I have always loved missionary stories and was introduced to them at an early age by my parents. So to find these delightful, thrilling adventures written for the 8-12 year old range of children was a great blessing. Of course, these can be interesting for adult readers too. Historic fiction, I believe the genre would be.
Each book highlights one missionary journey, telling his or her story which, does involve some "salt and pepper". That is, a child usually around the age of 8-12, becomes attached in some way to the missionary, which likely did not actually happen in real life.
For example, from the book Shanghaied to China, a young boy is, well, shanghaied aboard a ship bound for China. He'd been observing the fascinating activity down at the docks early one morning, where he had had no business being without a chaperone, and got abducted. Then he was in a tight spot. Hudson Taylor (a missionary of renowned), just so happened to be on board and so he and the lad cross paths and a friendship of worth develops.
As these are Christian books, the faith aspect comes in to play as well. The young character learns valuable life lessons and of life in Christ. Additionally, the reader gets glimpses into the life of a missionary, in general. The joys, heartbreaks, the culture shock, and the living "by faith", that serving the Lord encompasses.
These few books shown in the picture above, are among about 30 others, also written by Dave & Neta Jackson and published by Bethany House Publishers.
They are an excellent way to introduce a child to the workings of a man or woman of God, working in tandem with the Lord for the extension of His Kingdom. One will never know what sparks could be ignited in the young ones' hearts that will stay with him or her for life and foster their relationship with their Lord and Savior, and into service for Him, by reading even one of them.
Invest.
~ERC December 2020~
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