Adventure is Waiting

My older kids grew up on audio adventures, so it has been neat for us to continue that tradition with my youngest son, age 11.  Reviewing the digital version of Season 6: Underground Rising from Brinkman Adventures  was a treat that brought a big smile to his face.  Let's face it, who doesn't like a good adventure?

The Brinkman Adventures is a faith based adventure series featuring a family of missionaries, the Brinkmans.  Each story, about 26 minutes long, is based off the lives of real life missionaries. Some are recorded in two parts, as were two from this season.  Founder Ian Bultman and his production team hope to one day be able to support missionaries through their ever growing Beachglass Ministries which produces the Brinkman Adventures, both on CD and in digital version. In the meantime, they are inspiring future missionaries one story at a time.

Titles from season 6 include-

• Dutch Underground (parts 1 & 2)
• Twice Born Fly
• I Wonder Why?
• Free Burma Rangers (parts 1 & 2)

This 2 plus hour season is a change from their previous 4 plus hour sets, but I think is a more manageable series to listen to.

One neat thing about Brinkman Adventures is that by going to their website you can get the back stories to all of the adventures in each series.  This area often includes interviews from the real missionaries involved, pictures, videos and more.  In our favorite adventure in season 6, Twice Born Fly it also includes a video of a fly metamorphosis!  Also on the website you will find podcasts to listen to that will expand the adventures even more!

Our Use and Our Thoughts-
After a quick download of the adventures to my computer we were ready to listen!  Because of the relatively short length of each adventure, it has worked out well for the two of us to listen to these either right before or right after lunch, in between school subjects.  Despite the still hot weather here in Arizona, it provides some snuggle time with my boy.

I have to admit, I am not an auditory learner like my boys and have sometimes struggled with listening to audio dramas in the past.  This is not the case with Brinkman Adventures.  I do not know if it is due to the length of each one or how exciting and intriguing they are, but like Colby, I often find myself sitting on the edge of my seat to see what happens next.

My boys have never struggled with their listening skills (with audio dramas, that is) and love listening to Brinkman Adventures.  Colby will often listen to them while he is playing in his room, and even occasionally while reading a book, go figure.  They are also great for longer car rides around town or while off on an adventure ourselves.

We often differ on picking our favorite episodes, but such was not the case this time.  We both agreed that our favorite story from Episode 6 was Twice Born Fly.  For me, I just loved that the gospel was so clearly pictured using a story that the dad told his kids about a dream he had, and that it eventually led to the decision for his young son to be saved.  The conversation between father and son and what it means to be "born again" is precious and brings back memories of a conversation we had with our own son just a short year ago.  Colby loved the dream part of the story the best.  Not surprising as it involves a prison break out!  What is it with boys and their sense of adventure, right?!

Our second favorite was the I Wonder Why? adventure.  While the family involved started with heartache, the story follows their adventures of following God's lead to sell all they have and move to another country to help orphans.  Because Colby was adopted as a small child, this story gave us much to talk about!  We were not only able to discuss how hard it would be to sell all we have and move away from friends and family, but also what it means to help others and how that can look different to different people.  Orphan stories are sometimes hard to listen to, but for our family, it is another opportunity to discuss how the Lord has blessed our family and many others we know through adoption.  Another central theme to this story was forgiveness and changed hearts once we are saved.  Again, a great way to introduce some pretty deep discussions to your family time.

Ever so generous, The Brinkman Crew is offering our readers a discount through the end of this month!  Think about Christmas, my friends, it is just around the corner, and these would make great gifts!


Friends,  you need Brinkman Adventures in your life.  You don't have to just take my word for it- over 70 of our Homeschool Review Crew members reviewed Brinkman Adventures as well.  Click on the banner below to read what they had to say.

TOS CREW Review- Seed Sowers

You know we love to read in our house so it should be no big surprise that I always jump at a chance to review a good book.  Add to that book inspiring, often hair raising true tales of missionaries and the fact that it was written by a fellow TOS Crewmate and well, let's just say I was a little excited to share this one with you!

Seed Sowers has released a book by the same title, Seed Sowers, by Gwen Toliver, that needs to find its way into every Christian home.  This 180 page gem is a collection of 21 different stories of missionaries and the adventures they lived.  What is so unique about this book is that each story was told to author Gwen Toliver by the actual missionaries who lived the adventures.  Gwen, her husband and their 8 children live in Texas and work for Wycliffe Ministries as part of their Bible Translation endeavors.  Nestled among the Linguistic Center property is a retirement facility where many older missionaries reside.  That wealth of experience and knowledge was just waiting to be discovered and Gwen got to be the instrument that God used to get those stories out to the public.  How amazing is that?  For two years Gwen was able to interview the men and women of each story and compile them into short, easy to read chapters that will inspire both young and old.  

