At first when you listen to Dan as he shares his adventures in the workaday world, it doesn’t seem there is any politicking involved. But as his story develops, where his little wife slugs one man who was trying to cheat them, and another “friend” bad mouths him to the boss and he loses his position after working for the company a few decades, one wonders how Dan kept his sense of humor!  But Dan did what he could to make the best of each situation. One had to wonder how he maintained his warm sense of humor—until you considered he was asked by his betrayer for forgiveness over a decade after the man’s bad-mouthing story cost him his career—yet in practically the next breath, Dan extended unquestioning forgiveness to him! That had to be the source of his Power To Cope—an absolute unquestioning refusal to carry anger in his heart, because he’d invited God to live there instead!

Power to Cope Working in Foreign Countries – Lynn was a young widow, determined that her children would grow up with an education and a future that would only be possible if funds were available for that purpose. So, leaving her young ones in the care of her mother, she began applying for positions as a governess. Quickly she found opportunities to earn good money in what was promised to be excellent working conditions in other lands—Middle Eastern countries quite a distance from her home. The sacrifice was arranged, but the promised recompense included being treated almost as a slave, and seemed to require her to forget any standard of morality. Her conversation includes some narrow escapes that she knows was only because of God’s deliverance!

Then, completing the program, a conversation that took place long ago with John (Juaquim) Canario from Angola demonstrates one man’s confidence in God—who had delivered him from wartime danger and carried him through adjustments in this country where the language was entirely foreign to him. Once again his trust in God’s gift of Power to Cope carried him through amazing difficulties. This was a delightful conversation that ended happily as this man’s experience in this country eventually created a niche for him and his family that proved of great blessing not only to him but everyone who has been fortunate enough to know him!

Les Moyer never knew how suited he was for emergency work until he actually began to serve in predictable and unpredictable situations as a First Responder volunteer.   Becoming an emergency medical tech, he soon found himself comfortable in all sorts of emergencies—but was glad when he didn’t have to deal with too many hair-raising experiences like he did when he was working for a company where part of his job description was re-possessing vehicles—and carrying a firearm was standard procedure. How all this led Les into being a cheerful locksmith we aren’t sure—but one thing we know, he’s happy doing whatever he does, because Christ is in his heart!

Dr. Harvey Rittenhouse and his wife Dr. Virginia Gene gave an unforgettable interview years ago for television in New York—Their experience was never forgotten by Pastor Juanita, since their testimony was one of absolute trust in the goodness of God, and the words of Romans 8:28 that ALL things can work together for good to them that love God. A rerun of that interview tells how he was pulled out of a burning motor home just a few seconds before a horrific explosion, Dr. Harvey lived—but lost his vocation, his avocation, and his ability to share his music. No longer a surgeon, a cellist, an oratorical tenor or able to function freely, he did NOT lose his ability to praise God. He had hope then, and he still does! Listen to this and you’ll find it difficult to feel sorry for yourself! This man trusts His God and his joy in life is contagious.

Nurse Suzanne Land plunged fully into hospice care, ministering to the physical, emotional and even spiritual needs of her patients and their families during some of their most intense moments. Recalling the pain of her own family losses, she takes every opportunity possible to love the dying and their family members. Each day’s experiences are never predictable, but are always challenging and sometimes even humorous. Her steady determination to live a consistent Christian life can bring smiles and hugs into a time and place of much heart sorrow, so light from God shines in dark situations. In this second interview with Suzanne, once again God’s promises are heard to have produced deep trust within her, so she responds with passion to this inner call to share His loving Spirit with others in their times of deep need as well.

Policeman Tony loves the Lord, believes he can make a difference helping people in a big city in the Northeast, even as he prays before making an arrest or handing out a ticket! His smiles and has that old-fashioned belief that if people just knew how he was there to be a help they could trust his concern for them and for enforcing the law. He is becoming a “regular” coming down and volunteering at A KEY ENCOUNTER when he gets a week off duty. His daily walk with God has to be the source of his power to cope with a dangerous job!

Dottie (not her actual name) is more than a secretary–she’s honest–in an environment where that’s missing at times!. She continues, she says: “Because God put me there.”