Writing
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Mr. Awana, by Art Rorheim Mr. AWANA, Sixty-Plus Years of Changing the World for Christ by Art Rorheim (2011, Grace Acres Press)
I’ve not belonged to a church with an AWANA program, but I’ve certainly heard wonderful things about it through my decades of being a Christian! Games … Bible memorization … fun … fellowship … discipleship … I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything negative about the program.
AWANA (I had to look it up on the internet, because it’s never explained in the book) stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed—which is from 2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
So I was excited to read this autobiography of Art Rorheim, the man used by God to start this international children’s ministry. Since I found it interesting, I’m sure people with ties to AWANA will be enthralled with the birth and growth of the program.
I loved my grandmother very much. I especially liked it when she told me stories of her childhood—the time her brother almost caught Santa Claus bringing the presents, her choice of a husband, how the only question on her driver’s license exam was to always honk before backing out of an alley. Granny was old (in reality, not just in my mind!), and her stories rambled. I wasn’t bothered by hearing the stories over and over, or by side-trips into other stories. I enjoyed hearing the same tale in the same words, told by my precious grandmother from her own memories.
I found that approach to story-telling a little less endearing in Mr. AWANA, however. I know, of course, as an author, that it’s hard not to duplicate material, especially since word processing makes copying and pasting so simple. Mr. Rorheim’s memories are fascinating, but they could use some editing and focus. Nonetheless, any AWANA devotee is going to find numerous treasures in this memoir.
I’m grateful to the publisher, who provided me with a complimentary copy of the book through BookCrash.com. |
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