Brigada » Projectors

7) Which Mini-Data Projector?

Editor — Mon, 11 May 2009 03:30:28 +0000

Doug, of Global Recordings, has been looking at mini-data projectors (beamers) such as the ones at

http://www.aiptek.com/Projector/New/

Has anyone out there been using these and are there any other ones that you have seen or used? They look like a very usable item in certain situations. Please use the comment box below to give any user feedback or other resources that might help Doug and others with this new emerging technology. If so, just click into the comment box below and update us. Thanks in advance.

Need Overheads Or Duplicators?

Editor — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:53:00 +0000

Equipping the Saints has dozens of overhead projectors, copiers and risographs available at minimal cost. Contact ETS at 1-540-234-6222, browse http://www.etsusa.org/
or email

20060326 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 03:27:00 +0000

In this issue…

CONSULTATION ABSTRACTS AVAILABLE ONLINE — The Global Consultation on Music and Missions (GCoMM) is offering an amazing palette of choices at its July 11-15 event. Registrants will select from over 50 seminars, panels, plenary sessions, and media presentations. Experienced leaders from more than 20 organizations will present seminars within the following tracks: Foundations, Media and Related Arts, Contextualization and Case Studies, Methodology, and Overcoming Obstacles. Break-out sessions organized by geographical area and interest group will provide networking opportunities for participants. Check out the speaker information and seminar abstracts online at

http://www.gcommhome.org

Register online today!

TAKE CHRISTIAN VIDEO GAMES TO THE MISSION FIELD WITH YOU — Now you *can* take it with you: Breakthrough Gaming has released its third video game title: Zippy the Circle. For the PC platform, Zippy the Circle is a 3D, adventure game with 13 exciting levels, each with a different style of play. The player takes the role of Zippy the Circle who must save his sister Tina from Jagged, who has taken over his home island. Zippy learns that even though bad things happen, God is still good! Zippy the Circle is available at:

http://www.zippythecircle.com

and has a MSRP of $9.95.

TRACK THE AVIAN FLU — Through Google Earth it is possible track the spread of the Avian flu outbreak across the world. The information is easily downloaded. Organizations that go one step further and make placemarks for their missionaries and works will be easily be able to track the vulnerability. (Thanks Wayne!)

http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2006/03/enhanced_avian.html

http://declanbutler.info/Flumaps1/avianflu.html

BRING THE FACES OF THE 10/40 INTO YOUR CHURCH FOR PRAYER! — Volume 3 of “The Waiting World” unreached people group prayer series can help your church or small group pray more effectively for the lost of the 10/40 Window. Thirteen five-minute prayer videos are featured on this volume and offer a mixture of Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim peoples. Special features on this volume are the Iraqi’s, as well as a general Arab video. Produced by YWAM Strategic Frontiers, the suggested donation for a DVD of Volume 3 is $29.95 (USD), plus shipping. Order all three volumes on DVD for a suggested donation of $69.95, plus shipping. E-mail Mike at klausmeierm(at)ywamsf(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

TEACH ENGLISH AND REACH THE NATIONS — Take a 4 week training course and learn how to teach English at the YWAM base in Lakeside, Montana USA. The course runs from July 24th – August 18th. For more information go to

http://www.ywammt.org
or email schoolinfo(at)ywammt(dot)org. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]You can also call 406.844.2221.
21 DAYS OF BREAKTHROUGH FOR NORTH KOREA — God’s been moving, promising, and doing a new thing for His work inside North Korea. NK Missions invites you to join them in praying into North Korea during the 21 Days of Breakthrough for North Korea. (April 3-23) Log on at
http://www.nkmissions.com/
to download prayer videos each day from 4/3-23 to pray together.
FREE PROJECTORS — Equipping the Saints will provide slide and 16MM movie projectors free to ministries for the price of shipping (or pick them up at our warehouse!). Over 100 of each are available; some may need repair. Contact Equipping the Saints at
http://www.etsusa.org
email at etsusaricanet or call at 540-234-6222.
SUPPORT RAISING TRAINING — The BodyBuilders “Personal Support Raising Boot Camp” is a two day intense training for first-time support raisers and under-funded veterans. Their goal: Getting you to 100% in 100 days!
Upcoming Boot Camp dates: Seattle, Washington – April 17-18th Atlanta, Georgia – May 11-12th Austin, Texas – June 8-9th Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – July 17-18th Register online today.

