http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.org

or email:

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http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com or email dentaltrainingformissions

(at)yahoo(dot)com

1. WORLDCONNEX CAN HOOK YOU UP WITH UNREACHED PEOPLES
2. MICROFINANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
3. GET STRATEGIC COORDINATOR TRAINING DOWN UNDER
4. LEARN DENTAL CARE AT HOME
5. IN SEARCH OF A LATINO ETHNOMUSICOLOGIST
6. IN SEARCH OF RUGGED LAPTOPS
7. UNENGAGED PEOPLES OF NAMIBIA
8. FUND RAISING BLOG / SALE ON VIDEO TRAINING
9. ESL/EFL TEACHER TRAINER WORKSHOP, JAN 3-5, 2008
10. IN SEARCH OF MATRIARCHAL PEOPLE GROUPS
11. PERSPECTIVES COURSES POPPING UP EVERYWHERE, LIKE JAX!
12. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
13. MAKING PROGRESS; CAN YOU PUT US OVER THE TOP?
14. THE BACKPAGE: WHAT’S YOUR PHILOSOPHY ON BORROWING?

WORLDCONNEX CAN HOOK YOU UP WITH UNREACHED PEOPLES — WorldconneX works across denominations, agencies and networks. Their only agenda is to help your church connect with its calling, providing as much or as little assistance as you need. They do this in three ways: (1) Activation – Host an Inside Out Weekend event and discover the resources that God has placed inside your church members. WorldconneX will help you discover the uniqueness of your vision, people and resources — then create a plan that leverages those distinctives. They can also assign a certified coach to walk alongside you for a few months up to a year as you implement your strategy. (2) Front Line Services – Whether your church is sending its own or would like to support other church’s missionaries, WorldconneX can help you access resources to successfully plan and execute long term missions. (3) International Connections – WorldconneX is networked with leading missions practitioners throughout the world. They connect you with individuals and resources you might never find on your own. Join one of their Affinity Groups or take a Pastor PLUS vision trip with WorldconneX. Learn more at

http://www.worldconnex.org

or email info(at)worldconnex(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with . and reassemble the address back onto one line.]

MICROFINANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT — For those ministering to the poor in the Two-Thirds World, the Chalmers Center offers a series of three distance courses on conducting Christian microfinance and microenterprise. The initial course is called “Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry” (Two-Thirds World section). The “Foundations” course helps you understand appropriate goals and strategies for conducting Christian economic development in poor communities within the Two-Thirds World. The course will actually benefit anyone preparing for Christian outreach and ministry among the poor, whether they plan to implement an economic development strategy or not. This course will be offered on Feb. 4 – 29, 2008 and again on April 28 – May 23, 2008. Cost of this four-week course is $75 (USD) plus the cost of separately ordered course material. Additional courses are available as follow-ups.

To register or to learn more about the distance learning courses, including information about group discounts and a Two-Thirds World discount, visit

http://www.chalmers.org

When registering, we’d love it if you’d let them know you heard about it on Brigada. For questions, email

chalmers(at)covenant (dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with . and reassemble the address onto one line.]

or call 1-706-419-1805.

GET STRATEGIC COORDINATOR TRAINING DOWN UNDER — It’s slated for 17th February to 7th March 2008 in Perth, Western Australia. Strategic Coordinator Training is about planning and implementing evangelism and church planting among your favorite segment of society. It’s an intense 3-week seminar led by veteran missionaries experienced at implementing people- and city-transforming strategies. Create a working plan for the evangelization of your focus population; be it gothic youth in London, indigenous peoples of Australia, an unreached people group in Africa or a mega-city in Asia. Learn more at:

http://www.ywamperth.org.au/life/?events-44

(We’re also grateful for the $20 gift that this training program sent to Brigada as a thank-you note! Yay! :-) )

LEARN DENTAL CARE AT HOME — Take our multi-media home study course! Basic dental care can help win hearts wherever you go. No drills, injections, electricity, or sophisticated equipment needed. Do you have a compassionate heart and are not afraid to step out of your comfort zone? If yes, then this is for you! see their video on youtube.com -type “Simplified Dental Care.”

http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com

or email: dentaltrainingformissions(at) yahoo(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with . and reassemble the email address on one line.]

IN SEARCH OF A LATINO ETHNOMUSICOLOGIST — Brigada sometimes helps search for those “needle-in-a-haystack” personnel needs. Here’s one: A Christian worker is search for a Latino ethnomusicologist. (If you don’t know what that is, no need to reply. :-) ) If you *do* know… or that is, if you have a lead, please ask the cross-cultural musical teacher to drop an email to: danieljohnson(at) iibet(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with . and reassemble the email address on one line.] Dan thanks you in advance!

IN SEARCH OF RUGGED LAPTOPS — (Thanks to Tony, who saw this note by Greg Slade on CamSOC.) Apparently, for some years now, Greg has had an interest in “ruggedized” notebooks for use on the mission field. His interest was sparked even more by two recent camera failures, presumably due to too much bouncing around on bad roads in the developing world. Now, “ruggedized” notebooks cost significantly more than more common ones, and run more slowly, because they use milspec parts, which are never “bleeding edge”. But, the tradeoff is that “ruggedized” systems have better components, and are much less prone to fail. Brands and models he mentioned included:

Rugged Brands:

• Dolch: http://www.dolch.com
• Getac: http://www.getac.com
• TerraLogic: http://www.terralogic.co.uk
• Xplore Technologies: http://www.xploretech.com
• Amrel System LLC: http://www.amrel.com

  Rugged Models/Lines:

• Dell: Latitude ATG: http://www.dell.com/ATG
• NEC: http://www.nec.com
• Panasonic Toughbooks: http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/products.asp
• Toshiba Tecra: http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cfam.to?coid=-26374

---

UNENGAGED PEOPLES OF NAMIBIA — The Herero, the Namibian Coloureds, the Nama/Damara, and the Mbalantu are all precious people in God’s sight. Pray for those who have heard but do not understand or have not accepted Him as their Personal Savior. Pray for people to come and share the Love of Jesus with them. With no evangelical witness, no workers, no volunteer groups, no one to tell them, many will perish. Please join us as we pray for the Lord to continue to build up prayer support for these unengaged peoples. Pray that all barriers to the Gospel will be removed. To adopt one of these people groups for prayer for to find out more information please contact

http://www.forgottenpeoples.info

or email forgottenpeoples(at)telkomsa (dot)net [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with . and reassemble the address onto one line.]

FUND RAISING BLOG / SALE ON VIDEO TRAINING — Now you can get even more practical advice from Bill Dillon, President of People Raising. Learn from his more than 35 years of fund raising experience. Whether raising individual support or organizational support this resource could be invaluable. Pass this important resource on to team members and friends. Also take a look at the award winning 6-hour fund raising training program available in DVD/CD/Video/MP3. Normally priced at $299.99 it is on sale at the low price of $69.99 through Dec. 31st. For more information go to

http://www.peopleraising.com/blog/

or e-mail Bill(at)PeopleRaising (dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with . and reassemble the address onto one line.]

ESL/EFL TEACHER TRAINER WORKSHOP, JAN 3-5, 2008 — Get professional training for English language teaching as ministry in any country. This workshop, slated for Colorado Springs, demonstrates foundational principles, interactive methodologies and practical applications to improve your own teaching skills or so you can train your staff to teach English with quality and build program credibility. A new ESL/EFL Training DVD will be premiered and it’s ASCI accredited. Local transportation and host homes are available in some situations. Further details can be found at:

http://gemtefl-3.blogspot.com

or send an inquiry to gemtefl(at)gemtefl (dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with . and reassemble the address onto one line.]

IN SEARCH OF MATRIARCHAL PEOPLE GROUPS — One Brigada participant is looking for good mission resources that talk about how to reach matriarchal people groups? Got any leads? If so, log on to

http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=47

Dave will appreciate it. And thanks for using Brigada!

PERSPECTIVES COURSES POPPING UP EVERYWHERE, LIKE JAX! — They’re about to start, all over the country. Like… suppose you live in Jacksonville, Florida. Youth With A Mission is hosting the course there. Recall that Perspectives is an internationally-respected 15-week study program developed by the U.S. Center for World Mission. Featuring an experienced speaker each week, you will cover topics such as the Biblical perspective on mission, the spread of Christianity in history, mission strategies, and the mission task remaining. Classes start on January 6, 2008. You can register online at

http://www.perspectives.org

Or in the case of JAX, just call 904-384-8400 or e-mail perspectivesjax(at)yahoo (dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with . and reassemble the address onto one line.]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! — We’re so grateful for those who keep the lights burning here! We’ve recently received these gifts:

• $45 from Bridge Builder Ministries Int’l ! Thanks Doug!
• $20 from a Brigada participant who started back in 1995!!!
• $20 from a Brigada participant “down under”
• $100 from a participant in Ukraine! Thank you!
• $300 from WorldconneX Mission Network, www.worldconnex.org . Whoa.
• $25 from Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyers, http://www.lawyernc.com
• $25 from New York Mesothelioma Lawyer, http://www.mesotheliomahelp.net (And thanks to Mike at www.consultwebs.com for relaying their gifts!!!)
• $25 from Mission Travel
• $25 from Cayucos, CA
• $50 from from a grateful mission leader in UK
• $25 from a full-time missionary in Thailand who wrote, “I am blessed to be able to contribute to Brigada. I love Brigada and all the resources available through it. I pray that God will meet your needs above and beyond what you could ask or think.”
• $100 from a participant in Worthing, West Sussex, UK
• $25 from a friend in Blacksburg, VA
• $25 from an encourager nearby in Jeffersonville, IN
• $100 from a friend laboring in Thailand
• $200 from a saint focusing on an unreached people group in Iran. (Please pray for Iran on their behalf.)
• $30 from Magazine Training Int’l — http://www.magazinetraining.com/
• $9.90 from ISA because Sidney & Eric bought insurance for their trip through them at http://www.missionaryhealth.net/brigada.htm
• $200 from Westwood Baptist Church in Olympia, WA http://www.westwoodbaptist.com (Please give thanks for them today!)
• $350 from Hebron Missionary Advocacy Fellowship http://road2hebron.jesusanswerscom Please visit their site. Thank you so much for your ministry!

  We’re sooooooooooooooooooooooo grateful to these partners! May God bless them in ways beyond belief!

MAKING PROGRESS; CAN YOU PUT US OVER THE TOP? — Whoa. In the last Brigada Today, we reported that we were hovering at $6,752.87 toward our 2007 budget needs of $17,150. Suddenly, we’re within reach! We now have $8,452.77. Just think… if your church or group, or if you as an individual were to have *any* contingency tithe money left… Would you consider investing in something that is mobilizing and resourcing for the unreached… since 1995? If you have ever found something in Brigada to by helpful… or if you’d like to underwrite Brigada for someone who lives in a faraway land who cannot send funds on his or her own, please just click on the “Donate” page.
We’ve made progress, but still need the following gifts to meet our needs…

• 1 of 1 1000 1000 (1 gift of $1000)
• 3 of 5 500 2500 (3 more gifts of $500)
• 10 of 250 2500 (10 more gifts of $250)
• 11 of 13 100 1300 (11 more gifts of $100)
• 26 of 27 50 1350 (26 more gifts of $50)
• 60 of 70 25 1750 (60 more gifts of $25)

You can pull the money from your PayPal account or from any major credit card. Or if you prefer, send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 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.) As always, be sure to let us know if you’d like us to promote any particular service or ministry, or if you’d prefer your gift be anonymous. And thank you in advance for helping.

THE BACKPAGE: WHAT’S YOUR PHILOSOPHY ON BORROWING? — Our organization is about to commit to building a new Prayer Center & Atrium at our new campus called Emerald Hills. (You can read more, by the way, at

http://www.emeraldhills.info

So we’re about to commit to a construction loan. What’s your strategy & philosophy on all that? This is a roughly $700,000 project. We have cash and/or commitments in hand for about $350,000 of that amount. As for *our* board of directors, they like for us to have the “stream identified” before borrowing… and, in general, they advise us to only borrow up to the amount equal to what the stream could repay. Is your philosophy similar … or different? What scriptures play into your decision, when you’re tackling something big like this? (This is big to us at least. :-) ) Please stop by and drop a comment at…

http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=48

Thanks for sharing your approach.

1. CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR WORKERS AT HOME OR ABROAD
2. LEARN A PRACTICAL SKILL FOR MISSIONS
3. SUMMER MINISTRY WITH MUSLIMS
4. MAYBE IT’S NOT SO EASY TO GET THE NIV AFTER ALL
5. COPYRIGHT LAW IS CONFUSING
6. FOLLOW-THROUGH RESOURCE FOR SHORT-TERM MISSIONS
7. YOUR WORK AS MINISTRY
8. OVERCOMING DEPENDENCY
9. CULTURE SHOCK RUSSIAN STYLE!
10. REACHING JAPANESE FOR CHRIST CONFERENCE
11. UNREACHED PEOPLES CONSULTATION
12. A HOOT OF A MISSIONS BOOK JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!
13. JUST 2 WEEKS LEFT TO HELP BRIGADA IN 2005
14. THE BACKPAGE: A WORLD FULL OF CHRISTMAS
15. CLOSING STUFF

1. CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR WORKERS AT HOME OR ABROAD — Keep your family healthy at home or abroad with clean drinking water. 911 Water provides discounts for missionaries on the best portable water filtration units in the world. Dip water out of a stream, puddle, or any fresh water source and filter out bad tastes and odors, bacteria, harmful chemicals, and more. No electricity or water pressure necessary. Comes with self sterilizing and re-cleanable filters. Order online at http://www.911water.com , or call 877-702-4433 in the US, or 1-205-453- 0471 from overseas. Call or email nicknoll(at)911water(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] to ask about a discount for missionaries and mission agencies. Larger discounts on bulk orders. Also, 911 Water is searching for international dealers and distributors. Up to 50% of global health problems are related to contaminated drinking water. These filtration units can save lives. If you or someone you know is looking for a business platform or a way to be a blessing, email the same address.
2. LEARN A PRACTICAL SKILL FOR MISSIONS — Simplified dental care can open many doors to evangelism and relationship building among the unreached. No drills, injections, electricity, or sophisticated equipment are involved – only simple hand instruments, a compassionate heart, and two weeks of your time. Now you can bring greatly needed dental care to your community. Courses are offered monthly in Texas. http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com or email dentaltrainingformissions(at)yahoo(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
3. SUMMER MINISTRY WITH MUSLIMS — Join a two, four, or six week ministry team to Muslim students and business people in Istanbul, Turkey June 15th to July 20th 2006. This is an opportunity to join an experienced/ ministry team, make friendships with English speaking Turkish students and business people, do friendship evangelism, work with local churches and visit and historical sites in Turkey. The aim of the project is to work with local ministries and churches to help build the local churches. This is an ideal opportunity for a church group or for individual interested in getting started in Muslim ministry. For more information contact Doug dougnann(at)compuserve(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or call (509)302-0027.
4. MAYBE IT’S NOT SO EASY TO GET THE NIV AFTER ALL — For those who followed up on the item, ” ADD NEW VERSIONS TO YOUR COPY OF ESWORD”: http://www.brigada.org/today/2005/20051028.html#7 maybe it’s not so great after all. Turns out that it might be a breach of the conditions of use of websites from which it gets the texts. Our apologies to the publishers who work hard and deserve the meager royalties they receive. A better approach might be to grab the ESV or some other version that is “open” and not copyrighted. When we published these instructions, we didn’t realize that this approach was tantamount to skipping copyright… never a good idea.
5. COPYRIGHT LAW IS CONFUSING — Come to think of it — is it legal for a church to make multiple copies of its worship song music for the different members of its worship band? When I play piano or keyboard for the local church I attend when I’m in town, I constantly feel funny about looking at photocopied music, especially when it has the copyright warning at the bottom of each page. Wouldn’t the worship minister have to own literally a songbook for each band member in order to legally photocopy that material? I’m no expert . . . but it makes me feel sheepish to even use it. If you have information on that, would you please drop a note to: copy-music(at)brigada(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
6. FOLLOW-THROUGH RESOURCE FOR SHORT-TERM MISSIONS — Change lives before, during and after a Short-Term Mission utilizing The Next Mile follow-through resource. The heartbeat of The Next Mile is built around the spiritual pilgrimage concept. Most publications for short-term ministry revolve around how to prepare for and how to do the ministry. When it comes to keeping the flame alive in people’s lives post- ministry, there are only paragraphs or chapters here and there. While there are some tools available that focus on “debriefing,” there is little done after the ministry. Capitalizing on the experience of more than 30 recognized mission leaders, The Next Mile resource offers practical tools to enable leaders to plan, conduct and follow-through with Short-Term Mission trips for long-term impact. For more information about The Next Mile resource, visit http://www.thenextmile.org or email info(at)thenextmile(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
7. YOUR WORK AS MINISTRY — Here’s a free seminar scheduled for Saturday, January 21st, co-sponsored by Interserve USA and the host Calvary Bible Church, Kalamazoo, MI. Seminars and workshops throughout the day will feature Rev. Douglas Van Bronkhorst, Interserve Executive Director and six other professionals now serving the needs of the underserved in explaining how professional skills and talents can be used for God’s Glory cross culturally. There is no cost. Registration and details can be obtained by writing gplatte(at)ludlow(dot)net [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
8. OVERCOMING DEPENDENCY — Since 1983, World Mission Associates has specialized in how to avoid or overcome dependency in mission- established churches and organizations. Dependency is an unhealthy reliance on foreign resources or personnel. To learn more about how to develop healthy indigenous churches that rely on God to open up local resources in response to His people’s prayers, look at the website http://www.wmausa.org or contact wmausa(at)msn(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
9. CULTURE SHOCK RUSSIAN STYLE! — Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? “Peterburgers” is a humorously piled platter that’s culturally insightful and spiritually challenging. Treat yourself to funny adventures in Russia told with culture shock training for missionaries (and their supporters back home) in mind. Order by contacting Dick dick(at)sleeper(dot)us [As a means of preventing SPAM for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Copies are $10.00 per copy (plus shipping).
10. REACHING JAPANESE FOR CHRIST CONFERENCE — The fifth RJC Conference will take place February 17-19. This year there will be five different tracks or emphases. 1) “Foundations” for those wanting basic information about ministering to Japanese. 2) “Leadership” which helps leaders in specific programs for Japanese. Then there will be three tracks in Japanese. One will be a symposium for Japanese pastors working to better minister to returnees. One will be for Christians to become effective witnesses, and the last will be for Japanese seekers. There will also be a Pre-Conference strategy discussion meetings on February 16 and 17, concerning how to reach the 500,000 Japanese who are temporarily in North America. For more details please see http://www.rjcconference.org/. Or contact Don Wright at don_wright(at)comcast(dot)net
11. UNREACHED PEOPLES CONSULTATION –- Do you want to make your connections to the missions field more effective? On March 21-24, the Alliance for Missions Advancement (AFMA) presents “Connections for Kingdom Advancement” at Regent University in Virginia Beach. This consultation will give you the opportunity to network with other agencies working around the world and create strategies that will enhance your missions efforts. You’ll expand your missions vision and network with others who share your passion. For more information, contact AFMA at (757) 226-5850 or visit the consultation website at http://www.upc2006.org
12. A HOOT OF A MISSIONS BOOK JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS! — “The Great Siberian Rail Adventure” is the hilariously heart-stopping story of a missionary family moving by car, ship, and rail across Russia. Come along and you’ll find a dragon, an axe-wielding conductor, a supersonic clothes washer, and a van with a death wish. Packed with cultural insights, “The Great Siberian Rail Adventure” humorously celebrates a slice of life on the mission field. This Christmas, give the gift of adventure. Order by contacting Dick dick(at)sleeper(dot)us [As a means of preventing SPAM for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Copies are $8.00 per copy (plus shipping). Climb aboard!
13. JUST 2 WEEKS LEFT TO HELP BRIGADA IN 2005 — Thanks to the anonymous donors in Pasadena, CA, who just sent $50. Want to join them in helping Brigada cover the cost of a part-time secretary… or just do a good turn to help them with some basic advertising costs? Well if you’d like your gift to count toward their drive in 2005, better hurry. Just 2 weeks to go. It’s easy. Just pull together your $25 or $250 or $2500 and click on “sponsor” in the top menu (to use PayPal or a credit card), or just send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 11327 Jefferson Trace Blvd., Louisville, KY 40291. As always, be sure to let us know if you’d like us to promote any particular service or ministry, or if you’d prefer your gift be anonymous. If you send a check, you’ll automatically receive a tax-deductible receipt. If you send your gift via PayPal, please specify in the comment blank on the donor form that you’d like a PDF receipt that you can print on your own printer at home. FYI… So far in 2005, Brigada has rec’d $9,741.28 out of a goal of $16,576. :-( So… over $6000 left to go in 2 weeks. Gulp. What happens if we don’t raise it all? Well eventually, Team Expansion or somebody has to make it up. They’d love it if our readers would pitch in and help. Maybe you could ask your church or group to pitch in? Maybe someone you know is making out a will, or would like to do something as a memorial gift or make a gift in memory of someone? Or maybe there’s a foundation that might contribute? Whatever the case, please consider saying a good word for Brigada in these next 2 weeks. Thank you in advance.
14. THE BACKPAGE: A WORLD FULL OF CHRISTMAS — The Dec. 18th, 1998 Brigada Today included about 33 ways to say “Merry Christmas” (or some similar greeting) in languages from all over the world. Today, seven years later, the web gives us amazing resources. For example, check out: http://www.flw.com/merry.htm — which gives *350* ways to say Merry Christmas *and* provides detailed information about each group. Granted, you might have to turn down your speakers (to avoid hearing the incessant hokey midi music). What’s more, let’s pray that the wacko cursors don’t cause you to curse. But other than that, there’s some great information there.

http://users.aol.com/WSCaswell/message.htm — Bill Caswell takes aim at the same goal — hundreds of ways.

http://silentnight.web.za/translate/index.htm — Jako Olivier takes a different approach by displaying the words of “Silent Night” in over 100 languages. In cases where more than one dialect occurs in one location (like Afrikaans and Albanian), he even presents both versions.

http://www.holidays.net/christmas/voices.htm — one-ups us by purporting to play *audio* of some of those greetings in the original languages.

http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/holidays.htm — goes even one step farther by providing links to *dozens*… maybe hundreds of other sites which give literally *books* full of information about the famous holiday. (And for those worried about exclusivity, you can even pick up your info. on Hanakkah and Kwanzaa there.) :-)

Either way, one thing’s for sure. This Christmas thing is more than a passing fancy. It’s captured a couple of billion hearts… who, in turn, want to share everything they can with the other four billion!

1. NOW GET GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE FOR HOME & OVERSEAS STAFF AS 1
2. SHARPEN YOUR INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
3. GO GLOBAL WITH GLOBAL MISSIOLOGY
4. EFFECTIVE PLANNING, TRAINING AND LEADING OF SHORT-TERM TEAMS
5. DENTAL TRAINING FOR MISSIONS
6. INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE ON THE FUTURE OF AIRLINE INDUSTRY
7. WHAT ABOUT DOMESTIC SHORT-TERM MISSIONS?
8. GET THE LOWDOWN ON THE LATEST IN LATIN AMERICAN MISSIONS
9. HOW DO CHINESE CHARACTERS REVEAL THE GOSPEL
10. FOR SOME, DANCE UNLOCKS KEY TO CULTURE
11. THANKS TO THOSE WHO ARE HELPING US HELP GET BRIGADA OUT
12. HELP PUSH DOUG OVER THE EDGE (AND LEARN FOLLOWERSHIP)
13. BACK PAGE: WHAT DOES THE AGENCY WANT OUT OF IT?
14. CLOSING STUFF

1. NOW GET GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE FOR HOME & OVERSEAS STAFF AS 1 — Finally, here’s a plan that puts no limit on length of time workers spend on furlough. It is underwritten by a USA carrier rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best. Thus this is not “surplus lines insurance” or plan offered by an “off-shore carrier.” The plan includes all standard benefits for the international worker including medical evacuation, etc. plus provides direct pay and has medical and Rx co-pays. The company has developed an international PPO with 1600 contracted doctors who are American Board Certified or the equivalent. They have also contracted 300 international hospitals. This is the largest international PPO in the world. For more information contact: jeff(at)gninsurance(dot)com or call 480/813-9100. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Toll free in USA: 866/636-9100. Or visit http://www.gninsurance.com
2. SHARPEN YOUR INTERPERSONAL SKILLS — International Training Partners offers Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills Workshops in different parts of the world. These five-day, highly interactive workshops focus on biblical application of skills in relating to one another and to the host people.

A workshop hosted by International Training Partners will be held at Palmer Lake, Colorado near Colorado Springs October 9-14, 2005. Contact Paul Lere at plere(at)itpartners(dot)org for information. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

Go to http://www.itpartners.org for details on all of the workshops and information on ITP. If your mission is interested in sponsoring a SYIS workshop, contact Paul Lere at plere(at)itpartners(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .].
3. GO GLOBAL WITH GLOBAL MISSIOLOGY — Global Missiology http://www.globalmissiology.org is a quarterly publication with original research and contributions from researchers, practitioners and scholars of international representation with global perspectives. In this July issue under the theme Word and Deed, there is a new section “technology & culture” to cover the inter-phase & integration of technology with Christian life and mission outreach. Also, enjoy the new Chinese version in both “full script” and “simplified script” formats for GM readers. Just simply “click” the appropriate language choice to switch back & forth. In accordance to the missiological principle of indigenization, everything in the Chinese version is originally developed by Chinese missiologists; not translation from English. Lord willing, future plan includes GM in other languages such as French, Spanish, and Portuguese to network missiologists internationally to be inclusive and truly global. Send all inquiries to editor(at)globalmissiology(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
4. EFFECTIVE PLANNING, TRAINING AND LEADING OF SHORT-TERM TEAMS -– This one-day seminar will be offered on Saturday, October 1 at Taylor Seminary, in Edmonton, Alberta through joint sponsorship of Taylor Seminary and Vanguard College. Early Bird registration (before Sept. 15) is only CAD$35.00 and includes lunch. To register call Renetta at 780-431-5246 or email Renetta(dot)geisler(at)taylor-edu(dot)ca [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
5. DENTAL TRAINING FOR MISSIONS — Learn a practical skill through which you can demonstrate the love of Christ in an effective way. In only 2 weeks you can learn to fill and clean teeth with hand instruments. The needs are great. No injections or expensive equipment involved. Monthly courses in Texas. http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com or write dentaltrainingformissions(at)yahoo(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
6. INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE ON THE FUTURE OF AIRLINE INDUSTRY — Thanks to Brian for finding this interesting perspective on the future of airline ticketing, or the lack thereof: http://hasbrouck.org/blog/archives/000574.html Bottom line of this article: etickets and their fallout appear likely to unsettle the traditional world of connecting from one airline to another. Yikes. The jungle just got a little bit more complicated.
7. WHAT ABOUT DOMESTIC SHORT-TERM MISSIONS? — Do you have teams or individuals doing short-term mission trips in the States this summer? If so make sure they have adequate medical and evacuation coverage! You may want to check out the “Trip Protector” plan from Insurance Services of America. This plan covers medical expenses and medical evacuation with a rate as low as $24 for trips up to 30 days! This plan will also cover baggage and personal items that are lost, stolen or damaged!

