20011209 Brigada Today

OPERATION CHINA CD-ROM IS A HIT

GMI has just finished the CD-ROM version of Paul Hattaway’s incredible Operation China. This beautiful daily prayer guide for all the unreached peoples of China features nearly 500 people profiles with maps, along with 700 color photographs, the full content of the 700-page book, all word-searchable. The CD runs on both Mac and Windows and is priced at $29.95. But we’ve negotiated an exclusive pre-publication special offer for Brigada Today readers good through December 31, 2001 from GMI and Piquant. GMI’s special Brigada price of $19.95 plus $5 shipping/handling is available via the Web at www.gmi.org/brigada or by sending email to Lorri <info@gmi.org>. Europeans can send orders to Piquant <info@piquant.net> to get the special Brigada price of £12.95, plus £2.95 shipping/handling in the UK and £4.95 in the rest of Europe. For more information, see www.gmi.org/operationchina.htm or contact GMI at <info@gmi.org>; telephone 719-531-3599; or fax: 719-548-7459.info@gmi.org></info@piquant.net></info@gmi.org>

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PAYPAL CAN BE FRUSTRATING

In last week’s _Brigada Today_, we asked for feedback on PayPal (Item 1, “CAUTION: RUMBLES ABOUT PAYPAL”). We received about 10 responses — not many, from nearly 10,000 readers. One reader responded, “I run a small business in the US, and use Paypal regularly. I send/receive well over $50,000 per month, and am VERY happy with the system. It’s quite reliable, and I’ve had little or no problems.” But do read http://www.paypalwarning.com/ for the kind of thing that can happen. One email said that the PayPal VeriSign certificate expired in July 2001. That’s probably not a positive thing. :-) Losses ranged, for some, up into the thousands of dollars. One Brigada participant responded in what was probably a very fair assessment: “I’ve had several complaints with paypal, but I also have had great success. Their response is slow, but they DO respond eventually. And they’ve resolved every issue I’ve had to my satisfaction. I get about 20-30 transactions per day, and have been very happy with it.. Just like credit card systems, there are problems.. But Paypal does a pretty good job of resolving the majority of them.” One thing is for sure — several users reminded us that it’s crazy to try to use PayPal from an overseas location where they don’t do business. (They lock up your account the moment they find out where you’re located.) The bottom line of the whole study is probably this: Keep your PayPal balance low, use PayPal only from areas where they have a presence, and be watchful of every transaction. And … I guess to be on the safe side, if you have any other possible way to do the business you have to do, consider it again. It does indeed appear that Paypal is beginning to show some cracks. Rats. Why is it that the really cool ideas that are also cheap end up being short-lived. What does that tell us about “cheap”? :-) (Thanks to those who responded!)

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DISTANCE LEARNING FOR NEW MISSIONARIES

Suppose you had a new recruit, eager to study, but kind of at a beginner level. Where could such a person receive training for evangelism, discipleship, and church-planting . . .especially via distance-learning curriculum (web-based preferred). Does it exist? If so, Justin would like to know. He’s part of a traveling team to recruit and train missionaries and he’d love to have the latest to pass along to others. He’ll also compile a report that we can make available as an auto-responder here at Brigada. Thanks!</jaichele@teamexpansion.org>

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CHURCH PLANTING OPPORTUNITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Idea Ministries is forming a team to help with an on going project in the Middle East. The dates are May 29 to July 10 2002. The cost $1200 per person (plus airfare). Academic credit is available for students. This is a real cross-cultural opportunity — not a tourist option. For more information contact IDEA Ministries at Tel. (616) 698-8393, email <ideamin@ideaministries.org> or Dr. Jim Romaine at Tel. (803) 781-1126, email <jimromaine@earthlink.net>.</jimromaine@earthlink.net>

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SCRIPTURE SONGWRITING WORKSHOP

Catch this workshop for Local Ethnic Christian Musicians & Poets from the Greater Vancouver/Lower Mainland, BC (Canada) region in early Feb. 2002. The application deadline is January 20, 2002. For more info contact <gcwac@hotmail.com> or check out http://www.skybusiness.com/rield/index93.html gcwac@hotmail.com>