Learn more at

http://www.thebodybuilders.net
or email info(at)thebodybuilders(dot)net [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
LOVING LAS VEGAS — Mixed in with thousands of tourists exploring Las Vegas every summer, you will notice groups of high school students joining hands in prayer inside casinos, feeding the homeless, and talking about Jesus Christ to locals and tourists all over the city. Braving high temperatures, a blazing sun and the wild party atmosphere of Las Vegas, they stand firm on one unchanging truth: God loves the people of Sin City! In order to host these students, several adults are needed to serve as summer staff for Youth With A Mission – Las Vegas from June 24 – August 12. If you would like to have a blast this summer sharing Jesus Christ to a lost city, call or e-mail Renee at 702-658- 5450 or reneeb(at)ywamlasvegas(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

WHAT WOULD YOU SPEND ON JUST ONE MEAL OUT? — $10/plate, including tip, for a family of four? So how ’bout this: Consider “eating in” just one night a year instead, and send the difference to Brigada. $35 would go a long way if even 100 courageous partners took that stand. Just write in the memo line (or in the PayPal comment line), “eating in” :-) 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.

THE BACKPAGE: UNSOLICITED ATTACHMENTS ARE OBSOLETE — I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the whole idea of sending unsolicited attachments is obsolete, broken, and just plain wrong. They’re dead. They should be outlawed. They’re no longer useful. They’re old- fashioned technology that no longer works. This past week, I’ve been visiting one of our newest teams, a five-person team in New Orleans, seconded to a great partner of ours called CrossRoads Missions. They’re working out of a fantastic center with a lot going for it… except they don’t have electricity or Internet yet. (In spite of that fact, they’ll host 4,000 volunteers by Sept. 1st! If you’d like to learn more, just browse to: http://www.crossroadsmissions.com ) So, without electricity and without Internet, it was pretty much like being in a third-world country, at least when it came to connecting to the Internet. I connected via my cell phone at the racing 192K downstream and about half that upstream. (Even so, that’s a ton faster than connecting via a satphone from Sudan, something I had to do just a few short weeks ago.)

So perhaps you can understand my frustration when friends will unknowingly attach 1 megabyte snapshots of mooing cows, complete with audio. And then there are *enemies* (or vandals) who attach viruses, trojans, and/or worms or other kinds of malware — without asking my permission. The mooing cow can be 25K or 2.5 meg, depending on whether or not it’s compressed, and/or whether or not they compress it first. Sure I can sit there and look at the email on my pop3 server first, manually deleting the emails that look suspect. But remember that I’m sometimes using up valuable satellite minutes.

Turns out some of my friends agree. Here’s an email just in from Africa, for instance: “… Now living in Africa, I have greater appreciation for the pleas I had often heard from residents in Africa requesting that the missions community reduce the size of emails, use less graphics on websites, do not send unsolicited attachments, and do not require web use. Internet and phone service here is very slow and expensive. In South Africa, for example, I have ‘unlimited’ web access. However, the phone company charges me by the second to use the phone line even for a local number. When traveling in other African countries it can be even worse. I once paid $5 to load the weekly update to my anti-virus software. Obviously, I am not keen to be online for unsubscribing to something I did not request. Thanks for hearing the perspective from another continent!” (Thanks for lending me a sympathetic ear, Barb!)

So here’s my request: Whenever you’re tempted to send an attached file to a list of people that haven’t requested it, post it, instead, to a website or FTP site, then send a reference to the URL, so the recipient is in the driver’s seat to decide yes or no on downloading the file. (Notice even in this step, please don’t encode the URL to a hot-link word like “click here”. Go ahead and give your recipient the full name of the URL, so he or she has the option of copying and pasting the URL directly into a web browser. This approach insures you’re really going where you think you’re going.) Maybe it’s a soapbox, but in this day of digital-picture-bloat, it’s the only way we’re going to keep our sanity. Oh.. and please be careful out there: It’s a jungle out there (and jungles sometimes have narrow Internet pipes).

