to boldly speak to today's youth on contemporary problems, encouraging the reader to "get into" the Bible and look to Jesus for help in times of trouble.

This remarkable novel, set in the Texas Panhandle in 1912-1918, deals with Christian conversion and growth, murder, mystery, revenge, romance, infidelity and Comanche treasure as it sweeps to a stunning climax arising out of a Christian family's struggles of conscience after a neighboring cattle baron lawfully constructs a fence around their homestead tract, cutting them off from all other land, including roads.

Andrew Engel is a public school counselor who is in his early thirties and is single. Raised in a loving, Christian home, Andrew had a normal childhood. He grew up in the small town of Adjacent Cove where his father, David, was pastor of the local church and his mother, Barbara, was a homemaker. As a teenager, Andrew lost his father to cancer and his father's death often left him feeling alone and with no direction. Andrew or "Drew" as his friends called him often struggled with his identity and with his Christian beliefs. He grew up feeling that something was missing in his life and yet, he could not quite put his finger on the problem until a series of catastrophic events began to occur in his small hometown.  Jim Davis, a long time deacon in his father's church and who had been like a father to Drew, reveals to Drew his true identity and his purpose in life. Thrown for a loop, Drew's first reaction is to deny what he has been told until he is forced into situations where he must react in ways in which are not humanly possible. Seeking spiritual guidance, Drew is introduced to a number of "angels" and "demons" who assist him in finding his "place in this world." When events occur in Adjacent Cove that threaten those that Drew loves and cares for the most, Drew takes his newfound faith and knowledge and becomes the "man" that God created him to be..... thousands of years ago.

This is the story of Fr. Pete Jankowski, a priest of twenty-years who has shared the story of his life through homilies he has preached. In the joys and struggles of his priesthood, Fr. Pet has encountered so many good people that have served as examples of the faith and the inspiration to model that faith within the pages you are about to read. These are not just homilies about gospel messages - these are lived responses to the gospel messages coming to lfe in today's age. As Fr. Pete has learned, the gospel is not an antiquated story but living, growing message that inspires as much in today's age as it did in the first century. You are most invited to walk this journey with a pastor of a small, family community and the stories that have inspired him to share these stories from his life. May they be an inspiration in your life as they certainly have been in his. This is Fr. Pete's story and certainly this is Fr. Pete's prayer.

“It is no use walking somewhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” - Saint Francis of Assisi  This is the story of Fr. Pete Jankowski, a priest of twenty years who has shared the story of his life through the homilies he has preached. In the joys and struggles of his priesthood, Fr. Pete has encountered so many good people that have served as examples of the faith and the inspiration to model that faith within the pages you are about to read.  These are not just homilies about gospel messages – these are lived responses to the gospel messages coming to life in today’s age. As Fr. Pete has learned, the gospel is not an antiquated story but a living, growing message that inspires us as much in today’s age as it did in the first century.  You are most invited to walk this journey with a pastor of a small, family community and the stories that have inspired him to share these stories from his life. May they be as inspirational in your life as they certainly have been in his. This is Fr. Pete’s story and certainly this is Fr. Pete’s prayer.

Greg Wesko, an aspiring young executive, returns from a soul-searching adventure in the desert Southwest, eager to get on with his dream life – a skyrocketing career in a blue-chip company, a beautiful and loving fiancée, and the admiration of his peers. But as he approaches his apartment, he notices something is terribly wrong. A horrific fire has torn through his building. Greg breaks through the police tape and suddenly finds himself tackled by an officer. The policeman is wide-eyed to learn Greg’s identity – because he is supposed to be dead!   Greg’s enviable life is challenged by forces, both physical and spiritual, beyond his immediate control. As his comfortable world unravels, his relationships are put to the test, his worldview is upended, and his heart is broken – more than once. Follow Greg on his spiritual journey through workaholism, the occult, religion and salvation that parallels his travels across the country and around the globe.

