1. TRAINING IN MICROFINANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
2. TALKING BIBLES – BECAUSE THEY NEED TO HEAR
3. MISSIONARIES GET FREE BLOG SITES…
4. MISSIONS PHOTOGRAPHERS: BE SEEN HERE!
5. MUSLIM MINISTRY TRAINING
6. GET INTERNET-BASED COUNSELING AND MORE
7. WHERE DO MISSIONS PASTORS FIND OUT ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES?
8. ONLINE CLASSROOM FOR STUDENTS OF ISLAM
9. HANDBOOK FOR HELPERS IN EMERGENCIES
10. PC MAG TOP 100 WEBSITES
11. DAVID HACKETT JOINS VISIONSYNERGY
12. URGENT NEED FOR TEACHERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
13. AMAZING FRIENDS HELP BRIGADA STAY AFLOAT
14. THE BACK PAGE: THE ART OF FINISHING
15. CLOSING STUFF

1. TRAINING IN MICROFINANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT — The Chalmers Center’s fourth annual Christian Economic Development Institute (CEDI) will be held at Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA, June 13 – June 18, 2005. During CEDI, you will learn how to facilitate economic and spiritual transformation in low-income and disadvantaged communities. This training equips you with practical, church-centered, and field-tested economic development strategies and programs. These strategies and programs help the poor to become financially self-sufficient through their own work, while at the same time provide you with opportunity for outreach and evangelism. Training focuses on microenterprise development, savings-led microfinance programs, rotating savings and credit associations, providing small business training to low-income entrepreneurs, and developing partnerships with large microfinance institutions. If you are unable to attend the June CEDI, consider receiving training through their email- based distance learning classes. To learn more, visit their web site at http://www.chalmers.org You can also call them at 706-419-1805 or email chalmers(at)covenant(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
2. TALKING BIBLES – BECAUSE THEY NEED TO HEAR — Now you can learn more about the efforts of Talking Bibles International and its partner, World Mission. Just visit http://www.talkingbibles.org and click on the link at the far right, ‘See the Talking Bible in Action – watch the video’. Regardless of where you are in the world, you’ll be able to watch this ministry at work, providing entire New Testaments inside the Talking Bibles.
3. MISSIONARIES GET FREE BLOG SITES… — at http://www.solidhope.com You can choose from several templates, privacy settings, and more. Check it out!
4. MISSIONS PHOTOGRAPHERS: BE SEEN HERE! — Now there’s a great gathering place for Christian mission photographers to get the word out about their gifts and skills. Just log on at http://www.photomission.com and you’ll see what we mean. Doesn’t matter what country you’re from or how much your camera cost. If you’ve got talent — show it here! Get noticed! (You can even sell some of your missions photos.)
5. MUSLIM MINISTRY TRAINING — Now you can take in a complete course on Islam in Boulder, Colorado taught by an international, multi ethnic team from Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, and the USA from Muslim, Jewish and Christian backgrounds. The schedule looks like this:

June 6-10 Inside Islam, history, theology, Muhammad. June 13-17 Quran, Hadith, Sharia, Fundamentalism. June 20-24 Folk Islam, breaking strongholds. June 27-July 1, Culture, Church planting, Discipleship.