For details, a free quote and to apply for coverage go to http://www.InsuranceForTrips.com , email them at health(at)missionaryhealth(dot)com, [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or call them at 1-800-647-4589 (1-480- 821-9052 outside of North America) and ask for Mark. Insurance Services of America is a Christian organization that specializes in helping missionaries and mission organizations find affordable healthcare. They have a wide range of plans for missionaries, mission groups and churches, so be sure to contact them to see how they can “shop around” for you to help you save money on your health insurance needs.
8. GET THE LOWDOWN ON THE LATEST IN LATIN AMERICAN MISSIONS — The Second Latin Missionary Consultation will take place in Frankfurt, Germany, on September 19 to 23, 2005. The First Consultation was in Stavanger, Norway, on 2004, with a very good result. This will be a good opportunity for Latin missionaries serving overseas to share their ideas and fellowship with other missionaries. For more information visit the consultation website at http://www.missionarios.com
9. HOW DO CHINESE CHARACTERS REVEAL THE GOSPEL — Did you know that Chinese culture/characters contain evidence that the ancient Chinese descended from Noah and knew the Genesis history? Want to learn more and even share this with a Chinese friend? The Intercessors for China 2006 prayer calendar shares some of this evidence and its evangelistic potential in twelve beautifully illustrated monthly profiles and has 365 carefully researched prayer items for China’s cities and minorities. Why should you care about this in July? If you buy before August 1, you can take advantage of their “Two More for China” offer. You’ll get two copies of the 2006 calendar, “Chinese Characters Reveal the Gospel,” plus two copies of the current 2005 calendar, “Chinese Christian Women,” all for less than $15, including shipping. One for you and one to share: that’s two more praying for China! Callers in the US/Canada can dial toll-free 1-888-462-5481. Others can call 1-717-687- 8564. Email: order(at)prayforchina(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Calendars can be ordered after August 10 at the regular prices as posted at http://www.prayforchina.com
10. FOR SOME, DANCE UNLOCKS KEY TO CULTURE — The weekend of the 8-11 July 2005 was very exciting for all those who took part in the very first International Dance Weekend at All Nations Christian College in Ware, Herts. Organised in partnership with the Christian Dance Fellowship of Great Britain, participants and teachers came from all over the country and beyond, including Germany. Three main dance areas were studied from the Indian form of classical dance Bharatha Natyam to Oriental Egyptian dance and Bollywood. … For more information or details of opportunities to study the Arts and Culture, contact Jill Ford on arts(at)allnations(dot)ac(dot)uk [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or visit http://www.allnations.ac.uk
11. NG TO GHANA WEST AFRICA? — The North American Women’s Association, committed for over 35 years to helping women & children in Ghana, has compiled an extensive, resourceful insider’s database for Ghana at http://www.noworriesghana.com Laurie Korum, missionary nurse to Ghana for more than ten years, doesn’t promise to have all the answers but is willing to help field questions for those considering coming to Ghana. Her contact is Ghana_Laurie(at)hotmail(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
12. THANKS TO THOSE WHO ARE HELPING US HELP GET BRIGADA OUT — This past week, we appreciated a gift from Andy at Dial-Abroad for $105, representing the long-distance calling benefits some Brigada readers generated through using Dial-Abroad long distance. If you’re talking on the phone anyway, and you’re thinking about switching anyway, try Andy’s services by clicking here. Thanks Andy!

Would you like to help make Brigada happen next week and beyond? Your sponsorship or gift helps offset the costs of our webspace, some secretarial help, and a small amount of advertising. To chip in or make a substantial donation, just click here (to use PayPal or a credit card), or just send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 11327 Jefferson Trace Blvd., Louisville, KY 40291. As always, be sure to let us know if you’d like us to promote any particular service or ministry, or if you’d prefer your gift be anonymous.
13. HELP PUSH DOUG OVER THE EDGE (AND LEARN FOLLOWERSHIP) — I know, I know. You’re getting tired of hearing about Doug’s dissertation survey. But the truth is, we really do need some more takers… and this survey only takes 5 minutes. It’s anonymous — in that your input won’t be shared with anyone (especially not with your supervisor). :-) Likewise, the responses of your supervisor are kept secret too. Through these surveys, we’re learning lots about the relationship between followers and their bosses, and the perceptions of each about the other. We’ll publish the broad strokes here — and if all goes well, Doug will finish a Ph.D. out of the whole thing. We’ve had about 250 people participate, and about half that many bosses have completed their matching portion (which, unfortunately, is a necessary part of the project). Would you please consider passing this request to your mission or church staff? If you’re a member of a local church, would you ask your minister(s) to participate? (It’s free of course!) Anyone who has ever completed a Masters Degree or Ph.D. can identify. We just need a bunch of viewpoints… hundreds of them. (To be precise, we need at least 500 pairs of responses — followers and their bosses. :-( Still a ways.) If you’ve ever considered yourself to be Doug’s friend – - or not — now is the time to rally the troops. Just send your staff members to: http://www.brigada.org/followership The simple instructions are all there. I’m really not kidding… maybe this will only take 5′. Please give it a shot. (Any employee of any non-profit or church anywhere in the galaxy can participate.) Thank you, thank you, thank you. :-)
14. BACK PAGE: WHAT DOES THE AGENCY WANT OUT OF IT? — The final installment of our thinking about change in missions is centered on the agency. (For those who have been napping :-), we’ve asked “what does the church want” out of missions today, and what does the missionary want.) Again, it appears to me we’re living through a period of profound change. For example, today’s generation of students are asking completely different questions about their world and how to reach it. Neal Pirolo, author of “Serving as Senders”, wrote us this past week with this observation: “As aging mission agencies are being forced to relate with a younger generation in the Church, they must come to realize that there is a major, basic different point of view. The younger generations more and more want a greater and greater involvement in the decisions relating to the tasks to which they commit. Past generations ‘signed the check’ and said, ‘God bless you. Go do it.’ Today’s (and tomorrow’s) generations want to be a part of the strategizing, planning and execution of the task. (And they are more interested in task-related proposals than ‘career’ commitments.)” This can have a *major* effect on mission agency models, as you can imagine.

But other changes are happening across the board. Again, we see effects brought about by shifts in technology, missiology, cultural values, and even the shrinking nature of a planet perhaps more in tune with itself and its inhabitants.

Our Training Director at Team Expansion, Glen Gibson, handed me an article earlier this week that helped crystallize some of these changes and their impact on missions. In it, the director of CBInt’l, Hans Finzel, lamented that missions agencies ” are not changing fast enough or deep enough to meet the needs of today’s world.” He concludes, “What worked … in the 1980s and even 1990s does not apply today.” He’s observing changes like…
*** Leadership election to leadership selection
*** US-based launching to globalization
*** Country boundaries to people groups [OK Hans... maybe we started this shift back in 1974. :-) ]
*** From territorial divisions to functional teams of ministry
*** From rigid field structures to simplicity and mobility
*** From lifetime mission careers to the revolving door of short-term service
*** From command and control administration to decentralization and regionalization
*** From using the sending churches to serving our partner churches
*** From fee-based administration to funding for value added
*** From recruiting on the campus to mobilizing from the church
*** From classic, narrow ministry focus to 360-degree deployment. [See Hans's article in the July 2005 EMQ, p. 330.]

Whoa, if that’s not a bunch of major shifts, then I’m not sitting here at 3:18am compiling Brigada Today. Yikes… it’s enough to scare the wits out of the control freaks among us.

What do *you* think today’s mission agency is seeking out of the mission agency – church – missionary continuum? What are the motivations for agencies to move forward? Why do they keep trying to do what they’ve always done? What are the “itches” that they scratch? Why do we need them? What causes their eyes to glisten and their little hearts to warm with gladness? How do we avoid offending them (and do we care? :-) )? How will they best relate to individuals as missionaries and church leaders of today and tomorrow?

Those are the haunting questions that cry out for answers. (Is that melodramatic or *what*? :-) ) Want to register your thoughts? Jot a note to this email address: brigada-feedbackgooglegroupscom You won’t have to join the group or register in any way. Your feedback will be assumed anonymous, though you’re welcome to leave your name and contact information if you desire. Look for information about these responses in next week’s Brigada Today. And until then, please be careful out there — it’s a jungle you know. Doug

1. GREAT RESOURCE FOR INTERNATIONAL CALLS VIA CELL PHONES
2. THE BIBLE AND MISSIONS
3. AUDIO SCRIPTURES AND ADOPT-A-VILLAGE MERGE
4. X-ERS & BOOMERS IN MID-AMERICA MAY 6-7
5. FINISHING WELL IN COOL COLORADO JUNE 10-11
6. MIM SEEKS DENTISTS, HIGIENISTS, ASSISTANTS
7. LEARN MORE ABOUT MARTYRS
8. WANT TO LEARN ABOUT CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE STORYING?
9. ANOTHER GREAT TOOL FOR MAKING LOCAL/LONG DISTANCE PHONE CALLS
10. BEST PRACTICES IN CHURCH MISSIONS WEB PAGES
11. WORLD EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE WORLD ISSUES SUMMIT
12. LEARN TO REACH JAPAN
13. WORLD METHODIST EVANGELISM’S INT’L CHR YOUTH CONF.
14. GET YOUR MUSIC
15. COME TO PERTH, W. AUSTRALIA TO TRAIN AS A STRATEGIC COORDINATOR!
16. HELP THIS RESEARCHER LEARN ABOUT YOUR MOTIVES :-)
17. FLASH! ANONYMOUS DONOR GIVES $1,000 TO BRIGADA!
18. CLOSING STUFF

1. GREAT RESOURCE FOR INTERNATIONAL CALLS VIA CELL PHONES — Gotta make a cell phone call to another country? Get ready to mortgage the farm, unless — you’ve got Nickel Talk! Thanks to Donna for tipping us on this one… Check it out at… http://www.nickeltalk.com/ 5 cents per minute to some countries, 26 cents/min. to others, like Bosnia (but then again, it’s a verified $4.38/min. from our landline). No commission here. No affiliation fees. Just one beggar telling another where to find bread.
2. THE BIBLE AND MISSIONS — The main goal for students in the School of Biblical Studies (SBS) is to know God and be equipped to make Him known. In YWAM Turner Valley’s School of Biblical Studies, students receive training and assistance as they carefully study the entire Bible using the inductive method. This nine month course goes from September 12, 2005 to June 30, 2006. YWAM Turner Valley is Frontier Missions focused, and works to help disciple two unreached people groups. For more information on SBS and other opportunities, please email turnervalley(at)ywam(dot)ca [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or visit http://www.ywamturnervalley.com
3. AUDIO SCRIPTURES AND ADOPT-A-VILLAGE MERGE — On April 1st Audio Scriptures International and its sister organization, Adopt-A-Village, merged to become Talking Bibles International. This change will allow them to serve the non-reading community from a larger platform, more effectively and efficiently. The goal and focus of the ministry will remain the same, namely, to reach non-readers with the Word of God in a format they can understand and relate to, namely, the Talking Bible in their own languages. Talking Bibles International’s goal and desire is to place 100,000 Talking Bibles into non-reading homes in India over the next 5 years. Talking Bibles International will continue serving as an audio Scripture resource center for churches, individuals and ministries in the USA. It will continue recording New Testaments in more languages, reaching homes with the Bible in audio through its extensive website … providing Talking Bibles in Africa, South America, Central America, Asia and Europe. For more information contact info(at)talkingbibles(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 visit http://www.talkingbibles.org
4. X-ERS & BOOMERS IN MID-AMERICA MAY 6-7 — Heard of the Finishers Project? Well now there’s a similar service at http://www.MissionNext.com What’s more, they’re pulling together a “MissionNext” face-to-face gathering gets Xer and Boomer adults together May 6-7, 2005 in Omaha, Nebraska. For more info, call +1 203 740 7278. Or email Headquarters(at)Finishers(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
5. FINISHING WELL IN COOL COLORADO JUNE 10-11 ­- Nelson, Bill & Amy and Paulette at The Finishers Project are inviting a few mission-minded Boomers to get together in Colorado Springs. Well, more than a few–as in a few hundred. Front-Range hospitality, living-sacrifice conversations, seminars & workshops, encouragement and tons of info for adults considering mission service. But watch it: From the first Finishers conference, 96 of the 300 participants ended up on the mission field within two years! Complete info at http://www.finishers.org/events/index.html or call 1 203 740 7278. Or email Headquarters(at)Finishers(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
6. MIM SEEKS DENTISTS, HYGIENISTS, ASSISTANTS — Mediterranean Integral Mission (MIM) is seeking English or Spanish speaking Christian dental professionals for work in small cities and remote regions among mountain tribal peoples in North Africa. French and/or Arabic is useful but not required. Contact MIMUSA[at]telefonica[dot]net
7. LEARN MORE ABOUT MARTYRS — The 8th National Conference on the Persecuted Church will be held in Columbia, SC on April 15/16, 2005. Speakers representing different countries where great persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters has been going on will be presenting reports and answering questions. There will also be time allotted for prayer on behalf of those who suffer silently. For further information, please contact the Director, Sam Elisha, 803-754-4030 or email semintinc(at)cs(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
8. WANT TO LEARN ABOUT CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE STORYING? — It’s all the rage, no matter where you go. Now *learn* it! Pick it up on September 13-15, 2005 in Anaheim, California, USA. Register on-line at International Orality Network http://www.oralbible.com or e-mail Tom Meiner tmeiner(at)ccci(dot)org. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Register now (by April 15, 2005) for a $50 discount. (Hats off to Emily at Team Expansion, Bill at Power of Connecting http://powerofconnecting.com and Missions Catalyst Newsletter from Caleb Project for letting us know about this important event.)
9. ANOTHER GREAT TOOL FOR MAKING LOCAL/LONG DISTANCE PHONE CALLS — While we’re on the subject of phones, don’t forget: http://www.lowermyphonebill.com/brigada is a great site to learn the best routes and carriers for phone calls. You’ll probably be able to save $10/mo. or more, depending on your use and call times. Thanks!!!
10. BEST PRACTICES IN CHURCH MISSIONS WEB PAGES — Is your church hitting on all cylinders when it comes to the missions pages on its web site? This MS Word file from ACMC will help take the guesswork out of the kinds of information and inspiration your church can place on its missions web pages by showing what other churches are providing. Check out links to pages from over fifty categories and sub-categories. Chosen from dozens of churches—including many of North America’s most notable missions churches. For more information contact: dave(at)acmcsouthwest(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
11. WORLD EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE WORLD ISSUES SUMMIT — With the theme of “Move the Stones”, it’s slated for May 3-6, 2005 Orlando, Florida (Co- sponsored by National Association of Evangelicals and Evangelical Fellowship of Canada). It’s the World Evangelical Alliance Issues Summit. You will meet WEA’s senior regional leaders and International Council members, along with specialists in Religious Liberty, Missions, Women’s Concerns, Youth, and Theology, and a whole lot more. To register go to… http://worldevangelical.org/ call (425) 778-5513. email: info(at)worldevangelical(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
12. LEARN TO REACH JAPAN — Purchase CD’S of 21 recorded workshops from the recent “Reaching Japanese For Christ” conference. Workshop presenters included Japanese missionaries, Japanese pastors, para- church staff workers in ministry to Japanese from OMF-JCFN, Campus Crusade for Christ, IVCF, ISI, BGC, etc. Price of the 2 CD set (in MP3 format) in English is $15 which covers postage in the US & Canada. For an order form and a list of the workshop topics, go to http://www.TheJapanNet.com . For questions, contact John.Whitehouse(at)uscm(dot)org
13. WORLD METHODIST EVANGELISM’S INT’L CHR YOUTH CONF. — Slated for July 19-26, 2005, in Teresopolis, Brazil, young people, ages 17-30, are invited to this conference to be hosted by the youth and evangelism leaders of the first Region Conference, the Methodist Church in Brazil. The conference is being planned around the theme, “That the world may know Jesus Christ!” as part of the World Methodist Evangelism Emphasis 2004-2006. Join young people from around the world at the 8th International Christian Youth Conference on Evangelism — the first time for ICYCE in South America! http://www.worldmethodist.org/youthevents.htm or email worldevangelism(at)scarrittbennett(dot)org or write: World Evangelism, World Methodist Council Scarritt-Bennett Center, 1008 19th Avenue South Nashville, Tennessee, 37212-2166 ,USA or call 1-615-340-7541 or Fax: 1-615-340-7549.
14. GET YOUR MUSIC — Mount Carmel provides music CDs, and DVDs to missions and missionaries at wholesale prices. New releases and popular music CDs from Michael W. Smith, Caedmon’s Call, Third Day, Amy Grant, Chris Rice, Integrity, Hillsongs, Selah, Fernando Ortega (the list is endless) at nearly 50% off retail. They also offer the complete Adventures In Odyssey and Focus On The Family’s Radio Theater titles at up to 50% off. Mount Carmel ships to almost any country in the world. In most countries, 10 CDs can be sent for as little as $11.00 via Air Global Priority. Their web address is http://www.mountcarmel.com and for e-mail correspondence contact Bill at wic(at)mountcarmel(dot)com
15. COME TO PERTH, W. AUSTRALIA TO TRAIN AS A STRATEGIC COORDINATOR! — The Strategic Coordinator Seminar is about planning and implementing evangelism, business and church planting among your favourite segment of society. It’s an intense 3-week seminar (13 November-2 December 2005) led by veteran missionaries experienced at implementing people- and city-transforming strategies. In the seminar you will create a working plan for the evangelization of your focus population; be it gothic youth in London, indigenous peoples of Australia, an unreached people group in Africa or a mega-city in Asia. If you want to see your church take a more active role in evangelizing your focus people through prayer, going and sending out missionaries; if you are a missionary who desires to see more prayer, people and finance on an international level directed towards your focus group, then this seminar is for you. Contact the Registrar: info(at)ywamperth(dot)org(dot)au or telephone +61 8 9328 5321 or fax +61 8 9328 1324 or log onto: http://www.ywamperth.org.au Please tell them you read about it in Brigada!
16. HELP THIS RESEARCHER LEARN ABOUT YOUR MOTIVES :-) — Here’s a researcher working on a private research project to benefit missionary candidates who are trying to determine what skills and experience are needed beyond Bible school for entry into pioneer evangelism and church planting ministry environments. He’s asking the Brigada community to participate in an anonymous poll online by going to http://www.Propempo.com and answering on the far right: “What best describes the business purpose for your presence in a limited access country?” There are six choices given: 1/ community development & relief; 2/ medical; 3/ tourism & travel; 4/ micro-economic or business development; 5/ education – ESL; 6/ other For those skittish about the online poll, they could email/phone him directly. He’ll share his results with those who ask for it.
17. FLASH! ANONYMOUS DONOR GIVES $1,000 TO BRIGADA! — Can you believe it? In this one fell swoop, this guy underwrites 1/16 of the total expenses we’ll need for an entire year’s worth of secretarial, web-hosting, communications, advertising, postage, and more! We appreciate you!!! Now here’s the challenge: Do you know of someone who might join this guy and also become of volunteer anonymous supporter!? If so, please step up to the plate! Bottom line: 13 more like this guy… and we’re done talking about it for a whole year! Thanks again to the anonymous friend!!! May God raise up more like you! If you’d just like to help Brigada, just click “sponsor” in the top menu (to use PayPal or a credit card), or just send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 11327 Jefferson Trace Blvd., Louisville, KY 40291. Thanks! As always, be sure to let us know if you’d like us to promote any particular service or ministry, or if you’d prefer your gift be anonymous.

