Brigada

1) WorldMapper Site Continues to Grow

brigtoday — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:59:15 +0000

We first profiled them back in 2006 (Apr. 23 edition). But they’ve grown exponentially since then, now with 700 maps and even animations. Over 300 of them can be printed as pdf posters. They’ve even done a book now… that you can order and place on your coffee table. These are maps that are so unique, you might have only seen them once or twice before in your whole life. Population size — changes the size of the countries so that, instead of sized by their land mass, they’re sized by their people mass. You have to visit to understand… and there are *hundreds* of these concept cartographic marvels. All free at

http://www.worldmapper.org

2) Discounted Registration Fee For Elim Retreats

brigtoday — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:58:26 +0000

Barnabas International and ELIM Retreat Ministries is pleased to announce a 50% reduction in the registration fee for an ELIM Retreat Ministries. The fee is now $80.00 for a 6 day Retreat! You can’t beat the price or the experience. ELIM Retreats serve global worker adults, married or single. Their purpose is to provide you the time and occasion for spiritual debriefing and renewal. The schedule is low key and restful, in beautiful settings. The Word and the Spirit are the key teachers. There is plenty of time for long walks, talks, quiet and just plain fun. 8 Retreats will be offered in the States this year. For pics, video, more information, and registration, go to

http://www.elimretreats.org

Or email Henry Stewart at

3) Experience Bible storying like the early church did!

brigtoday — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:57:35 +0000

The early church spread God’s Word quickly despite political persecution and cultural resistance simply by telling everyone stories from the Bible! Experience 5 days of Bible storying in beautiful Orlando, Florida with Campus Crusade for Christ and then you’ll be able to train others. This trainers training is May 10 – 14, 2010 and is for individuals, churches, and mission agencies. Check in time begins on Monday at 2pm. The seminar begins at 6pm and ends at noon on Friday. The cost for on-site lodging, meals, materials, and airport ground transfers is $299 per person. Reservations required and training is limited. 11 of the 18 training slots have been filled! For reservations and information email

4) Read a Dissertation on Member Care

brigtoday — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:56:35 +0000

Remember that wellness inventory we mentioned? The one based on Dr. Keckler’s wellness research? Well now, Phil has been providing validity and reliability data to his research on what a well missionary looks like — in cooperation with his pursuit of a doctoral degree. Some might say that the earlier checklist (on the missionary outreach site) seems a bit harsh as it is a yes/no response. Now, Phil has used a likert scale to measure levels of wellness instead of the sick/well option. He has also modified some of the questions to make the socially acceptable answer less obvious and eliminated some of the duplication. He hopes the finished tool will be useful to member care staff and managers. Read the yes-no checklist at …

http://missionaryoutreach.net/index.php?page_id=25&folder=Documents

by searching for the word, “Keckler”. See the associated 264-page dissertation at the same site by searching for the word, “professionals”. (Thanks for sharing these developments, Phil!) While you’re there, glance at the “Missionary Well Being” slide show by searching for “Missionary Well Being.ppt”. Worth the look.

5) Search for a Director

brigtoday — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:55:38 +0000

Christian Academy of Guatemala (CAG) invites you to apply for the position of Director, available as of June 2010. CAG is a K-12 school whose student enrollment of approximately 220 is primarily made up of missionary children. CAG is located in San Cristobal, Mixco, a suburb of Guatemala City. Inquiry may be made by contacting Luis Rosales, member of the Board’s search committee by email at

directorapplication@christacadguate.org

For more information on CAG, visit

http://www.christacadguate.org

6) More Free, Downloadable Children’s Curriculum from Wycliffe

brigtoday — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:54:46 +0000

Wycliffe’s Children’s Communications Team has re-vamped and updated five fun, self-contained activity pages, each focusing on a different area of the world (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Pacific). These pages include interesting facts about the area, its history, as well as its Bible translation progress and challenges. They also include maps for coloring, ethnic recipes, craft ideas, puzzles, pictures and more. They make a great way to introduce a region of the world before focusing on a specific country or ministry within that region. Check them out here:

http://www.wycliffe.org/Resources/Kids/FreeCurriculum/FunFactsActivityPages.aspx

(Note: This URL will most likely ‘wrap.’ If you have trouble copying and pasting it into your browser, just find this item at the Brigada website, using the link below. We’ll make sure it works there.