An evangelism workshop featuring case studies form different fields is offered daily. Introduction to Arabic language, daily. HIS-TIME combines the academic with the practical. The facility is close to the beautiful rocky mountains allowing for weekend recreational activities. Call 303-442-3333 or visit http://www.histime.org or email main(at)horizonsinternational(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. GET INTERNET-BASED COUNSELING AND MORE — Missionary Outreach Support Services (MOSS) is an organization under the leadership of the Regent University Doctor of Psychology program. MOSS seeks to serve Christian Missionaries and their families, both at home and abroad, by providing internet-based consulting and psycho-educational services. Psychological trainees provide the services under the supervision of licensed psychologists and in the context of a Christian worldview. The services are offered at a reduced rate to provide missionaries with quality care that they can afford to use while serving on the mission field. For more information: http://www.missionaryoutreach.net
7. WHERE DO MISSIONS PASTORS FIND OUT ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES? — We know about sites that let missionaries know about open doors and unreached peoples. But where do missions pastors find news about open doors for *their* skills? If you have resources or know where these folks find out about open missions pastor opportunities, write Mark about it: MarkStephensadelphianet He’ll share the final report with the rest of us. Thanks Mark!
8. ONLINE CLASSROOM FOR STUDENTS OF ISLAM — To help propel missions education into the 21st century, Caleb Project recently debuted an on- line classroom designed to augment the Encountering the World of Islam (EWI) course. The http://www.encounteringislam.org on-line classroom features additional relevant readings, extensive course resources, and an electronic forum where students can wrestle with the ideas of the course. As the Muslim world continues to headline global news through peace efforts, wars, and natural disasters, Caleb Project’s Encountering the World of Islam course has grown. The course is designed to help Christians understand Islam and prepare to interact in loving and authentic ways with Muslims. In addition to providing resources and readings, the on-line classroom facilitates these purposes by providing a secure forum for student interaction. EWI students can post thoughts and questions about the course, learn from each other, and pursue community after the course. The EWI on-line classroom is a prototype for additional on-line education efforts. Plans are underway for on-line supplements for Perspectives on the World Christian Movement and Perspectives Exposure courses as well as Crossing Cultures, an eye-opening weekend workshop that will expose churches to the needs of ethnic communities in their neighborhoods.
9. HANDBOOK FOR HELPERS IN EMERGENCIES — Here’s a new handbook on debriefing, very relevant for the member care and mission community. “Working Through Trauma – Supporting Staff Responding to Emergencies” This handbook was written for People In Aid by Dr Debbie Lovell-Hawker, Clinical Psychologist at Oxford University and mission/aid consultant. The focus is how to cope with aid-sector trauma, and it includes specific reference to the Asian tsunami and practical tools. Costs: £7.50 members, £10 non-members. Contact: info(at)peopleinaid(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
10. PC MAG TOP 100 WEBSITES – Now you can download the whole list of top 100 websites. (Actually, there are 3 versions… so close to *300* site.) Just go to: http://go.pcmag.com/top100websites then click on the last half of the sentence, “Get our downloadable favorites file!” Then click on check plus “Download Now: Top100installable.zip”. Extract this file, then follow the instructions to add these sites to your presence on the web. This should jump-start your web-link library, … if you’re into that sort of thing. :-)
11. DAVID HACKETT JOINS VISIONSYNERGY — VisionSynergy announced this past week that David Hackett is joining its staff as associate director beginning May 1st. Based in Edmonds, Wash., VisionSynergy is a networking strategy ministry dedicated to helping churches and mission organizations around the world collaborate and network to maximize their potential impact for the global Church. “We are thrilled that Dave will bring his skills to the work of helping the local/global Church work together in Kingdom collaboration,” says Phill Butler, director of visionSynergy. … See http://www.visionsynergy.net or write dhackett(at)visionsynergy(dot)net for more information. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
12. URGENT NEED FOR TEACHERS IN THE PHILIPPINES — Joy Christian Academy, a small K-8 grade MK school based in Cebu City, Philippines is in desperate need for teachers for the 2005-2006 school year. Staffing levels are critical and the need is urgent. Teachers need to raise support but a single teacher could live comfortably on $1,200 / month. For any information or leads please contact Les jca(at)missionphilippines(dot)org
13. AMAZING FRIENDS HELP BRIGADA STAY AFLOAT — Thanks to the amazing friends who are helping us get Brigada out the door and onto your screen! This past week, hats off to the folks at Bellevue Baptist Church in Arlington, TN, who pitched $50 into the mix for the cost of Brigada’s website, our Brigada-sponsored secretary, and more. Thanks Bellvue!

Thanks, too, to the anonymous missionary in Africa who wishes to let other photographers (pro or amateur) know about the online Photomission.com community.” We appreciate you Photomission.com!

And finally, thanks to Visual Impact Design for their gift of $25. Their newest project is SolidHope.com, where missionaries can find a free blogging site in a Christian blogging environment. Thanks Linda and all at Visual Impact!

Would you like to chip in to help make Brigada’s ministry possible? If so, just click here.
14. THE BACK PAGE: THE ART OF FINISHING — What’s the difference between “finishing” and the alternative? In soccer, sometimes it’s inches. The striker unleashes a rocket of a shot that misses by just inches and the whole stadium erupts in a sorrowful sign of regret.

In life, it’s the same.