1. HAS IT REALLY BEEN 10 YEARS?
2. RUMORS OF BRIGADA’S DEATH WERE EXAGGERATED
3. DAN SCRIBNER SAID “THUMBS UP”
4. IT WILL TAKE TIME
5. PERHAPS THE MOST ENCOURAGING RESPONSE…
6. WANT TO MINISTER TO THE POOR WITHOUT CREATING DEPENDENCY?
7. SO WHAT WAS THE FIRST TRUE BRIGADA “ITEM”?
8. WANT TO SHARE YOUR OWN BRIGADA EXPERIENCE?
9. SCHOOL OF FRONTIERS MISSIONS IN FLORIDA
10. ANYBODY ABLE TO WORK WITH AOL?
11. MUSIC AND MISSIONS CD
12. LEARN A PRACTICAL SKILL FOR MISSIONS
13. TALKING BIBLE A GREAT PERSONAL AUDIOVISUAL
14. BE CHANGED BY THE WORD SO THAT YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
15. DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL FOCUSED ON UNREACHED PEOPLES
16. GIVE INPUT ON AN MK AND WIN BIG MONEY
17. SYIS IN TURKEY: SHARPEN YOUR INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
18. BOOK REVIEW NOT OPEN AND SHUT
19. FAVORITE “BACKPAGE” EDITORIALS
20. CLOSING STUFF

1. HAS IT REALLY BEEN 10 YEARS? — In just 4 days, it will be. The first feeble Brigada Today was actually sent between two people. Late on the evening of January 25th, 1995, I wrote Jonathan Marsden with some newly created gadgetry he had cooked up for me as a worker in a high-tech non-profit called “CrossConnect”. (Turned out that it was *really* non-profit, so CrossConnect was sold a few times and no longer exists as a separate entity. But Jonathan is still there… and occasionally I’ll drop him a note just to see if he still hears about Brigada stuff. So Jonathan, if you’re out there in India or who knows where, if you can see this, please hang with me here a moment.)

What did that first issue say? Well a number of things… some of which have long since gone by the wayside — nearly. One of the proposals was that we set up people-specific prayer/news email groups. I wrote, ” On a monthly basis, thousands of additional individuals around the world are gaining access to what amounts to a global communications network, commonly referred to as the Internet.” (Can you believe I had to kind of *define* it? :-) LOL ) … We propose to create a series of ‘electronic newsletters,’ available to anyone with an Internet connection (including those with Compuserve, America Online, Delphi, etc.)” Online services like Delphi faded in importance, but AOL, which eventually bought out rival Compuserve, has survived and thrived.

I went on to add, ” We would start with one simple newsletter, which would, as a minimum, carry news about mobilization for the 100 Gateway cities and the people groups that live in them.” That ‘simple newsletter’ has changed very little in format over the past 10 years. (I haven’t had time to think about it! :-) ) And that “simple newsletter” became, a very short time later, Brigada Today. And yes… it really has been 10 years and . . . whoa . . . there’s a Brigada Today to match every single Friday… all 520 of them… since January 25, 1995. Yikes. :-) See them all on the web for free at: www.brigada.org
2. RUMORS OF BRIGADA’S DEATH WERE EXAGGERATED — Several spoke out in favor of such a proposal. Well-known missions leaders like John Robb, Pete Holzmann, and many others wrote encouraging words. Some, like Patrick Johnstone, originator of Operation World, were just a tad more realistic, even though they agreed upon the need. ” I do not see that any system that tries to collect, collate and disseminate info – even on the 100 Gateway Cities and 130 Gateway Peoples (for a start) can work,” responded Patrick. “The burden on all will bring it rapidly to the point of overload.” Gulp. No wonder I’m tired. And what am I doing staying up ’til 2:30am at a people group consultation in the Mediterranean anyway??? :-) Some things haven’t changed. However, Patrick, if you’re reading — maybe it didn’t exactly *overload*. :-) He added, ” I think your present plans are almost certain to founder on the lack of the right personnel and adequate finance.” Oops. :-) Been a long time since I saw that line. Whoa. Maybe it’s hard to start things. But if it is, maybe it’s even harder to keep them going. Patrick should know. He’s labored tirelessly, day and night, to catalogue and chronicle the growth of the Lord’s church throughout the globe… and many have been inspired by his work, myself among them. Again, I hasten to add, I believe Patrick was only trying to improve on the project by being bluntly realistic. He also said, “To use electronic networks is a real option (of a number) We should develop a workable system, and maybe your proposal could lead to that.” To be fair, Patrick was slated to be married just a handful of days later. He was also planning his honeymoon that same night. What could I expect? :-) His mind was elsewhere. (Speaking with my best impersonation of his ever-so-proper British accent), I was quite fortunate to have gotten so thorough a look at all! :-)
3. DAN SCRIBNER SAID “THUMBS UP” — Whoa… I probably hadn’t taken another look at Dan Scribner’s response since that January of 1995. I’d forgotten he even replied. Ten years ago this week, he emailed back, ” Warmest greetings in the Lord. Brigida [sic :-) ] sounds like a wonderful plan. I hope AD2000 can contribute / assist in any way possible. At the moment we are up to our ears in alligators planning the GCOWE conference in May. We only have about a dozen staff here in the International Office. Please keep me in the loop of communications regarding this and if there are any specific AD2000 related questions I certainly will try to give my input.” Whoa. As you know, Dan went on to become one of 2 key players in making JoshuaProject.Net a reality today! And you know what? He’s still just as encouraging! :-)
4. IT WILL TAKE TIME — John Siewert worked for MARC, the Missions Advanced Research and Communication arm of World Vision. He wrote, in a prophetic tone, ” My experience in serving as discussion leader for one e-mail forum is that any e-mail-based undertaking takes more time than expected if responses are going to go back to those who ask questions, etc. Therefore Doug and the editor need to have some prime time set aside for this project.” Whoa. Was he ever right. (Yawn. I’m sleepy.) :-)
5. PERHAPS THE MOST ENCOURAGING RESPONSE… — But perhaps the most encouraging response of all (to the initial proposal) came from a Global Mapping employee named Dave Nesmith. ” In the vernacular of Madison Avenue, you have run it up the flagpole–I salute it.” He went on to add, ” Let us reject out of hand the notion that it won’t work. The resources and the technology are with us. The only preventive factor is the lack of our will and desire to make it happen. High-tech is handing us a golden opportunity. Let’s grab it!” Whoa. :-) Dave, wherever you are, thanks for the boost 10 years ago!
6. WANT TO MINISTER TO THE POOR WITHOUT CREATING DEPENDENCY? — Then get training from real-world practitioners and colleagues to equip you to implement programs in your church or community that truly empower the poor. The Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College offers courses for both the 2/3 World and U.S. contexts. Come June 13 – June 18, 2005 to the Christian Economic Development Institute at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA USA. Chalmers’ partners include World Relief, Food for the Hungry International, and World Vision US. To register, email chalmers(at)covenant(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or visit http://www.chalmers.org
7. SO WHAT WAS THE FIRST TRUE BRIGADA “ITEM”? — Trivia… fun facts to know and tell… :-) Once you get past all the proposing and responding, the actual first true *item* was a note about Sali Berisha, then the leader in Albania, who on January 25th had proposed setting up private radio and TV channels to offer a broader and more impartial dissemination of information. We all know what *that* brought about! :- ) The second item had to do with a proposal of 30 days of prayer for the Muslim world (another proposal which has survived the decade). (Throughout the coming year, we’ll highlight each month “Ten Years Ago This Month in Brigada”. It’ll perhaps give us a chance to take a look back at from whence we’ve come… and sometimes might even clue us in on where we might be headed in the future.)
8. WANT TO SHARE YOUR OWN BRIGADA EXPERIENCE? — Do you have a favorite memory of Brigada? Would you want to take a moment to write about something you purchased, a service you used, or an opportunity you followed? Now you can. Just copy this URL into your browser window: (or, if you’re reading on the web, just click it)

http://distantland.typepad.com/brigada/

Here you’ll find a spot to leave a comment, recall a memory, even offer a testimony. Others in the Brigada family will be able to visit the page and celebrate what God did in your life — and maybe even give glory to God for what happened in your situation. Hey – 10-year-old birthdays don’t come that often! :-) OK… enough sappy stuff.. Let’s get to work! :-)
9. SCHOOL OF FRONTIERS MISSIONS IN FLORIDA — The SOFM is an intensive Christian training course beginning with a 12-week lecture/teaching phase followed with an overseas internship in the 10/40 window. The purpose of the SOFM is to give student’s essential principles and tools needed to start long-term effective church planting movements among unreached people groups. Some of the topics being studied are: Principles of church planting among unreached peoples groups, The Power of Team Leadership, Anthropological Insights for Missionaries, Chronological Bible Presentation, History of Missions and much more! School starts on April 17th. For more information contact Jose at myglobito(at)yahoo(dot)com or call (904)221-5990. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] You can also check: http://www.ywamjax.com
10. ANYBODY ABLE TO WORK WITH AOL? — Does anyone know anything about the rumor that Brigada-Today is on a “blocked list” with AOL? If so, does anyone know the proper technique to be removed from that list? In contrast to spam (which is unsolicited), Brigada Today only goes out to those who subscribe to it. If we’re on that list, it’s a mistake. Maybe some subscribers don’t know how to remove themselves, but we never send Brigada unsolicited.
11. MUSIC AND MISSIONS CD — The first Global Consultation on Music and Missions was held in 2003. The multimedia CD-ROM of the Proceedings is now available. The CD-ROM has about 50 presentations, about 300 files total. Presenters, including John Piper, shared penetrating insights from around the world. If you are interested in the integration of music, missions and worship, you’ll be thrilled with the wealth of materials. One person said, “This was a phenomenal conference – probably the best conference I have ever attended.” Every missions organization should have one of these CD-ROMs as a reference. Though it is easily worth $40, it is available for only US $10. Write ethnodox1(at)netscape(dot)net [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or see http://www.worldofworship.org/GCoMM/index.htm
12. LEARN A PRACTICAL SKILL FOR MISSIONS — Simplified dental care can open many doors to evangelism and relationship building among the unreached. No drills, injections, electricity, or sophisticated equipment are involved – only simple hand instruments, a compassionate heart, and two weeks of your time. Now you can bring greatly needed dental care to your community. Courses are offered monthly in Texas. http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com or email dentaltrainingformissions(at)yahoo(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
13. TALKING BIBLE A GREAT PERSONAL AUDIOVISUAL — ASI in California says that the invention of the Talking Bible revolutionizes how one can now give non-readers access to God’s word in audio. A Talking Bible has an audio recording of an entire New Testament in a desired language sealed inside. It looks like a Bible but has a button to push rather than pages to turn… no longer any need for a cassette player and an album of individually labeled cassettes. The task suddenly becomes doable and affordable…that task is to take the work of the Bible translators, record them and make them available as Talking Bibles.

