Two families forever bound by tragedy describe the accident that claimed the lives of five Taylor University student and the shocking case of mistaken identity that occurred--a mix-up that led one girl to be buried under the wrong name and the only survivor in a coma cared for by the wrong family--the healing journey of survivor Whitney Cerak, and the bond of faith that sustains both families. 150,000 first printing.
The Van Ryn family -- Don, Susie, Lisa, Kenny, and Mark -- of Grand Rapids, Michigan shares an avid interest in outdoor recreation. Don and Susie, married for thirty years, are leaving their chosen professions to dedicate themselves full time to an outdoor camping experience for youth in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Lisa is pursuing a career in physical therapy, and Kenny lives and works in Southern California. Mark is recently married and resides in the Detroit area.
Despite the sorrow surrounding the passing of their daughter Laura,the family continues to be involved in the work of their local church and community.
The Cerak family -- Newell, Colleen, Carly, Whitney and Sandra Sepulveda -- lives in northern Michigan, where Newell is a youth pastor and Colleen is a PE teacher and coach.
Carly graduated from Taylor University and has lived in Africa for the last six months starting a new ministry to street kids.
Sandra took a year from Grand Valley State University and joined with Invisible Children to bring awareness of the plight of children in Uganda. She is currently back at GVSU finishing her nursing degree.
Whitney is now a junior at Taylor University majoring in psychology. She is confident in God's healing and the revelation of the Holy Spirit in her life.
Mark Tabb has authored and co-authored over twenty books, including
Living with Less, the Upside of Downsizing Your Life (B&H),
and the 2004 Gold Medallion finalist,
Out of the Whirlwind (B&H). He also collaborated with Stephen Baldwin on the New York Times bestseller,
The Unusual Suspect (FaithWords). Mark is currently working with Alec Baldwin on his book,
A Promise to Ourselves (St. Martin’s Press).