YWAM Publishing began in with a single press, printing tracts in 1972. They now publish and distribute their own titles as well as other books, CDs and videos around the world. YWAM Publishing is a ministry of YWAM helping children and adults all over.
Founded in 1960, YWAM (YOUTH WITH A MISSION) is now a large interdenominational Christian ministry with 17,000 volunteer staff based in nearly 900 locations in over 140 countries. From outreach bases to the many Discipleship Training Schools to the five Mercy Ships that serve as floating hospitals, all YWAM projects and events stem from the three main strands that weave the mission together: Training and Education, Mercy Ministries, and Evangelism and Frontier Missions.
I am probably one of the last people in the Christian community who was unfamiliar with the story of Jim Elliot. I know, I know – I must have been living under a rock. I am happy to say that my children will not suffer as I did. They devoured this story. I purposed to read a chapter a day. Nice plan, until we reached the end of the first chapter. “More!” “Just one more chapter” “You’re not stopping now are you?” were their pleas. I read on. I was just as taken with the story as they were.
We simply had to slow down. While the story was spurring us on, the Unit Study Curriculum Guide required a slower pace. There are questions for each chapter, writing opportunities from essays to creative writing possibilities – an acrostic poem and skit scenarios, craft projects, etc. We were picking and choosing based on the children’t interests and the available supplies. Some of the projects, while very interesting, just weren’t feasible for us at this time. We really would have liked trying our hand at making pottery like the cooking vessels used by the natives in Ecuador. Maybe with a bit more research and planning time, we can do this as a project next summer. Making items from paper mache was much more doable for us – and something I’ve not done with most of the children. We had fun creating creatures from the Amazon jungle.
Many of the activities from the Unit Study were aided by recent reviews – recipes from the Not Just Tacos cookbook and stories found in Seed Sowers about Wycliffe Bible translators fit nicely. We really enjoy when things come together. In that respect, this was an easy Unit Study to implement. We enjoy adding geography studies in this organic way. Don’t miss the page on the YWAM site of bonus materials that go along with many of their biographies. We found some to use with our Jim Elliot study as well as helpful information in using the Curriculum Guide in various settings. Some of the activities are written for groups, but can easily be adapted for single child or family use. Utilizing these studies would also be fun in a co-op setting.
When we read the final pages of this story (I hate to use story as it sounds as though this is fictional — it is very, very much true), not an eye was dry. Despite this tragic end to their lives, we are encouraged by their desire. We still have a strong heart for missions – in seeing the hope shared with all. The authors, Janet and Geoff Benge, have done a wonderful job in bringing this story to life. We hope to read many more from this series of Heroes.
The books are available in paperback, many titles are also available digitally in Nook or Kindle form. A growing collection of audio versions is also available. You know we love audio books – we’ll be adding some to our collection soon! Other Crew families reviewed the same title or George Washington: True Patriot. Be sure to check out the other reviews.
