http://www.rjcnetwork.org/

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http://www.rjcnetwork.org

or contact Don

http://www.allnations.jp

Or email

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Watch a video of a recent example of one of these conferences:

http://www.rjcnetwork.org

or contact Don

http://www.tokyo2010.org

or email

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The Consultation theme is “Making Disciples Of Every People in Our Generation.” You can register online to this global mission consultation in the pattern of Edinburgh 1910 and 1980 specifically designed for mission sending agencies and structures from around the world. It is the responsibility of sending mission agencies and churches to choose and send their delegates to the Tokyo 2010 conference, in the pattern of Edinburgh 1910. Individual invitations are not sent.  Register before 12/31/09 for priority consideration. (Thanks for this note David, of Tokyo 2010.)

http://www.cfnjapan.org/

http://www.rjcnetwork.org/

or email donwright

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

1. RUMORS OF ACMC’S DEATH ARE EXAGGERATED
2. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THOSE THAT SERVE IN THE GULF COAST-USA
3. WEB EVANGELISM IN JAPAN
4. HOW TO MOVE FROM MAINTENANCE TO MAXIMUM IN MISSIONS
5. CLOSING STUFF

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1. RUMORS OF ACMC’S DEATH ARE EXAGGERATED — Thanks to your prayers and encouragement, the ACMC ministry is alive and well! ACMC is about Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment. Pass the word! Conferences are scheduled in November in Baltimore, MD and Easton, MA. Online registration and downloadable conference brochures are available on the new website. Find ACMC at:

   http://www.acmc.org

   or email info(at)acmc(dot)org or by phone in the US at 1-800-755-7284 or outside the US at 1-407-382-6000. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

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2. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THOSE THAT SERVE IN THE GULF COAST-USA — Delta Ministries International (DMI) invite churches and individuals to serve in the Gulf Coast-USA. You can apply for partial grants and scholarships, which could reduce the amount you have to raise. For more info contact: Tim Randall, USA Phone: 1-570-242-8503 (others dial 001- 1570-242-8503), Email:

   timr(at)deltaministries(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 visit the following website and click on “Hurricane Relief” for more information.

   http://www.deltaministries.com

   The ongoing plea of Gulf Coast residents continues-”Don’t forget us.” The needs are still great!

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3. WEB EVANGELISM IN JAPAN — There is a big lack of online outreach for Japan, yet the opportunities are huge. Internet Evangelism Day has created a page highlighting this dramatic need, and sharing some of what is already happening:

   http://ied.gospelcom.net/japan-web-evangelism.php

   (Thanks Tony!)

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4. HOW TO MOVE FROM MAINTENANCE TO MAXIMUM IN MISSIONS — Kingfisher is an interdenominational missions mobilising organization in South Africa, mobilising local churches to get involved with wholistic missions. They are looking for any tool usable to mobilise members from a local church to move from maintenance towards missions. They are especially looking for workshops or seminars that will help the church grow develop into a missional existence. Got a mobilization tool you can reference at a website or public address/phone? Post it by creating a comment at:

   http://brigada.org/brigade/?p=29

   Got a comment that can’t be posted openly on the web? Then just email it to:

   jtheron(at)xsinet(dot)co(dot)za [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .], the original requester of this information.

   Stop back to the website often to check for updates.

1. WANT TO MINISTER TO THE POOR WITHOUT CREATING DEPENDENCY?
2. AVOID TAKING A HIT WHEN YOUR MISSION TRIP CANCELS
3. REACHING JAPANESE FOR CHRIST CONFERENCES
4. GET CREDIT: DISTANCE-LEARNING COURSE ON MICROENTERPRISE
5. TINYURL TRICK: CUSTOMIZE YOUR BROWSER WITH THE TOOL
6. YWAM OFFERS TO ENHANCE YOUR RELIEF TEAM
7. THE LINK BETWEEN: CONNECTING CHRISTIANS LIVING BETWEEN CULTURES
8. INTERNET EVANGELISM COALITION VIDEOS
9. FREE EPHESIANS BOOKLET
10. GREAT OPP FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PERSON IN RALEIGH, NC
11. YOUR GIFT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
12. THE BACKPAGE: WHAT WILL VIDEOCONFERENCING DO FOR YOU?
13. CLOSING STUFF

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1. WANT TO MINISTER TO THE POOR WITHOUT CREATING DEPENDENCY? — Learn how through the “Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry” distance course from the Chalmers Center for Economic and Community Development at Covenant College. The January 8 – February 2, 2007 offering of the course is now full and the Chalmers Center is taking registration for the May 7 – June 1, 2007 course offering. The “Foundations” course is designed for anyone doing ministry and community outreach among the poor – pastors, church planters, ministry leaders and lay staff, and missionaries. This course is a guided- reading program with weekly written assignments and peer-to-peer interaction with other course participants. Because it is e-mail based, slow dial-up speed will not limit participation. Prior financial or economic experience is not required to participate. Group discounts and a Two-Thirds World discount are available. To learn more or to register, visit

   http://www.chalmers.org

   or call 706-419-1805 (U.S.), 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 .] When registering, use Reference Identifier BRN-10/06.