If you have any questions or problems downloading the Fun Fact pages, or would like to request a copy, contact Jan at:

7) Gospel Recordings Gives Away All their Recordings

brigtoday — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:53:59 +0000

Have you ever stopped by at…

http://www.globalrecordings.net

They’ve queued up *thousands* of free language resources to give away there — for *you*. If you’re working somewhere among a foreign language, odds are, they already have your group. Use the search box … or the categories… either way, it’s easy.

8) Prayer Days And Retreats

brigtoday — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:52:11 +0000

Dr. E Davis, Training Consultant for SIL International (partner with Wycliffe Bible Translators), with others assisting, will facilitate Preparing Leaders for Prayer Days and Short Retreats at a U.S. session May 12-21, 2010 at White Oak Conference Center near Winnsboro, SC (close to Charlotte, NC). Participants will experience numerous prayer and reflection topics, as well as work in a small group with a staff member, learning how to lead the topics for others. Those who are unable to attend the full session may register for the shorter session, May 12-17. Funds are available for partial scholarships. Contact

for the detailed information and the application form. Also, please pass the information on to anyone else that you think might be interested.

9) Would you like to underwrite an edition of Brigada?

brigtoday — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:51:03 +0000

We’re thankful for those who give to make Brigada possible. Want to sponsor an issue? … at $100 (“True Fan” level) or any other amount you choose? Just click on one of the “Donor” links at the top of this page. Both are safe, the one with PayPal and the other with one of the most well-known “real” online merchants on the web. Neither requires you to open an account with anyone … and neither ever spams you. We can even set up a regular once-a-month automatic withdraw from your checking account or major credit card. Set it up once and rest easily, knowing that you’re regularly helping get Brigada on the way to the nations. Or, if you prefer, just send an old-fashioned check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada), 11327 Jefferson Trace Blvd., Louisville, KY 40291. (Team Expansion is a 501(c)3 incorporation so for USA citizens; your checks made out to Team Expansion are tax-deductible.) A gift of any size would help, whether monthly or one-time. If you know someone else who might like to help, just hit reply and tell us about him/her/them. Thank you for your help in fueling the fire of Brigada!

10) The BackPage: What Would you like to see in Brigada?

brigtoday — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:50:00 +0000

Here’s your chance to tell us what you really think: What issues and topics would you like to see covered in future Brigadas. We seem to mention a pretty wide swath. :-) Just take a look at the “tag cloud” (at right) if you don’t believe it. What are the burning issues for you? What items do you really appreciate? What growing edges would you rather see… and which edges would you just as soon see shrinking?

Thanks for taking time to click on the Comment box immediately below!

1) Can’t put This Trip Report Video Trailer into Words

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:59:11 +0000

How many of us have made videos from our mission trips? (Hands raise all over the room.) How many of us, while on a mission trip, have been bumped from a flight? (Almost as many hands go up.) How many of us have witnessed those flights (that bumped us) going down and killing every passenger on board, sobering us with the realization that we were scheduled to have been on that flight? (The room is motionless… except for the makers of this video.)

Journey to Everest is the video of that group’s experience in the Himilayas. They are a group from Nashville that recently completed an expedition to Everest Base Camp. They became participants in a story that made world-wide news when the plane that was scheduled to fly them into the Himalayas crashed on its way into the mountains, killing the 18 passengers on board. Their team was bumped from Yeti Airlines flight 103 just before it took off, sparing our lives.