Sir Gideon, heaven's most reputable guardian angel, professor at the University of Heaven at Paradise, master of the flaming sword, flight instructor, renowned author on the subject of humanity, and decorated veteran of the Demon Wars, has just been assigned a new case. Corey Scott is the insightful boy with the unheard of ability to see and hear his guardian as he grows from childhood into adolescence. The two become close friends, and Gideon forgets about the rules, the system, and the technicalities of being a guardian angel that he has developed over centuries of guardian experience. However, when Corey turns to his guardian for a miracle cure, Gideon tries to explain to Corey that even an angel of the highest rank and reputation cannot interfere in human destiny. A moment of spiritual blindness and self-pity leads to a misguided choice and Corey succumbs to the lure of evil and becomes aware of the awesome power of human free will. Despite Corey's perceived fall from grace, which becomes an almost insurmountable spiritual barrier, his lesson at the throne of God is a lesson for all humanity; Divine grace forgives all human failings and is extravagant beyond imagination.

Hunt and Kim Armistead have a happy marriage, successful careers, a fancy home, and a full bank account. They are missing only one thing - a child. Although Kim feels moved to adopt a baby from China, she is disappointed that Hunt doesn't share her enthusiasm. Instead, her husband is focused on becoming the next district attorney in their Southern town. But after a notorious trial spins his plans out of control, Hunt unexpectedly finds healing as he unwillingly follows his wife's lead into international adoption. When the Armisteads journey to China to meet their new baby, Hunt learns the meaning of two words seldom used in a lawyer's vocabulary - grace and forgiveness.

Miriam Cahill has spent her entire life caring for others and trying to stay out of her father's way. For reasons she has never understood, his cruelty and abuse have always come down more heavily on her shoulders than those of her three siblings. The most important relationship in Miriam's life is the one she shares with her mother, but Christine Cahill's death changes Miriam's world forever. With her family's support she finds the courage to seek her own way, but her independence, tragically, comes at a great cost.  Miriam's faith is sorely tested as she must not only come to grips with her father's emotional abandonment but the toll of being brutally raped on a blind date. If she cannot accept the restoration God offers, her future with the young seminary student with whom she has fallen in love could be in jeopardy.  Can Miriam allow God to heal her of the wounds of the past, or is the rape the final rejection that locks her in a crippling state of uncertainty and loss? This challenging time in Miriam's life teaches her many life lessons as she learns to trust her Heavenly Father and His promises for a future rich with hope and love.

“Citizens of Carnforth, please give a warm welcome to your royal highness, Princess Elizabeth Marie Afton.”  Growing up in a 21st century kingdom, Liz’s life was proclaimed by the media to be every girl’s dream fairy tale. But inside the walls of Carnforth’s castle, the 17-year-old princess is about to face a challenge that will threaten to destroy all she holds dear. In the aftermath of a secret discovery, a public announcement is made that will change the royal family’s life forever. In the midst of goodbyes and tears, Liz is forced to face the reality of life outside the spotlight, while struggling to find her place in it all.  “God, find me. I don’t know where to look for you. You have to find me.”  Her hands were shaking. But what she feared most surprised her. What if He heard? And even worse…what if He answered?  In a moment of desperation, Liz whispers a prayer that will bring her face to face with the love and compassion she has ignored for so long. Will she reach out and accept the hand that is offered her? And when faced with the decision, will she choose to walk away, or risk it all for the sake of the kingdom she loves?  In this story of fame and faith, you will journey alongside Liz as she discovers the true King in her life and the princess she was destined to be.

Losing a pet or loved one is traumatic and overwhelming. During a loss, children need a safe place to express how they feel and process emotions. Growing Wings offers the experience of a child’s journey in the excitement of making a new friend, and the pain when this loved one leaves for any reason. Kim Crawford helps to normalize emotions and offer meaning to relationships as she concludes, “Now I know that life is full of change and new beginnings. Just because someone leaves does not mean there is an ending. People and pets leave love forever in our hearts, whether they are near or we are apart. Life is full of people, places, and new things. Life is all about growing our very own wings.”   The little girl in Growing Wings is illustrated in the likeness of Kim’s granddaughter, Lily Mae, who is growing beautiful wings.   Kim Crawford is native to Birmingham, AL. She is a Board Certified Chaplain, instructor of Laughter Yoga, creative writer, and inspirational speaker. Get to know Kim better at unveiledanduntangled.com, and contact her at psalm40.123@gmail.com.

