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By Dorothy Brotherton
DAVE AND BEN MacLean embarked on an odyssey a couple of
years ago – which opened their eyes wide, gave them a global vision
and prompted them to write books.
That’s exactly what their parents, David and
Anne, had in mind, when they took the teens out of school and launched a
two-year home-schooling plan – which included travelling 110,000
kilometres to seven countries, on 24 trips to more than 100 destinations.
 | Kelowna brothers Dave (left) and Ben MacLean have created their own children's books, as a means of raising funds for various ministries. |
India and Mexico captured the boys’ heads and
hearts – specifically the orphans and underprivileged people in those
countries. They worked as a family in the Himalayan foothills, a slum
project in New Delhi, and two children’s homes in Mexico run by Hope
For the Nations. They helped build homes for poor families, and rolled up
their sleeves for feeding programs.
The trips were laced with adventure, including
exploring castles, swimming with sharks, sea turtles and dolphins, as well
as whale watching. But the highlight for the boys happened at an Indian
orphanage.
David, 15, said: “On our last day, they had a
huge dance party for us. It was bittersweet because we were leaving, but it
was one of the happiest moments of our lives.”
 | The MacLean clan in India (left to right): Lynn, David, Ben and Dave. |
Ben, 14, added: “I definitely agree with Dave
about dancing with the orphans as the high point. It was great. We just
danced and danced.”
Part of their schoolwork was a project which resulted
in Dave and Ben each writing a book. They came up with the ideas, content
and illustrations. Their parents paid for self-publishing, and half the
1,000 sets produced have been sold or given away so far. Production costs
are met, and now the profits go to charities of the boys’ choice.
David’s book is called Jeffy’s World Safari; and
Ben’s is Goodbye Zoo. Both books are benefiting Hope For the Nations, and the Jeffy book is aiding the
Raincoast Conservation Society, which helps preserve the home of
B.C.’s Spirit Bear.
Goodbye Zoo’s proceeds
will also be donated to Mountain View Conservation Centre in Fort Langley,
to support rare and endangered species.
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Jeffy’s World Safari is
about a young man who travels the world and discovers different animals. Goodbye Zoo uses clay animals
made by Ben in the illustrations, and is about a boy saying goodbye to
animals at a zoo that is closing.
Anne said the purpose of the adventure was to widen the
boys’ global perspective, sow the seeds of their passions and help
them understand their responsibility to help others.
It looks as if it has worked. While they are back in
public school now at Okanagan Mission Secondary School in Kelowna, David in
grade 10 and Ben in grade 9, they talk with excitement about going again
someday, at least to Mexico.
“Maybe spring break!” says Ben eagerly.
 | Dave and Ben MacLean share their books with Indian children in 2007 |
More than a spirit of adventure is motivating them.
Dave speaks of “making connections and sharing the love of
Jesus.” Both boys dream of globally-connected future careers.
Dave is interested in several fields, saying:
“I’d love to work in a foreign country in outreach work,
serving those not so fortunate. I want to be a leader. The United Nations
interests me.”
He’s also keen on becoming an enforcer of public
safety, maybe in the RCMP, at least for the short term.
Ben said, “I really would like to do outreach
stuff all round the world. I’m interested in being an army medic
overseas, helping people in dangerous places.”
Meanwhile, their books are travelling the world. They
distributed some in person to the orphans’ homes in India and Mexico.
Hope For the Nations has distributed them in Kenya, Liberia and Ghana.
The books are for sale online at: www.daveandben.com.
October 2008
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