20041114 Brigada Today

In this issue…

SPONSOR CREDITS BRIGADA TODAY FOR SALE OF 150 VIDEOS — Thanks for the wonderfully encouraging note from the Director of Sub-Sahara Africa for Good News Productions, who wrote, “I’ve personally enjoyed Brigada over the years … Your ezine recently mentioned two of the recent GNPI productions… As a result of that mention in Brigada, nearly 150 copies combined were sold! We, the GNPI team, just want to say thanks and express our appreciation for the faithful work all of you do to make Brigada a premier communication tool.” [whoa :-) ] To add some punch to his note, the producer sent $50 “as a small token of appreciation”. (Learn more about them at gnpi.org) Thanks, too, for the $50 gift from Cafe’ 1040, http://www.cafe1040.com , tapping the potential of globally-minded college students for Christ. Enclosed was an encouraging note, “I have just returned from North Africa and have loved your newsletter… It is very helpful and encouraging to those of us on the field. Blessings to you and your staff.” [glow :-) ] Thanks to Bruce and Retta Renich who served at the Christian Leaders’ Training College in Papua New Guinea, who sent $50 with this note: “Glad to help with your ministry. I would not like to be without it. We were missionaries in Papua New Guinea and hope to return after completion of studies.” We appreciate you! They added in a P.S., “And I know it is still a long way to the total for the secretary, but miracles have happened before!!” Finally, thanks to the anonymous readers who sent $30 and $20 respectively, with one writing a note, ” Thanks so much for your continued dedication and service to the Lord. He has used, does use, and will use your ministry as a source of blessing to outreachers in Christ everywhere.”

YWAM DONOR CHALLENGES OTHER YWAMMERS TO MATCH GIFT — Here’s a YWAM worker in Holland who sent $40, challenging all other YWAM missionaries worldwide to match his gift to Brigada. How ’bout it, YWAMmers: Any takers?

ACTION INT’L OFFERS MANUAL FOR RESTORING STREET CHILDREN — Thanks to the anonymous family from Action Int’l Ministries who sent $50 to help cover the cost of our Brigada-sponsored secretary. See their site at: http://www.actionintl.org/ where you’ll see News from the Field (PDFs), Photo Galleries, Action Point Magazine, and the free manual for ministry to street children, “Restoring Children of the Streets” as a download.

UNREACHED PEOPLES CONSULTATION –- Do you want to see a breakthrough among Muslims around the world? AFMA in partnership with AIMS, CBN, and Regent University presents “Breakthrough among Muslims,” an unreached peoples consultation at Regent University in Virginia Beach, March 14- 17, 2005. Learn how to effectively evangelize the Muslim world from people who have ministered successfully there. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to develop effective strategies and network with other churches, agencies, and interested individuals who all have a passion to reach Muslims for Jesus Christ! To request a brochure, call AFMA at (757) 226-5850 or send an email to afma(at)aims-usa(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .].

TRACT EXPLAINS PROTESTANTS TO EASTERN ORTHODOX — Missionaries in Eastern Europe know that it is often an uphill battle to convince locals that protestants are really Christian! The tract, “Protestants: Who are they?” explains the essential unity of the three branches of Christianity while noting where protestants differ on infant baptism, icons, the apocrypha, etc. It concludes with a salvation prayer. The English version is at: http://hometown.aol.com/kerbyrials/page1.html The Russian version is at: http://orthodoxlight.narod.ru/ Ukrainian and Georgian versions are also available. Write author Kerby Rials at: kerbyrials(at)aol(dot)com The Russian version has been printed and is sold for 7 cents each by Global University. Email: mail(at)globalcenter(dot)ru [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] http://www.globalcenter.ru

SUMMER MINISTRY WITH MUSLIMS — Join a two- or four-week ministry to Muslim students and business people in Istanbul, Turkey the last two weeks of June and the first two weeks of July. This is an opportunity to join an experienced ministry team, make friendships with English speaking Turkish students and business people, do friendship evangelism, show the Jesus Film, work with local churches and visit businessmen’s clubs and historical sites in Turkey. The aim of the project is work with local ministries and churches to help build the local churches. For more information contact Jim at Zwemer Institute, Tel/Fax (662) 843-2191 or email jimromaine(at)cableone(dot)net. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

BEWARE LEAVING SENSITIVE INFORMATION ON YOUR PC — Here’s a Brigada participant, Neil, who warned us to be careful leaving sensitive information on our PC’s. He said Word encryption was ok, and Excel could even encrypt just 1 column of cells, but he also pointed out that we could try a password manager, which really does make life easier and safer – such as Password Keychain from http://www.nfxtech.com/products_passwordkeychain.htm (Thanks Neil!) Brigada participant, Jon, wrote to point out that Google Desktop might actually help you do a great “audit” of your system and its ability to give away personal information. He said, ” If Google can find it, someone else can too!! :-)”

CHECK OUT MP3RAT — Are you the type who loves to create and collect MP3 songs from your CDs and digital music? While you’re browsing at Kaylon’s website (to see “Powermarks”, mentioned below), check out “MP3Rat” http://www.kaylon.com/mp3rat/index.html Seems to make life so much easier for digital music lovers!

