One of the most important things I can teach my daughters is to show the love of Jesus to others who are less fortunate. How can I teach them compassion when the world is so big and the concept can be difficult to grasp from our safe little home? I think the answer lies in the personal stories of individuals, rather than vague generalities. Tales of the Not Forgotten by Beth Guckenberg does just that -- puts faces on those whom the world might forget, but Jesus does not.
Through the stories of four children in foreign countries, preteen readers get a glimpse of what life is like in other countries and the challenges faced there. It gives them a chance to relate to someone they'd likely never meet in their everyday life. It gives them a chance to see beyond themselves. It's exactly the kind of resource Christian parents can use to plant the seed of compassion in a child's tender heart.
The reading level is very accessible to kids age 8 and up. Big Sis (10) and I read this together, but she could easily have read it on her own. I wanted the chance for discussion with her, though. We were both immediately drawn into the firsthand stories and the reading went quickly. It started some great conversations, too. We were able to talk about the great "Storyweaver" and how He has a plan for each life.
The book also has a companion Leader's Guide on CD-rom to use in small groups, Christian schools, or homeschools. It has 6 sessions included to teach children's missions, service projects, and tackle the tough questions of faith and compassion. It is editable and adaptable for different age ranges. What a great teaching tool! It dovetails really nicely with our current study of Apologia's Who is my Neighbor? book in the What We Believe series.
I highly recommend this book and the Leader's Guide, especially if you have children in the 8-12 age range. You can purchase it here. You can also read more reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour page.
About the Book:
Follow these real-life stories as they take you on a journey to faraway lands and unknown faces. Travel through their challenges and see the hand of the great Storyweaver writing endings you’d never imagine!
Joel dares to ask for what he can’t have. Seraphina sacrifices what she can’t afford to give. Ibrahim looks for an answer buried out of reach. Christiana, saved by a mission, searches for her own.
These are the tales of the ones the world doesn’t see . . . the tales of the not forgotten.
In this collection of four real-life stories written for preteens, a compelling storyteller paints a picture of God’s dynamic movement in four foreign cultures, inspiring children to trust that God is weaving a story in their lives as well.
This resource will shrink the macro picture down to approachable, individual stories of real children and teach about fundamental survival issues. The stories address some of the challenging questions that kids have and weave God's promises to orphans into each one.
The Tales of the Not Forgotten Leader’s Guide is a 6-session kids' missions resource (sold separately) that walks adults through an easy-to-follow guide for making the abstract real and for designing an action plan to help others.
Preteens will be challenged to answer the questions:
How do I pray? What can I give? Where can I go? Who will I serve?
About Beth:
Beth Guckenberger and her husband, Todd, are the founders of Back2Back Ministries (based in Cincinnati, OH) which communicates a lifestyle of service by sharing the love of Christ and serving God through service to others. Back2Back Ministries connects willing workers to open hearts through international and local ministry opportunities. Their ministry is currently caring and providing for orphan children and needy people in Mexico, Nigeria, India and most recently, Haiti.
Beth travels and speaks regularly at women's and missions conferences, as well as youth gatherings and church services. Her topics include orphan care, missions, parenting, marriage/intimacy, and faith. Her story-telling style captures audiences, and she draws from her field experience as a missionary and parent for illustrations to biblical concepts. In addition to her latest release, Tales of the Not Forgotten (Standard Publishing 2012), Beth has written Relentless Hope (Standard, 2011) and Reckless Faith (Zondervan, 2008).
The Guckenberger family lives and serves in Monterrey, Mexico where they have hosted thousands of guests on their ministry campus. Between biological, foster, and adopted additions to their family, Beth and Todd are raising nine children.
Learn how you can join Beth in ministry at www.bethguckenberger.com or www.back2backministries.org.
Celebrate with Beth by entering her Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 7/31!
Find out what readers are saying here.
One winner will receive:
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So grab your copy of Tales of the Not Forgotten and join Beth on the evening of the July 31st for a chance to meet Beth and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book and CD-rom for the purpose of review. No other compensation was given for my honest opinion.
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