The farmer who never quite finishes cleaning out the barn. The engineer who, in the end, never quite delivers the architectural drawings he promised to do for his local church. They finally give up and hire a “real” architect.

Are you in one of those situations? Always intending to finish writing that correspondence course… never quite time. You know you have to turn in information for your W-2, but you’re 3 months late and now you’re in trouble with Financial Director at the “home office.”

Well if you’re one of those statistics, take heart, for hope lies just around the corner. No matter how far behind you are, you can always wake up and make up your mind that today is a fresh start.

Last week, ladies and gentlemen, [drum roll] I finally finished the next stage of my doctoral dissertation. I can’t even remember how many years I’ve been meaning to complete these chapters. I’d start and restart, but something always took precedence. Then came March 2005. “Click.” Something turned on inside of me. And now, the past is the past… and the future is the future!

Is it a good feeling? Well — Duh! :-) As I sealed carefully written 100 pages or so and slipped them into the FedEx drop box, I was thinking, “Sure they’ll tell me everything I did wrong… but who cares! :-) I’m making progress now.”

How do we manage to get “off the mark” and churn through a project like this? Stay tuned for 5 tips next week. In the meantime, be careful out there. It’s a jungle that wants to suck in all your projects so you never complete them. :-)

Doug

• 1) PILAT COMES TO NORTH CAROLINA
• 2) A NEW BOOK ON INTERNATIOAL MISSIONARY CARE
• 3) NEED FREE IMAGES FOR YOUR NEXT POWERPOINT?
• 4) BIBLE COURSE ON THE INTERNET
• 5) HELP US BIG-TIME WITH FORMATTING ITEMS
• 6) FREE ARTICLES FOR MISSION USE
• 7) HOW ‘BOUT THAT SULFNBK.EXE “VIRUS”! :-)
• 8) TESOL TRAINING WITH PRACTICUM IN THE PHILIPPINES
• 9) …OR LEARN TESOL IN CHINA
• 10) …OR LEARN TESOL IN PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH COUNTRY
• 11) SHORT- AND LONG- TERM OPTIONS AMONG UNREACHED PEOPLES
• 12) SHARPEN YOUR INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
• 13) CORRECTION ON EMERGENCY PLANS GUY
• 14) TRAIN AS A SHORT-TERM MINISTRY LEADER
• 15) FOR THOSE SHARING THE MESSAGE OF THE MESSIAH TO JEWS
• 16) RESOURCES FOR SHARING CHRIST DAILY
• 17) CROSSROADS DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL
• 18) REACH STREETCHILDREN AND CHILDREN IN NEED
• 19) CHRISTMAS WISH FROM THE BRIGADA FAMILY
• CLOSING STUFF

From Feb. 18 to Mar. 1, learn inside secrets of language learning, master effective language learning techniques, train the ears to hear and prepare the mouth to reproduce sounds of other languages, learn to become pro-active in language learning and acquire a Language Learning Kit filled with resources to help master language learning. This PILAT (Program in Language Acquisition Techniques) course is offered by the Center for Intercultural Training in cooperation with Missionary Training International (MTI). To register or for more information, write <citmailcit-onlineorg> or call toll-free from the USA or via Net2Phone from elsewhere 1.800.887.1786 or visit our website at http://www.cit-online.org .</citmailcit-onlineorg>

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Edited by Dr. Kelly O’Donnell, _Doing Member Care Well_ is a compilation of articles and updates on how different organizations are providing member care around the world. Over 60 authors contributed to the book, from all over the world. It is being offered at a greatly reduced price until January 10, 2002. To see the cover, endorsements, contents, and the introduction, visit http://www.membercare.org . For more information contact the editor at 102172170compuservecom .

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Check out

http://www.goodsalt.com

The images there are updated frequently to reflect current events. Thanks for your work, Bill!

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“BibleKeys” is a dynamic 5-week course for new believers available free on the Internet at http://www.biblekeysonline.com . It works interactively, encouraging students to study and memorize the Scriptures for themselves. Chinese and Hindi are to be added shortly. It’s also available in printed form. Find out more by emailing info at biblekeysonline dot com (replace the “at” with @ and the “dot” with “.” and remove the spaces).

