A Hope-Filled Journey Under His Sky

This book is a very personal reflection on the life of Belinda (BJ) Allder a young missionary whose life was cut short through cancer. Her father Bruce a Christian pastor and educator explores the influences that shaped BJ into an effective missionary who impacted many people around the world. BJs own reflections of her journey of life and faith through the battle with cancer are shared through excerpts from her own daily journal. While the emotions expressed are raw there is a celebration of life and grace in the midst of tragedy. In this authentic and intellectually honest reflection the focus is on serving in the midst of suffering. How does one make sense of unanticipated and devastating circumstances that came the way of BJ and her family? How does one lean into suffering and allow that response to make a significant impact? How does a pastoral family deal with the faith questions that inevitably come as a result of this journey of suffering? These are some of the questions explored through the retelling of specific events in the life of BJ Allder and her family. In sharing how his daughter Belinda dealt with terminal cancer Bruce Allder writes about her choice to focus on living each day for God rather than her suffering. Flowing from a deep relationship with Christ formed in her earlier years Belindas passion to minister to people is a powerful witness to Gods love grace and strength. If you want to be both inspired and encouraged to influence the lives of others this is a must-read. --David B. McEwan Associate Professor of Theology and Pastoral Theology Nazarene Theological College Brisbane Australia Allders deeply human and faithful account of his beautiful daughters missionary life dying and death is very aptly named. Allders beautiful telling of BJs story of faith hope and love together with his profound theological reflection on meeting God in pain and grief will surely touch his readers at the deepest levels of their humanity and life of faith. --Neil Pembroke author of Moving Toward Spiritual Maturity: Psychological Contemplative and Moral Challenges in Christian Living Allders account of his journey with his beloved daughter Belinda and her two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer will encourage inspire and be a great help to many. A Hope-Filled Journey Under His Sky is a compelling read. --James Condon Commissioner The Salvation Army Australia Allders ruminations can lift those facing lifes most challenging circumstances as well as those who are walking alongside. These hope-filled reflections will comfort and encourage any sojourner who listens in to a fathers heart. --John Moore Field Strategy Coordinator Australia/New Zealand; Regional Education/Clergy Development Asia Pacific Bruce G. Allder is former Principal of Nazarene Theological College (NTC) Brisbane Australia for seventeen years (1999-2015). Bruce is currently Director of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) program at Nazarene Theological College in Brisbane. He teaches in the area of Pastoral Theology and Christian Practice.