Eventually, they made it into the Himalayan mountains and experienced an adventure that changed their lives and challenged their faith. Ultimately, they were exposed to mission work in Nepal that compelled them into action once they returned home. They documented their story in this film. It tells their story as it unfolded, from the plane crash, the expedition to Everest, and the mission work of which they were a part. Since completing the film, they have used it as a tool to spread the Gospel. To date, they have raised over $60,000 for mission work. They have also used the film to raise support for over 300 Nepali refugees that were brought to our city by the United Nations.

View the trailer at…

http://vimeo.com/8166719

See the film’s website at…

http://journeytoeverest.com/

Buy a copy for $19.95 at…

http://davidkiern.com/jte_buy.html

The trailer is spectacular. This is the way mission films should be. This is the way I want to shoot movies when I grow up. :-)

2) Rethinking Hindu Ministry 2

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:58:54 +0000

The Rethinking Forum has recently released the second in a series of journals called Rethinking Hindu Ministry. This issue is for those with an interest in contextualization in Hindu contexts and ministry among immigrant Hindus and students in the U.S.A. To receive your complimentary copy within the U.S.A., just contact

info@rethinkingforum.com

Learn more about the Rethinking Forum at…

http://www.rethinkingforum.com

3) New Report on Evangelicals in the U.S. and Canada

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:57:36 +0000

The study consists of both a large PowerPoint Presentation and a pdf article. This study includes: 1) Percentage of Evangelicals in each U.S. state; 2) Evangelical Church to Population ratio in each U.S. state; 3) A sampling of some U.S. counties with an evangelical population of less than or equal to 10% AND the evangelical church to population ratio in each of those counties; 4) A list of U.S. metro areas with less than 10% evangelical population; 5) A specific list of U.S. metro areas with less than 3% evangelical population; and 6) The number of evangelical churches and the evangelical church to population ratios in selected Canadian metro areas. The report and presentation may be found at:

http://bit.ly/7Skb9V

or from the blog

http://www.jdpayne.org

Or go there directly by clicking here:

http://www.northamericanmissions.org/files/From%2035000%20to%2015000%20Feet%20%20Evangelical%20Statistics%20in%20the%20US%20and%20Canada.pdf

Note that this latter link will “wrap”. If you have any trouble at all, just go to brigada.org and find this item.

4) Learn to Lead Prayer Days And Retreats

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:56:57 +0000

for the detailed information and the application form. Also, please pass the information on to anyone else that you think might be interested.

5) Journey through India

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:55:59 +0000

JTI is a two-week exposure trip that will aid those considering cross-cultural service in India as well as those seeking to better understand ministry in Hindu contexts. Contact

to learn more about this semi-annual event.

6) Interested in minority languages in the Eurasia region?

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:54:41 +0000

Media, Communications, and IT experts, as well as linguists, translators, and ethnomusicologists, will meet near Frankfurt, Germany 21 September to 01 October, 2010, for the Eurasia Media and Distribution Consultation. For information contact

7) Boat-load of Resources in Haitian Creole

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:53:26 +0000

Headed to Haiti to change a life? Leave a resource that will keep the wheels turning. Visit the page…

http://www.brigada.org/resources-in-haitian-creole

for a boat-load of resources in Haitian Creole, all provided by Brian W

Included are sources for complete Bibles, New Testaments, DVDs, childrens materials and tons more.

(Brian, thanks for your work and your willingness to share them unselfishly!)

8) Want to Sharpen Your Interpersonal Skills Tomorrow (literally)?

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:52:00 +0000

If you live in or near Langley, British Columbia (or would like to travel there like… *today*… :-), you’re in luck. The course literally starts March 1st and lasts for one week. Learn more at

http://www.itpartners.org

It will be held at the Gateway Missionary Training Centre, Langley BC. The cost is $250.00 CDN or USD equivalent and includes lunch and materials. Some accommodations are available at Gateway. Questions? Contact Melanie at 1-888-476-9376 or (604) 530-4283 or email

9) Income For Missionary Teams

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:51:04 +0000

Missonary teams can earn income to support their mission work in areas that have internet access by selling goods and services in more than 190-countries of the world through the internet. They can also recieve royalties for introducing companies. Learn more, from one Brigada reader’s perspective, at…

https://www.quickinfo247.com/10907892/FREE

and

https://www.tripleclicks.com/10907892/ECA

Talk directly to the Brigada reader himself by writing…

Note that we here at Brigada have not personally joined nor checked out these opportunities. Be sure you investigate all such opportunities with eyes wide open.