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Every week, we spend *tons* of time reformatting items that well-meaning contributors send us in the wrong format. Some of these contain words that are incorrectly spelled, while others are just different than the normal way we prepare items. Rats. It could be *so* much easier if our contributing friends would simply take the time to work through our submission suggestions. Get a copy for yourself by sending an email to:

<brigada-submissionsbrigadaorg>. It’s that simple. If everybody helped, this job would require tons less time. Thanks for understanding.</brigada-submissionsbrigadaorg>

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Twenty-three practical, biblically-based articles important for missionaries are available for download. They may be copied freely for your missionaries, mission leaders, or use in your training programs. To access these, go to http://www.RelationshipSkills.com and click “Handouts.” If have questions or would like to submit articles for this site, please contact <itpartnersearthlinknet></itpartnersearthlinknet>

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Have you been “hit” by the sulfnbk.exe “virus” yet? This thing is sweeping the Internet so fast, we don’t even know what’s hitting us! Here’s the way it works. Someone emails you and says… “Whew… this is serious; check your Windows folder now to see if you’ve got the dreaded sulfnbk.exe file. Yikes! It’s a virus! Erase it immediately.” So we go off deleting files on our computers without even verifying the purpose of the file! Yikes. My buddy and I joked that we could send the same message, except tell people to erase “Win.exe” or “Explorer.exe”. Can’t you hear it? “This Explorer virus automatically begins searching your hard drive for credit card numbers. Once it finds them, it emails them to an anonymous email address in Amsterdam. Dreadful. Erase it now.” Gang… when will we learn. Practically *all* the warnings we get — 99% of them — are hoaxes. Do yourself a favor and send an email to <opcbrigadaorg> to learn how to spot them. And… for those hit by the sulfnbk.exe virus, good luck reading long file names. Because your deletion *is* the virus.</opcbrigadaorg>

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This is the fourth year that TESOL has been taught in this location in the Southern Philippines. This four week intensive TESOL course is taught by an experienced American instructor and includes teaching practicum among students of an unreached people group at a local university. The course dates are April 15th-May 11th, 2002. The cost is only $400 US dollars, including board, lodging, 5 books, and curriculum. The cost for Philippine citizens is P10,000. The course combines the academic with the practical. For more information write to Melody at <kzkukamtsnet>.</kzkukamtsnet>

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WTO and the 2008 Beijing Olympics have heightened the existing desire of the Chinese people to learn English. Demand will increase over the next several years. Get a head start! Take your TESOL in China and stay to teach or go somewhere else in the world to teach. http://www.tesoltraining.com or email <tesol2001hotmailcom>.</tesol2001hotmailcom>

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10) …OR LEARN TESOL IN PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH COUNTRY

:-) This must be annual TESOL week. :-) YWAM, Lebanon, PA is once again offering TESOL May 6 to May 31, 2002. Cost $950USD plus a $35.00 registration fee. This intensive and highly academic course will give you the ability and self confidence to teach the fundamentals of conversational English plus give you a job skill that opens doors to hard to enter countries. For information, call 717-274-9010 or e-mail <davidbbaumancscom>.</davidbbaumancscom>

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11) SHORT- AND LONG- TERM OPTIONS AMONG UNREACHED PEOPLES

Mission to Unreached Peoples has short- and long-term opportunities available to Japan, China, India, Russia, Poland and Turkey. The type of work in each country will vary depending on your giftings and the program. You will need to raise support to cover costs for airfare, food and lodging. Cost ranges from $1850-2950. Consider teaching English in China. All it takes is a bachelor’s degree in any field to be qualified to teach English. Those with teaching experience or a MA in TEFL or any English or Education field are especially needed. Many Chinese schools may provide room, board, salary, medical care and vacation allowance depending on your length of commitment. For more information, call Jeff at Mission to Unreached Peoples toll-free or via Net2Phone at 1-888-847-6950 or write to <mupinfomuporg> or click on http://www.mup.org .</mupinfomuporg>

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12) SHARPEN YOUR INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Biblically based, interactive workshops in relationship skills are available for anyone involved in missions. There are still openings in Colorado Springs February 25 to March 1, and in Southern California April 21-26. If you are interested in participating in one of these, or in any of the other SYIS workshops currently open in nine countries, go to the International Training Partners Web site at http://www.RelationshipSkills.com . For questions or to sponsor a workshop for your organization, contact <itpartnersearthlinknet></itpartnersearthlinknet>

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13) CORRECTION ON EMERGENCY PLANS GUY