Half the world’s adult population cannot read. Among them are millions of non-reading Christians. They need God’s Word in audio format. ASI and others can now give them Talking Bibles with entire New Testaments speaking their languages. It seems unthinkable that the church/mission community would not do this.

ASI is appealing for churches to observe an annual Talking Bible Sunday. A Talking Bible Sunday will help church people become aware. The special offering will give them the opportunity to participate in this global effort …. an effort to give Bibleless non-readers Talking Bibles in their languages.

For more information visit ASI’s website http://www.audioscriptures.org. Or call ASI at 1- 800-318-7262 and ask for Dori. You’ll be glad you took the time to do this.
14. BE CHANGED BY THE WORD SO THAT YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD — YWAM Turner Valley Canada offers the 9 month School of Biblical Studies (SBS). Students in this school learn how to inductively study the Bible for themselves and are helped to prepare for the important goal of sharing God’s truth. The school begins in September 2005. Please call 1-403-933-3755 for more information or check out http://www.ywamturnervalley.com
15. DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL FOCUSED ON UNREACHED PEOPLES — YWAM Turner Valley Canada offers exciting Discipleship Training Schools (DTS)! Dates for DTS are March 23 – August 12, 2005 OR September 14th – February 10th 2006. The schools include 12 weeks of teaching and training in Canada. Some topics taught are: The Cross & Repentance, Bible Meditation, the 10/40 Window, Evangelism, Islamic/Buddhist Worldview and more. Turner Valley DTS also includes an 8 week mission trip to Southeast Asia or North Africa, working with SPECIFIC unreached people groups. North Americans can call toll free for information to 1-877-FOR-YWAM, Internationals please call 1-403-933-3754. Also check out the website at: http://www.ywamturnervalley.com
16. GIVE INPUT ON AN MK AND WIN BIG MONEY — Here’s a gal who is doing research with MKs and adult MKs at mkPLANET.com. If you are interested in helping out, check out http://www.mkplanet.com/community. Near the top/center of the page is a short message called “Join a research project giving MKs a voice!” That’ll have all the information about the study and the different ways to be involved. Everyone who signs up will automatically be entered for their draw to win one of two $20 US gift certificates to Amazon.com!
17. SYIS IN TURKEY: SHARPEN YOUR INTERPERSONAL SKILLS — International Training Partners offers Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills Workshops in different parts of the world. These five-day, highly interactive workshops focus on biblical application of skills in relating to one another and to the host people.

A workshop hosted by International Training Partners will be held near Istanbul, Turkey April 4-8, 2005. Contact Robin Bower at rbower(at)itpartners(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] for more information.

Go to http://www.itpartners.org for details on all of the workshops and information on ITP. If your mission is interested in sponsoring a SYIS workshop, contact Paul Lere at plere(at)itpartners(dot)org.
18. BOOK REVIEW NOT OPEN AND SHUT — In our item last week, “For Academicians: Reviewing Morehead’s “New Religious Mov’ts”, it’s plain to see we didn’t offer both sides. One responder suggested the inclusion of the following link to give equal time: http://www.globalmissiology.net/docs_pdf/reviews/hexam_encountering_new_religious_movements.pdf Our apologies if we overlooked anyone! Remember we don’t have the luxury of reading *all* the reports and texts mentioned each week. Consider the source.
19. FAVORITE “BACKPAGE” EDITORIALS — Whenever I travel and meet Brigada participants, it’s always amazing to me that they remember these BackPage Editorials. This month, in honor of our 10th birthday, we bring back some of our most oft-requested editorials… Sergey and “Does It Every ‘Just Happen’”, which first aired the 8th of May, 1998:

“DOES IT EVER “JUST HAPPEN???” — Those who know me well (and many who know me only marginally) know that I have a love for God, family, friends, and soccer. :-) (In spite of what some might think, that’s really the order I try to keep them in!) I only hope and pray that somehow we’ll have all four in Heaven. [grin] The first three have been around a while in my life, but the last love, soccer, is fairly new to me. Although I’m playing on a competitive team this year, I’m really just a beginner (I have a whole two years of playing experience in a poorly run recreational league previously). As you might have guessed, it’s not easy to find a competitive team for a 41-year-old. So I play in a league designed for age 20 and up. I’m very fortunate to practice alongside some very talented players. (Our coach took an under-23-year-old team to the national championships last year . . and won!) To land a spot on the team, I just explained how hard I was willing to work and how serious I was about learning. Lo and behold, the coach put me on the team! And when the center forward of our team suffered a broken leg earlier this season, all of a sudden, I found myself as a starter in his place… and this past Sunday, I played the entire game there! (We won 5-2, with only marginal help from me.)

I have several heroes . . . and most are about half my age. :-) One young man from Ukraine is incredible. I mean… when he was born, his mother probably delivered a soccer ball first, and then Sergey. The ball was probably tied to his ankle and. . . I don’t think he’s ever untied it since! I love practice times even more than games because I get to watch him and really study him in action. He’s constantly moving… constantly sizing up the play and constantly vigilant about how he can contribute most. And even though he’s a star (and deep down inside, he has to know it!), he still pushes the ball my way PLENTY of times in any given night.

Last Tuesday evening, at one point during our scrimmage, I chipped the ball to him and, frankly, placed it rather poorly. The ball arrived at chest-height and his back was to the goal with defenders all around. Not a great situation. But for Sergey, it was all automatic. He cushioned the ball down to his feet and instantly faked then back- heeled it with such force that it swished right through the defenders legs. Sergey scored a goal without even looking at the net… without even having to turn around to glance into the eyes of his opponents. Incredible.

As he turned and ran up the field, I turned with him and asked, “How in the world ….?” With a shrug of his shoulders he responded, “It just happened.” I was quick to reply… “It DIDN’T just happen. It took 27 YEARS of daily practice to make it happen!” (He’s 28 years old.)

Ever since that moment, I’ve been reflecting about my fledgling soccer career. I coach an under-14 team (my older son’s) and assist coaching an under-10 team (my younger son’s). I play on a competitive team and sometimes play “pick-up” soccer in between. But maybe I’ll never “catch up” with Sergey. There are too many hours… too many YEARS of his life filled with touches on the ball. However, I’m not exactly envious. Instead, I’m filled with admiration and actually inspired to keep going. I figure I’ve got nowhere to go but up! :-) Who knows… give me another 25 years and maybe I’ll be ready to play! :-)

My REAL job is to lead a mission agency — about 120 missionaries in a couple of dozen countries. Where I sit, I get to read reports literally from all over the world. Now, after last Thursday’s practice, whenever I hear a success story about a villager who has walked in from 50 kilometers away just so he can study the Bible… then take it back to his village and repeat it to dozens of others… I’ll think twice about whether or not it “just happened.” Someone had to sweat bullets on Bible college mid-terms, then raise financial support, leave family and friends to go to the field, learn a foreign language, and most of all be determined enough to not quit when the going got tough. Someone had to pray, trust the Lord for supernatural intervention, and follow His guidance. After all that, if someone walks in and listens, should we be so surprised? Sergey might say, “It just happened…”, but truth be known, it didn’t JUST happen. Someone MADE it happen.

We live in a world of quick fixes — quick food, quick microwaves, quick computers, quick everything … just about. But in the midst of it all, some things aren’t so quick. You can’t learn to play Sergey’s kind of soccer without a few years of daily practice with someone who knows what he’s doing. And you can’t learn a language overnight, either.

I admire Sergey… but my heart is filled with just as much admiration for a guy I know who has invested the last 5 years learning Mandarin. He’ll probably never get a trophy (at least not here on earth), never be named an “MVP” in front of a crowd of 30,000 cheering spectators, and I can predict with a fair amount of certainty that he’ll never make the kinds of salaries that today’s pro athletes take home, either. (At least not as long as I serve as president of his mission agency! :-) ) But can he ever speak Chinese. I mean… it rolls off his tongue. When he opens his mouth, everyone expects English to come out… but if there’s a Chinese person looking on, inevitably, their mouth drops open.. their eyes bug out… (I love seeing that reaction!). His Chinese didn’t “just happen.” He didn’t “just happen” to teach Greek to house church leaders last year. He didn’t “just happen” to train evangelists that ended up baptizing 18 people in just one recent month. It took YEARS… and it’ll take YEARS for many of us to learn language, learn effectiveness, learn the field.

So — should we give up? Not on your life. But we probably SHOULD start thinking about recruiting some additional players for the team. :-) If they have to wait for me to invest the next 25 years to reach Sergey’s level, well, . . . let’s just say I hope my bones will still hold me up on the field when I’m 66! :-)

God bless your day! Be careful out there… it’s a jungle!!! Doug Lucas” [end of quoted story (SPECIAL UPDATE AS OF 23 OF JAN, 2005: Sergey married a Japanese immigrant, moved an hour away and we’ve not heard much from him lately. But the guy learning Mandarin learned it. He’s now a sought-after teacher involved in training house church leaders all over mainland China. Team Expansion now has 250 full-time missionaries, instead of 120. My older son is now 18 and, due to proper humility on his part, he won’t let me tell you the details of the soccer scholarships he’s looking at for college. I’m now coaching my younger son’s high school team at the local Christian School. And next week I start a new season with an over-30 team, where I’ll be captain of the “Energy United” team. God be praised for the incremental gains, step by step… Never, never, never give up. Because, 10 years after the birth of Brigada, it’s *still* a jungle out there.)

1. WHAT DO YOUR MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS COST?
2. DISTANCE LEARNING FOR CHRISTIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
3. MASTERS DEGREE IN MANILA
4. NO BIBLE SUNDAY
5. DENTAL TRAINING FOR MISSIONS!
6. DOWNLOAD CHRISTIAN MUSIC
7. A GATHERING for KINGDOM PROFESSIONALS
8. TECHNOLOGY GROUP TO DEVELOP BATTERY-OPERATED VIDEO PROJECTOR
9. LEARN TO TEACH ENGLISH: TESOL TRAINING
10. ZWEMER CENTER FOR MUSLIM STUDIES
11. THE BACK PAGE: BACKUPS! WHEN WILL WE LEARN!?
12. CLOSING STUFF

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1. WHAT DO YOUR MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS COST? — Do you or one of your family members subscribe to a magazine? Does it come monthly? Does your annual subscription cost average $15, even though the magazine is *packed* with full-page ads? As you know, Brigada comes to your screen *weekly*, free of charge. However, to help us get Brigada out the door and onto your screen, we now have a Brigada-sponsored secretary. We could *totally* cover the cost of her annual salary ($16,021) if just 1000 of our readers pitched in $16 each… or if 100 of them pitched in $160. So far, in 2004, these sponsorships have resulted in $2300. So only $13,678 to go! If you’re willing to do more than just “lurk”… If you’re willing to *partner* to help Brigada move forward, log on at http://www.brigada.org/donate.html and use PayPal, any major credit card, or postal mail to send a check. All donations are tax-deductible (please indicate you’d like a receipt). If nothing else, please consider donating the cost of an annual magazine subscription. It’ll make a difference! Thank you!!!!

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2. DISTANCE LEARNING FOR CHRISTIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT — If you’re interested in economic development, don’t forget about the “Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry” program, slated for June 7 – June 25, or the live training events in May in Bangkok, Thailand. For more information, log on at http://www.chalmers.org or email CEDIcovenantedu. (And thanks again to the Chalmers Center for their part in underwriting the cost of our Brigada-sponsored secretary!)

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3. MASTERS DEGREE IN MANILA — Azusa Pacific University offers a master’s degree in Manila with courses held every summer. This year’s dates are May 31-June 11. This year’s courses are: Ethics in a Changing Organizational Environment, Current Issues in Leadership, Leader as an Agent of Change, Group Dynamics and Conflict Management. The cost is minimal compared to on-campus prices. Non-U.S. citizens benefit the most from the price deduction: For US citizens it will be 50% of the new tuition rate on campus so OI will be $212 a unit (or $636 per course) and for non-US it will be 25% of the on campus so OI will be $106 a unit (or $318/course). Non-credit will be half again of each of these so $106 a unit for US and $56 for non-US. For more information please contact Melody Kuka by calling 011-632-658-3807 or emailing kzkukajmforgph

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4. NO BIBLE SUNDAY — Church leaders in three continents are thinking about whether they should take part in No Bible Sunday. This dramatic idea is sponsored by Wycliffe Bible Translators. Christians will be challenged to consider both how much they value the Bible themselves and what it is like for people from 2700 languages who do not have any of the Bible in their own language. Many participating churches are expected to rebel and start using their Bibles by the end of the Sunday service. But hundreds of millions of people don’t have a choice. For them every Sunday is a No Bible Sunday. All that you need to run the event either in full or as part of a church service can be found at http://www.nobiblesunday.org

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5. DENTAL TRAINING FOR MISSIONS! – Learn a practical skill in which you can demonstrate the love of Christ in an effective way. — In only 2 weeks you can learn to fill and clean teeth with hand instruments. The needs are great. No injections or expensive equipment involved. Monthly courses in Texas. http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com or email dentaltrainingformissionsyahoocom

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6. DOWNLOAD CHRISTIAN MUSIC — LifeWay Christian Resources (Nashville) just announced Christian music’s first digital music downloading service. Singles are 99 cents and entire albums for $10 to $12 each. The new service requires no monthly subscription fee and no special software. Songs are offered through Windows Media. Once purchased and downloaded, the file can be burned to a CD up to five times or exported five times for external players such as Apple iPod. More than 4,000 people have subscribed to the free Get Music News. Go to http://www.lifewaystores.com/getmusic for access.

