An International Adventure Series for Kids
What if your new board game could send you on real adventures to foreign countries?
What if you were given a mission to accomplish, and failure meant you’d never make it home again?
What if you could be part of God’s rescue mission and you didn’t have to wait until you were a grown up?
Welcome to The Sword and Story Podcast—where we help Christian families find exciting, faith-filled books for their boys.
Our mission is to raise strong, courageous warriors for the Kingdom of God. Join us on a quest to discover stories that inspire our boys to grow into godly young men.
I’m your host, Laurie Christine. I’m an author, bible teacher, wife, and mom to four wild, wonderful, boys. I’m the author of the Dragon Slayer Bible Series, adventure-packed biblical fiction and devotions for middle-grade boys.
Our guest author today is Jenny Marcelene.
Jenny Marcelene lived cross-culturally for six years. She loves exploring new cultures and encouraging families to treasure Jesus above all else. Her previous work a Kids’ Ministry Coordinator for her local church inspired her to writing books for young readers. She’s the author of the children’s book series, To the Ends.
To The Ends series
An International Adventure Series for Kids
To the Ends is an international adventure series helping children ages 6-10 cultivate a biblical worldview and spark prayer for the nations.
Ten-year-old Jason is unsure if God is still at work around the world. That is, until he and his younger brother, Fred, discover a board game that transports them to countries across the globe. But one mistake could mean being stuck in a country with no way home.
In The Dreamer, Jason and Fred must fulfill a strange mission to deliver a holy book to a dreamer in Afghanistan. If only the brothers knew who. Can they lose the mysterious person following them and figure out who needs the book before time runs out? Find out in this first book in Jenny Marcelene’s To the Ends series.
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TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW
To the Ends series by Jenny Marcelene
Laurie Christine:
Jenny Marceline, welcome to the Sword and Story podcast.
Jenny Marceline
Thanks for having me. I’m glad to be here.
Laurie Christine
Could you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about who you are and your family?
Jenny Marceline
I have two boys in sixth grade and third grade, and we live in California. My oldest was born overseas, and then we came back to the States, where I had my second child. These days, I spend my time working on this book series, and I also write and edit nonfiction articles. I enjoy mixing different types of projects because it helps me stay engaged. I’m not always working on a long project; I also have shorter ones that help keep motivation up and allow for small wins.
Laurie Christine
I love that you lived overseas, and it’s so fun that your oldest son was born there. Can you tell us about some of the places you’ve lived and worked?
Jenny Marceline
After college, I moved to the Horn of Africa, where I lived and worked in relief and development. I also spent some time in Kenya during that period. Later, I returned to the United States and then moved again to Central Asia, where I lived for a time.
Laurie Christine
I love your heart for sharing God’s love with other nations. We’ll talk more about that through your book series. Why do you think it’s important for kids to understand God’s heart for the world?
Jenny Marceline
Throughout Scripture, we see that God cares deeply about the nations. I want kids to understand that being part of what God is doing globally is not something they have to wait until adulthood to join. It’s something they can participate in right now, from their own homes.
From beginning to end, the Bible shows that God cares about all people. One key verse for this series is Isaiah 49:6, which says that God calls His people to be a light to the nations. It is too small a thing for just one group to know Him. God’s plan has always been for all nations, languages, and people to worship Him.
When kids learn about other cultures, it helps them build connections. Those cultures don’t seem as unfamiliar or intimidating. They begin to see that kids are kids everywhere. While cultures are different, they can also reflect unique aspects of God’s character. At the same time, every culture needs the transformation of the gospel.
My hope is that kids will stand in awe of how God works in different places and feel excited to be part of His global plan through prayer.
Laurie Christine
I love that. It’s exciting to see God’s heart for the nations throughout the Bible. Many of our listeners live in the United States, and it’s easy to think our culture is the only one that exists. When something feels different, it can seem unfamiliar or even intimidating. But when we begin to understand other cultures, we develop compassion and empathy and begin to see people the way God does.
Let’s talk about your book series, To the Ends. Can you give us an overview and explain where the title comes from?
Jenny Marceline
The title comes from Isaiah 49:6. I adapted the phrase to “To the Ends” to reflect the idea that the gospel is meant to reach everywhere—to the ends of the earth. God deserves to be worshiped by all people.
