We use all sorts of resources and manipulatives for school. I believe in having many options to keep my little ones learning. But our foundation, the basis of our education is literature. Whether it's fun picture books or engaging fiction or historical biographies, you can be sure there is a fair amount being read in our home every day. While I do believe in the importance of the written word, there are times when it's not feasible to sit down and read a novel. It's times like these that we love to turn on an audio book.
The Brinkman Adventures has combined two of our favorite things--audio books and missionary stories--to make a truly entertaining and educational production. My kids fell in love with these stories while listening to The Brinkman Adventures: Season 3.
- God's Mule
- Mountain Mover
- The Silent Ambassador
- Translating Trouble
- Man-Up
- Acorns & Oaks
- A Saint's Story, Pt. 1
- A Saint's Story, Pt. 2
- Untouched
- Busy Bees and a Bullhorn
- Missionary Tourist, Pt. 1
- Missionary Tourist, Pt 2
The Brinkman Adventures is an audio drama series. It's not like a typical audio book that we utilize often as it is not converted from a book, but the episodes weave true missionary stories into the family's adventures to make it a hybrid of sorts. The drama follows the Brinkmans across the globe as they experience challenges like hypothermia, dangerous animals, and intimidating terrorists.
These amazing accounts are entertaining, for sure, but what makes them even more inspiring is that they are based on modern-day missionary heroes. The episodes that our family enjoyed the most were #7-8, A Saint's Story. When my husband was a young boy living in Florida, he personally knew Steve Saint. In fact, he grew up calling him Uncle Steve. Hearing the story of a man that their father knew and realizing that the people and events were true made it even more meaningful to my kids. They were in awe as they listened.
To say that we've enjoyed this series is a bit of an understatement. I don't even know how many times the kids have listened to the entire 5 hours worth of entertainment. Many times I asked where a disc was and they tell me that it was in their room because they had been listening to it, again. We listened to it in the van, while folding laundry, and making dinner. The kids had it playing while building Legos and cleaning their rooms. I'm almost surprised they haven't worn out the CD yet, ha! When I asked what they thought of the Brinkman Adventures, they told me, "It's awesome! We love it!"
You can take the learning to a deeper level past simply listening to the series. There is an entire section on their site that is filled with the stories behind the stories. You can learn more about translating the Bible into Yalunka (and a battle between a giant spider and a mammoth cockroach), what God did with some "ice cream money," flying in a powered parachute to get medical attention for a snake bite, and being imprisoned in a Taliban jail. There is also a ton more information about the real events and how the writers used things in their own lives for inspiration. There are many pictures and videos that enhance the learning, as well.
This audio drama has been a big hit with the whole family. I appreciate that the kids are entertained with wholesome stories, but even more than that, I love that they're learning that there are still true heroes in the world, that God is still using regular people to change the hearts of a sinful world.
If you'd like to follow the adventures of the Brinkman family, you can connect with them on Facebook.
You can read more reviews of Season 3 of the Brinkman Adventures on the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.
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