20050515 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 16 May 2005 01:35:00 +0000

In this issue…

1. GOT 5 MINUTES TO MEASURE YOUR FOLLOWERSHIP STYLE?
2. NOW YOU HAVE A CHOICE: YAHOOGROUPS *OR* GOOGLEGROUPS
3. A FLASH DRIVE COMPLETE WITH BROWSER AND SECURITY
4. SPAM PREVENTION STILL NO EASY TASK
5. TIP US: WHAT’S THE BEST DATA PROJECTOR ON THE MARKET?
6. TESOL COURSE IN THAILAND
7. SHORT TERM MISSION TEAMS
8. GET STARTED IN MISSIONS: DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL
9. AUTOMATIC SLIDESHOWS IN MS POWERPOINT 2000
10. INTERNET EVANGELISM VIA DVD
11. STILL LOOKING FOR A GREAT FIREWALL?
12. CATCH GLOBAL PASSION
13. BE CHANGED BY THE WORD
14. THANKS TO OUR SPONORS, PARTNERS, HELPERS, FRIENDS!
15. WOULD YOU JOIN THOSE CHIPPING IN TOWARD OUR EXPENSES?
16. THE BACK PAGE: A CHALLENGE FOR ONE IS A GAME FOR ANOTHER
17. CLOSING STUFF

1. GOT 5 MINUTES TO MEASURE YOUR FOLLOWERSHIP STYLE? — The good news is… day before yesterday, my university gave me the green light to proceed with my dissertation questionnaire. The bad news is… Now I have to find 500+ people to *take* it. It’s actually pretty simple. Takes about 5 minutes to finish. I need to find full-time workers in a non-profit mission agency, church or humanitarian organization. It doesn’t matter whether you’re based in the field or in the home office, nor does it matter what role you’re in. If you’re a non-profit or church worker, *and* if you have a supervisor with an email address, you would be an answered prayer for me. Everything’s confidential. We don’t report anything back to anyone else. The results are going to be used *only* to advance our understanding of “followership” and will not be used in any sort of personal sense whatsoever. The first 500 workers will be *greatly* appreciated!!! Thanks a bunch. Just click here to get started: http://brigada.org/followership/
2. NOW YOU HAVE A CHOICE: YAHOOGROUPS *OR* GOOGLEGROUPS — This past week, we considered switching the Brigada Today mailing list from YahooGroups over to GoogleGroups. We even initiated the command to paste in the mailing list… but, to their credit, the GoogleGroups tech staff intercepted the upload, assuming I was a spammer, and switched the command from “add these addresses” to “invite these addresses.” Thus the confusion some of you reported — my having said “no action necessary”, immediately followed by GoogleGroups saying, “click here if you want to accept.” Confusing, eh? :-) Sorry about that. However, I admire their conservative views on spammers… and in fact, that was half the original reason for the proposed cutover. It seems like YahooGroups is taking a bum wrap these days because of the (perhaps) few who are abusing the service. (Ain’t it always so!)

Anyway, by this evening, some 1611 faithful readers had said, “yes” to the new server. And 9563 on were still hanging on at YahooGroups. In fact, several readers wrote begging, “Please don’t switch us over!” Well … it’s all the same to me. So instead of dropping YahooGroups, what we’ve decided to do is offer *both* channels. It’ll be exactly the same text sent through both services at approximately the same exact minute. So… you’re welcome to keep both for a while and see which delivers the best response rate. Either way, there’ll be no more sending of invitations. If you’d like to switch to GoogleGroups version of Brigada Today, just send message to brigada-today-subscribegooglegroupscom Please remember, either way, we won’t be subscribing or unsubscribing anyone manually. Everything’s automatic. (Except for those who have sponsored or contributed. We’ll always offer human help to them. Just remind us of your sponsorship within the past 12 months, when and if you ever have to ask for help.

So — again, bottom line — now there are *three* great channels for reading Brigada Today: the web, YahooGroups, and now GoogleGroups.