The series follows two brothers, Jason and Fred. Jason, the older brother, wonders if God is still at work around the world. When the boys discover a board game hidden in a castle passageway, they are transported by hot air balloon to Afghanistan. There, they receive a mission: deliver a holy book to a dreamer.
Each book takes them to a different country. The first book is set in Afghanistan, and the second will take place in Sri Lanka. Each story explores how God works uniquely in different cultures.
I want readers to see that God is still at work today. Sometimes we forget that. Even as adults, we can wonder. But hearing stories of changed lives reminds us that He is still moving.
Laurie Christine
I love that concept. It reminds me of adventure series like time-travel or portal stories, but with a global and spiritual focus. What age group is the series for?
Jenny Marceline
It’s geared toward ages six to ten, but it can extend up to twelve. It works well as a read-aloud for younger kids and is engaging enough for older readers who prefer shorter, fast-paced books.
Laurie Christine
This seems like a great resource for families, especially homeschoolers, to read together and then explore the culture further. You’re not only educating kids but helping them develop a heart for the nations.
Jenny Marceline
That’s exactly the goal. I also provide free resources on my website, including a 17-page family guide with activities, discussion questions, and prayer prompts related to Afghanistan. I want to help families go deeper without having to create everything themselves.
Laurie Christine
That’s so helpful. Let’s talk about the first book, The Dreamer. Can you tell us more about the story and its themes?
Jenny Marceline
In The Dreamer, the boys must deliver a New Testament to someone called “the dreamer.” They don’t know who that is, and they have very little guidance. They learn that Afghanistan is considered an unreached country, where many people don’t have access to the Bible.
They meet a boy named Rahman, experience local culture, and try to complete their mission while feeling like someone is following them. They are also working against a time limit—they must finish before the final call to prayer. It becomes a race against the clock.
Laurie Christine
What are some cultural elements readers will encounter?
Jenny Marceline
Hospitality is central. Guests are welcomed into homes, often into a special guest room with floor cushions. Meals and tea are shared there. There are also cultural norms about gender separation in the home.
One thing I love is the emphasis on relationships. There’s a daily time set aside for visiting and drinking tea together. That rhythm of connection is something I deeply appreciated and found difficult to adjust away from when returning to the United States.
Laurie Christine
That’s beautiful. I think our culture could learn from that emphasis on people and relationships.
How does this book help boys become strong, courageous warriors for God’s kingdom?
Jenny Marceline
Many cross-cultural workers are women, and there is a need for more men. I hope this series helps boys see that they have a role in God’s global mission. Prayer is a powerful and active part of that role.
I want them to understand that they can participate in God’s work right now. Whether they go overseas or stay where they are, they have a part to play.
Laurie Christine
Boys want to be part of something bigger. What better story than God’s rescue mission for the world?
What are some practical ways families can help their kids develop a heart for the nations?
Jenny Marceline
Start with consistent prayer, even just a few minutes at a regular time each week. Read international children’s literature together and discuss it. Also, connect with missionaries your church supports—follow their updates, pray for them, and build relationships when possible.
Pick one simple practice and stay consistent.
Laurie Christine
Those are great ideas. God is also bringing the nations to us. We can build relationships with people from different cultures right in our communities.
Jenny Marceline
Absolutely. When we pay attention, we see opportunities everywhere. We can step into those moments, build relationships, and show hospitality.
Laurie Christine
Let me read the back cover of The Dreamer:
“Ten-year-old Jason is unsure if God is still at work around the world—until he and his younger brother Fred discover a board game that transports them across the globe. But one mistake could mean being stuck in a country with no way home.
In The Dreamer, Jason and Fred must deliver a holy book to a dreamer in Afghanistan. But they don’t know who the dreamer is. Can they escape the mysterious figure following them and complete their mission before time runs out?”
Jenny, where can our listeners connect with you?
Jenny Marceline
You can visit my website at jennymarceline.com, which links to my blog and resources. I’m also on Instagram. I offer free guides, articles, and tools to help families learn about different cultures and pray for the world.
Laurie Christine
That’s wonderful. I’ll include links in the show notes. Jenny, thank you so much for joining us today.
Jenny Marceline
Thank you for having me. It’s been wonderful.
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