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2. AVOID TAKING A HIT WHEN YOUR MISSION TRIP CANCELS –- Have you ever had to cancel a mission trip due to weather, political unrest, personal emergency or other crisis? Have you lost out on pre-paid travel expenses? What if you could get insurance that would pay you back for nonrefundable trip expenses? And what if you could help Brigada at the same time? Well, through a partnership between Brigada and Insurance Services of America it is now possible to do so! When you purchase insurance from Insurance Services of America on Brigada’s website your purchase will help to support Brigada’s work with the missionary community! Check out the “Round Trip” travel insurance plan at

   http://www.missionaryhealth.net/brigada.htm

   In addition to this plan, coverage is available for any international need – short-term trips, career missionaries, trip cancellation, short- term teams and term life insurance. Insurance Services of America has agreed to help support Brigada from sales that are made on this link, so when you purchase on this site you will be helping to support Brigada and you will be protecting yourself and your ministry from financial loss!

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3. REACHING JAPANESE FOR CHRIST CONFERENCES — The Reaching Japanese for Christ 6th Annual National Conference will take place February 16- 18 at Northshore Baptist Church, Bothell, Washington. And now for the first time, on January 27th at Pacific View Baptist Church, Torrance, CA. there will be a one-day RJC conference in Southern California. Besides important workshops Dr. George Gallup, Jr. will speak concerning religious awareness of Japanese. If you are involved in or interested in ministry to Japanese in North America, these conferences are for you! Information is available at

   http://www.rjcnetwork.org

   or contact Don Wright at don_wright(at)comcast(dot)net

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4. GET CREDIT: DISTANCE-LEARNING COURSE ON MICROENTERPRISE — For those ministering to the poor in the Two-Thirds World, the Chalmers Center also offers a distance course on microfinance and microenterprise development services and interventions and a distance course on basic principles of Savings and Credit Associations (SCAs) and how SCAs can be used as a ministry tool. The microfinance and microenterprise course is also available in self-study format. To learn more or to register, visit http://www.chalmers.org or call 706-419-1805 (U.S.), 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 .] When registering, use Reference Identifier BRN-10/06.

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5. TINYURL TRICK: CUSTOMIZE YOUR BROWSER WITH THE TOOL — Hats off to Jonathan for pointing out that we don’t have to “go to TinyURL” to create a shorter URL for that long web address. We just put the following Java code in our toolbar in IE, Firefox or Opera. Then we click and — wala! — the page we’re viewing is given a TinyURL! According to Jonathan, this also works a shortcut in Blazer on the Palm/Treo. Here is the javascript:

   javascript:void(location.href=’http://tinyurl.com/create.php?url=’+loca tion.href)

   Warning: Ironic, isn’t it . . . that the above script might wrap in your email client — so be sure to reassemble it into one line when we enter the above code into a favorite or bookmark. (Thanks Jonathan!)

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6. YWAM OFFERS TO ENHANCE YOUR RELIEF TEAM — Join Streams Express in “Streams in the Desert,” a trans-national relief & development ministry of YWAM-MMI. Streams would like to host all types of teams through their dispatches within the 10/40 countries. Streams dispatches are equipped and some are nationals in their country base. Contact the Streams Center now if you know the number of people in your teams coming to which country. Streams dispatches can host your teams and enhance their capability in the outreach with the needs of their target communities. Streams dispatches are particularly in the Philippines, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Jordan, Iraq, Liberia, Mali, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Tanzania, Syria, Dubai, China, Albania, Kosovo, etc.

   http://www.streams.mysite.com

   Skype: streams7express or email streams7(at)juno(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

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7. THE LINK BETWEEN: CONNECTING CHRISTIANS LIVING BETWEEN CULTURES — In searching for support in the wonderful, yet challenging task of uniting across cultures within intercultural marriage, Rukshan and Jody F. have often felt like pioneers. Though globalization increases the stakes of effective cross-cultural skills, much seems left unsaid – especially by Christians. “The Link Between” seeks to provide a network for Christians living out Christ’s call to “live at peace with all men” by crossing the cultural boundaries of parenting, marriage, church, career and life. The Link Between is continually compiling resources exploring these themes. If you are interested in contributing articles are resources, check out Jody’s blog at

   http://thelinkbetween.wordpress.com/

   or mail her at jodyfernando(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 .]