Falsely accused of a theft he did not commit, Timon suffers the full count of the slave master’s whip. As his wounds heal he designs an escape plan. Anchored in the harbor is the Aries, a grain ship that sails for Rome on the morning tide. Stealthily, he boards the Aries to become a runaway slave and a stowaway with a price on his head. As the young slave begins his escape he finds himself in even greater danger. Though he does not know it, he carries with him two priceless objects that may cost him his life.  The Aries is an ill-fated ship. Among its passengers is a contingent of prisoners including the apostle Paul and the physician, Luke. Lurking in the shadows is Cassius, the devious slave master determined to capture and kill Timon. As winter storms descend on the Aries, Paul offers a dire prophecy.  The beleaguered ship is wrecked marooning both sailors and passengers on the Isle of Malta. What adventures lie ahead for Timon? How can he reconcile his new found faith with his status as a runaway slave, the receiver of stolen treasure, and his desire to destroy Cassius, his enemy?

God's promises are hidden all around us, even in the worst of places. Come and see the promises of God! These promises give us the courage to believe, sing, shine, help others, and start over. These promises allow us to see the world through God's eyes -- eyes that see beyond neighborhoods; storms; long, boring days; loneliness, and even being lost. These promises hold us up, no matter who we are or where we live.

Are you ready for a journey? Roots of Faith is a journey through time and space. The journey begins in ancient pagan Celtic Britain and ends on the bloody civil war battlefields of northern Georgia. You will meet interesting characters along the way … some real and others created to enhance your reading experience. You will discover the evangelistic activities which led to the conversion of pagan Celt. You will experience the terror of battle as Norse Viking clashes with Anglo Christian. You will understand the frustration that results when King decides what his subjects are to believe. You will see the world and the Christian faith through the day to day lives of the four families this book follows through 1600 years of British and American history. This story is told through the actions, words and feelings of the unique characters who come alive on these pages. On this journey you will meet Bronwyn, a young slave girl who has fallen in love with her master the clan chief and then meets the wise and gentle Mungo who teaches her of the Christ who can set her free. You will meet old William who hid the daughter of the famous William Wallace from English assassins and learn of his mysterious connection with the Abbey of Paisley. Your heart will be moved by the forbidden romantic love that develops in turbulent Ulster between transplanted Presbyterian Scot and native Irish Catholic. This journey will take you across the great Atlantic Ocean as you travel with the indentured teenage servant Alexander to his new home in the colony of Virginia. Yes, you will meet many unique individuals on this journey and they all have one thing in common, a faith in God that bends but does not break. And in the end of this journey you will rediscover that faith, hope and love are all that really matters. Are you ready?

Ryan Collins goes from being a member of a farming commune to becoming a key player in President Eugene Gloss’s twisted games. Collins must convince his team, made up of four Christian guys and girls, that he is one of President Gloss’s very own private guards. There are eight teams preparing to compete against each other. The problem is that Collins is a Christian, and finds it difficult to do everything expected of him.  Although he does not like it, Collins tries to the best of his ability to be a convincing guard. Unfortunately, however, his team eventually becomes suspicious of his true identity. Interestingly, Collins develops a unique relationship with Mason, one of President Gloss’s guards. In order to secure his safety, Collins decides to take Mason’s advice and try to play a convincing role, even though it goes against his religious teaching.

On May 20th, 1927, a momentous event occurred in aviation history. A young, brave man, attempted to fly a dangerous flight that would break all known records at that time. If he succeeded, he would become world famous and a legend…that man was Charles Ginsberg. Instead, he flew four zany entertainers from New York to Burbank…or so he tried. This is the fantastic, tremendous, terrific…okay, let's just say, interesting story of the man who would become known as the "Jewish Eagle". Trying to get the Marx Brothers and Jack Benny to an important audition in Hollywood, Charles attempts the colossal challenge of getting four crazy people cross-country through storms, mountain passes, hallucinations and much more. In giving up his dream to become the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean, Charles instead gives some of the greatest entertainers of all time a chance to become famous. And after all, what is more important, some major personal achievement, or giving the world the opportunity to bust a gut?