The event is sponsored by the Great Commission Worship & Arts Center –

http://www.skyfamily.com/gracew

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FREE BIBLE COURSES LEADING TO CERTIFICATES

Grace Notes now has available verse by verse courses in Ruth, Titus, Ephesians, Hosea, And Mark. Other courses are Doctrine (Bible topics), History, and Foundations (the basics of Bible study). The course materials are delivered to you by email. To see course descriptions, and to register, go to the Grace Notes web site at http://64.226.87.51/, or send an email to Warren Doud <wdoud@bga.com>.</wdoud@bga.com>

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INFO ON “…SPRING BREAK EXPERIENCE (LINGUISTICS COURSE)”

Apologies to those looking for contact information on Item 5 last week, “WHERE ARE YOU GOING SPRING BREAK? (LINGUISTICS COURSE)”. Unfortunately, we clipped it by mistake! Sorry about that. The Spring Break experience is March 11-15 in Tucson. Browse to

http://www.wycliffe.org/events/Total/home.htm for more information. To register contact <larry_harris@wycliffe.org>, tel. (520)826-6028 or , tel. (520)825-6078.</larry_harris@wycliffe.org>

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VIRUSES EVERYWHERE

I’m getting, on average, 10 virus-laden emails per *day* now. It’s definitely a new day for email. I know you don’t need me to tell you this, but get Norton Antivirus 2002. It updates its own data files automatically, every time you’re on line. The day that gone.scr came out, it not only updated virus data files, it installed new filtering process software on my machine and asked me to reboot… all automatically, without me thinking about it. It not only spots viruses and worms coming *in*, but it also keeps them from going *out*. In other words, even if a Melissa-type virus-trojan-worm *does* sneak by, when it starts to send emails to everyone in your address book, Norton intercepts and stops the behavior. So it nips the *spreading* in the bud. This one simple $30 purchase would, single-handedly, make the Internet an incredibly safer place. Get it at your local computer store or at http://www.symantec.com . You don’t need the bigger “System Works”… just the Antivirus software will do. Watch carefully for all the little checkboxes if you use their site. You probably don’t need any mailings whatsoever… nor do you need any additional products to do the job.

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NETWORK SOLUTIONS FORGETS

Tony at <tony@soon.org.uk> wrote this past week, “If you have a domain registered with Network Solutions, it is reported that allegedly they have not been always sending reminders to domain holders to request renewal payments. Result – lost domain. And there is a po*n company which buys up non-renewed domains of any sort, if they think there will be plenty of inbound links. Go to: </tony@soon.org.uk>

http://www.netsol.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois

and check your renewal date and make a note of it. And note that there are many cheaper domain registrars, and it is easy to transfer to them. (But choose one that others recommend to you as reliable.) And if you have a domain you no longer want, don’t let it lapse, try selling it or passing it on.” (Great input, Tony!) I like www.aitdomains.com .

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EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS NEEDED

Brian works with a short-term sending missions agency and is looking for resources or even already written Emergency Response Plans. If you already have one — or resources for them — email them to Brian <brians@deltaministries.org>. He has agreed to compile a report and make it available to all Brigada readers in the future, via an autoresponder here on Brigada.</brians@deltaministries.org>

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REACH UNREACHED PEOPLE IN JAPAN

Work with a Japanese Church in Hiroshima! Here’s a unique opportunity to work alongside an English speaking Japanese pastor to reach the Japanese for Christ. You would have significant involvement in ministry activities including worship, preaching, and outreach activities. The church is established and has had prior missionary involvement. Married couples with children are preferred but all applicants will be considered. You just have to have a passion for the Japanese lost. Inquire with Mission to Unreached People. Contact Jeff toll-free or via Net2Phone at 888-847-6950 or (206) 781-3151 or click to http://www.mup.org or email <mupinfo@mup.org>.

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ISLAMIC STUDIES IN ASIA

Earn up to 9 graduate credits in Islamic studies at the Institute of Islamic Studies, April 08 to May 31, 2002, on the mountain campus of Asia Pacific Theological Seminary, Baguio City, Philippines. *Course 1: “Introduction to Islam”: Wk 1- The Religion of Islam (Dale Fagerland); Wk 2- Peoples of Islam (Dr. Robert Douglas); Wk 3- Folk Islam (Dr. Bill Musk). *Course 2: “Approaches to Islam”: Wk 4- Theological Approach (Dr. Ida Glaser); Wk 5- Contextual Approach (Dr. Phil Parshall); Wk 6- Practical Approach (TBA). *Course 3: “Christian Ministry in Muslim Contexts”: Wk 7- Ministry to Muslim Women (Donna Smith); Wk 8- [Pastoral] Counseling in Ministry to Muslims (Faouzi Arzouni). Brochure available: E-mail <apts@xc.org>. Or call (63)(74) 422-6977. On the Web: http://www.apts.edu . Registration deadline: March 01, 2002.</apts@xc.org>