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8. INTERNET EVANGELISM COALITION VIDEOS — The Internet Evangelism Coalition

   http://www.webevangelism.com/

   is offering free access, until the end of November, to videos of presentations from its 2006 Annual Meeting in Chicago. Just click on “Meetings” in the left margin and you’ll see the selection for all the media. Questions? Just email naomi(at)webevangelism(dot)com. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

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9. FREE EPHESIANS BOOKLET — SOON Ministries have produced a free 32- page small-group study booklet on Ephesians. Written in easy-English, it is intended primarily for the non-Western world. The booklet is available to download in PDF and Publisher formats, so that users can print it themselves. They are also free to sell copies without restriction, or translate the material.

   http://www.soon.org.uk/studyephesians

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10. GREAT OPP FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PERSON IN RALEIGH, NC — The Southeast Regional Offices of the Perspectives Study Program is looking for an administratively gifted individual to help work in the office. Bob Stevens is the Regional Supervisor over a nine state region that will run about 30 classes this year alone with over 900 students. Bob is looking for someone who has good administrative abilities, is good at closing out details and follow through, a self-starter with good computer and phone skills. Such a person must be willing to raise support or fund him/herself and be willing to make a minimum 2 year commitment, working at least 1/2 a day for 4 days a week. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact Bob at BSUSWCMSE(at)aol(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

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11. YOUR GIFT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE — Let’s talk end-of-year. Did your stocks do well? Got $10,000 you’d like to give to a ministry where it won’t be just another gift? Think about Brigada. With $10K, you could underwrite the rest of our entire calendar year 2006 financial needs. (We’re currently at just under $6800 and we need $16,650.) Once you give the $10K, the entire Brigada list of 11,000 subscribers would receive their weekly Brigada editions courtesy of your special gift! These blips would vanish. You’d make a *huge* impact because the entire annual budget is just $16,650! Perhaps you’ve only got $100? Your $100 would still make a huge difference here. Just click on “sponsor” in the top menu (to use PayPal or a 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. 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. In any case, thanks for considering Brigada in your estate giving, your monthly church missions fund, and/or your own personal giving for this calendar year.

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12. THE BACKPAGE: WHAT WILL VIDEOCONFERENCING DO FOR YOU? — Years ago, when I would hear about videoconferencing, I’d imagine how cool it might be… then quickly snap back to reality when I saw the hefty fees and per-minute charges. Well… welcome to 2006. Just a few days ago, I had the opportunity to greet and pray with 4 of our mission’s teams working on the island of Taiwan. They had come together for a strategy summit, with the intent of improving their respective outreaches. They hooked up a data projector and shined me on the big screen. From my home in Louisville, KY, I shared a 15-minute challenge & devotion, prayed with them, and then we did question and answer about the latest stuff with the over all organization. So basically, we were able to do a half-hour video conference across the Pacific and the total cost for everybody involved totaled zero dollars. Dream come true — for 5 people… or 500 people. You see, it doesn’t matter. If you get a chance, and the opportunity presents itself, try it out. All you need is a Skype ID, a webcam (pick one up for $40 at CompUSA or have someone bring you one on an upcoming visit), broadband Internet (you might have to visit an Internet cafe… which might be a problem if you’re in a limited access country; but except for that, Skype is supposed to be encrypted, as long as the technology they sold the Chinese doesn’t betray us :-) ), and a headset/mic. On the *conference* side, in addition to the above equipment, they’ll need a data projector and a screen.

    Here are some tips you could try to maximize the effectiveness of your videoconference:

    *** Headset/Mic: Be sure to pick up one of these for you, if you’re the main speaker. If you try to use the mic built into your laptop, you’ll get lots of ambient room noises *plus* the rebroadcasted echo of their questions. Look for headset/mic with a broad frequency range like the Logitech Premium Notebook Headset Mic (for about $50-$60).

    *** Outline: Plan your talk, but I’d recommend that you not write it out word-for-word. Part of the magic of these video-conferences is the spontaneity of it all. If you read a prepared speech, it’ll sound more … “canned”. At the same time, have your talk planned so you can get to the point without rambling. See the next point.

    *** Keep it brief: As fun as these conferences are, I’d suggest keeping your prepared talk to 10′ or less. Leave time for your audience to ask you questions. It’ll *soooooo* much more show off the technology. (After all, you could have just sent them a video or DVD of yourself and the quality would have been much higher.)

    *** Practice makes perfect: Try out your connection in advance, before the crowd gathers. Chad (the guy who prepared the equipment at the summit mentioned above) and I got together a week or so beforehand to work out any bugs. Make sure everything is smooth before you feel “under the gun.”

    *** Be on time: Your group will be looking forward to the new technology. But one of the downsides of this format is … you have to *be* there. In other words, email is “send-it-and-forget-it.” You can be 30′ late and nobody cares — or even knows. Videoconferences, by contrast, are “real time.” What does that word, “real” mean? Simple. If you’re not there, they’ll be *real* frustrated.

    Have fun and good luck. And again… welcome to 2006… the day and age of essentially free videoconferencing!