(Note: Just because you answered my announcement with the word “accept”, it doesn’t mean you subscribed to GoogleGroups. You would have needed to answer the original GoogleGroups invitation with a reply.)
3. A FLASH DRIVE COMPLETE WITH BROWSER AND SECURITY — See it at… http://www.stealthsurfer.biz/index.html It’s StealthSurfer II and it offers comprehensive protection of personal information, credit card numbers, and financial transactions from online snoops. Tiny enough to carry on a keychain, and bundled with its own high-speed browser, the USB 2.0 flash drive plugs into the USB port of a computer and allows users to surf the Web with total privacy. This would be handy for a worker in a sensitive-access land, especially if he or she had to use public internet cafes.
4. SPAM PREVENTION STILL NO EASY TASK — One user wrote to point out that spam filtering still was no easy task. Getting all those pesky settings hooked up correctly can be a daunting task. The long and short of it: Choose a service that will help you with configuration. We’ve been hooking up our organization with OnlyMyEmail.com. We don’t get a kickback from them… but, as “one beggar telling another where to get bread,” they’ve been very responsive to hooking up our organization’s 160 or so email users in a corporate account. Visit http://www.onlymyemail.com for full information on corporate or individual settings. It’s not free… but it *did* win the PC Magazine Editor’s Choice for spam filtering… and they *do* answer their emails. :-)
5. TIP US: WHAT’S THE BEST DATA PROJECTOR ON THE MARKET? — Here’s a Christian worker whose name is *also* Doug (like mine), with email address tank87(at)net66(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .], who would like to know if we have any new recommendations for reasonably priced LCD projectors that are fairly rugged and replacement bulb cost is on the lower end. When he says rugged, he means something that can withstand vibration, dust, humidity, etc. Please write him if you have an idea or a spec sheet for something you like!
6. TESOL COURSE IN THAILAND — Learn to teach English in a non-English speaking country. This four-week intensive course is registered with the University of the Nations (YWAM) and with SEA English Academy, Australia. The course will be held in Chiang Rai Thailand and runs from October 3 through October 29, 2005. The Practicum includes teaching English to Asian university students. For more information or to submit questions, please email: Chiangraitesol(at)gmail(dot)com Address your emails to Julie.
7. SHORT TERM MISSION TEAMS — Gospel Literature Outreach run one or two week teams throughout Europe and are expanding into Africa. These teams give the opportunity to work alongside a resident missionary team for one to two weeks and are primarily evangelistic in nature with Bible teaching for the team as well. For further information go to http://www.glo-europe.org or contact admin(at)glo-europe(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
8. GET STARTED IN MISSIONS: DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL — YWAM Turner Valley Canada offers DTS for you to grow in relationship with Christ and obedience to Mark 16:15. Dates are September 14th, 2005 – February 10th, 2006 OR mid March 2006- mid August 2006. The school includes 12 weeks of teaching and training in Canada and 8 weeks of mission work in South East Asia or North Africa. Topics during training include: Character of God, Sin & the Cross & Repentance, Bible Meditation, Frontier Missions, Relationships, Evangelism, Islamic/Buddhist Worldview and more. Mission work is done among unreached people groups who need the Gospel. Outreach activities may involve helping long term workers, evangelism, prayer ministry, community development projects, children’s ministry and more. Please call 1-403-933-3754 for information or email to turnervalley(at)ywam(dot)ca. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Or…. check out the website: http://www.ywamturnervalley.com
9. AUTOMATIC SLIDESHOWS IN MS POWERPOINT 2000 — So often at the end of a conference or retreat it is a neat conclusion to show a quick slideshow of the pictures taken on a digital camera during the event. If you have ever tried to create a simple slideshow from photographs in MS PowerPoint 2000 you know how frustrating it can be. Each slide must be manually created followed by the insertion of a photograph followed by the re-sizing and centering of the picture — it can take 2-3 minutes per slide! Yes, there are some ways to make all these steps simpler, but there’s also a way to have it all done automatically. You can simply choose which photographs/graphics you want included and have a slideshow automatically created with the pictures in various options (full screen, within margins, 2 per slide, 4 per slide, etc.). Amazingly M$ offers this “Photo Album Add-in Program” free! [Thanks for the tip, Peter!] (Note, the following URL will “wrap”. You’ll have to copy and paste it into your browser and “reassemble” it…

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID =55d2 4b47-c828-4141-a8de-9a459c63db1a

