Asia: Its People and History {review & giveaway}

I used to write reviews. Correction: I used to write a lot of reviews.

There was a time when I was reviewing four or five items each week; mainly curricula oriented, but also just your general, run of the mill products/games/stuff that a homeschooling, Christian mom might find handy. Not to be braggy or anything, but I turned down a lot of offers. Good stuff. I even got my name on some really well known products in the endorsement areas. It was a good time.

Until it wasn’t.

At some point, it became a job. It became something else on my plate– and by my plate, I mean my family’s plate. Because here’s the reality of writing reviews: it’s a family affair. Every piece of curriculum handed over the threshold, in order to be truly tested, has to be used. And the recipients of all of this aren’t the home educating mothers whose blogs get the hits. It’s the kids. The kids who really have no say in whether or not they want to try a new math book or sample an art lesson on chalk pastels or spell with magnetic tiles. The kids are the guinea pigs. As long as they’re good with that and it’s not impacting their overall education– and it’s not eating up valuable time best spent in other pursuits– then reviewing is a fun way to spice up the routine and discover new ways of teaching. But the minute red flags start appearing, it’s time to give up the freebies, step back, and go back to being just another homeschooling mom.

I saw the signs. Kids no longer thrilled when the FedEx guy dropped a box on the porch. A sigh when another book was introduced. It was humbling, but I stepped back. And I promised my kids, my husband, and myself that I would stay focused on the things that matter. Because after my death, folks, I don’t want to be remembered as a truly great homeschool curricula reviewer. I want my name to bring to mind a woman who sought God with her whole heart, loved her husband without reservation, and took joy in being the mother to children who grew into amazing, capable, godly adults. That’s my purpose. That’s what I get up for in the morning.

Which is a very funny way to start a review.

Because that’s what this is. A curriculum review. A quick look at a homeschool tool. An overview designed to sell you on the merits of buying something.

So why am I saying all of this? Why am I telling you, up front, how it’s not my intention to turn this blog into one of those endless commercial breaks that hawks this math program one week, a new one the next? (And know that I’m not down on folks who write reviews. Seriously– they’re valuable tools. I just don’t prefer to frequent blogs where the content is exclusively driven by commerical means. What can I say? I’m a relational blog reader.)

I want you to know that I took this on with a bit of fear and trembling. With my husband’s full consent. And with no small amount of prayer.

I decided, finally, to review Asia: It’s People and History because this is one of those products that matter.

My family’s everything, you see, is tied up in one, massive calling: to see the people of a tiny Asian country know Jesus. But do you know what we’ve found? Most people– especially Christians, I am ashamed to say– have absolutely no concept why this is necessary. They can vaguely wave their hand over a map and locate what passes for the generic term “Asia.” But aside from pinpointing China (how can you not?!?!) the geography is lost on them. The history? Unknown. And the needs of the people? Absolutely absent.

Friends, this is unacceptable.

Most of the population of the world lives in this area. And most of them don’t know Jesus.

It matters. It matters a lot.

And here’s the thing: virtually everything you or your children need to know to begin to gain a deeper understanding, to pray more specifically, and to grasp the spiritual and physical needs of these people groups are here. In an ebook. For the pittance of $6.95.

Laos. Bangladesh. Nepal. China. Iran. Vietnam. Six easy-to-find, fun to study countries. A 16-week study told in stories, laced with questions designed to encourage rabbit trails, and sprinkled with prayer points. Written simply enough to be the spine of a unit study, but versatile enough to be used as a family devotional. This is exactly the kind of tool I’d love to put into the hands of everyone who walks up to me at a church and, after hearing our presentation on our work in Nepal, asks me for a primer on the 10/40 window. This is exactly the kind of information every believer serious about planting the seeds of the Great Commission in the hearts of their children needs to have at their disposal.

This isn’t an exhaustive history or cultural expedition. My family used the unit on Nepal (you’re shocked) and while none of the info was actually new to anyone over the age of 10, it was still fun to find a coloring sheet of the unique Nepali flag to fill in while following a link to the Joshua Projects people group page and praying for the many groups represented there. We found the extras on Bonnie Rose’s website and played around there, too. And yes, we followed the suggestion to recreate Nepalese cuisine at home — with yummy results. But I’ll save those tips and tricks for another post.

For now, just know this: if you are feeling convicted that you could be doing a better job of praying for the needs of the lost in the world, if you’re wondering how you gently introduce your family to those who have yet to hear the name of Jesus, if you’re wondering how to explain the persecuted church,  Asia: Its People and History is a wonderful, inexpensive tool that will help fan the flames of evangelism in your life. 

It was worth reviewing. And it’s definitely worth buying.

Shared at:
Mama Moments
The Modest Mom Blog
Titus 2 Tuesday
Titus 2sday
Growing Homemakers
UNITE
Eight Ways to Sabotage Your Marriage
Teaching What is Good
The Road to 31
Finding Heaven

Bonnie Rose has graciously allowed me to offer 2 copies of this ebook to readers! Enter below to win this wonderful resource!

a Rafflecopter giveaway