WHEN WE COULD NOT SEE THE MOON

A TRUE STORY OF FAITH

Mom, give me a call when you wake up in the morning.”

Tracy did not wait until morning to make the call. She would not sleep again that night. She would not sleep well for many more.

OUR DAUGHTER, LOCKED AWAY IN A FOREIGN JAIL

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A family cast in darkness. A daughter in an unimaginable situation. And the guiding light of faith that united people across the world, carrying them through their most trying days.

WHAT'S INSIDE THE BOOK

A STORY OF RESILIENCE

“Jon has always been the one that people lean on for problem solving. He is so good at breaking down an issue and building a plan forward. But we had never been through anything like this. This was deeply personal. One of his greatest fears as a parent was unfolding before his very eyes.”
"My eyes locked with Jon’s for a brief moment. We didn’t have this man’s name, but he had Hanna’s. It felt like a line cast out into the void, but it had caught something on the other end. If this man knew where Hanna was, there was no way we were letting go."
"Once again, I felt the sting of regret that I hadn’t contacted my parents. My parents. They’d know what to do. They’d know who to trust. Leaning against the cool metal bars of the otherwise stifling holding cell, I closed my eyes and released a silent prayer from somewhere deep within my soul."
"Faith is having the sense that there is a higher power, a deeper, connecting force within every person on Earth. It is a power so great it defies and challenges comprehension, only making itself understood to those who truly open their eyes, minds, and hearts to its existence. And that power is God."

BATTLING INJUSTICE

"I sat up, groggy, and looked around to find more had joined us in the night. Not unusual. What was unusual was finding a new-born baby lying on the floor. In a sort of daze, I lifted it from the floor and cradled it in my arms. It was filthy and too little, even for a newborn."
"In our separate corners of the world, our family steeled ourselves for one of the most trying days of our nightmare. And all we could do was wait."
"Picking up my pillow from the floor, I rubbed my palm furiously at the perfect, dirty imprint of the guard’s boot square in its center. It might as well have been on my very own cheek."
"The cell door flung open, and the guards dumped a mess of a woman into the cell, and I do mean dumped. She stumbled in with such force that she fell to the floor as the door slammed shut behind her."

TRUE, EVERYDAY HEROES

“Calm,” she said, smoothing the fabric of my shirt across my shoulders. An eerie tranquility rushed over me as she placed both hands gently on my shoulders. "Calm," she repeated. That one word felt like a hand reaching into the water to pull me out. I took it."
"As I lifted the journal to examine the woman - the warrior - more closely, a note slipped from behind the cover and fluttered to the floor before me. I reached for it. I recognized his handwriting instantly. Stay strong."
"Did we honestly expect that the guards would come to aid when this poor woman inevitably soiled herself? No, of course we didn’t. And so, we took the woman in, just as they’d done for me days earlier, and took turns caring for her throughout the night. When morning came, I had the overwhelming sense that we were all better for it."
"You answered a call for help. Each effort was multiplied by the other, building into a tremendous force connected across the world through faith and goodness to secure our daughter’s freedom."
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A BOOK FOR ANYONE IN NEED OF HOPE

Encompassing the perspectives of parents Jon and Tracy Willems, sister Taylor, and Hanna herself, this harrowing true story captures all the defining characteristics of humanity: despair, distrust, and suffering but also faith,
hope, compassion, and community.

Dynamic and engaging with excerpts from the journal Hanna kept throughout this unbelievable series of events, When We Could Not See the Moon will speak to parents, people of faith, warriors for justice—and anyone who finds themselves lost in the dark, desperately searching for the light.

STORY BEHIND THE TITLE

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The moon has always been special in our bond with our globetrotting daughter, symbolizing our connection and inspiring the title of the book. It was hard to maintain that bond while she was locked away, as it felt that the moon went dark. Yet, its slight illumination with hope and faith kept us connected, even half a world apart.

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

THE REAL JON & TRACY

A family cast in darkness. That was us – and this is our personal story. We are Jan and Tammy de Weerd, live in Idaho, USA, and steadfastly continue to pursue our faith while embracing travel across the world. While we both are retired from our respective careers, we remain professionally engaged and enjoy the freedom of controlling our own calendar. Although the names and locations in this book have been changed to shield and support our daughters in their ongoing healing process from this experience and protect the privacy of all involved, we are dedicated to help those who could benefit from our experience.

ABOUT THE WRITER

SAVANNAH SPIDALIERI

“Our hope in writing this book, in sharing this profoundly intimate account of one family’s darkest hours, is that it will help others know where to look to find the light.”

Savannah Spidalieri is the director of publishing, with Ballast Books and its children’s imprint, Blue Balloon Books. Savannah attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington where she studied creative writing, publishing and printing arts, and children’s literature. With over a decade of experience as an editor of fiction and poetry, Savannah is also passionate about helping authors perfect their non-fiction works. Savannah currently resides with her family outside of Charlottesville, Virginia.