Or use this tinyURL http://tinyurl.com/9yomg (a shortcut, created at www.tinyurl.com)
10. INTERNET EVANGELISM VIA DVD — A three DVD set is now available of 19 of the workshops presented at the recent Internet Evangelism for the 21st Century Conference held at Liberty University. Cost is only $27.95 with S& H in the USA and $34.95 overseas. See the DVD Ordering Page for a list of workshops included on the set and ordering instructions at http://ie-21stcentury.com.
11. STILL LOOKING FOR A GREAT FIREWALL? — One user, Nick, wrote to recommend: http://smoothwall.org/ It’s a firewall at the right price — free. Nick’s brother-in-law, a computer programmer, had recommended it as being easy to set up… and free to boot! Haven’t tried it ourselves here.. but thanks for the tip, Nick!
12. CATCH GLOBAL PASSION — Global Passion 3 is a two day conference that will reveal the biblical basis for global change, showing us God’s unfolding plan which He is using to transform the world in which we live. Find a way to energise, equip and empower yourself through understanding life priorities, prayer and cultural understanding. It takes place in Liverpool, UK on 10th & 11th June, £35 for both days. For further information contact globalpassion(at)ywamliverpool(dot)co(dot)uk [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or check out… http://www.ywamliverpool.co.uk
13. BE CHANGED BY THE WORD — YWAM Turner Valley Canada’s School of Biblical Studies (SBS) is an intense inductive Bible school. Students in this school go through the Bible five times in nine months while using effective study tools. This is an exciting opportunity for those wanting to study and apply God’s Scripture as a whole. SBS begins September 12th, 2005 and concludes June 30th, 3006. Please call 1-403- 933-3755 for information or email turnervalley(at)ywam(dot)ca [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
14. THANKS TO OUR SPONORS, PARTNERS, HELPERS, FRIENDS! — We get *sooo* much encouragement from our sponsors, among whom this week are… an anonymous “David” ($25), an anonymous “Peter” ($100), and an anonymous hosting firm ($25). (We’ll try to get the hosting service to at least give us a domain… so if you need a hosting service, you could consider jumping on board a Brigada sponsor. If you’ve got to choose one anyway, might as well pick one that helped the cause, all things being equal, right? :-) ) Thanks again to these givers!
15. WOULD YOU JOIN THOSE CHIPPING IN TOWARD OUR EXPENSES? — Our goal for 2005 is $16,576, which includes webspace, some secretarial help, and a small amount of advertising. That’s it. Not a penny more. If anything else would come in, we’ll apply it in advance toward 2006. As of today, we stand at: $5,023.22… not quite 1/3 if the way there. It’ll take a special gift of $2,000 or so just to catch up with May. Maybe somebody out there is equipped to do that… but otherwise, it’ll take 20 gifts of $100? Either way, if you’d like to help make Brigada a reality for next week and beyond, just log on at http://www.brigada.org then click “sponsor” in the top menu (to use PayPal or a credit card), or just send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 11327 Jefferson Trace Blvd., Louisville, KY 40291. Thanks! As always, be sure to let us know if you’d like us to promote any particular service or ministry, or if you’d prefer your gift be anonymous.
16. THE BACK PAGE: A CHALLENGE FOR ONE IS A GAME FOR ANOTHER — I’ll never forget one night in 1991 when my family and I stayed in an old basic hotel in Kiev, USSR. (Yes, it was still called the USSR at the time.) We had been working in southern Ukraine and this was one of the only fun getaway trips we could squeeze in. Travel services were still *very* basic (maybe we were the only foreigners in the whole city that night? — ok… maybe it wasn’t quite *that* bad :-)). The particular room we had was so hot and muggy that there were *dozens* of mosquitoes… maybe *hundreds*. Finally, our 4-year-old even got into the act. He would swat with a rolled up magazine using both hands. Splat! (We left quite an impression on the walls that evening.) About an hour later, when the dust had settled, I *think* we finally emerged victorious, he and I. The “Mrs.” was impressed, thanking us for an effective hunting expedition, relieving everybody of dozens of potential bites through the night. To me, it had been a hassle… ridding the room of these interlopers that were about to suck blood from us life and limb. That’s when the 4-year-old chimed in with his characteristic stutter, long since outgrown, and that killer grin: “H- h-h-hey… L-Let’s remember this g-g-game: Killing b-b-b-bugs.” :-) To him, it had been a *game*! Like a 1991-version of something one would do on a Nintendo (sometime later). Splat, splat, splat! :-)

I guess that night I learned a valuable lesson: The degree of “hassle” in a particular activity is tied directly to one’s perspective. The more one can posture it as “fun”, the better off one will be. So… next time we have to do something difficult, let’s re-draw it in our minds. Let’s see if we can reposition it as a kind of game… like Chris did… “killin’ bugs”. :-) Either way, watch out for those bugs – ’cause it’s a jungle out there! :-)

Doug

20041010 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 03:22:00 +0000

In this issue…

DEEPEST GRATITUDE GOES OUT TO OUR SPONSORS — Thanks to the anonymous Alaskan who pitched in $25 this past week! We’re greatly appreciative of your willingness to partner with us to cover the costs of our Brigada-sponsored Secretary. If you’d like to join this lone Alaskan, 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.

BEAT HIGH PHONE RATES — Are you in a place with high international phone rates? For the cheapest rates for many country-to-country calls worldwide, go to http://www.brigada.org/phone.html . (Disclaimer: Both of these phone service providers tithe back a portion of their proceeds to help underwrite our Brigada-sponsored Secretary.)

