Only When It's Dark Can We See the Stars: A Father's Journal as His Son Battles Cancer

Only When It's Dark Four Long Years: That's the time from 12-year-old Julian's diagnosis of leukemia until the van Popta family reaches the other side. All the while, dad kept a log chronicling in detail the arduous ordeal. Is there hope in the pitch-dark Valley of Baca? With his journal, you can travel with these pilgrims on their journey. Since John is sharing his entries with extended family, friends and church members, you hear him reporting and reflecting as a pastor. He had encountered similar situations before, but such experience counts for little compared to facing cancer of a loved one firsthand. So you also sense how a father's heart aches as his son suffers. And how he wrestles with wounded faith. "When I held my son in my arms tonight, I wept." A minister's son, John van Popta (B.A., M.Div.) pastored three congregations in the Canadian Reformed Churches before taking an early retirement due to Parkinson's disease. Keeping an eye on the stars, he and his wife, Bonita, have six children and 25 grandchildren. EndorsementsThe book gives hope, comfort, and understanding to all who read it. Heartily recommended.- Albert H Oosterhoff, LLMProfessor EmeritusWestern University (Law) At crucial moments, God does not seem to respond to calls for help. Yet in all the weeping, hope - even beyond death - becomes real in relationships.- Koert van Bekkum, PhD.Professor of Old TestamentEvangelische Theologische FaculteitTheologische Universiteit Kampen│Utrecht Few valleys are deeper, and few are darker than the ones in which we see our children suffer. This is a book that will be a blessing to all of those who are being called into times of suffering, sorrow, and uncertainty.- Tim ChalliesAuthor, Seasons of Sorrow Heartbreaking and hopeful, these raw, unedited emails record the van Popta family's journey through the valley of the shadow of death and the Good Shepherd's often mysterious presence and care. II am delighted to see them available to a wider audience. - John Barach, M.Div.Minister of the WordCovenant Presbyterian Church Sulphur, Louisiana This is the story of a family's heart-breaking journey through the valley of the shadow of death. It will almost certainly make you weep. But it will also lead you to worship the God whose grace is sufficient, and whose goodness and mercy in Christ follow us all the days of our lives.- William den Hollander, Ph.D.Professor of New TestamentCanadian Reformed Theological Seminary "Julian has been diagnosed with leukemia." The news came like a thunderbolt, shaking the basement where I was standing. Julian's remarkable story, so lovingly detailed in this journal, is an encouragement to all. This book is a must-read and is already a best seller in my heart.- Peter Buist, Ph.D.Professor of Chemistry EmeritusCharleton University This collection of journal entries is vivid in its attention to medical detail and gripping in its stream-of-consciousness style, but what makes it especially worthwhile is its compelling testimony to God's sovereignty and love.- Jannes Smith, Ph.D.Professor of Old TestamentCanadian Reformed Theological Seminary This book deals with such deep experience that it becomes archetypal. Much can be written about it, but at minimum John van Popta's account of his pilgrimage through the valley of Baca gives us a fleeting glimpse of the infinite love of the Father who gave up his Son for us. - Daniel Shin, M.Div.Minister of the WordSpring Creek CaRCVineland, Ontario