If you tried to reach that emergency plans guy last week and your email bounced back, it’s because he inadvertently put an “org” on his email address (instead of .com). Guess he was trying to be more discrete. :-) Anyway.. let’s try this again… Brian works with a short-term sending missions agency and is looking for resources or even already written Emergency Response Plans. If you already have one — or resources for them — email them to Brian <briansdeltaministriescom>. He has agreed to compile a report and make it available to all Brigada readers in the future, via an autoresponder here on Brigada. </briansdeltaministriescom>

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14) TRAIN AS A SHORT-TERM MINISTRY LEADER

There is still time to register for the 5th Annual Short-Term Ministry Leaders Training Seminar conducted by COMMIT Ministries and Gateway Mission Training Center, April 25-27 in Honolulu, Hawaii. This is a 3-day intensive interactive training seminar that provides each participant with proven, cutting-edge methods and information; everything needed to implement an effective short-term ministry program or augment existing programs. This seminar covers most all short-term issues including in depth pre-field training, team dynamics, on-site materials, and comprehensive debriefing. The seminar will be held in the Penthouse at the Outrigger Waikiki Surf Hotel; cost is only $199 which includes materials and tuition. Contact Greg or Ray for registration materials or more information <commitjunocom>.</commitjunocom>

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15) FOR THOSE SHARING THE MESSAGE OF THE MESSIAH TO JEWS

Check out resources at http://www.howardmorganministries.org , especially the evangelism seminar, “Everyone Can Evangelize.” It has three 90-minute tapes and an illustrated workbook.

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16) RESOURCES FOR SHARING CHRIST DAILY

If you’re looking for resources on how to share Christ as a daily part of your Christian life… including ideas that might apply *wherever* you live, check out:

http://www.sharechrist.org or contact Sharing Christ Ministries toll-free or via Net2Phone 1-800-467-0804 Pin #27, or email <scministries02aolcom>.</scministries02aolcom>

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• Afrikaans – ‘n Geseende Kersfees en ‘n voorspoedige Nuwejaar
• Albanian — Gezuar Krishtlindje
• Arabic – I’D MIILAD SAID OUA SANA SAIDA
• Armenian – Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
• Azeri – Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
• Basque – Zorionstsu Eguberri. Zoriontsu Urte Berri On
• Bengali – shuva boro din
• Bohemian – Vesele Vanoce
• Breton – Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
• Bulgarian – Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
• Celtic – Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda=13=DF
• Chinese –
• (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
• (Catonese) Sing Daan Faai Lohk
• (Hong Kong) Kung Ho Hsin Hsi. Ching Chi Shen Tan
• Cornish – Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
• Cree – Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
• Croatian – Sretan Bozic
• Czech – Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
• Danish – Gladelig Jul
• Dutch – Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
• English – Merry Christmas
• Esperanto – Gajan Kristnaskon
• Estonian – Roomsaid Joulu Puhi
• Farsi – Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
• Finnish – Hyvaa joulua
• French – Joyeux Noel
• Frisian – Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
• German – Froehliche Weihnachten
• Greek – Kala Christouyenna!
• Hawaiian – Mele Kalikimaka
• Hebrew – Mo’adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
• Hindi – Bada Din Mubarak Ho
• Hungarian – Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
• Icelandic – Gledileg Jol
• Indonesian – Selamat Hari Natal
• Iraqi – Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
• Irish – Nollaig Shona Dhuit
• Italian – Buone Feste Natalizie
• Japanese – Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
• Kala – Khristougena kai Eftikhes to Neon Etos
• Korean – Sung Tan Chuk Ha
• Latvian – Priecigus Ziemas Svetkus un Laimigu Jauno Gadu
• Lettish – Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
• Lithuanian – Linksmu Kaledu
• Manx – Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
• Maori – Meri Kirihimete
• Marathi – Shub Naya Varsh
• Navajo – Merry Keshmish
• Northern Sotho Matlhatse le matlhogonolo mo ngwageng o moswa.
• Norwegian – God Jul Og Godt Nytt Aar
• Pennsylvania German – En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
• Papiamento – Bon Pasku i Felis Anja Nobo
• Pig Latin – Errymay ristmaskay nday appyhay ewnay earyay
• Polish – Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
• Portuguese – Feliz Natal
• Rapa-Nui – Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
• Romanian – Craciun Fericit
• Russian – Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i s Novim Godom
• Serbian – Hristos se rodi
• Slovakian – Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce
• Samoan – La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
• Scottish – Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur
• Serbian – Hristos se rodi!
• Singhalese – Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
• Slovak – Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
• Slovene – Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto
• Spanish – Feliz Navidad!
• Swahili – Krismasi Njema!
• Swedish – God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt Ar
• Tagalog – Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
• Tamil – Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal
• Thai – Sawat Dee Wan Kritsamas
• Turkish – Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
• Ukrainian – Srozhdestvom Kristovym
• Urdu – Bara Din Mubarak Ho
• Vietnamese – Chung Mung Giang Sinh
• Waray – Maupay nga Pasko ngan Mainuswagon nga Bag-o nga Tu-ig
• Welsh – Nadolig Llawen
• Zulu – Nginifisela inhlanhla ne mpumelelo e nyakeni.