WHOA — GOOGLE DESKTOP SEARCH TOOL IS A GREAT “FIND” — I can’t overstate what a great job the folks at Google have done on their new desktop searching tool. (It’s available free by clicking to: http://desktop.google.com/ These are the same folks who bring you the search capability on the web (that has practically become synonymous with finding treasure troves of information). Now they have brought you lightning-fast searching for your own hard drive. I’ve thought for some time that the Windows- provided search tool takes so long . . . it’s almost worthless. Google has changed all that. The earth has shifted. Now I’m *often* using it to find a lost item in my archives. We’re grateful to those great Google programmers (and for Matt in Italy, who first called our attention to the fact that the Google folks had released this tool)!

IF YOU MINISTER TO CHINESE, YOU’LL WANT THIS VIDEO — That’s all there is to it. It’s a fantastic resource which promises incredible effectiveness among Chinese-speaking peoples. We’re kicking off a new work among a Chinese group now in North Africa now and we just ordered a copy to use there. The feedback on this film has been outlandish. It’s a “must-have” for ministry to any Chinese, anywhere, anytime. Get it at Good News Productions in Joplin, MO: http://www.cart32.com/estore/template/thumbnails.php?id=010587&cid=20 (Learn more about Good News at: http://www.gnpi.org

PROMOTING PRAYER? GRAB THIS $10 DVD — We just wrapped up participation at a first-rate missions convention which featured some outstanding, short, pithy videos promoting prayer (about 3′ each). I believe this series of six videos will be on sale throughout the end of November for just $10, after which, the word on the street is — the price will double. Believe me… you’ll want these for either price. Pick one up today at: http://www.cart32.com/estore/template/thumbnails.php?id=010587&cid=7

FOLLOW-UP ON INSTALLING WINDOWS SERVICE-PACK 2 — Thanks to the reader who pointed out that Windows XP users on a dial-up connection should probably not try to download the new Windows XP Service Pack 2. It is huge, and will take many hours to download. Microsoft will send a free CD containing SP2 with no shipping charges anywhere in the world (a gift from Bill Gates!). Just go to: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/ default.mspx to order the free CD in any language. (Again, thanks to the Brigada participant for the reminder!)

HIGH RECEPTIVITY: THE NAMA/DAMARA of NAMIBIA — In two days a couple of believers traveled to three towns in the Nama/Damara territory. After hearing the Gospel, 11 of the 12 Damara people made professions of faith. Pray that evangelical Christians will hear the Lord’s call to evangelize and disciple the Nama/Damara. Pray for the Lord to build prayer support for the Nama/Damara, an unengaged people. To adopt the Nama/Damara people for prayer or for more information, visit http://www.forgottenpeoples.info or email swacsc(at)iafrica(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

FREE MISSIONS BIBLE STUDIES — “Missions – An Adventure In Faith” consists of 14 bible studies on missions from both Old and New Testaments using a character study approach (e.g. “Power Encounters” examines incidents from the life of Elijah). It covers many of the concepts in the Short World Missions Course. (Note that it is written from a charismatic renewal theological perspective.) Supplementary material includes missions statistics, a “World Missions Update” PowerPoint and a missions glossary. It comes in PDF format, available for free from: http://aibi.gospelcom.net/ebooks/missions/index.html or send an email to johned(at)aibi(dot)ph [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

FREE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE — Now you no longer have an excuse. Every Brigada subscriber needs some form of antivirus. If you’ve held off because of the $30/year Norton/Symantec wants, click on over to: http://www.avast.com They have a free antivirus program. Learn more at: http://www.avast.com/eng/free_virus_protectio.html (Thanks to Scott in Taiwan for this tip.)

OPERATION REVEILLE UPDATED — The Third Quarter Operation Reveille Shofar for 2004 is now posted at http://www.oprev.org/Shofar.htm The recent articles address: + Public Prayer in Jesus’ Name + Religious Discrimination in Malaysia + Lessons From the 1994 Holocaust in Rwanda + Media and Short Term Ministry Opportunities in the Mid East Feel free to check it out for yourself.

DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE UNREACHED? TRY THESE SITES — One of the best is: http://www.worldchristiandatabase.org/wcd/ (Thanks to Tim in Memphis for reminding us of this site) and it’s *always* a great idea to go to: http://www.joshuaproject.net/ Dan Scribner and the gang there do an amazing job of telling us about the needs among the “final frontier” of unreached peoples. And don’t forget you can still obtain all the “Bethany Unreached People Profiles” at: http://www.ksafe.com/profiles/home.html These and other resources are also available at the Adopt-a-People Clearinghouse site at: http://www.adoptapeople.org/

NEED A DATA PROJECTOR? ADD THIS ONE TO YOUR SHORT LIST — If you’re considering purchasing a data projector in the near future, here’s one I’m watching. The Epson PowerLite 740c lists a bright output equal to 2500 ANSI lumens. (For comparison, the one I’ve been using these last 2 years puts out about 1100 lumens and that’s really been ok for all but the brightest sanctuaries.) This new offering has wireless capabilities 802.11g uploads, and photo-display capability directly from digital cameras or via USB memory or external hard drives. Price-wise, it’s within expected range: $2900. Disclaimer: I can’t think of any. Epson unfortunately doesn’t send us a dime for this recommendation. It’s just a case of one beggar telling another where to find *light*.

Ask a dealer near you about it . . . or search for the best price at google.

20040411 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 12 Apr 2004 03:39:00 +0000

In this issue…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20040328 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 29 Mar 2004 04:40:00 +0000

In this issue…

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE (THANKS TO MT. SCOTT!) — This past week, we received a donation (to help cover the costs of the Brigada- sponsored secretary) from the Mt. Scott Church of God in Portland, Oregon. See their website at: http://www.mtscottchog.org What a great encouragement it was to see the way the church is using Brigada. What follows is their own (completely unsolicited) note: “Our Global Ministries Action Team has approved sending via check, $250 from our missions budget to help with funding the Brigada Secretary for 2004. Our church’s missions efforts have been greatly enhanced through the resources that Brigada has brought to our attention since sometime in 1995 when John Robb was here and told us about this new ‘E source’ based on some Russian term or some such. Anyway, thanks Doug for all that you do for missions world wide especially through Brigada. Glad we could help. We really have gained from Brigada.”

As I was thinking about their gift, which put us over the $2000 mark, by the way, I realized — maybe there are other churches that could pitch in like this. It would only take 56 churches, giving $250 each, to complete the $16,021 our Brigada-sponsored secretary needs for 2004. Interestingly, Dennis (the much-appreciated Brigada participant who requested that his committee consider the gift) added, “The cool thing is that I brought the proposal before our missions team and was asking for $200 but they said make it $250 and we’ll do it. I argued and argued for my proposal but finally gave in.” :-) We appreciate you Dennis! And thanks loads to the committee! If you happen to live in the Portland area and you don’t already have a home church, and if you’d love to throw your hat into the ring with a church that has a global vision, I hope you’ll consider Mt. Scott, 10603 SE Henderson St. Portland, OR 97266 (Tel:503.771.1195). And if nothing else, please join me in praying for them right now, giving thanks, and asking God to bless their leadership, their focus, and their growth.

TRAINING IN CHRISTIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT — The Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College (a 2004 Brigada sponsor!), in partnership with Food for the Hungry International and World Relief, is offering training in Bangkok, Thailand, May 24 – June 2, 2004 and at Lookout Mountain, GA, USA from August 2 – 11, 2004. This training is designed for missionaries, churches, or ministries working in the countries of the Two-Thirds World or in Transitional Economies. By the end of the training, you will be equipped to effectively implement strategies in the areas of microenterprise development or microfinance. Courses offered for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. See http://www.chalmers.org for details about email-based distance learning, DVD/Video courses. For costs and schedule email CEDI at covenant.edu (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)

NEW PRAYER-SHARING WEBSITE — If you have something you need prayer for, here’s a new site: visit http://www.prayforthis.com and post your prayer request. You can pray for others who have posted and submit brief comments of encouragement. (The site was created by Justin Long. Way to go Justin! By the way, when we asked Justin what language he used to create this, his answer was “PHP”, his favorite.)

LEARN TO TEACH ENGLISH: TESOL TRAINING — Receive training and practice in order to become an effective teacher, and earn a TESOL certificate to open doors of opportunity. Attend this four-week training course at Youth With A Mission, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA. The next class begins May 2, 2004. See their website http://www.ywampa.org for details and application forms, or contact YWAM Lebanon, PA ywampa at comcast.net (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)

STRATEGIC FRONTIERS TRAINING IN NASHVILLE — YWAM-Nashville is offering a School of Strategic Missions to be held on its campus in September 2004. Experienced missionaries will train you in cross- cultural communication, ethnographic research, church planting, community development and more! Then join teams in China, Morocco, Sudan, Turkey and beyond on a six-month field assignment leading to placement among a targeted people group. The only prerequisite is successful completion of any YWAM Discipleship Training School. For more information, visit http://www.ywamnashville.org or email ywamregistrar at ywamnashville.org or phone 615-696-3096 ext. 3055. (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)