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KINGDOM CONNECTIONS

Interested in finding ways to better connect to the global partnership movement? Interdev is offering a partnership education seminar designed for church and organizational leaders seeking a better understanding of the principles driving evangelism/church planting partnerships. The training has been garnered by Interdev in over 16 years of practical hands-on experience, including facilitating the exploration, formation and on-going effective operation of over 70 currently operating partnerships and over 90 currently developing partnerships around the world.

“Kingdom Connections” will be held in Grand Rapids, MI Feb.10-13, 2002. It is being sponsored by Interdev with Evangelical Fellowship of Mission Agencies (EFMA), the Interdenominational Fellowship of Mission Agencies (IFMA), Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment (ACMC), and World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF). For registration information, contact <interdev-us@xc.org>. Space is limited, so early application is crucial. For those interested in International Kingdom Connection training, please e-mail <training@interdev.org.uk>.</training@interdev.org.uk></interdev-us@xc.org>

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NEW HELP FOR MISSIONARY LEADERS

Roland Muller’s new book, _Missionary Leadership by Motivation and Communication_ addresses many of the leadership issues that arise when leading teams of volunteer Christian workers drawn from a variety of cultures and denominations. It includes many practical concepts and a wealth of resources, along with original cartoons by Jon Clime. Get it at http://www.rmuller.com .

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TESOL SCHOOL IN HAWAII

The next TESOL Course (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) will be held at the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii, beginning Feb. 18, 2002. This course will equip you to teach English & open doors for you anywhere in the world you are led to go. This is a four week academic curriculum with a two week practicum following immediately. The exact schedule is from Feb. 18th to Mar. 29th, 2002. For more information & applications contact <admissions@uofnkona.edu>.

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THE BACK PAGE: RESPONSIBLE EMAILING

Lately, I’ve been noticing that, with the increased volume of email that seemingly everyone is getting these days, I’m more and more appreciating those who can be lovingly concise. :-) So here’s a Christmas wish list — that we would get rid of these 4 “most unwanted” email characteristics:

*** Attachments: In short, lose them. Those which end in .pif, .scr, .vbs, and .exe can ruin our hard drives. And Office extensions can contain macro viruses. If you *do* have to send an attachment, it’s polite to write first to ask permission to send it. And the recipient should have antivirus software.

*** Forwards: We never had to deal with this before the email generation, because nobody wanted to go pay for photocopies. Now it’s too easy to just keep hitting forward after forward after forward, and well-meaning friends leave all those carbon-copied addresses attached. Yikes. When will we learn to in-quote only what is needed. Honestly, I know *many* people who now don’t even download forwarded emails from their POP3 server.

*** Hoaxes: Just when I think we’re starting to be able to recognize hoaxes, another round starts up. Get the Brigada “OPC” protocol so you can spot hoaxes and similar unwarranted emails.

*** Real virus-propagation: I just don’t get it. After Melissa and everything else that has come before and after, why in the world are we still clicking on those attachments!!!??? :-) And when we *do*, why don’t we have antivirus programs with up-to-date virus data definitions. Because then, all our friends have to deal with receiving the brunt of our sloppy computing. Yikes. If these issues were spilling out in the streets, the world would be a very ugly place. As it is, it’s just the information highway that’s getting clogged with wasted virus-worm-spam. If you *must* use Outlook, go to Microsoft’s site and download the fix. Turn off Windows Scripting Host. Engage macro protection in Office. Get Norton. Please. :-)

*** Subscribe/Unsubscribe requests: If you’re part of an automated email list (like Brigada Today), try to be a responsible list member. That means keeping track of how to subscribe and unsubscribe. Some ejournals even include reminders on how to do that… in every issue. Yet literally dozens of subscribers try to prevail upon list-compilers to do their housecleaning for them… to change addresses, or to unsubscribe. Many even become angry when they won’t help. So please… it’s the most basic of all Internet functions. Learn to use the unsubscribe commands of the lists to which you subscribe. Your editors & compilers will love you for it! :-)

Thanks to any and all who can help rid the world of these email problems! :-)