ANOTHER FREE ANTIVIRUS OPTION — Thanks to Stephen, who wrote about another free antivirus option this past week: “I switched to a German based free antivirus software available from http://www.free-av.com AntVir’s drawback is that each antivirus upgrade downloads 6 program files which can take a while to download on a 56kbps connection.” Still, it looks like a great option, Stephen, especially for the price! Thanks! (And yes… I still love playing soccer. Getting together as pickup game tomorrow afternoon, in fact! :-) )

SPANISH MINI-PERSPECTIVES BIBLE-STUDY NOW AVAILABLE — Here’s a Spanish Bible-study (kind of like Perspectives), called “Path to God’s Glory.” Published in English several years ago, it has been distributed and studied around the world. Now, a Spanish version of both the study and leader’s guide are available online at http://www.southeastchristian.org/missions_ptgg_sp.cfm?doc_id=956 The English version is available at http://www.pathtogodsglory.org If you have questions, comments or are interested in a bound hardcopy of the study or guide, write info(at)pathtogodsglory(dot)org

STUDY ISLAM IN GERMANY — English speakers can now fulfill most requirements for a MA degree (Muslim Studies) without relocating to N. America! The rest can be done through short courses at the Columbia International University campus, Columbia, South Carolina, or by IDL (Independent Distance Learning). Folk Islam – Dr. Warren Larson (May 30-June 10, 2005) Women in Islam – Dr. Elsie A. Maxwell (May 30-June 10, 2005) Multicultural Teams – Dr. Lianne Roembke (June 13-24, 2005) Approaches to Islam – Dr. Andreas Maurer (June 13-24, 2005) Tuition is approximately $500 per 3 semester hours. Auditors are welcome for less, and all kinds of plans are available for food and housing. The campus is centrally located in Europe near Stuttgart, Germany. For more information email ccrouse(at)aem(dot)de [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .].

TROUBLE KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR BOOKMARKS? — In my own browsing, I’ve also appreciated Powermarks from Kaylon Technologies http://www.powermarks.com/ This is a great utility to help you find bookmarks or “favorite places” on the web, and as an added benefit, you can also use it to save passwords for other things too.

SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW AT “GEO” — Global Economic Outreach partners skilled volunteers with field missionaries seeking expertise by email or telephone. Their emphasis is on development. GEO recently launched HOTLINKS, an online content management system for sharing documents and web links. Benefit from the knowledge, experience, and ministry of others by visiting http://www.teamgeo.org/links.php Submit relevant content to mail(at)teamgeo(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or use the online contact form.

CHECK OUT GLOBALMISSIOLOGY.NET — Browse the new articles at http://www.GlobalMissiology.net. The latest issue’s theme is Ethnic Ministry and Missions. You’ll find: * 5 Feature Articles by thoughtful writers around the globe * New perspectives on ethnic ministry contemplating its manifestations in research and practice * Enjoyable and informative reviews of cutting-edge missiology books some of which have recently been released.

MUSIC MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR (MMDS) — Mark your calendars now for the Music Ministry Development Seminar, February 21 – April 1, 2005. It’s a six-week seminar focusing on songwriting, digital recording, music business, missions, band arranging, growing in ministry communication, presented by Musicians For Missions International – a ministry of Youth With A Mission. Learn more at http://www.MusiciansForMissions.com or MMDSeminar(at)cs(dot)com

MAC READERS HAVE OTHER OPTIONS FOR VOICE-OVER-IP — If your readers have a Mac (or are considering it), the Mac’s iChat system is wonderful. According to Dave, it is standard in all current and recent (2000 + newer) machines, running OSX and features voice over IP as well as full live video as well.

IF YOU TEACH, THE CIA IS LOOKING FOR YOU — :-) Christian International Academy(CIA) is seeking elementary teachers (2nd Grade Teachers in particular) If you are interested in working among the unreached, take note of their location. If you love children and love to teach, this could be just the opportunity for you. They are sharing hope and love with others in the Muslim nation of Guinea, Africa. The dates are August 4, 2005 – June 1, 2006. Write CIA(at)TeachusMission(dot)org

THANKSGIVING GREETINGS — In the USA and many other lands, it’s Thanksgiving today. It happens to be one of my most favorite holidays of the year. It’s somehow escaped most of the “Hallmarketing” :-) and has its origin in something identifiable, instead of in alleged pagan rituals or witches’ covens burning goats under some bridge in an inner city. Nobody has to buy gifts, so there’s no chance big store at the mall will make a dime off of it. About the only people who make a profit are the turkey breeders, who probably do as much business this week as in the other 51 weeks combined. :-) Sure there are dishes to wash afterward, but you don’t have to bag up mangled wrapping paper (and nobody is sticking bows on your head or throwing wrapping paper balls in your face). Surprisingly, there’s very little music — except for that one song that, instead of gives thanks, gathers everyone together “to ask the Lord’s blessing.” Best of all, there’s no hangover (hangover = having to take down all the decorations), no cavities (like you get from eating all that chocolate from trick-or-treating or hollow Easter bunnies), and no credit card bill to pay off in 25 days or less.
All kidding aside, though, maybe Thanksgiving is *the* most religious holiday we have left. My theory is — people actually really do still think about praying and giving thanks. And that’s cool.

Let’s not be the exception.

Let’s circle the globe this Thursday with a ring of thanksgiving prayers that will gladden the heart of God. Happy Thanksgiving, Doug

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20041114 Brigada Today

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