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“Lenny the Lying Lemur” completed and at the printers The second book in the “Francy and Friends” series by RU4Kidz, “Lenny the Lying Lemur” has finished production. Byron’s next lesson from the Bible draws on the story of Joseph from Genesis. It teaches children that lying leads to trouble and hurts others through Francy meeting a lying Lemur called Lenny. Lenny learns what it is like to have real friends for the first time and just how much trouble you can cause when you don’t tell the truth! Jen has read the story to over 60 children to gauge their understanding and feedback from the story. The feedback from the focus groups has been very positive! One of the children said “I loved this story better than “Francy the Fearful Firefly”, it’s the best story yet. “Lenny the Lying Lemur” is due for release in October 2009 Book Launch 22 November 2009 at Menai Anglican Church, 12 Noon. |
Francy read to orphans in Burma A Mission Team from Menai Anglican left Sydney Australia bound for Rangoon in Burma (Myanmar) for a short term Mission in November this year (2008). Whilst in Burma they taught English, spoke at local churches, taught the Bible at a Bible College, and assisted local churches with local community projects. One of the projects was teaching English to orphans. Jen sent several copies of “Francy the Fearful Firefly” to give to the needy in orphanages and in the poorer churches. One of the Mission Team commented that she enjoyed reading “Francy the Fearful Firefly” to the orphans who had it translated into Burmese. The kids absolutely loved the story and copies were left for them to enjoy into the future. RU4Kidz will send to Burma free copies of the two new books “Lenny the Lying Lemur” and “Francy’s Frantastic Christmas” when the books go to print later in 2009. |
Francy launched at the Christian Book Selling Association of Australia On 7-9th September, 2008, Jen and Tim were invited to join HSM Publishing for the launch of “Francy the Fearful Firefly” in hardcover at the Christian Book Sellers Association Trade show in Canberra. Jen had the opportunity to share her journey with Francy and the work of God in her life at the Trade Show dinner. During the trip, Jen was very uplifted and encouraged. Jen got to meet and discuss the highlights and challenges of being a new author with other Christians who are also just starting this journey. Jen met up with Joy and John Barnett from CBAA and realised that as a young girl she would visit and play with their daughter. It was lovely to hear the story of their grandson (Jen’s childhood friend’s son) who at 3 years old and after hearing Francy was sharing this story with a preschool friend who had said he was afraid of something. God was certainly shown to be bigger than his fears!! |
RU4Kidz Partners with HSM Publishing RU4Kidz is the enterprise that Jen and Tim formed to produce “Francy the Fearful Firefly”. It began in March 2008 when in a step of faith and with the assistance of many talented Christian supporters, they produced “Francy ” as a self published book. Since then the book sales have grown and it was starting to look necessary to seek a partner to enable the book to go into the Bookstore market throughout Australia and beyond. The result of a prayerful request bought HSM Publishing to RU4Kidz and this partnership was formed. HSM Publishing picked up both "Francy" and "Lenny". The partnership has enabled both books to be launched both in New Zealand and Australia. HSM Publishing is seeking further international distribution opportunities for both "Francy" and "Lenny". Jen said “ The partnership between RU4Kidz and HSM will enable Francy to go into the whole word. This is an answer to prayer. When we first produced Francy we did so in prayer and faith knowing that if we are faithful God will use our endeavours to further His kingdom. Click the HSM Logo to go to their Website |
Indonesia fancies Francy!! “Francy the Fearful Firefly” arrived in Bali, Indonesia, at the Bali Youth and Community Centre run by Adrian and Clair Young of Christian Surfers International, in April this year Both Adrian and Clair have extensive individual experience in mission work with Adrian having spent a number of years in Indonesia. Adrian has a long history of working with Christian Surfers whilst Clair has spent many years involved in ministries involving the performing arts. In May 2006 Clair joined Adrian to permanently live and serve in Indonesia. Adrian and Clair are the National Directors of Christian Surfers in Indonesia and have a vision to see lives transformed by the gospel and to establish a self-sustaining indigenous ministry where nationals are equipped to carry on the work of the gospel. Adrian and Clair live in the southern part of Bali, known as the Bukit Peninsula where they run the Bali Youth and Community Centre. Clair said to Jen Anderson “Thanks so much for the books, the kids at the centre love it. Here is a picture of two of the boys at the centre trying to read it. It is a good way for them to practice their English. Any resources that you produce we would love to have a copy!” |
“Lenny the Lying Lemur” completed and launched The second book in the “Francy and Friends” series by RU4Kidz, “Lenny the Lying Lemur” was launched on Sunday, 22nd November, 2009, in the Menai Anglican Church, Sydney. The author, Mrs Jen Anderson, was assisted by her husband Tim Anderson, who served as MC for the meeting. The guest speaker was Major Ron Anderson AFSM, of The Salvation Army, Senior Chaplain of the Rural Fire Service. Also present was the Hon. Danna Vale MP, the local Federal Member for the area. The lessons in the book are from the story of Joseph in Genesis. It teaches children that lying leads to trouble and hurts others. “Lenny” is a bouncy, proud and lying Lemur who tries to impress everyone with his “fibs”. “Lenny” has never known a real friend until he is washed up on Lighthouse Beach. “Lenny” learns that lying leads to trouble and hurts other. He finds out with the help of his new friends “Byron” and “Francy”, that to be “truly magnificent” you must tell the truth! The author, Mrs Jen Anderson, describes herself as a “Christian wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, employee and now author”. During the launch, Mrs Anderson explained: “As a young child and the daughter of an alcoholic, I knew what it was like to live with someone who lied. Alcoholics are known for it! I was afraid of my Dad and after he left when I was only 11 years old, my fear changed to what it was going to be like to grow up without a Dad.” At the age of 13 years, life changed for her when at Teen Ranch she gave her life to the Lord.“Children’s Ministry is my passion and I love to talk to children about Jesus, my faith and trust in God. I have been an active member of Menai Anglican Church for the past 10 years. My favourite thing to do is to spend time with my family, husband Tim and my two girls Courtney (12) and Katelyn (10). “Over the past 20 years of working in various Kids’ Ministries I have had an ever growing awareness of how difficult it can be to find practical and fun Bible-based stories that provide an understandable and practical application of the Bible especially for younger children. “After finishing as a Sunday School teacher in July 2007, the development of some material to satisfy this need became my goal and God has been opening doors ever since.“It is this journey that prompted me to look at developing this series of fun and interactive stories and kids’ spots talks for churches that help build godly character in kids and win kids for Christ.” Major Anderson reinforced and supported the message conveyed in the book, “Lenny the Lying Lemur”. He encouraged those present to be wary of telling even “white lies” and the need to be truthful at all times. The Hon Danna Vale MP presented the prizes for the winners of the colouring-in competitions, carried out in conjunction with the book launch. The launch story appear in the Christian Today Website in November 2009 |