10) We Get Mail…

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:50:08 +0000

Thanks to the Brigada participant who wrote, “Each time I open a Brigada email, I learn something new. Thank you for widening my world view.” If that happens indeed, God be praised. If you’ve ever been blessed by a Brigada, please empower future Brigadas to make it to some 10,000 readers the world over by praying for our ministry and giving whatever God calls you to give. Just click on one of the “Donor” links at the top of this page. Both are safe, the one with PayPal and the other with one of the most well-known “real” online merchants on the web. Neither requires you to open an account with anyone … and neither ever spams you. We can even set up a regular once-a-month automatic withdraw from your checking account or major credit card. Set it up once and rest easily, knowing that you’re regularly helping get Brigada on the way to the nations. Or, if you prefer, just send an old-fashioned check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada), 11327 Jefferson Trace Blvd., Louisville, KY 40291. (Team Expansion is a 501(c)3 incorporation so for USA citizens; your checks made out to Team Expansion are tax-deductible.) A gift of any size would help, whether monthly or one-time. If you know someone else who might like to help, just hit reply and tell us about him/her/them. Thank you for your help in fueling the fire of Brigada!

Comment or inquire about this item at…

http://www.brigada.org/2010/02/07_4017

11) The BackPage: Help for Member Care-givers post-Castrophes

brigtoday — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:49:36 +0000

Kelly and Michèle O’Donnell are just stellar people. They recently wrote to offer helps for those headed to Haiti or Chili to help with disaster relief. For example, for more on the handling the broad-scaled logistics in Haiti, they suggested we direct readers to…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8466595.stm

They also suggested an even broader perspective from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs at…

http://ochaonline.un.org/ocha2010/

OCHA set these as core goals:

*** Alleviate human suffering

*** Advocate for the rights of people in need;

*** Prompt preparedness and prevention;

*** Facilitate sustainable solutions

Next, Kelly and Michèle tipped us off about an entire library of information offered by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the longest URL that I’ve ever seen – bar none. There’s just no use pasting it here. You absolutely have to go to our site at…

http://www.brigada.org

then find this item and click on the link. It’s the only sane way to handle it. But the site is great, once you’re there. In fact, it’s probably the most complete electronic information resource on public health for emergency preparedness and response and complex emergencies in the world. For example, check out their free 74-page guide on Best Practices for offering Psychological Support to those who are victims of trauma. (Again, the URL is the size of Australia. Please just go to the Brigada site to click on it.)

The O’Donnells also recommended “Caring for Yourself and Others” by Mental Health Workers Without Borders, available as a free download at

http://mhwwb.org/disasters.htm

and the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, available at…

http://www.who.int/hac/network/interagency/news/mental_health_guidelines/en/

(Note that this link will ‘wrap’. If you have trouble assembling it, just go to our Brigada site and click on it there.)

We’re grateful to Kelly and Michèle O’Donnell for sharing these resources. Kelly and Michèle are widely thought of as among the most respected member care specialists on the planet. Learn more about their ministries at…

http://www.MemberCareAssociates.org

Thanks Kelly and Michèle!

1) Mission Nannys

brigtoday — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:59:36 +0000

This innovative organization has need for more Opportunities of Service in the European Area. All areas are encouraged to apply for a volunteer to come over to help you with domestic and homeschooling activities. In the past 18 years, over 120 volunteers have served many missionary families around the world. Check them out at…

http://www.missionnannys.org