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. DISTANCE LEARNING ON CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2. SEND GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL AIRTIME
3. HEALTH INSURANCE FOR UN-INSURED SHORT-TERM WORKERS ON GULF COAST
4. VOLUNTEER REPS WANTED FOR TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY MOVEMENT
5. NEW KATRINA BOOKLET BY CAMPUS CRUSADE OFFERS HOPE TO SURVIVORS
6. DRAW THE E-SWORD
7. MISSIONS MOBILIZATION LITERATURE IN ITALIAN?
8. MISSION CONFERENCE IN ATLANTA
9. THE ESSENCE OF LIFE AS HIGH-TECH, LEAST-REACHED
10. MISSION DISCUSSION FORUMS
11. GREAT DEAL ON CRITICAL SOFTWARE
12. LEARN TO PLANT CHURCHES IN JAPAN
13. GLORY TO GOD GAMES GIVES ALTERNATIVE TO MONOPOLY
14. WE GET HELP FROM…
15. THE BACK PAGE: LEARNING TO LOVE OUR PLANET
16. CLOSING STUFF

1. DISTANCE LEARNING ON CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT — The Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College is now taking registration for its winter and spring 2006 distance learning courses (January – May). These courses provide training on how to facilitate Christian community economic development in poor communities and are email-based with instructor feedback on weekly written assignments. Prior financial or economic experience is not required to participate. The strategies and programs taught are practical, church- centered, and community-based, and they do not require large operating budgets. The Chalmers Center courses will help you understand the needs of the poor, the design of an intervention that is appropriate for Christian economic development in your context, and how to use economic development as a means of outreach. Three courses are offered – The first lays the goals and strategies for Christian economic development in low-income communities. The second gives an overview to Christian microenterprise development and microfinance. The third teaches the basic principles of Savings and Credit Associations (SCAs) as a ministry tool. To find out more about these courses or to register, visit the Chalmers Center web site at http://www.chalmers.org and click on “Email Distance Learning Courses” then “Learn more” or call 706-419-1805 (US) or by email at 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 .]
2. SEND GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL AIRTIME — Here’s a deal that allows missionary families here in the U.S. to keep in touch with their loved ones serving on the foreign mission field. Outstanding rates to anywhere in the world with clean, quality connections. Can be used with any cellular or land line phone. Find out more and read other missionary testimonials at their website. You can even try it out for free! Look up rates to anywhere in the world. See it all at