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REVIEWS

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

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Lawrence Wasden

Fmr. Attorney General, State of Idaho

When We Could Not See the Moon starts as any normal day and builds to a maximum crescendo. Truly demonstrates the necessity of justice, exigency of human dignity, purpose of family, and power of prayer.
Shaan Sharma

Actor, "Shmuel" The Chosen

When We Could Not See the Moon is a testament to the strength of faith and family in the face of adversity. As Jon and Tracy recount the ordeal of their daughter Hanna’s imprisonment…
Maryanna Young

CEO, Aloha Publishing

A must-read for any parent or anyone who’s ever wanted to travel beyond the borders of the U.S. When We Could Not See the Moon is a riveting story that combines…

Dennis Johnson

Retd. Pres. & CEO, U.S. National Insurance Company

What a story! Once I got started, I could not stop reading the book. One of the great epiphanies to parents is that they will always be parents to their children no matter what…
Pastor Keith Waggoner

Grace Bible Church

This gripping true account of a young international traveler being unjustly accused, arrested, and imprisoned will keep readers in suspense as the story unfolds from multiple perspectives. An encouraging reminder that…
Pastor Ken Wilde

Founding Pastor, Capital Church & Exec. Dir., National Prayer Center

I have read many books and stories but none quite like this—a true story in which an entire family is drawn into a drama involving one of their loved ones. The family experiences…
Marsha Abel
I couldn’t put it down. It is every parent’s nightmare – to have something like this happen to their child – but the strength and support that this family found in their faith and in the community of friends and contacts was amazing.
Neeru Goyal
This is a deeply moving account of when our friends were tested by the harshest of realities. At the time, I found myself daily at temple lifting their daughter up in prayer. It is a testament to faith being affirmed during very challenging times.
Chris Dixon

The pain and gut-wrenching emotions are so palpable. Faith will not shield us from hardship but will get us through. This book is a testament to the human spirit.

Sidney Bartlett

Mother & Grandmother of Family

Life takes us places we never expect…This compelling story of fears, tears, friendship, and faith was personal – it was my family. Experience the nightmare of my daughter and her husband…
Sylvia Hampel

CEO & President Toucan Development Corp

When We Could Not See the Moon, it is a story that every parent should read. It is a story that no parent ever wants to live. Being a parent of children who travel the world it brought up so many emotions… 

Dom Gelsomino

A page turner that kindles your sense of hope and faith after having walked through the dark and overwhelming journey with the family. So many powerful and profound messages throughout each entry, including the immense value of family.

Sidney Bartlett

Mother & Grandmother of Family

Life takes us places we never expect…This compelling story of fears, tears, friendship, and faith was personal – it was my family. Experience the nightmare of my daughter and her husband…
Dom Gelsomino

A page turner that kindles your sense of hope and faith after having walked through the dark and overwhelming journey with the family. So many powerful and profound messages throughout each entry, including the immense value of family.

Pastor Ken Wilde

Founding Pastor, Capital Church & Exec. Dir., National Prayer Center

I have read many books and stories but none quite like this—a true story in which an entire family is drawn into a drama involving one of their loved ones. The family experiences…

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the book provides daily accounts of the parents’ journey to free their daughter, Hanna, alongside poignant excerpts from Hanna’s journal. These entries offer a unique, deeply personal first hand perspective of her emotional and physical experiences during her unjust imprisonment in Egypt.

Yes, the book offers insights into the foreign legal system from the parents point of view that the family had to navigate, though much of the legal process was unclear and challenging. It details their learning curve and the vague, often unclear procedures they encountered. Hanna was treated as guilty until proven innocent, a burden that compounded the family’s fears. The communication barriers were immense, with restricted access to their daughter who had limited interaction with her lawyer. The parents had significant challenges connecting with the U.S. Embassy in even verifying they knew of their daughter’s situation. When they finally learned of Hanna’s plight, they were hindered in their efforts and denied access to ensure her well-being and treatment. The legal journey reflects the unpredictable and difficult process they had to endure.

Yes, while the main narrative is from the parents’ perspective, the daughter’s journal is woven into the story, providing her personal experience and emotions. The contrast of both perspectives enhances the narrative, giving readers a fuller view of the family’s ordeal.

Absolutely. The book delves deeply into the emotional toll on the entire family—the overwhelming concern, frustration, and helplessness they felt, alongside the strength they drew from their faith and the support of their community.

Yes, the book beautifully reflects the importance of faith and community as vital support systems. It also highlights the role of governmental bodies such as Congressional offices, state officials, and embassies in providing assistance, though these systems offer limited help in many cases.

Yes. The authors share their personal story to provide strength, inspiration and a lifeline to others who find themselves in times of despair or facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Their story shows the strength they found in faith and the support they found from community. The story shows to not give up hope, no matter how difficult the situation may seem.

Yes, the book reflects on the family’s faith throughout the experience. It discusses how faith guided the family during their darkest moments and how it connected them with unexpected allies. The family’s faith helped them find clarity, strength, and hope, even when circumstances seemed impossible.

Yes, names, locations, and certain details have been changed or fictionalized to protect the privacy amd safety of those who were involved in helping to free Hanna. However, the emotional truths and the essence of the events remain authentic.

Yes, the book includes the perspectives of parents Jon and Tracy Willems, their daughter Hanna, and her sister Taylor. Each family member’s viewpoint highlights their personal struggles and emotional journey during this harrowing experience.

Yes, the book is ultimately a story of hope and resilience. It emphasizes the power of faith, community, and perseverance, offering an inspiring message for readers that even in the darkest of times, hope remains. The family’s journey reminds readers that they are never alone, and with faith and the support of others, even the most impossible challenges can be overcome.