BUFFALO, Wyo., Feb. 24, 2009 — In their touching new memoir, “Please Don’t Forget Me: Stories of the Survivors” (published by AuthorHouse), Dave and Jane Long share their remarkable story about how God’s grace during a time of adversity redefined, reshaped and strengthened their faith and trust in the Lord.
“Please Don’t Forget Me” follows a turning point in Dave and Jane Long’s lives, beginning when Dave, a 27-year law enforcement veteran in northern Wyoming, became restless at his job and decided to apply for a position as an International Police Liaison Officer (IPLO) which stationed him in Iraq. Jane, a school district aide and substitute teacher, thought he was kidding with her, but after much discussion and prayer the two realized their need to put their faith in the Lord.
After meeting the requirements for the job and passing through three stages of military training, psychological testing and physical training, Dave was ready to fly to Iraq. During his training and initial stay in Iraq, Dave would call Jane as much as he could and the two would talk and pray for his safety. But Dave would not be the only one in danger for long. Jane writes:
Back at home, my life was about to change. Dave had been in Baghdad about six weeks when I found a lump in my breast. I had a biopsy done, and the lump I found was benign. But I heard the Doctor say, “Something doesn’t look right.” He took a biopsy of the “something” he found, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer later that day. …
Communication in and out of Baghdad at that time still wasn’t the greatest. Dave would call me as often as he could to let me know they were still okay. … After several days of calling, I finally got through to his room at the Al-Sadeer Hotel. It was seven p.m. my time, five a.m. his time, so he was still sleeping. I conveyed the news to him, and we both cried, both of us feeling helpless to help or comfort the other. He left the decision up to me as to whether or not he should come home, but as we talked, we worked through it and decided he should stay, since we both felt he was divinely called to work there. Dave told me later, when sharing his thoughts, that we had both been called to serve: Dave in Iraq and me at home without my husband, my protector, companion, and most of all, my best friend. … Amazingly, we both had a peace about the decision that we knew came from the Lord. And even though we were physically thousands of miles apart, I never felt closer to Dave, and he, to me.
Jane endured a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation with an amazing sense of grace and calm, as she knew that God was watching over her. In the meantime, Dave was transferred to Kurdistan, where he fell in love with its people and culture, ultimately persuading Jane to travel there to meet him. “Please Don’t Forget Me” chronicles Dave’s one-year mission which turned into three years of service, a lifetime of memories and a profound faith that God would help them and others persevere through their trials and life’s afflictions.
“Please Don’t Forget Me” is Dave and Jane Long’s first published book. They have two adult children.
AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit www.authorhouse.com.
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Promotional Services Department
Tel: 888-728-8467
Fax: 812-961-3133
Email:
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
# # #