http://www.global-airtime.com

(And thanks for the partnership gift of $10, Send Global!)
3. HEALTH INSURANCE FOR UN-INSURED SHORT-TERM WORKERS ON GULF COAST — A plan offering $50,000 / $250,000 of medical coverage for American and Canadian hurricane relief workers is available online at http://www.overseashealthinsurance.com . Scroll down the site to “Trip Protection” and click on “Buy This Plan Online” to get a quote. The premium comes in at around $1.00 a day. 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
4. VOLUNTEER REPS WANTED FOR TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY MOVEMENT — Talking Bibles International (TBI) is seeking Volunteer Representatives nationwide. TBI trains these volunteer reps how to contact local churches and how to help churches in their area observe a Talking Bible Sunday. Millions of Christians living in oral cultures need Talking Bibles because they cannot read a printed Bible. The goal of this movement is a Talking Bible Sunday in every church to help provide a Talking Bible in every language for every person who cannot read. To learn more visit: http://www.talkingbibles.org or email harvey(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 .]
5. NEW KATRINA BOOKLET BY CAMPUS CRUSADE OFFERS HOPE TO SURVIVORS — Campus Crusade has produced an evangelistic mini-magazine for hurricane survivors, offering hope, understanding, and Good News. You can read it online in full at: http://KatrinaHigherGround.com and also order copies of the printed version there. It’s tastefully done and definitely seeks to help them understand the “whys” of human tragedy while introducing them to the author of human history.
6. DRAW THE E-SWORD — How much would you pay for an interactive Bible study program that offered the King James Version, Strongs, and your pick of several add-on resources in various languages which all work together interactively? What if you could add on dictionaries, word studies and lexicons, commentaries, maps, and even classic works on Church & Hebrew history, etc. What if I were to tell you you could have it all for free!? Well now you can. The name of the program is E-Sword and the provider is Equipping Ministries Foundation in Franklin, TN. Check it out at http://www.e-Sword.Net (Thanks for the tip, Dennis!) With dozens of different translations, seems like it has just about everything but New Int’l Version. If you can live without the NIV, you’ve found a goldmine. But either way, there’s great value there.
7. MISSIONS MOBILIZATION LITERATURE IN ITALIAN? — Here’s a Brigada participant looking for missions mobilization literature or missions news in Italian. They’re willing to include magazines, newsletters, literature, Internet News, etc. If you know of some, write Maurice mauricea(at)coscom(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. MISSION CONFERENCE IN ATLANTA — Register now for an exciting fall mission conference, “From Everywhere to Everyone: The New Global Mission”, October 20-22, 2005 in Atlanta. There’s a Georgia Pre- conference networking event Oct. 19-20. Read more at… http://www.globalmissionconference2005.com/ or call 800-720-4PFF for more information.
9. THE ESSENCE OF LIFE AS HIGH-TECH, LEAST-REACHED — Justin Long’s written a good summary at http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/10_05/long.php See the contrast and witness several penetrating questions. By the way, you can also see Justin’s bi-monthly magazine on missions momentum at: http://www.momentum-mag.org
10. MISSION DISCUSSION FORUMS — For more than 15 years there have been mission and missiology discussion forums on the FamilyNet BBS network, that have linked people interested in missions worldwide. There have now been changes in these forums and the organizers welcome old and new users to join. See: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/philtheo.htm Or e-mail Steve Hayes at hayesstw(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 .]
11. GREAT DEAL ON CRITICAL SOFTWARE — Tom found a great deal on a whole batch of software to protect your PC. You can get Norton Systemworks 2005 and Norton Antispam 2005 in a retail bundle for $79.99 and after 2 mail-in rebates your cost will be $4.99. It’s the best deal he’s found this fall. You have to buy it at CompUSA today and mail in the rebate forms by tomorrow, Oct. 8th, to get the rebates. See the ad he found here or just start at COMPUSA http://www.compusa.com and search for the product. (Great find, Tom! Thanks for sharing it!)
12. LEARN TO PLANT CHURCHES IN JAPAN — There is still time to register for the Japan 2005 CPI Conference, November 8-11 near Mount Fuji and Tokyo. This is the largest church planting conference in Japan each year dedicated to gospel-centered renewal and church planting multiplication. This year there will be 7 learning tracks on church planting and renewal coupled with 9 focused intensive electives on vital signs for healthy churches. The leaders have asked that if you cannot come, could you please pray for this national event. Information is at the CPI website http://www.jcpi.Net.
13. GLORY TO GOD GAMES GIVES ALTERNATIVE TO MONOPOLY — Have you seen Glory to God Games at: http://www.Mission316.com It’s worth a look. I’m serious. Check out games like “Salvation Challenge” and “Jesus loves kids”. View the video intro. See if it doesn’t bring a smile to your face when the guy tells you that if you land on such-and-such a square, you’ll have to give $100,000 to missions. :-)
14. WE GET HELP FROM… — Several folks have endeavored to help produce Brigada Today by providing sponsorships or donations. This past week, we received $100 from folks who described themselves as “appreciative subscribers.” Well now we’re appreciate for *them*! These funds encourage Brigada by under girding costs like webspace, secretarial help, and a small amount of advertising and promotion to help get the message out about Brigada’s resources. If you were subscribing to a monthly magazine, you might be charged $18 per year or more. For that, you’d get 12 issues, one per month, with lots of slick pages that were at least 50% covered by ads for things you didn’t want. By contrast, Brigada Today gives you *weekly* news, with timely and critical items, a free website with every single issue archived all the way back to January 1995, and guess what — you don’t even have to opt out of the bathing suit issue!!! Take a stand today to support a future with Brigada Today by clicking 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. Thanks for any support you can give.
15. THE BACK PAGE: LEARNING TO LOVE OUR PLANET — By God’s grace (and with the help of a few streetsmart advisors), our organization has picked up 61 beautifully-wooded acres on the edge of greater metro Louisville, Kentucky. When we first acquired this land, I’ll admit that I was thinking mostly about new office space for our overcrowded staff. Well that’s still on my mind today as we move into the phase where we hope to build a new home office and retreat center. But I’m kind of pleasantly surprised at some other added discoveries along the way. First, I’ve come away with a greater appreciation for our planet. The city of Louisville enforces tons of codes and restrictions, some of which seem silly and over-regulated at first glance. But as we’ve been moving through each phase of the infrastructural development, I’ll have to admit that I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom for some of the practices at which I had earlier scoffed. When I saw black smoke from a burn barrel on our property, I’ll admit I was a bit disgusted at the pollution we were introducing into Louisville’s already troubled sky. (Thus the burning restrictions.) When I saw garbage in the ravines on our property, I began to see the wisdom behind the “no dumping” rules. Once I saw the silt that washes off of newly excavated ground, I realized the importance of silt fence around construction sites. The list goes on and on. I think it’s unfortunate that many of today’s “best practices” are misunderstood as being the domain of tree-huggers and New Age “mother earth” worshippers. (It’s always a shame when the good of many get labeled as the monopoly of a few.) The truth is I’m just starting to understand how caring for all of the creation on our planet goes hand in hand with caring for all of the created ones on our planet. And once we start caring about things like conservation and “green practices”, it’s very easy to make the transition to care about the integrity and well-being of forgotten peoples in faraway lands.

So call me a tree-hugger if you’d like. Yes I’ll admit that the thread about our property, at arborday.org, is now the most-viewed and most- replied thread in the history of the Arbor Day movement. And — guilty as charged — we are even enforcing the burn permit regulation on our 61 acres. But in the end, if organizations like the BBC have noticed the need to care about creation: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/programmes/tv/state_planet/ why is it sometimes hard for those of us who claim to love the creator? (By the way, if you’d like to see pictures of our land and some of the approaches we’re taking to keep it “green” :-), log on at: http://www.teamexpansion.org and click on “Emerald Hills” in the top menu. Check out the photo galleries and maybe you’ll see why I’m learning to love the land.

