The savage murder of 78-year-old Bible teacher Ruth Pelke by four teen-age girls was the beginning of Bill Pelkes Journey of Hope...From Violence to Healing. Initially Bill did not object when 15-year old Paula Cooper was sentenced to death for his grandmothers murder. Through the power of prayer and transformation, he moved from supporting her death sentence, to working to have it overturned, to dedicating his life to the abolition of the death penalty. This is the story of Bills journey, the obstacles he overcame, and the amazing, loving, forgiving, committed people he met on the way.

p>Four unaccompanied migrant children come together along the arduous journey north through Mexico to the United States border in this ode to the power of hope and connection even in the face of uncertainty and fear. Every year, roughly 50,000 unaccompanied minors arrive at the US/Mexico border to present themselves for asylum or related visas. The majority of these children are non-Mexicans fleeing the systemic violence of Central America’s "Northern Triangle": Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. A Journey Toward Hope tells the story of Rodrigo, a 14-year-old escaping Honduran violence; Alessandra, a 10-year-old Guatemalan whose first language is Q'eqchi'; and the Salvadoran siblings Laura and Nando. Though their reasons for making the trip are different and the journey northward is perilous, the four children band together, finding strength in one another as they share the dreams of their past and the hopes for their future. A Journey Toward Hope is written in collaboration with Baylor University’s Social Innovation Collaborative, with illustrations by the award-winning Susan Guevara (Chato's Kitchen, American Library Association Notable Book, New York Public Library's 100 Great Children’s Books / 100 Years). It includes four pages of nonfiction back matter with additional information and resources created by the Baylor Social Innovation Collaborative.

The Journey to Hope is for the many - far too many - who have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and neglect. It is a journey of healing for those of us who have been hurt, abused, belittled, or shamed; who have felt betrayed, blamed or confused. Everyone's story is unique. Some are able to describe their abuse, while others struggle to find words to explain what happened. No matter where you are or what happened, your story matters. The path towards healing can be painful and incredibly challenging at times. The Journey to Hope will guide you in navigating and persevering through the pain. As you face the past abuse, you will be free to move forward unencumbered by the pain and shame others have caused. As healing begins, life-giving hope returns. If you seek healing, hope and a life restored, The Journey to Hope is for you. More... The journey to Hope was written to help those who have suffered from abuse, neglect or trauma. It was also written for friends, family and professionals who want to understand and to help. The author writes, "I once led a 10-week support group for those who had been sexually abused. During our first two weeks I told everyone that they would have the opportunity to share their story during the last two weeks (this is what therapists refer to as the Trauma Narrative, considered key to healing). When week 9 arrived and I asked who would like to share, only one person volunteered. So, for the last session I compiled various checklists related to the who, what, why, when and how of abuse - checklists that provided the words to describe, explain and express what had happened. Once they were given these and completed them, everyone in the group decided to share." Woven within the pages of this book are many of the steps considered essential in trauma recovery. You chose how involved you want to be - depending on your level of emotional safety and support - whether to first learn about the trauma of abuse or to also complete various checklists which focus on individual recovery. This book guides the abused through the process of sharing their story in a way that is helpful and non-retraumatizing. The information and checklists take you on an intentional healing adventure, not always smooth and pain-free, but definitely worth the destination - Hope.

The authors-professional psychologists who work with children and families-believe that adults can help children build hope and combat hopelessness, and use stories that children construct about themselves to document the hope-building process. Included are two useful appendixes and a new introduction, in which the authors respond to readers' questions and reactions to the original edition, which was published by Westview Press in 1997.

"Dr. Bill, I know I'm not going to win this battle with cancer. Can you teach me how to die?" What is it about this stage in life that calls us to seek instruction?I have come to discover that the real issue is not the event called death but the ongoing journey prior to death that we call dying. Everyone has their own unique journey with dying. It is in that final stage in a person's life that I have had the privilege of knowing and giving care to my clients.This is a series of true stories, from my files. These are the shared voices of people who would find a new way to hope. A hope that would empower them to embrace the mystery of living meaningfully and purposefully until they died. And the story of one who could not."No, Sam. But I am prepared to work with you so that you will find a hope to live with, until you die."