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“BOAS FESTAS”

“JOYEUX NOEL”

“VESELE VANOCE”

“MELE KALIKIMAKA”

“NODLAG SONA DHUIT”

“BLWYDDYN NEWYDD DDA”

“GOD JUL”

“BUON ANNO”

“FELIZ NATAL”

“FELIZ NAVIDAD”

“MERRY CHRISTMAS”

“KALA CHRISTOUGENA”

“VROLIJK KERSTFEEST”

“FROHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN”

“BUON NATALE-GODT NYTAR”

“HUAN YING SHENG TAN CHIEH”

“WESOLYCH SWIAT-SRETAN BOZIC”

“MOADIM LESIMHA-LINKSMU KALEDU”

“HAUSKAA JOULUA-AID SAID MOUBARK”

“‘N PRETTIG KERSTMIS”

“ONNZLLISTA UUTTA VUOTTA”

“Z ROZHDESTYOM KHRYSTOVYM”

“NADOLIG LLAWEN-GOTT NYTTSAR”

“FELIC NADAL-GOJAN KRISTNASKON”

“S NOVYM GODOM-FELIZ ANO NUEVO”

“GLEDILEG JOL-NOELINIZ KUTLU OLSUM”

“EEN GELUKKIG NIEUWJAAR-SRETAN BOSIC”

“KRIHSTLINDJA GEZUAR-KALA CHRISTOUGENA”

“SELAMAT HARI NATAL – LAHNINGU NAJU METU”

“SARBATORI FERICITE-BUON ANNO”

“ZORIONEKO GABON-HRISTOS SE RODI”

“BOLDOG KARACSONNY-VESELE VIANOCE “

“MERRY CHRISTMAS – - HAPPY NEW YEAR”

“ROOMSAID JOULU PUHI -KUNG HO SHENG TEN”

“FELICES PASUAS-EIN GLUCKICHES NEWJAHR”

“PRIECIGUS ZIEMAN SVETKUS SARBATORI VESLLE”

“BONNE ANNEBLWYDDYN NEWYDD DDADRFELIZ NATAL”

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• OPERATION CHINA CD-ROM IS A HIT
• PAYPAL CAN BE FRUSTRATING
• DISTANCE LEARNING FOR NEW MISSIONARIES
• CHURCH PLANTING OPPORTUNITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
• SCRIPTURE SONGWRITING WORKSHOP
• FREE BIBLE COURSES LEADING TO CERTIFICATES
• INFO ON “…SPRING BREAK EXPERIENCE (LINGUISTICS COURSE)”
• VIRUSES EVERYWHERE
• NETWORK SOLUTIONS FORGETS
• EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS NEEDED
• REACH UNREACHED PEOPLE IN JAPAN
• ISLAMIC STUDIES IN ASIA
• KINGDOM CONNECTIONS
• NEW HELP FOR MISSIONARY LEADERS
• TESOL SCHOOL IN HAWAII
• THE BACK PAGE: RESPONSIBLE EMAILING
• CLOSING STUFF

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://www.skyfamily.com/gracew

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

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

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

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

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

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

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EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS NEEDED

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

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REACH UNREACHED PEOPLE IN JAPAN

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

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ISLAMIC STUDIES IN ASIA

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

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KINGDOM CONNECTIONS

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

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

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NEW HELP FOR MISSIONARY LEADERS

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

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TESOL SCHOOL IN HAWAII

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

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THE BACK PAGE: RESPONSIBLE EMAILING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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