1. TRAINING IN MICROFINANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
2. IMPROVED “MULTI-TRIP” INT’L HEALTH INSURANCE FOR MISSION LEADERS
3. TEACHERS: SHINE HIS LIGHT IN KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
4. ANOTHER STREAMING MUSIC WORSHIP SITE ON THE NET
5. HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN DELIVERS
6. FOR THOSE WHO SPEAK OR WANT TO SERVE AMONG THE CHINESE
7. TEAMS FIXING COMPUTERS AT MISSIONS CONFERENCE IN THAILAND
8. PROTECTING YOUR COMPUTER
9. EVANGELISM TRAINING FOR JAPANESE CHRISTIANS IN N. AM.
10. FIND YOUR PATH TO THE NATIONS
11. TEACH (ENGLISH) TO REACH (THE NATIONS)
12. SICK AND TIRED OF SPAM?
13. PUBLISHER HELPS YOU REACH MORE PEOPLE
14. WE GET LIFTED UP!
15. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP ENABLE BRIGADA PAY THE BILLS?
16. THE BACKPAGE: BABY STEPS
17. CLOSING STUFF

1. TRAINING IN MICROFINANCE AND MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT — Equip your church or ministry with the tools you need to promote financial self-sufficiency in poor communities. Get training from the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College from June 13 – June 18, 2005 in Lookout Mountain, GA USA. You will engage in hands-on training through interactive discussion and simulation of real-world issues taught by field practitioners. Their Two-Thirds World/ Track focuses on providing small business training to low-income entrepreneurs, savings-led microfinance programs, rotating savings and credit associations, and microfinance institution partnership. Chalmers partners include Food for the Hungry International, World Relief 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 (Don’t forget, Chalmers is a regular Brigada sponsor. By taking part in their programs, and by telling them, “I heard about you via Brigada”, you’re also kind of helping us keep Brigada heading out the door and onto your screen. Thanks Chalmers Center!)
2. IMPROVED “MULTI-TRIP” INT’L HEALTH INSURANCE FOR MISSION LEADERS -– Now you can take unlimited trips outside the USA for up to 70 days per trip and have access to contracted doctors in 160 countries. The plan provides medical evacuation and $250k of medical coverage. Available in 36 of 50 US States. 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. And no matter where you live, you can always visit http://www.gninsurance.com
3. TEACHERS: SHINE HIS LIGHT IN KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — Here’s an international school providing quality K4 through high school education. This is the 1st time in Afghanistan that local students as well as expats can attend this kind of school. More than half of the students are Afghan nationals, many from homes of government officials! One of the teachers writes, “These children in our classes will be the future leaders in this country!” Unfortunately, many children are turned away due to a shortage of teachers. Only 2 of the 16 teachers needed are available to start the new school year in August ’05. Teachers who come with support from their churches and friends are preferred, but some help is available to those who can’t raise enough money to come by August ’05. For more info, contact Joel at Network of International Christian Schools (1-800-887-6427): info(at)nics(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] http://www.nics.org
4. ANOTHER STREAMING MUSIC WORSHIP SITE ON THE NET — Thanks to Andrew, who this past week informed us of another all-free site, with even more choices (8 different “genres”, including Celtic worship, rock, light worship, etc.) and no commercials. http://www.cmradio.net/ This particular site has a great additional feature in that you can see the CD and title of the song currently playing. Very cool. So this brings to *two* our list of online (free) streaming worship music. Yahoooo! :-) (Confession: Personally, I’m somewhat a fan of Riverdance, so I’m trying out the celtic-style worship channel. Cool! Riverdance with a Christian twist! :-) Didn’t even know it existed! Shouldn’t this help our workers in Ireland?) (Thanks Andrew!!!)
5. HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN DELIVERS — Thanks to the family that signed up for discount health services at “Delivering on the Promise.” As more people become aware of their affordable alternatives to expensive health insurance plans, they hope continue blessing Brigada. (They just sent a check for $5.99 representing a sponsorship/commission from a Brigada participant! Thanks, wherever you are!) For more information, check out: http://www.deliveringonthepromise.com/40207930
6. FOR THOSE WHO SPEAK OR WANT TO SERVE AMONG THE CHINESE — Go to http://www.cnwave.com to find a teaching job in China or to find the most qualified foreign teacher(s) for your school. It’s free to post messages at cnwave.com! And here’s a tip if you’re not as fluent in Chinese: Check out the “English” button in the upper right-hand corner. I found it *exceedingly* helpful. :-)
7. TEAMS FIXING COMPUTERS AT MISSIONS CONFERENCE IN THAILAND — David is the leader of a team from Australia planning to fix missionaries’ computers during conferences held in Thailand during the Chinese New Year (around Jan 21- Feb 4) in early 2006. David will be in Chiang Mai between May 24-26 and would love to meet anyone leading such conferences while he is there. If you are interested, please email him at ithelp(at)crosscape(dot)com(dot)au, even if you won’t be able to meet in person. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] For more about Crosscape see http://www.crosscape.com.au/
8. PROTECTING YOUR COMPUTER — Thanks to faithful Brigada participant, Kevin, for giving us the lowdown on the latest “must-have” software to protect you from the hazards on the net these days. He feels that Internet Explorer is no longer a secure web browser as it has been exploited & targeted in most hack attacks. As a result, he suggests that users would be wise to switch to another browser, “mozilla”, for increased security and better functionality. http://www.mozilla.org Now on the other side of the coin, there are those who feel this is not a cure-all either, as mozilla has recently taken its own share of attacks too. So you make the final decision. As for email clients, again… Kevin believes that again, Microsoft Outlook Express has been surpassed in quality by Mozilla Thunderbird. This program is similar to Outlook Express except Kevin believes it is more secure and, like Microsoft Outlook, it has spam filters built in. What’s more, he feels many Internet vandals design their viruses, Trojan horses, and backdoors for Microsoft products. As a result, he believes Mozilla projects have stayed “under the radar”, at times, thereby remaining superior for security. Again… http://www.mozilla.org