Lisa and Sol board the luxury ocean liner St. Louis in Hamburg, Germany on May 13, 1939. Lisa and her family are in first class; Sol and his parents are below in tourist class. Both children have mixed feelings Ð theyÕre excited to be beginning this voyage to a better life, but sad to be leaving their old lives behind. They are Jewish, as are almost all of the 937 passengers on board, and although war has not been officially declared in Europe, the Nazis have been persecuting Jews for years. As the ship sets sail for Cuba, the atmosphere is optimistic. The passengers feel fortunate to have been able to buy landing permits, and their German captain, Gustave Shršder, is determined to get them to safety. The captainÕs voice alternates with Sol and LisaÕs, revealing the details they didnÕt know. As HitlerÕs propaganda machine turns Cuba against them, the mood on board changes to despair. The St. Louis and its Jewish passengers are turned away Ð first from Cuba, then the United States, and then Canada. This was the tragic true history of the St. Louis. Denied entry from port after port, the captain was forced to return his passengers to Europe, where many died in the Holocaust. Through the eyes of Sol and Lisa Ð both of whom survived the war and shared their experiences with Kathy Kacer Ð we see the injustice and heartbreak that were caused by the prejudice and ignorance of so many.

In 1987 six year old Bol Aweng is forced to flee when civil war breaks out in Sudan. Together with 35,000 other Lost Boys he endures the horrific 1,500 mile journey in search of safety with unimaginable challenges which include being chased by wild animals, starvation, dehydration, disease, hunted by enemy soldiers and dangerous river crossings. He arrives at a refugee camp in Ethiopia but must flee when civil war comes to that country. Read how he overcomes countless obstacles to survive and turns his tragedy into an incredible story of hope and inspiration to others.

Dr. Hudson, an expert in the field of breast cancer diagnosis, explains what every woman needs to know in a warm, conversational style--a rare find in a medical book. Readers will gain inside understanding on topics such as mammography, breast cancer prevention, and facing illness courageously.

In the midst of suffering and trials in life, we can feel lost ... abandoned. Life's unexpected twists and turns cause us to focus inward. Shut down and just survive. But there is hope. Finding Hope in the Journey is written for anyone who has felt despair, yet yearns for assurance. Experience with depression, chronic pain, a son returning home early from a mission and other difficult journeys gave author Heidi Tucker reason to lose faith. But through her struggles she found healthy patterns which positioned her heart to see God's hand in her life. Finding Hope in the Journey teaches us how to see, hear and feel those quiet, tender moments of hope. The friendly style of writing is easy to embrace as principles are taught and reinforced through true stories. This book will inspire you to rise up and find new strength, courage and determination to move forward as you implement tools to recognize messages of hope from God.

I remember the first time I heard someone talk about exploitation and human trafficking. It was then I realized, "OMG, that's what I went through!" Leaving the Life engages you in a story much like our own, encourages you to consider other options, and empowers you to dream of a different, better life. Rebecca Bender, Foreword--------------------------------------------------Book Excerpt Mary saw the bruising around my eye. "Did AJ hit you again?""No, of course not," I said, reaching up to touch my tender face."Are you sure? Looks like it." Mary stared at my black eye. It made me uncomfortable."It was my own fault," I finally said. "I didn't get a very big tip last night. And I passed out before he could send me somewhere else."Mary nodded as if to say, been there, done that, then said, "It happens."I walked to my room and stared at the girl in the mirror. Her face seemed thin and almost hollow. Her eyes had circles around them and looked darker than I remembered. I tried to make her smile, but she wasn't able to...I couldn't sleep because I was lying in bed with my heart on fire. I hadn't felt this way since the first few nights my stepdad came into my room all those years ago. After each time, I would spend the rest of the night trying to contain all the awful feelings pouring out of me. I would hold my knees to my chest, knowing that if I let the feelings out, everyone would know my shame.--------------------------------------------------About the Book Have you felt desperate, discouraged, overwhelmed and confused? Have you been in a harmful relationship where you have experienced exploitation and abuse? Has your life gone in a different direction than you expected or wanted? If so, this book is for you. In Elsa's story, you might find many similarities between what you have experienced and what she has survived-vulnerabilities, abuse, regrets, bad relationships, drugs, violence, emotional turmoil, fear, anger, self-blame, self-hatred, and more. Yet your past does not need to define your future. You can leave. Help and hope are available.-------------------------------------------------- About the Authors. Dr. Becca, Jessa, and Karalyn are a unique team - a psychologist, survivor and writer. These justice-seekers and heart-helpers want to encourage you to find freedom.