David had many facets, many skills and talents, and many noble and admirable character traits displayed and commended in scripture. He also had many wives--and concubines. Of the wives, about most of them scripture records only the woman's name, country of origin, and the one son each one bore to David. These were probably women of royalty of other countries married for the purpose of political alliances. Of three of David's wives, scripture has a bit more to say. Although all David's attributes were in force in all his life, these three wives could be said to be married to him during one of three main eras of his life.  Michal, the young princess and daughter of King Saul, married the love of her youth in David's shepherd/musician era. She defied her father and risked her life for David. What happened to her after he fled under duress from King Saul's jealousy and wrath?Abigail, the young widow, destitute of a place in life after the death of her quarrelsome husband, married David in his warrior/fugitive era. With him, she went from camp to camp with his soldiers. What happened to her after he became king and took on other wives? Bathsheba, a profoundly beautiful woman probably also as multi-faceted as David, became his only long-term wife in his king/politician era. Her elevation to queen came at the expense of her trauma as she was forced into pregnancy and widowhood by David's sins of lust and the arranged murder of her husband, one of David's elite inner circle of faithful soldiers. What became of her in David's old-age decline as betrayals shook his world?  Scripture has some answers to these questions, answers to be found in cross-referencing after what is found in reading through the relevant passages. Then imagination, submitted to scripture, can take flight, once one is won to empathy for these winsome women, Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba.

The last witchcraft trial in German-speaking countries was held in 1782 in Eveline Hasler's home canton of Glarus in Switzerland. A servant woman, Anna Goeldin, was accused of having bewitched a child of the physician household in which she worked, making it crippled and spit pins. The accused confessed under torture, was sentenced by the city council and executed. Sources show that the trial provoked great controversy in Europe even at the time. The courts in Glarus were ridiculed and criticized by more enlightened cities in Switzerland and Germany. In her novel with its beautiful simple language, Hasler tells Anna Goeldin's story and trial. With the means of fiction, Hasler attempts to explain how a witchcraft trial could come to take place in the heart of Europe during the heyday of the Enlightenment. The novel was first published in 1982 and also draws parallels to women's fight for equal rights two hundred years later.  This novel is a bestseller in German-speaking countries, has been translated into several languages, and made into a feature film by Gertrud Pinkus. The translation by Mary Bryant has won an Arts and Humanities Initiative Award at the University of Iowa.  Eveline Hasler (born in 1933) was trained as a teacher of History and turned to writing children's books, fiction, and historical fiction. She is the recipient of many awards, among them the Switzerland Award for Juvenile Fiction (1978), Honors by the City of Zurich (1988), Schubart Award (1989), Droste Award (1994), and Justinus Kerner Award (1999).

Brianna has longed for a life with more meaning and more purpose. What truly makes her soul come alive is music, but her life is full of laundry and dishes. One night her life is ripped apart by a fire in her village. With no family, no home, and no food, she must learn to survive on her own. But deep in her soul, anger is kindled against the Holy One for bringing so much pain into her life. Brianna sets off on an adventure that will ultimately bring her to the Hall of Minstrels, the heart of music in the kingdom, but all she ends up with is a pile of laundry and a stack of dishes.  When life seems to have reached its dullest point and nothing really matters anymore, then the Holy One may pour destiny on our souls and overflow our lives with purpose and love. Then we realize that we don’t have to know all of the answers to all of the questions, to know that the Holy One cares for us.

In 1882 Colorado, Lydia Ghering has successfully kept her boarding school open during the year following her husband's unexpected death. Self-reliant and determined, Lydia takes pride in her ability to carry on, but her resilience comes at a price. Ethan McKinley is journeying across the country to fulfill his life's ambition of captaining a ship when he finds himself stranded in Colorado foothills after a train wreck. His arrival at Lydia's doorstep looking for temporary work kindles a friendship that causes him to question the destiny he has always pursued. As their friendship deepens, Lydia must confront secrets from her past, while Ethan must decide his future. Both must seek their answers from the one who offers all they need.

The wolves came that day. When he spotted the first one he knew what it was. He just didn't believe it. There were no wolves here! Then he saw two, then three, four. Gray Timber wolves. Big. All pacing him, single-file, watching him with fixed concentration. Then they lunged.  How did he get into this mess? Jim Goodman thought he was just sharing an opinion. It was just a guest editorial. It was just written for his local newspaper. Now he’s in the middle of the fight of his life.  Now his only daughter clings to the bridge railing, three hundred feet from the rocks below. The hideous beast between him and her can only be some demon-spawn creature. He must get past that creature. He must save his daughter. But he is no demon-fighting warrior! He’s just an ordinary Christian! Even so, his own life, that of his family, even the nation’s future is in his hands. But he’s way out of his league!