As for virus software, Kevin recommends Avast is one of the best virus software applications on the market and it’s free for personal use! This company makes their money by selling corporate licenses but offers their personal virus software for free. Once installed, return to the website to register for your free 14 month license. The software is a real-time scanner with daily virus definition updates. http://www.avast.com

For your firewall needs, Kevin recommends Zone Alarm Basic, since it’s free and easy to install and setup. (A firewall keeps someone from actively probing into your system via your connection to the Internet.) http://www.zonealarm.com

Heard about AdWare/Spyware? Kevin suggests Ad-Aware. It’s a free download, and is one of the best scanners on the Internet, utilizing an easy-to-use interface and a fully update-able definition core. Download it free from download.com and then visit the tips link below to learn how to configure. (P.S. you don’t need to pay for this. If you click on the “pay now” link it will send you to the download page for Ad-Aware SE PLUS. The A-W SE Personal will do fine.) (Note that the following 2 URLs will be broken up when they “wrap”. You’ll have to reassemble them in your browser’s “Address:” line by using copy-and-paste:

http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4- 10045910.html?tag=txt
http://www.download.com/Protect-your-PC-with-Ad-Aware/1200-2023_4- 5144156.html?tag=txt

Kevin recommends CyberSitter for web-filtering, so you don’t get tricked into seeing junk that you didn’t want to see… and so you’re not tempted to see stuff you wish you hadn’t. It’s not free, ($50.00/one time fee) but Kevin figures it’s the best and well worth it.

Three cheers to Kevin for taking time to help. He’s willing to help ministers and missionaries if they have additional questions. He’s a former network engineer & user support technician for a major university. Write him at kevinmullins1(at)gmail(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Thanks Kevin!
9. EVANGELISM TRAINING FOR JAPANESE CHRISTIANS IN N. AM. — Catch it in Seattle over Memorial Day weekend, sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ. This will occur through a combination of classroom instruction, one-on-one practice, observing a coach share with a non-Christian Japanese and an opportunity for the conferee to share the gospel with Japanese befriended at planned social events and on trips to visit the sights in Seattle with the assistance of a “coach”. For a brochure, go to http://www.TheJapanNet.com. For questions, contact John.Whitehouse(at)uscm(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. FIND YOUR PATH TO THE NATIONS — Living Faith Bible College’s Pathfinder program is an 8-month blended exploratory program launching the September of 2005. 12 weeks are spent in discipleship training, team building, gifts and callings exploration, and formative bible and missions courses. The other 6 weeks are spent in outdoor pursuits training in the Canadian Rockies and 6 weeks in the nation of Turkey doing outreach with university students and some historical/cultural study. This is an exciting opportunity for those interested in finding out where they might fit in cross-cultural missions and the Muslim world while also being further grounded and discipled in a team setting. Graduates receive college credit and a one year Bible and Missions Certificate and the option to continue on in the college’s other programs. Feel free to call 1-800-838-2975 or 1-403-722-2225 for more information or request information from info(at)lfbc(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 visit http://www.lfbc.net
11. TEACH (ENGLISH) TO REACH (THE NATIONS) — “Teach to Reach” Nations are crying out for English teachers. You can reach them with the gospel as you teach English. Now you can get the training you need to teach effectively in TESOL courses like this one. Courses will be offered June 13 through July 8 at YWAM Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA. Additional information and application forms can be found at http://www.ywampa.org or e-mail questions to ywampa(at)comcast(dot)Net [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
12. SICK AND TIRED OF SPAM? — I am. I think everybody is. What’s spam? Basically — it’s a piece of marketing email (or other kind of “listserve” email) that comes to you that you didn’t really ask for. There are actually two issues here. First, how can you limit the spam you’ll get — proactively. First, never, never, never respond to unsolicited email. Since it confirms that your email address is active, it makes your address more valuable and susceptible to receiving more spam. And no matter how tempting it might seem, never follow a spam email’s instructions to reply with the word “remove” or “unsubscribe” on the email’s subject line or body unless you trust the source. This is often a ploy to get you to confirm your address as active, which makes your address more valuable when the spammer sells it. And here’s a *very* important one: Never, never, never click a URL or web address listed within a spam email, even if the message says that’s how you unsubscribe. This also alerts the sender that your email address is active and can result in more spam. Also, never send your personal information (credit card numbers, passwords, etc.) in an email. Some spammers fake the format of trusted sites to get you to enter personal information in an email. Most reputable sites will not ask you to enter sensitive information in an email. It’s also useless to sign up with sites that promise to remove your name from spam lists. Most of these sites are actually address collectors who will sell your address to spammers! The rascals. :-) Remember that if you participate in some kind of online discussion group (forum) where your email address is in plain site, you’re toast. Spammers use sophisticated software to search the web far and wide for likely addresses to add to their lists. If yours occurs anywhere on the web, they’ll find it. Even if your email address isn’t plainly visible in your online discussion group, sometimes you might forget and include it in the text. Don’t.