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7. A GATHERING for KINGDOM PROFESSIONALS — You can still register online at http://www.globalspectrum.org/intersection or by mail for the Edge Conference 2004, on April 30 -May 1, themed “INTERSECTION: Where Profession, Passion & God’s Purpose Meet” at Houston First Baptist Church, Texas, sponsored by Global Spectrum (co-sponsors include Union Baptist Association, Faith Bridge, Mission Houston, Living Water Int’l, Houston Perspectives). Connect with accomplished professionals in career fields who see the world differently and link their lives intentionally to God’s purposes and create a new future for discipling neighborhoods and nations. Questions? 415.703.0700 ofc or email leaflinepacbellnet

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8. TECHNOLOGY GROUP TO DEVELOP BATTERY-OPERATED VIDEO PROJECTOR — Remember the inquiry here (Dec. 26, 2003) about the availability of a battery-operated video projector? Perhaps you’ll recall that the responses came back with zero products. Well having seen the interest, yet the lack of options, the Christian Technology Center (CTC) is going to *invent* one! Yahooo! They’re refining specs right now. Bob, at the CTC, wrote, “We think the need could be filled by the development of a consolidated projector, DVD player and PA system designed to function from battery power. We refer to this device as a Compact Video System or CVS. The CVS should be able to project a 50 inch image (from DVD) in a dark environment with good clarity and provide a PA system suitable for a group of 50 people.” If you’d like to give your input on what the machine should be like, just write Bob rhsthe-ctcorg for a copy of the specs. Better act fast though. They’re moving quickly on this!

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9. LEARN TO TEACH ENGLISH: TESOL TRAINING — Receive training and practice in effective techniques for teaching English to non-English speakers. Prepare for cross-cultural ministry opportunities by becoming an excellent teacher. Earn a TESOL certificate to open doors for ministry in many lands. The next four-week TESOL classes are scheduled to begin May 2 and again June 13, 2004, at Youth With A Mission in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA. See their website at http://www.ywampa.org for details and application forms, or direct questions to ywampa at comcast.net. (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding e-mail address, please replace the “at” with an @ and remove the spaces. Thanks.)

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10. ZWEMER CENTER FOR MUSLIM STUDIES — This Center at CIU offers courses in Islam (credit/audit) for field worker candidates, workers on home leave, professional tentmakers in a Muslim country, pastors in an area where there is a growing number of Muslims, and students sensing God’s call to work with Muslims. Scholarship help is available but apply now. Here are some upcoming courses: (SUMMER, 2004) Introduction to Islam (Johnson) July 5-9; Folk Islam (Cashin) July 12-16; Approaches to Islam (Parshall) July 19-23; Revelation, Qur’an and Muslim Traditions (Cate) July 26-30. EXTENSION: Introduction to Islam (Larson); Women in Islam (Stacey) For more information, Ph. 1-800-777- 2227 Ext. 3327 or email RBrasherciuedu or register onlin http://www.ciu.edu/summerstudies

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11. THE BACK PAGE: BACKUPS! WHEN WILL WE LEARN!? — I’m convinced that the only people who do daily backups are those who are slightly paranoid. However, just because they’re paranoid doesn’t mean somebody’s not out to get them! :-) The truth is… those paranoid people are probably a lot happier when something fails. Occasionally, we’ve written here in Brigada about the importance of disciplined daily backups. However, when my backup solution broke down a few months back, life was rushing on at such a fast pace, I failed to make time to fix it. Months passed. And this past Friday night, on a plane headed home from North Africa, the 60 gig hard drive in my new IBM laptop failed. And it *totally* failed. Won’t even spin up. Unfortunately, my last *full* backup is October 2003. :-( I have *partial* backups from February. Yup. I’m a slackard. Months, even *years* go by without needing backups… then the inevitable happens. Sure.. IBM is providing a new *blank* drive for free. OnTrack Technology has said they’d attempt to provide a full restoration for the low, low price of $700 – $3000, depending on what they find when they open it up. I’ve lost 30% of my doctoral dissertation, all my Brigada notes since October (including any new items sent during the past week — sorry!!), and tons more… not to mention all my notes from the North Africa trip, including a completely-finished grant application to rebuild homes for an earthquake stricken village there. All gone. Yes, OnTrack says they can probably do it for $700, since we’re a nonprofit. But still — wouldn’t it have been so much easier to simply back up those 60 gigs on a daily basis? Even *weekly* backups would have helped. So… please let me go on record: I need to back up *regularly*… and you do too. My IBM laptop was brand new. Your PC could fail too. In my case, it was the logic board. Yours might fail because of a virus or a mechanical fault. Either way, the outcome is the same: Let’s back up!!! Lesson- learned? I hope so. Thanks for participating in Brigada. Doug

1. EMAIL DISTANCE LEARNING IN CHRISTIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2. GET FREE ‘PRO’ SOFTWARE
3. FOOT-OPERATED WOOD LATHE
4. HOSPITALITY BOOK: CUP OF COLD WATER
5. OMF BAY AREA MISSION CONFERENCE
6. NEW BOOK RELEASE: THE INTERNATIONAL IMPACT OF PRAYER
7. “THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST”
8. FREE “PEOPLE RAISING” E-MAIL NEWSLETTER
9. TENTMAKING COURSE FOR EUROPEANS IN BERGEN NORWAY
10. UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL HEALTHCARE
11. BRAZILIAN MEDICAL/DENTAL FELLOWSHIP CONGRESS
12. FUNDING MINISTRY PROJECTS
13. STM LEADERS TRAINING
14. STM LEADERS TRAINING – NEW DATES, NEW PLACES, LOWER PRICES!
15. PERSONAL SUPPORT RAISING TRAINING IN EUROPE
16. 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR (YWAM) AFRICA
17. VOLUME 3 OF “STUFF” NOW AVAILABLE
18. SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL MUSIC IN MISSIONS
19. WHERE ARE THE CHRISTIANS? THE HERERO PEOPLE OF NAMIBIA
20. CLOSING STUFF

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1. EMAIL DISTANCE LEARNING IN CHRISTIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT — Do you minister to the poor in the U.S. or in the 2/3 World? If so, training that you need is available now via email-based distance courses. Learn innovative, holistic economic development strategies and methodologies to help the poor and build the local church. The Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College, in partnership with Food for the Hungry International, Mission to North America, World Relief, and the Christian Community Development Association, is offering the first course in both our U.S. and 2/3 World /Transitional Economies learning tracks “Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry” June 7 – June 25. Or you can attend our live training events in May in Bangkok, Thailand or in August in Lookout Mountain, GA, USA. For more information, visit http://www.chalmers.org/ or email CEDIcovenantedu (And again, thanks to the Chalmers Center for their $100 partnership to help underwrite the cost of the Brigada-sponsored secretary!)

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2. GET FREE ‘PRO’ SOFTWARE — If you’re not ready to switch over to Linux, but still don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for Microsoft Office and other MS programs, and then try visiting http://www.openoffice995.com/ and http://www.software995.com/You’ll find a very functional Office package, as well as numerous other programs (including .pdf conversion, a backup program, etc.) Here’s the deal, in their own words: “Professional quality software at affordable prices All of our products are available as FREE downloads. The free versions are fully functional, not a trial and do not expire. The free versions display sponsor pages, which may be disabled at any time by purchasing a key. None of our products contain spyware. Purchasing also entitles users to technical support by email (24 hour response). Keys for any particular product are available from that product’s web site. In addition, we offer the Software995 Toolset key. This is a single key covering nine of our products (with the exception of OpenOffice995), available at 29.95 for individuals, or special volume discounts. The “sponsor pages” of the free versions are very unobtrusive. Your browser will open up, but if you’re not online, there will be nothing to display, and you can use the fully functional program without any problems.
   

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3. FOOT-OPERATED WOOD LATHE — A small UK engineering company with a Christian director produces a foot-operated wood lathe. It is appropriate for occupational therapy/orthopedic rehab departments in the west, but is also very useful in the non-western world for small craft applications because no electricity is needed. The company is also interested in licensing local production of the lathe in non- western countries. For more information, see… http://www.acres-willington.co.uk/(Thanks Tony! You’re great!)

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4. HOSPITALITY BOOK: CUP OF COLD WATER — Here’s a practical book on hospitality written for YWAM, mission groups and the church. Contact Debbie Rottier at cupofcoldwaterywammtorg or at 501 Blacktail Rd, Lakeside, MT, USA 59922. View pages at http:www.ywamconnect.com/sites/Rottier

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5. OMF BAY AREA MISSION CONFERENCE — With a theme of “The Great Commission and 21st Century Asia”, this conference is slated for April 30-May 1, 2004 at Peninsula Covenant Church in Redwood City, CA. There will be four plenary sessions, 13 workshops, and tons more. For more info, contact Elaine Tai at omfconferenceyahoocom or (650) 559-8088. or browse: http://www.us.omf.org/northwest The early registration discount date is April 20.

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6. NEW BOOK RELEASE: THE INTERNATIONAL IMPACT OF PRAYER — With more than 60 true stories from many nations, by Wentworth Pike, this new book includes stories of now-born-again Colombian inmates, President George W. Bush, an Alaskan bush pilot’s SOS to God, an evangelical Arab pastor in Bethlehem, Russian-Jewish refugees in Germany, Gracia Burnham, Todd Beamer, a radio pastor to fellow Khmu tribesmen in Laos, a farm boy in Canada, and many more. Order by credit card: $17.99 (US), Pleasant Word (division of WinePress Publishing), toll-free in N. America: 1-877-421-7323. Others call 1-306-802-9758. Or see more at: http://www.pleasantword.com/

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7. “THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST” — Everybody’s saying, “You *have* to go see this film!” But are you wondering what your Muslim friends will think about it? The folks from ABC (Association for Biblical Christianity) have written a short tract explaining the death of Christ in a culturally appropriate and challenging way. It fits on a two sided A4 page and can be downloaded free of charge from their website: http://www.christianityexplained.net.tc/ Alternatively e-mail their administrator at AAbrahambiblicalchristianityfreeservecouk and he will gladly send you a formatted Microsoft publisher version of it.

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8. FREE “PEOPLE RAISING” E-MAIL NEWSLETTER — Now there is practical advice on fund raising each month through the FREE “People Raising” E- mail newsletter — and 6300 people have reportedly joined! Whether raising personal support or organizational funds, each newsletter is designed to help reduce the fear as well as dramatically reduce the time needed to raise funds. Advice comes from Bill Dillon, author of the popular Moody Press book People Raising: a Practical Guide to Raising Support, who has been raising funds for ministry for over 30 years. This newsletter is short, extremely practical, and easy to apply. It is a valuable tool to pass on to your staff and friends. To view a sample and to begin receiving these valuable newsletters go to http://www.PeopleRaising.com/email.cfm or e-mail <billpeopleraisingcom></billPEOPLERAISINGCOM>

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9. TENTMAKING COURSE FOR EUROPEANS IN BERGEN NORWAY — TENT of Norway is running a 4 day intensive tentmaking course in English starting at 18:00 on the 19th of May to 14:00 on the 23rd of May. This intensive course will inform & equip those who are thinking of going as tentmakers. Last year they had 30 people in attendance from UK, Finland and of course Norway. This year’s course is limited to 30 due to space restrictions. Registration before April 20, 2004 is only 1550 NOK, about 180 EUR (850 NOK for students) which includes course fee, course handbook, two meals and housing with local believers. Email Steinar Opheim for more details – steinaropheimtentno For more information and course outline go to http://www.tent.no/ and click on Arrangement bar on bottom of page.

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10. UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL HEALTHCARE — After more than eight years of searching for ways to provide truly global coverage, TTc has now launched the Omega Program, which is a private medical insurance that provides coverage for either an expatriate or a home country based missionary (or church worker) that gives full worldwide protection …and at wonderfully cost-effective rates, right through into retirement. In other words, the new program will give full worldwide protection at marvelously cost effective rates no matter where a member lives or serves. If you would like further information, please write saratalent-trustcom or visit http://www.talent-trust.com/

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11. BRAZILIAN MEDICAL/DENTAL FELLOWSHIP CONGRESS — From the 14 – 16 of May 2004, it’ll feature “Health A missionary challenge in the 21st century Speakers”, with Dave Stevens, Executive Director of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations, and Dr Bill Herkelrath, dean of graduate psychology department at Northwest College. Email them at evangemedevangemedorg or evangemedmetodista-rioorgbr . The venue is First Baptist Church in São José dos Campos- Brazil SP. http://evangemed.tripod.com/brazilhealthcarechristiancongress/index.htm l Also posted in our international site http://www.icmda.net/conf.htm

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12. FUNDING MINISTRY PROJECTS — Dr. Viggo Sogaard, Professor of Communication at Fuller Theological Seminary will be offering a two week intensive course from May 10-21 (3-6pm) on raising funds for your ministry project. The course helps with the development of fundraising strategies for missionaries, Christian organizations, and mission agencies. In the process, the student will acquire a biblical and missiological understanding of fundraising and stewardship, so the course will provide basic insights and skills for developing fund- raising strategies, preparation of material, and writing funding proposals. Check out the course description at http://www.fuller.edu/swm/ecds/042/MD523_Sogaard_042.htmlStudents must be admitted to Fuller Seminary prior to enrolling in the class. For more info, contact (800)A-FULLER or http://www.fuller.edu

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13. STM LEADERS TRAINING – NEW DATES, NEW PLACES, LOWER PRICES! — The highly acclaimed 3-day ServantPrep Seminar (for Short-term Mission Leaders & Trainers) was developed by Mission Training International and will be held at 2 more locations yet this Spring. The response from many church leaders and the training directors of 45 agencies has been overwhelming. Experiential, Interactive, Comprehensive, focusing on substantive issues not just logistics and impressive stories. Honolulu – April 22-24 [contact Greg Crawford ucommitjunocom or 808-668-8481], Walnut Creek, CA – June 3-5 [contact Ray Howard servantprepaolcom or 800-474-2129]. Registration & Tuition $170.