If you always wanted to be a successful father and always feared you were nothing but a bumbling failure at it, maybe you should read this book.  That was me. Had I failed my most sacred task? Gifts? With my kids I preferred to be the giver. I loved them with all my heart, not even wanting them spending their hard-earned money on me. I always told them: “Give me only gifts made with your two hands.” They ignored that instruction. But on my seventieth birthday, after all other gifts were given--I thought--my son Ryan placed in my hands a gift he had indeed hand-made, from idea to the final gift I held. It astoundingly verified that though I had made many mistakes, I had not been a total failure as a father. That fantastic gift was the hand-made book, “70 Lessons learned from my father.” Maybe it is also your own story as a father.

“I Addressed two books to the Illustrious Count Valerius, upon hearing that the Pelagians had brought sundry vague charges upon us—how, for instance, we condemned marriage by maintaining Original Sin. These books are entitled, On Marriage and Concupiscence. We maintain that marriage is good; and that it must not be supposed that the concupiscence of the flesh, or “the law in our members which wars against the law of mind,” is a fault of marriage. Conjugal chastity makes a good use of the evil of concupiscence in the procreation of children. My first treatise contained two books. The first of them found its way into the hands of Julianus the Pelagian, who wrote four books in opposition to it. Out of these, somebody extracted sundry passages, and sent them to Count Valerius; he handed them to us, and after I had received them I wrote a second book in answer to these extracts. The first book of this work of mine opens with these words: “Our new heretics, most beloved son Valerius,” while the second begins thus: “Amid the cares of your duty as a soldier.”

"At that time one Vincentius discovered in the possession of a certain presbyter called Peter, in Mauritania Cæsariensis, a little work of mine, in a particular passage of which, touching the origin of souls in individual men, I had confessed that I knew not whether they are propagated from the primeval soul of the first man, and from that by parental descent, or whether they are severally assigned to each person without propagation, as the first was to Adam; but that I was, at the same time, quite sure that the soul was not body, but spirit. In opposition to these opinions of mine, he addressed to this Peter two books, which were sent to me from Cæsarea by the monk Renatus. Having read these books, I replied in four others, -one addressed to the monk Renatus, another to the presbyter Peter, and two more to Victor himself. That to Peter, however, though it has all the lengthiness of a book, is yet only a letter, which I did not like to be kept separate from the other three works. In all of them, while discussing many points which were unavoidable, I defended my hesitancy on the point of the origin of the souls which are given to individual men; and I pointed out this man's many errors and presumptuous pravity. At the same time, I treated the young man as gently as I could, -not as one who ought to be denounced all out of hand, but as one who ought to be still instructed; and I accepted the account of his conduct which he wrote back to me. In this work of mine, the book addressed to Renatus begins with these words: "Your sincerity towards us;" while that which was written to Peter begins thus: "To his Lordship, my dearly beloved brother and co-presbyter Peter." Of the last two books, which are addressed to Vincentius Victor, the former one thus opens: "As to that which I have thought it my duty to write to you."

Six hundred years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, ruthless pagan kings lust after the land and resources of the wayward people of Judah. In the obscure Judean village of Anathoth, a shy, lonely boy is growing up, feared and shunned by all because of the voice he hears in his head. But whose voice is he hearing? Is he being called by the God of his forefathers to save Judah from destruction? Or is he destined only to destroy himself? As he struggles to distinguish divine inspiration from madness, his fate becomes inextricably interwoven with that of the people who revile him. J. Francis Hudson read Classics and Theology at Cambridge University and now lives in the English Lake District. Hudson won widespread acclaim for Rabshakeh, Zoheleth and Hadassah, three novels exploring the history of the House of Saul, which have been translated into eight languages. 'Hudson is a first-rate story-teller. The characters come alive. The situations are real. The result is nothing less than a thriller.' (The Jerusalem Post)

Strange things are happening in the small town of Cedar Creek. A patient barely escapes having the wrong surgery performed, happily married couples split up, unusual illnesses strike, and through it all the weather is terrible, even by the standards of the Oregon Cascades.  Nancy McKay owns a café in the town, and through conversations with her customers, she starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together. She discovers that–in a game of real-life telephone—the prayer requests are becoming garbled as they pass from one person to the next, and the people at the end of the chain are praying for the wrong things.  Nancy’s investigation turns from mere curiosity to horror as her own family is pulled into the nightmare. Her search for answers becomes a desperate race to break the prayer chain. And the answer to the most troubling question—how could God allow bad things to happen as a result of prayer?—leads to an unexpected answer that changes her life.