In spite of your best efforts, you’ll still receive spam. Sometimes, it’s because a well-meaning friend included your address in some “Alert a friend of this deal” page … maybe a web-greeting-card, or a “send a copy of this” or whatever. So how do you get off of lists once you’re on? That’s the sad part. It’s nearly impossible (on today’s Internet; things are slated to get better in 2006 when domains begin to be verifiable). However, you can trim the amount of spam you get *significantly* by using a first class antispam program like onlymyemail.com. (We don’t receive a kickback from them for recommending them. They’re just plain good though.) For $3/mo., you can be rid of practically all your spam by signing up with them today. Just go to onlymyemail.coma and follow the instructions. When you notice spam getting through, log the address as a “blocked” address there in your account. At least it’ll help you feel better psychologically. And maybe only 2 or 3 spams/day will get through their filter anyway. Either way, it’ll help. It’s the best.

13. http://onlymyemail.com PUBLISHER HELPS YOU REACH MORE PEOPLE — www.Godsize.com is a revolutionary new “public publishing company.” Not only will they pay you and publish your stories, but they’ll give free advertising for your ministry and a free copy of their next ebook, “Godsize Stories from Around the World.” ($9 Value) Download your copy now and be reading it in minutes! (Complete details: http://www.godsize.com/sampleforministries.html )
14. WE GET LIFTED UP! — Thanks to the great new partners from Rockford, IL, Andrews, NC, and Elkhart, IN who sent $26, $50 and $100 respectively to help us get Brigada out the door and onto your screens! Dial-Abroad sent their monthly sponsorship, this time $171, representing those who use “Dial-Abroad” long distance. (Thanks and please keep talking! :-) ) Also this past week, we rec’d gifts of $25, and $200 (Thanks Greenville, TX!) Thanks, too, to the donor from WEC Int’l reported on previously. Those WEC folks have *heart*!
15. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP ENABLE BRIGADA PAY THE BILLS? — If you’d like to help make Brigada reality for next week and beyond, just click “sponsor” (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.
16. THE BACKPAGE: BABY STEPS — I don’t like vulgar language. So I’m not telling you to go out and rent the movie, “What About Bob?”. “The language is deplorable in certain segments.” But who can forget Bill Murray’s character (“Bob Wiley”) as he tries to faithfully carry out his psychiatrist’s instructions: “Baby Steps, Bob. Baby steps.”

For the psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss), it’s the title of his new book. (He uses the term, “Baby Steps”, to teach that his theory that anxiety disorders develop as a result of being overwhelmed by life’s stressors. By breaking down those hurdles into much smaller problems (i.e. baby steps) life can seem less stressful and easier with which to cope. We won’t get into a discussion of whether such a self- help concept is psychologically very helpful. But it makes a great “hat hook” for our next point about “finishing.”

You see, I’m of the opinion that many of us get stymied by huge projects partly because they look so huge. That’s why one of my major recommendations last week was to break up a major project into more manageable sub-goals. Common sense, I know. But for some reason, we lose sight of it in the midst of the major projects sometimes. We ended last week by suggesting that once you’ve finished a project or even a sub-goal, how can you leverage that finish to move on to the next challenge. This week, let’s look at 3 ways to do that:

*** Take a break — When you finish a sub-step or major hurdle in a big project you’re trying to finish, take a rest to get away and get a fresh perspective. We don’t want any burn-outs on our hands. :-) For me, I can get that fresh perspective through taking a walk in the woods, reading about any number of things on the web, playing soccer, etc. You’ll need to find the dynamic equivalent in your own life. But see the next step..

*** Restart — Before you head off for that break, however, be sure you know what will “restart” your next step of the project. For example, in my own case, I’ll restart my next step of my dissertation when the university gives me the green light to proceed with the questionnaire/survey. What will trigger your own project’s next step?

*** Set an alarm to be a “squeaky wheel” — You know the saying: “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Figure out a way to alert yourself if too much time passes while you’re waiting for the trigger to happen. In my own case, I verified that the university had received my 3 chapters. So — yes, now the ball is in their court, and they’ve promised to respond within 4 weeks. So I need an alarm that goes off in 4 weeks so if they haven’t, the project doesn’t fail because of a trigger. Take responsibility. If you don’t, maybe no one else will.

In Bob Wiley’s case, the “vacation” to Dr. Marvin’s summer cottage was very therapeutic, in spite of (or almost *because* of) all the misadventures with Dr. Marvin. By dividing up your next big projects into baby steps, then taking suitable breaks between steps, you *can* finish on time. But how do you keep from that feeling that you are a slave to the clock? More on that next week.