Since we do devotions nightly this was a wonderful time to read a chapter as a family.  It opened up not only discussion about the actual story and what we thought about it, but also allowed us to explore the location on a map if it was not one we were familiar with.  Since many were South American locations, our youngest adopted from Guatemala was extremely interested.  I will admit that I did find myself reading ahead several times when I would happen to sit down beside the book during the day.  Something about tales of faith, endurance and fortitude just seem to pull me in.

Some stories may be more familiar to you such as the sad story surrounding Nate Saint and his four friends that were killed by the natives in Ecuador.  Told to Gwen by Don and Helen Johnson, you get to hear some previously unpublished facts.  Don was one of the men in the rescue party that found and identified his friends on Palm beach.  He was able to recount his experiences years later with the little red notebook he used to take notes at the time of the tragedy.  Other stories tell of laughter, fun adventures and always of God's provision.  One of our favorites was about Gene Minor, a pilot missionary to Colombia.  He recounted to Gwen one of the times he was flying and his plane's engine went out.  For our military family, this is one we could really identify with!

Another neat part of the book is that most chapters end with an Author's Note that tells another part of the story such as when that missionary died or retired and a more complete picture of all they accomplished in their ministry.  You can be sure that much of what they did will not be found in their own stories.  As Gwen shares in her interview, they are a humble group and hesitant to ever bring any attention to themselves.  I encourage you to watch Gwen's interview at the bottom of this review- it is lengthy, but well worth watching.  Not only does she share about her book, but also shares her passion for missions and how you can get involved.  Not everyone gets sent to the jungle, you know! Seed Sowers can be purchased on sale now for $12.50.  While intended for 6th graders and up for independent reading, it is appropriate as a family read aloud as well.  I know you will blessed to add it to your collection!

CREW Review- Growing Up Wild

WOW!  We have found a new favorite for family night!  And yes, we all want to move to the jungles and be missionaries.  Well, OK, some of us more than others, but I won't name names!

Meet the Wild Family from Growing Up Wild!

That's Hudson, Morgan, Asher, mom and Dad and Kian.

Like us they are an ordinary family that loves the Lord.  Unlike us, He called them into ministry for Him to the highlands of Papua, Indonesia, to spread the Gospel to the Wano people.  The 5 videos, each running about 45 minutes each, are a result of 3 years of hard work by the family themselves to help the viewers better understand the life of a missionary, to better understand the life of the Wano, and to challenge children to "impact the world for God's glory".

Recently our family received Volumes 1 and 4 to review.

Volume 1 -

 Home Sweet Hut- Get a glimpse of The Wilds' every day life and where they live

Supply Trip- How do the Wilds get their food?

Sun and Water- How these elements of nature affect the Wild family



Volume 4-

Amazing World Around Us- Meet many jungle animals

Adventures in Culture- Highlights the culture

Tribal Calling- How the Wild family received their ministry calling

What sets these DVDs apart, aside from their amazing videotography and professional editing, is the fact that each set comes with a second CD that includes an Activity Guide for parents and educators to use to further the discussion and learning. Loaded with ideas for hands on projects, written assignments and field trip ideas, these Activity Guides contain web site links, charts to fill out, things to ponder and above all Scripture to inspire you.  My favorite activity was figuring out how many supplies you would need for three months in the jungle and how much it would cost you.  It really makes you start to think about true needs versus wants!   If Unit Studies are your mode of teaching, these Activity Guides will keep you busy, or you can, like us, watch the videos during family movie night as a time of reflection, learning and entertainment.  The possibilities are endless!



Note- If your family is uncomfortable with native people scantily dressed, you may want to view these DVDs first before sharing with your children.  Also, in Vol. 2, Adventures in Culture, you will see the boys get their noses pierced.  It is not for the faint of heart, but my boys were impressed. 

You can buy each of the Growing Up Wild DVDs for $18.99 a piece, or save 15% and buy all five for $80.99.  For a sneak preview of several of the videos go here and enjoy!  That is all it took to get us hooked.

We enjoyed these immensely and have added the three we don't have to our Christmas list.  I think you will find yourselves watching them a lot!

To see what fellow CREW members had to say about Growing Up Wild, click on the banner below!  Several CREWMATES were able to use the Growing Up Wild videos in their church for mission related projects.  You will enjoy reading about the fun snacks they served and how they brought the videos to life with the children they worked with!

  Disclaimer- We received Volumes 1 and 4 of Growing Up Wild in exchange for our honest review of the products.  Opinions expressed are our own and were not influenced by the company in any way.