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14. PERSONAL SUPPORT RAISING TRAINING IN EUROPE — The BodyBuilders will be sponsoring a Europe based Personal Support Raising Boot Camp in Berlin, Germany, May 14-15, 2004. For details on cost and registration see: http://www.thebodybuilders.net/ or e-mail/call: infothebodybuildersnet 501-329-4881.

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15. 40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR (YWAM) AFRICA — Youth With a Mission (YWAM) is organizing a 40-days-of-prayer for Africa. Between 1 April and 10 May thousands of people in and outside of Africa are bringing the continent’s needs before God. John Kisamwa, the Africa Field Director says, “It has become increasingly obvious to me that Africa needs prayer. Africa and her people are faced with many challenges: the AIDS pandemic, malaria, poverty, starvation, wars and conflicts, and the situation in the cities of Africa”. A Prayer Brochure is available, highlighting a different topic every day. For anyone who wants to know more or wants to be involved, see: http://www.ywamsca.com/ You can contact us through: infoywam-africomorg

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16. VOLUME 3 OF “STUFF” NOW AVAILABLE — “Still More Stuff you need to know about Doing Missions in Your Church” is a book-on-diskette (in Word 2000) of one-page lists, handouts, outlines, and summaries of things church leaders ask about doing missions. Mobilizers and mission organization personnel, as well as church leaders, find these “bottom line” summaries handy and practical. Diskettes of individual volumes are available for $12 each (including shipping). All three volumes plus a cumulative index are also available on CD ($26, including shipping). Send a check (in U.S. Funds) to ACMC, Box 221, Brownsburg, IN 46112. Specify volume 1, 2, or 3 or the CD and provide your postal address. See portions of the first two volumes and the cumulative index at http://www.davidmays.org/Resources/resmays.html

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17. SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL MUSIC IN MISSIONS — Youth With A Mission’s University of the Nations is holding its first School of Classical Music in Missions in Kiev, Ukraine from July 5 – Dec 15, 2004. Classically trained Christians (intermediate level) with a desire to use their talents in missions can improve their skills further and connect with like minded people for missions preparation, rehearsals, and various outreach concerts during the school. There is also opportunity to help develop the Symphony of Nations full-time after the school. For info http://www.theson.org/ or email Joyce at TheSON.org (replace the “at” with @ and remove the spaces.)

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18. WHERE ARE THE CHRISTIANS?: THE HERERO PEOPLE OF NAMIBIA — Ten members of a Herero family prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior! Afterwards the head of the household explained that it has been two years since a Christian has been in their town. The Christians that did come did not tell them how to be saved. They did not tell them the importance of reading the Bible or worshipping the Lord. Now they know and a house church is started. Pray for the Lord to send workers to this ripe harvest. Pray for the Lord to build prayer support for the Herero, an unengaged people group. To learn more about the Herero and other peoples, visit http://www.forgottenpeoples.info/or email swacsc at iafrica.com (replace the “at” with @ and remove the spaces).

1. OPEN DOORS FOR THE GOSPEL!
2. TRAGEDY AND CHALLENGE OF THE WORLD’S STREET CHILDREN
3. THANKS TO DIAL-ABROAD AND NEW BRIGADA SIGN-UPS!
4. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
5. SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAINING
6. WAR, TERRORISM INSURANCE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
7. MISSIONARY TRAINING CAMPS
8. TRAINING FOR SHORT-TERM MISSION LEADERS
9. JAPAN TENTMAKERS CONFERENCE
10. ESL INSTRUCTION
11. ONE OPTION FOR INT’L DIALING WITHOUT THE DOLLARS
12. CASE STUDY IN REACHING THE UNREACHED: WORKING POOR OF BANGKOK
13. ESL TEACHERS MINISTRY SKILLS SURVEY
14. TURKEY: VISIT THE LOST LAND OF THE BIBLE
15. BE AN ENGLISH TEACHER “TENTMAKER”
16. HERE’S A HANDY RESPONSE TO PLAXO “PINGS”
17. NEW TRANSFORMATION VIDEO RELEASED
18. TESOL SCHOOL AT UNIVERSITY OF THE NATIONS, HAWAII
19. GLOBAL COURSEWORK BY AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
20. THE BACKPAGE: WHEN YOU SURF, BE A SKEPTIC
21. CLOSING STUFF

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1. OPEN DOORS FOR THE GOSPEL! — In ONLY 2 weeks you can learn to fill and clean teeth with hand tools. The needs are great. No injections or costly equipment are needed. Classes are held monthly in Texas. http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com Email dentaltrainingformissionsattnet

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2. TRAGEDY AND CHALLENGE OF THE WORLD’S STREET CHILDREN — There are up to 160 million children living on the streets of the world. The excellent book “Street Children” by Andy Butcher, written in 1996, has been updated by Andy and reprinted in 2003 by Gabriel Publishers. Action International Ministries has purchased 100 copies of this $10 book and will send it to anyone considering ministering the gospel and compassionate care to these children of the streets. Send your email request for a copy of “Street Children” to d_nicholsearthlinknet

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3. THANKS TO DIAL-ABROAD AND NEW BRIGADA SIGN-UPS! — Can you believe it? The Dial-Abroad long distance folks tell me that Brigada clients used about $400 worth of long distance during November. So they say they’re mailing a check to help with the new Brigada Secretary — equal to $40! That’s incredible! So if you’re considering changing long distance anyway, or if you’d like a great deal on international dialing, check it out at: http://www.brigada.org/phone.html
   

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4. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! — This Thanksgiving weekend, we’re giving thanks for, among others, Gateway Missionary Training Center in Langley, B.C. (Canada). It’s a unique community that focuses on equipping the whole person for service in another country or culture. The program is structured to lead a trainee through a process that will enable him/her to face the very real challenges of cross-cultural work. Experienced staff members offer mentoring, guidance and counsel all along the way. Trainees move from the context of a caring learning community, to an active cross-cultural experience and then back again to Gateway where they are debriefed in order to promote the greatest growth and understanding. Most trainees will be “field ready” when they complete the course. Those who need extra time or preparation will be well aware of the areas they need to work on. Gateway staff monitors the entire process and assists the candidate to chart a course for successful service. (Thanks for your partnership gift, Gateway!!!) Thanks, too, to the anonymous Asian participant who gave $50 this past week — to help enable the Brigada secretary, so we can keep Brigada Today up and running and on time!

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5. SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAINING — Gateway Missionary Training Centre in Langley B.C. plans to open three of it’s specialized courses to interested people from outside of the school. Church Planting: (January 19 – 22, 2004) This course will be led by a team of experienced missionary church planters. The intent is to familiarize students with the challenge of communicating the gospel cross-culturally, and equipping them with the tools to bring together new believers and nurture them into a viable church using a well thought-out strategy. Cost*: $150.00 CDN Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills (SYIS): Feb 23-26, 2004 — Laurel McAllister and her team will lead this weeklong experience in the development of key knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for the growth and maintenance of healthy relationships. Cost*: $175.00 CDN Language Acquisition for Cross-Cultural Effectiveness (LACE): March 15 – 25, 2004 — This 10 day course will be taught by Peter Pikkert. It is designed to equip the expatriate to learn her/his host country’s language and engage positively with its culture. It is designed for non-specialists learning a language that has already been reduced to writing. Cost*: $350.00CDN * Pricing does not include room and board. Arrangements can be made to stay at Gateway MTC for $20.00/day room and board as long as space is available. For more details check out the web site at http//www.gatewaytraining.org or contact the registrar at infogatewaytrainingorg or call Beverly at 604-530-4283.

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6. WAR, TERRORISM INSURANCE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD — Finally! A simple online application that provides $50,000 or $100,000 coverage for Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Permanent and Total Disability, including coverage for losses resulting from most acts of war and terrorism anywhere in the world. This plan is underwritten by Lloyds of London and can be taken out for periods as short as one month. For information about war and terrorism insurance, contact jeffgninsurancecom or call 480/813-9100, toll-free in USA: 866/636- 9100 or visit http://www.overseashealthinsurance.com

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7. MISSIONARY TRAINING CAMPS — This training is a good step for people meandering (turning, winding, zigzagging) in their missions call. Come and make a strait course to what God has called you to do. It gives enlightenment. Missions to many is like a dark room, when lights are turned on, even momentarily, a whole new destiny is possible. An experienced missionary, from a notable agency once attended and said, “I wish we had gone through this before we went to the field.” The next camp is in Virginia from February 5-8, 2004. For more information on training content, dates, places of other upcoming camps, see the Elijah Company web site at http://www.elijahcompany.org or write to infoelijahcompanyorg or call 757-639-2906.

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8. TRAINING FOR SHORT-TERM MISSION LEADERS –- You are invited to send your short term mission leaders or potential leaders to the National Short Term Missions Conference held on January 16-18, 2003, at the Renaissance Hotel at the Los Angeles Airport (LAX). Thirty-five workshops and several more extensive seminars are available. Dr. Isaac Canales of Latin American Bible Institute is the plenary speaker. You can email infonstmcorg for information just log on at: http://www.nstmc.org This year you can also register online via credit card!!

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9. JAPAN TENTMAKERS CONFERENCE — All the Priscilla’s and Aquila’s (Acts 18:2-4) working or studying in Japan are invited to attend a conference January 3-5, 2004 in Japan’s Izu Peninsula (between Nagoya and Tokyo). The conference will focus on ‘Equipping the Saints’ through worship, Bible study and fellowship with emphasis on clarification of tentmaker ministry vision, opportunities and issues as well as practical equipping in witness and ministry skills and approaches. Complete information can be found at http://www.hereshope.com/tentmakers or by emailing Shelly: srpitmanjapanemailnejp.

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10. ESL INSTRUCTION — Learn conversational English by attending a twelve week course at Youth With A Mission in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA, beginning April 4, 2004. Study with fellow students from around the world. Live with classmates and national English speakers in a community setting that offers spiritual richness, a taste of American culture, and immersion in the English language. For information and application forms, log on at http://www.ywampa.org or e-mail to ywampacomcastnet

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11. ONE OPTION FOR INT’L DIALING WITHOUT THE DOLLARS — Want to dial for fewer dollars? Try an international calling service that reportedly has the cheapest country-to-country phone rates. Learn more at http://www.brigada.org/phone.html

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12. CASE STUDY IN REACHING THE UNREACHED: WORKING POOR OF BANGKOK — Step Ahead Microenterprise Development integrates cutting edge “Covey” personal development training into their weekly meetings in the slum communities of Bangkok. Further, they explore the life of Joseph as a model of proactivity, then, go on to study Maxwell’s “21 Indisputable Laws of Leadership”. This unorthodox ministry approach accepts the slum-dwelling poor as business partners, and sets out to help them achieve comprehensive transformation in their lives, families, and communities. Step Ahead goes to the market everyday in the love of God, to empower those who make their living doing everything from sewing dresses, and roasting chicken, to making noodle soup. To learn more, check out the website. http://www.stepaheadmed.org

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13. ESL TEACHERS MINISTRY SKILLS SURVEY — Global Opportunities for tentmakers has posted an online survey for new and current Christian ESL teachers on their website. The survey results will be used to design a workshop specifically for ESL teachers’ ministry skills. You can fill out this short 5 question survey in a minute or two. Just log on at http://www.globalopps.org/eslsurvey.htm or if you prefer receiving the survey via email request one by emailing: eslsurveyglobaloppsorg

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14. TURKEY: VISIT THE LOST LAND OF THE BIBLE — If you would like to use the new book by Dr. Andrew Jackson’s that we mentioned recently, “The Lost Land of the Bible: A Christian Travel and Prayer Guide Through the Ancient Biblical Land of Turkey,” you’re in luck! Steve, who lives in Turkey can make the arrangements for your prayer journey. Check out his website at http://www.galatialtd.com His email is galatialtdpoboxcom You can call for further info at 1-860-546-0547.

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15. BE AN ENGLISH TEACHER “TENTMAKER” — Teaching English opens many doors for ministry throughout the world, but it takes more than speaking the language to be a good English teacher. The TESOL training at Youth With A Mission in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA, will equip you to teach, and the certificate you receive will open doors to employment and/or ministry in many lands. The four week class begins January 18, 2004, and again March 7, 2004. For information and application forms, see website http://www.ywampa.org or e-mail to ywampacomcastnet

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16. HERE’S A HANDY RESPONSE TO PLAXO “PINGS” — Here’s a handy response to all those nasty Plaxo “pings” you might be getting (from folks who, in a well-meaning way, signed up for Plaxo and now everyone in their address book is getting spammed by the company because of it). This particular response was sent to me recently by the Communications Director of one of the largest organizations fielding overseas missionaries. In fact — it’s probably the biggest of them all. Anyway, here’s what he sends out: “Dear ___________, Let me encourage you not to use Plaxo. In addition, notice the email address that maintains your update. It is not to your account, but the account you established with Plaxo: addrupdate-[??youraccountnumber???mxplaxocom. Our organization's techs have looked at the PLAXO contact list updating service and have advised that you do not accept this request nor install this service on your computer as it may pose security risks for you. One potential hazard is making your entire contact list open to Plaxo for exploitation. Napster's original founder, Sean Parker, launched Plaxo in November 2002 with $1.8 million. If you agree to download the free service, it will send an update message to everyone in your Outlook contact list in priority order based on usage. Embedded within that email request for updating contacts is an invitation (read "spam") to sign up for the service and replicate the process on that person's contact list. This works like a virus because it keeps replicating itself. Unless you download Plaxo yourself, you'll keep getting hit with individual requests. For an organization like ours, this means so many Plaxo messages arrive that it slows the whole system. So if you have Plaxo, you "stay in sync" by opening up your email contact list. Losers like me get dozens of requests for updates and a serious PR problem if I ignore one. Our I.T. guy says he won't do anything with the information that is pouring into his databases, but it is growing exponentially--some fear a "big brother" future with Plaxo controlling all the inter-related contacts. For more: See http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,56322,00.html or another source is http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,940255,00.asp?kc=PCNKT0209KTX1K010 0360." (Note that those last two URLs will probably 'wrap', so you'll have to reassemble them manually.)" [snip snip -- end of Plaxo'd form letter]

    Thanks to this brother, willing to share, but probably wishing to remain anonymous for now on this issue. If you’re a Plaxo user, just remember — it’s not something we’d wish on *anyone*. If you’re a friend of a Plaxo user, getting “pinged” by Plaxo emails, remember that if you’d like to bow out, you cannot simply click “reply” to a Plaxo inquiry. You’ll have to manually compose a note from “scratch” to the person causing the ping, then paste in the above note into that email. If you just hit reply, it goes out to a wasted Plaxo address that doesn’t get read by anyone. :-( The whole thing might end up being illegal anyway, because it’s junk mail that we didn’t solicit – so I’m thinking it won’t fly under the new spam bill anyway.

