Marda Mack (Personal friend, wife of Josh Mack)

This is a love story - a story of as true a love as you will ever read! Alan writes about the loss of his true love, his dear wife Charleen. As you read the stories and memories of their marriage, I know you will join in me in saying with tears, "that is true love". And when you start to feel the heartache and begin to wonder how you will ever one day endure such pain and loss Alan gives such hope as he shares another love story - the love story of his First Love - His Lord and Savior! Alan takes the reader on a journey of hope found in his First Love during such agonizing grief and pain and you are once again compelled to say "that is True Love"! It is only staying wrapped in the arms of his First Love, Jesus Christ and forcing himself to meditate on Biblical Truths that he is able to rejoice in suffering and awake each morning without his true love, dear Charleen! There is true hope in hurting - but Alan reveals the only way this is found! Alan has lived this out in real life as we have watched him cling to that hope in such unfathomable hurt!

Kathi Macias (Award-winning author of more than 40 books http://kathimacias.com/about-kathi-macias)

From the depths of agony and loss, Pastor Alan Lester has penned a message of hope and healing to a hurting world. Because he has recently walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death with his beloved wife and helped his children do the same, he is now able to speak both personally and practically with a passion born of grief and sorrow. Hurting in Hope: Mom Has Died is a book of ever-deepening faith, which will both bless and challenge you—and one you will not soon forget.

Frank DeWet (Personal friend and church leader)

Alan Lester is a great friend and brother in Christ to me. Hurting in hope is for anyone who has experienced the deep grief of losing a loved one, for anyone that often deals with people who are experiencing grief and for all married people. Alan draws you into the life of a man who has learned to enjoy marriage deeply, who has grieved tremendously and who has remained standing in a sure hope. This book moves you to love deliberately, to live intentionally, to think soundly and to grieve hopefully, because it points you to Christ.

Dr. Wayne Mack (A world-leader in Biblical Counselling http://lynnwoodbaptistchurch.co.za/ministries-oflbc/strengthening-ministries-training-institute)

Dear Brother, The book you wrote is terrific. You did such good job in writing it. I found what you wrote to be realistic and very encouraging. Your telling much of what you experienced in story form made it easy for us to identify with you and learn about how and why a Christian has resources to handle the hardest times in life without going into utter despair . You honestly shared your emotions and I found what you wrote to be wonderfully God honoring. I really appreciated the way you demonstrated and explained how solid theology helped you and is still helping you through this difficult time. What you wrote is certainly an example of applied theology. I will, when you get it published, recommend it to others as they face similar circumstances in their lives. In all likelihood, one day and not too far in the distant future, Carol and I will be called on by our Lord to go through the time of temporary separation from one another (it's been 58 years now that we have walked together) and that will be painful. But we will be able to turn to your book and be comforted and instructed. Thank you for writing so beautifully and accurately about your walk with Charleen and the Lord in this book. I will recommend it to others by way of preparation for the day when God calls a loved one home and also to encourage and instruct people about the resources they have when God calls one of their loved ones to eternal glory and leaves them behind. Warmly in Christ, Wayne Mack

Kevin Lester (Elder brother)

As an apprentice concrete technologist one of my most exciting moments was when I tested samples from my first concrete mix design. What a thrill to put each sample into a huge hydraulic press and watch it sustain the pressure I'd designed it to hold. Without the test all concrete looks very similar. Now after 24 years of designing concrete mixes, I no longer have to test samples to prove to myself that the concrete is good, but I test samples to prove to customers that my 'concrete doctrine' works. As I read your book I was taken back to that time. At times it's hard to distinguish at first glance the men and women God has saved and regenerated. Outwardly and physically they look like any other man or woman in this world, but inwardly they have the mighty strength of God, because God Himself lives in them. God doesn't need to test them to see whether His handiwork is good or not, He has absolute confidence in His work. God's power to save, sanctify and keep His people is evident to others when the tests of life press hard on those souls. Alan, I believe the death of a spouse must be a test that takes the 'hydraulic press' to its limits as it tests a soul. I wept as I read your book to know with confidence that in your life, the life of my younger brother, the Mighty God has worked a mighty work. This is abundantly evident because of the response of your life to the shocking blow of Charleen's death. Is there any greater joy than to see evidence of the love of God in the lives of those we love? I have been encouraged with great encouragement, knowing that this same God is at work in me and will accomplish His work, for His glory.

Dr. Josh Mack (Fellow-pastor at Living Hope Church, Pretoria, South Africa www.livinghopechurch.co.za http://joshnmarda.wordpress.com)

I am so glad God has given us examples of how to honor Him in the most difficult moments. For me, Alan Lester has been one of those. As I have watched him grieve and as I have listened to him pray and as I have heard him sing and as I have seen him continue to live for Christ in the midst of intense pain, I have often wished others would have the opportunity to learn from him as well. I am thankful he's written this book because I believe it gives a real life glimpse into the way God's grace can change the way we as Christians live, love, suffer and comfort those in pain.

Susan Clark (Personal friend and missionary to South Africa http://clarksfollowinghim.com)

“Hurting in Hope” gives us a raw, inspiring look into the life of a man who has been utterly broken by the loss of his precious partner and wife, but not destroyed. As Alan details the account of the sudden passing of Charleen from this life into the next, we see a man whose rock-solid faith in what God has revealed through His Word is undeniably real and true enough to give him the hope and comfort needed to have the courage to persevere and press on amidst unbearable circumstances. Thank you, Alan, for sharing your life with us in a way that encourages and spurs us on to truly know our God and what He has spoken.

Doug Hearne (Personal friend and retired teacher)

This book is remarkable and unusual in that it deals with death, grief and hope, and does so in a courageously personal, open and gripping way. I was deeply moved and encouraged by it. Everyone ought to read it!

From a Press' Manuscript Rejection Letter

Thank you for sending "Hurting in Hope" to ... Press. Your story is very gripping...

From a Press' Manuscript Rejection Letter

Nonetheless, we appreciated your willingness to share your story in a way that neither glosses over your own pain nor God's goodness.

Daniel Warren (Pastor of Benoni Bible Church http://www.benonibiblechurch.co.za)