Ash Lancaster is a farmer who has lost his wife and struggles to raise his young son alone. Greta Jorgenson is a widow with a son also, and when Ash's son needs a tutor, the school chooses her for the job. It doesn't take long for her and Ash to be at odds with each other, however, as she encourages young Chase to learn more about the very sport that Ash doesn't want him to be involved with. To make matters worse, Greta is a committed Christian who makes God seem very appealing to his son. The school wants his son to improve his reading, but all Ash wants is to be left alone by everyone, including God. As his past is slowly uncovered, Ash is forced to come to terms with his life and to decide how to go on with his future. Greta is also affected by the tutoring arrangement as she finds herself falling in love with a man who keeps his distance from everyone. Can she help Chase without hurting herself? Brenda Stacy Mastromonaco lives on Martha's Vineyard Island with her husband and son, whom she home schools. Margaret's Kitchen is her first published novel.

Does innocence outweigh guilt when one violates the law if doing so benefits the greater moral good? This is put to the test when Jake, a young successful civil engineer, completes his project in a West African diamond-laden country and opens his luggage in London and finds that it is not his and that it contains smuggled contraband diamonds. He knows immediately that a Middle East diamond smuggling operation has gone awry with him ending up with the illicit goods, and that the violent cartel’s interest will be in retrieving their lost cache. The country of Sierra Leone, known for its diamonds and nefarious smuggling operations, is also a land where his late venerated grandfather served as a mission doctor. The gravity of possessing illicit contraband forces Jake to wrestle with his conscience over the moral dilemma of surrendering the diamonds to corrupt authorities or violate English law by returning them to the country of origin in the form of a hospital. The weight of innocence in using the diamonds for the hospital project becomes greater than the guilt of breaking the law. When he chooses to keep the diamonds for the greater good, events unfold that change his life forever: the meeting of two beautiful women in London who come to his aid and staying one-step ahead of the smugglers and the law.  After several violent attempts by the smugglers to retrieve the diamonds, he seeks advice and help from a beautiful Nefertiti-looking Sierra Leonean barrister practicing in London, whose late mother is English. Jake is a prodigal, the barrister a saint. The unreachable saintly barrister becomes the challenge for Jake, both emotionally and professionally.  To market the smuggled rough diamonds, Jake joins forces with an enchanting Nordic beauty, a prodigal like himself, whose experience is extensive in the diamond industry. Of the two women, one makes him millions for the hospital project in Africa with the rough, uncut diamonds, the other leads him back to the faith he rejected as a youth.

This is a story of two families living comfortable lives. Trials come to each of them, and they are faced with very real issues of life and death, joy and sadness, sickness and loss as well as decisions concerning marriage and most importantly, the decision to trust the all-sufficient Savior - or to refuse Him. This is a book of action, love, choices and decisions. It shares happiness, failure, love, enjoyment, loss and gain. It includes physical and spiritual victories as well as failures. It shares the lives of those who have never thought to include God in their plans.  Neurosurgeon John Allen, his wife Laura and their son, Jonathan, live on Cape Cod, MA. Bill Sanders is a well-known lawyer who lives with his wife, Martha, and two daughters, Judith and Brittany, on Beacon Hill in Boston. The interaction of these two families, along with the friends who share their joys and sorrows, provide the background for this true-to-life story. Chaplain Will Garrett clearly lives to do the work of God. Through young David Wilkerson, the son of missionaries, the gospel is made real to these families. There is acceptance. There is also refusal. But in the end, each one has to decide where to run when faced with calamity, and where to find peace in the storms of life. The answers are given in the book, but an individual response is demanded.