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17. NEW TRANSFORMATION VIDEO RELEASED — “The Quickening,” is now available! 50+ million people, in 25 different languages have seen a Transformation Video! Eddie and Alice Smith, U.S. Prayer Center, say, “This message of hope stirs an appetite for God’s presence and offers expanded teaching on key definitions, core principles, and common obstacles related to community transformation.” Save $3, Order: https://www.prayerbookstore.com/store/default.asp?action=detail&strSku= 10100&intCatID=4&lastaction=display [note that this URL will wrap, so you'll have to assemble it manually] or call toll-free from the USA or via Net2Phone from elsewhere 1-800-569-4825 (or 713-466-4009; usprayercentercscom)

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18. TESOL SCHOOL AT UNIVERSITY OF THE NATIONS, HAWAII — Teaching English opens many doors to places in the world. You may know the language, but it takes preparation to be a good English teacher. The TESOL training given at The University of the Nations in Kona Hawaii will equip you to teach & credential you by awarding a Certificate of Course Completion. A letter is also supplied that explains the curriculum & course of study. This is a four week academic curriculum immediately followed by a two week practicum conducted on the Campus. The school begins on February 16, 2004 & ends March 26, 2004. For more information & application forms contact admissionsuofnkonaedu

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19. GLOBAL COURSEWORK BY AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY — We featured Operation Impact in an earlier edition, but did you know Operation Impact was a global organization? APU puts on classes all over the world. One Brigada participant (“Brian”) has been enrolled for two years in Ecuador and he loves it. In fact, to do it justice, you might as well see their global classroom — listed at the website http://www.apu.edu/educabs/graduate/highered/operationimpact/ To see the list of locations, click on “Schedule”. (Thanks Brian!)

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20. THE BACKPAGE: WHEN YOU SURF, BE A SKEPTIC — I keep wondering how long it’ll take all of us to become more skeptical when we’re accessing the Internet. I mean… how many scams have to nab us before we realize that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Nobody from West Africa is going to transfer $26 million into your bank account. Few, if any, young ladies really want to say, “I love you”, when they’ve never even met you. :-) Even if one did, what’s the likelihood she would be your type?!? :-) Bill Gates hasn’t arranged to make a donation to your mission if you forward somebody’s message. (Even if he cared, how would he even know?) It’s a shame we have to point it out, but the truth is, this is the Wild Wild West — the open Frontier! The Internet is the Pony Express — and we’re living in the middle of “Gold-Digger’s Gulch”. So… a word to the wise: Be a skeptic. *Doubt* the web page. *Doubt* the email. *Doubt* the rumor before you forward it to everyone in your address book. You owe it to yourself, your supporters, and your friends to protect their privacy and their peace. When will we ever learn? :-)

1. INCREDIBLE SPONSOR/PARTNERS
2. INSTITUTE TO OFFER STARTUP COURSE
3. HELPS FOR MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
4. GET TRAINED IN HELPING THOSE WHO ARE INDRUSTRIOUS
5. INTERACTIVE HOMESCHOOL RESOURCE
6. DENTAL TRAINING FOR MISSIONS
7. GET LOW LONG DISTANCE FROM USA TO ELSEWHERE
8. “LAST DAYS” IS SEARCHING FOR HOUSE PARENTS
9. CAN YOU BELIEVE ALL THE WORMS IN OUR EMAIL?
10. CLOSING STUFF

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1. INCREDIBLE SPONSOR/PARTNERS — We continue to be bowled over by some terrific sponsors… Cathy Dreger, at the Chalmers Center for Economic Development, Covenant College, Lookout Mt., GA, 30750, cdregercovenantedu , $30; and then there’s $20 from Joan Goddard, Travel Consultant with Wilcox World Travel And Tours, jgoddardwilcoxtravelcom, 800-438-5828, ext. 343; plus an anonymous partnership gifts of $225. These gifts bring us closer to being able to imagine ongoing help to underwrite the cost of our already-in-action secretary. I’m seeing parts of my “to do list” I haven’t seen for months… and we’re getting caught up on Brigada Todays! Thank you for your partnership and love!!!!

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2. INSTITUTE TO OFFER STARTUP COURSE — The Christian Economic Development Institute offers practical, hands-on training to equip your church or ministry to help the poor to help themselves through their own work. There are no prerequisites for participation in the training. No experience is necessary! They train missionaries and church leaders the world over to implement strategies that communicate Christ’s love in both word & deed. There are now three delivery mechanisms to get you the training you need. Choose the delivery mechanism that works best for you: Live training events (Bangkok, Thailand, May 24-June 2 and at Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA, August 2-11), Email based, distance learning classes; and Video-DVD courses. For more information, visit http://www.chalmers.org or email chalmerscovenantedu or telephone 706-419-1805

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3. HELPS FOR MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT — The world of microenterprise development (MED) can be bewildering. There are so many terms, so many organizations, and so many concepts to learn. Frankly, it is all rather overwhelming. Where can a person turn to sort it all out? If this is how you are feeling, then this book is for you. _Christian Microenterprise Development: an Introduction_, is now on sale now for $10, plus shipping and handling. Co-authored by David Bussau, the “father” of Christian MED, and Dr. Russell Mask, International Microenterprise Coordinator for the Chalmers Center for Economic Development, this book is designed to help churches, missionaries, and Christian NGOs understand the basics of MED in the Two-Thirds World. For more information, email chalmerscovenantedu, or for an online presence, see http://www.chalmers.org or phone 706-419-1805 for more information.

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4. GET TRAINED IN HELPING THOSE WHO ARE INDRUSTRIOUS — Principles and Practices of Christian Microfinance and Microenterprise Development is just a mouse-click away! The Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College now offers Christian Economic Development Institute training three ways: 1) E-mail based distance learning courses 2) Video-DVD courses and 3) Live, on- site training. Join distance learning students the world over in this innovative approach to mercy ministry training. “Principles and Practices of Christian Microenterprise Development in the 2/3 World”: Module 1: “Foundations”-starts Jan 5, 2004, and module 2: “The Microfinance/Microenterprise Development Landscape” starts Jan 26, 2004. To reserve your spot today, contact 706-419-1805, <chalmerscovenantedu> or visit http://www.chalmers.org </chalmerscovenantedu>

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5. INTERACTIVE HOMESCHOOL RESOURCE — World Wide Home School, a free membership resource for homeschooling families, provides a secure, interactive portal with a variety of resources, courses and community opportunities. Their members are able to create their own online courses, discussion groups, fellowship groups, Bible studies, Co-ops and chats with the easy to use template available. Visit http://www.worldwidehomeschool.com to see how you might benefit as a homeschooler, or by using this technology to keep in touch with your families, friends and supporters. The folks at World Wide are also interested in having missionaries lead Bible Studies, discussion groups and host special events like online question and answer sessions. They encourage you to contact David Johns by email wwhsdicosocom or phone at 610-937-0992.

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6. DENTAL TRAINING FOR MISSIONS — Learn a great skill in which you can demonstrate the love of Christ in a practical way. In just ten days, get the training to bring greatly needed dental care to your community. Courses are offered monthly in Texas, USA. http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com e-mail: dentistryformissionsattnet

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7. GET LOW LONG DISTANCE FROM USA TO ELSEWHERE — Here’s a great deal on international phone rates. Just go to the UWT connection-page. If you sign up, UWT will give a small sponsorship gift to Brigada.
   

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8. “LAST DAYS” IS SEARCHING FOR HOUSE PARENTS — A married couple without children is needed to live in Reynosa, Mexico and serve as house parents to four of the children at the Josiah and Bethany Children’s Home affiliated with Calvary Commission and Last Days Ministry. A one year commitment is required. More information may be obtained at

   http://www.calvarycommission.org or via joefausscalvarycommissionorg

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9. CAN YOU BELIEVE ALL THE WORMS IN OUR EMAIL? — David agrees with me that everyone needs a firewall. But David recommends that better than the XP Firewall: Use “Zone Alarm.” There is a free version at http://www.zonealarm.com . David says Zone Alarm Pro is worth the cost of the software.

1. NEW SPONSOR: TEALBROOK
2. ARE YOU RECEIVING TONS OF UNSOLICITED EMAILS?
3. DENTAL TRAINING FOR MISSIONARIES
4. U.S. WEST COAST HOSPITALITY HOME OPENS
5. CASE STUDY FOR POLAND
6. E-SWORD
7. UNHINDERED 2003: AN EVENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN MISSIONS
8. COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ISLAM COURSE
9. TESOL INSTRUCTION
10. CLOSING STUFF

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1. NEW SPONSOR: TEALBROOK — Need a piece of camping gear? Please give Tealbrook a try: http://www.tealbrook.com . They cater to the needs of missionaries living in wilderness situations, with water purfiers, packs, and tons of other supplies. Thanks to Tealbrook for their sponsorship for Brigada!

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2. ARE YOU RECEIVING TONS OF UNSOLICITED EMAILS? — Often referred to as “spam”, these advertisements and scams are on the rise. In fact, they’re deluging anybody and everbody that uses the Internet. Spammers (those who specialize in sending out thousands of unsolicited email ads on a daily basis) harvest your email address from websites, web-forums, or by buying address lists from other vendors. So if you put your email address on the form at your local hardware store, the next thing you know, you’re getting weekly email updates from a fix-it-yourself magazine… and a few weeks after that, from a pornographic website. It’s insane — and out of control. As for spam in the USA, congress is up in arms and committed to coming up with legislation to address it. Only God knows if they’ll be successful. Some studies show that spam now makes up 40% of the email most users receive. (It’s lots higher than that with me.) If you want to try to address spam on a smaller scale basis, try these options — courtesy “Dan the man” (our Information Technology guy at Team Expansion): For Outlook users: http://www.cloudmark.com markets Spamnet; about 95% effective. Only works with Full Outlook (not Express). http://www.Mailblocks.com – this is Dan’s favorite. 100% effective. a penny a day. However it uses IMAP rather than POP3 so it is tricky to use with some programs. Available for Outlook / Outlook Express / and Eudora, if you can configure it correctly. http://www.Mailshell.com. 10 cents a day, about 90% effective. For POP3 only clients. Some Internet Service Providers hook up their users to spam control for no extra charge. For example, Earthlink provides a form of Brightmail. I’ve been using Earthlink since 1995 and I’ll have to say, their spam control catches hundreds of spam messages to me per day… but dozens still get through. No solution is 100% effective. Rats. :-)

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3. DENTAL TRAINING FOR MISSIONARIES — Learn a practical skill with which you can demonstrate the love of Christ and open the hearts of unreached peoples to the gospel. Dental disease is the most common disease in the world. Millions suffer for lack of available or affordable dental services. In just 9 days, Dental Training For Missions can train and equip you to bring greatly needed dental care to your community. Let us not love in word only, but also in deed… I John 3:18 http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com E-mail: <dentaltrainingformissionsattnet> </dentaltrainingformissionsattnet>

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4. U.S. WEST COAST HOSPITALITY HOME OPENS — Located in Southern California, “Rancho de la Paz” (Ranch of Peace) is truly a peaceful setting where missionaries (and other Christian workers) can find respite. Meals can be prepared by guests themselves in the self-serve kitchen and eaten in solitude in one’s room, on the patio, or in the gazebo with its 360 degree view of the rolling hills, or they can be enjoyed with the household in their *International* dining room. For more information: (909) 245-4082; P.O. Box 1388, Lake Elsinore, CA 92532 USA, or email: <adminacross2ucom> Check out: http://www.across2u.com/rancho.html . </adminacross2ucom>

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5. CASE STUDY FOR POLAND — A web evangelism team in Poland is using an integrated portfolio of websites with some very effective strategies. This case study presents many ideas which could be adapted for other languages and countries: http://www.gospelcom.net/guide/resources/poland.php

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6. E-SWORD — Layman Rick Myers has developed an online *free* Bible download service of 40 translations in 14 languages including Chinese, Russian and Ukrainian. More than 800,000 Bibles have been downloaded since it launched in 2001. The King James Version is included with Strong’s reference numbers which key the text to dictionary references showing the underlying Hebrew and Greek words. It includes a built-in word processor to import text, add notes, highlight key passages and print. Again, all this is free. Mr. Myers lives off of donations. http://www.e-sword.net/ (ABP) Thanks for the tip, Mark!

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7. UNHINDERED 2003: AN EVENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN MISSIONS — Unhindered 2003 is a special event coming up in Frisco, Colorado, with still barely enough time for you to learn more. If you are a young adult interested in world evangelization, pray about coming to Colorado on June 25-29 for a time of networking, sharing new ideas, and worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ. Floyd McClung, George Miley, and others will be sharing their hearts for the local church’s involvement in this great task before the body of Christ. For more info check out the website at http://www.unhindered2003.com or email at <infounhindered2003com> . </infounhindered2003com>

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8. COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ISLAM COURSE — CIU offers courses in Islam (credit/audit) for field worker candidates, workers on home leave, professional tentmakers in a Muslim country, pastors in an area where there is a growing number of Muslims, and students sensing God’s call to work with Muslims. SUMMER, 2003: Introduction to Islam (Johnson) July 7-11; Folk Islam (Cashin) July 14-18; Approaches to Islam (Joseph C.) July 21-25; Women in Islam (Maxwell) July 28-Aug. 1 EXTENSION: Introduction to Islam (Larson); Women in Islam (Stacey) For more information, Ph. 1-800-777-2227 Ext. 3327 E-Mail: <rbrasherciuedu> Registration Online for Summer: http://www.ciu.edu/summerstudies . </rbrasherciuedu>

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9. TESOL INSTRUCTION — Catch a TESOL class starting this week and running through July 11 at the YWAM base in Lebanon PA. Proper training in HOW to teach English prepares graduates to do an excellent job where ever they go. For information, see website http://www.ywampa.org, or email at <ywampacomcastnet>. </ywampacomcastnet>