YWAM CROSSROADS DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL — Are you looking for greater intimacy with God and a taste of cross-cultural missions? If you are age 30 or more, or a family with children, consider taking the Crossroads DTS at Youth With A Mission, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA. This 20 week program includes weeks of lectures, with speakers who focus on such topics as the father heart of God, how to hear God’s voice, intercession, spiritual warfare, relationships, and more. It also includes weeks of outreach ministry in Ukraine, providing practical cross cultural ministry experience. School begins June 20, 2004. See the website http://www.ywampa.org for details and application forms, or e-mail ywampa at comcast.net (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)

SHORT-TERM LEADER’S TRAINING IN HAWAII — It’s not too late to sign up for the ServantPrep Short Term Mission Leader’s training April 22 – 24, 2004 in Honolulu, HI. This is a comprehensive, interactive session designed to teach any cross-cultural team leader how to prepare, lead, and debrief team members effectively so that short term experiences will result in long term passion and commitment to reach the nations. But…. you must register soon! Download a brochure with all the cost and travel details at http://www.commitministries.org/STML_HI2004.pdf To get more information on the material contact Ray xctrainer at aol.com . To register, send an e-mail to Greg at ucommit at juno.com (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email addresses, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)

CAN SHORT-TERM WORKERS DEDUCT GIFTS FOR THEIR OWN TRIP EXPENSES? — Sounds dubious at first, doesn’t it. We recently featured an item on this topic (March 19th issue) and it has generated numerous replies. Evidently, the jury’s still out. Some “accounting types” said the donation *was* tax-deductible if it is turned over to the non-profit organization with no strings attached. Some took the opposing view. Our suggestion: Consult your CPA or tax-advisor before banking on it. Either way, you could definitely deduct the donation as “expenses while performing charitable activities.” (Thanks “FM”!)

OPEN SOURCE: SUREFIRE WAY TO BEAT SOFTWARE LICENSING — We recently featured an item on software licensing. After seeing the item, Brigada participant “Scott” wrote to remind us that Open Source software is a surefire way to escape most licensing fees. For more on that topic, read his thoughts at: http://www.hknet.com/~light/swaysum.html Thanks Scott!

NEED VIDEO PROJECTORS? — Equipping The Saints has supplied over 500 to ministries worldwide. Prices are dropping and quality is improving. Call ETS at 540-234-6222 or send email questions to: ets at rica.net (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)

NEW COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY NEWSLETTER — Enjoy up-to-date articles on media and communication strategy, orality and literacy, and events affecting our world today. Take advantage of free downloads on evangelism and church planting strategies, as well as on developing effective communication and media strategies. Participate in discussion groups and network through the numerous links listed. Subscribe to the Communication Strategy Network electronic newsletter by logging on to http://www.communication-strategy.net To subscribe, click on “newsletter” and sign-up.

NEED MANUAL TYPEWRITERS? — Equipping the Saints has hundreds available, ready to ship anywhere in the world. Call ETS at 540-234- 6222 or email your questions to ets at rica.net (As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace the “at” with an “@” sign and remove the spaces. Thanks.)

20040321 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 22 Mar 2004 04:41:00 +0000

In this issue…

Help undergird the Brigada-sponsored secretary. Donate so Brigada Today can continue to arrive in a timely and top-notch fashion!

FREE CONTENT FOR YOUR SITE — The Web Evangelism Guide (a copy of which is mirrored on the Brigada site) now offers the option to insert the contents of any of their pages into your own website. All you need is to copy/paste a line of Javascript code into your page code. There are over 100 pages to choose from, on many topics relating to mission, evangelism, communication and writing. Easy instructions for insertion are displayed at the end of every page. If you start at this page about the potential of Web, you can find every other page via the contents menu: http://www.gospelcom.net/guide/resources/world.php

MED/MF TRAINING IN BANGKOK, THAILAND — Time is running out! The Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College, in partnership with Food for the Hungry International and World Relief, is offering training in Bangkok, Thailand on May 24 – June 2. This training focuses on innovative, best practice microenterprise development and microfinance strategies and methodologies that can be used in holistic, Christ-centered programs. The keynote speaker is Dr. Jim Gustafson from Tokyo Christian University. For information on this event or their email-based distance learning visit http//www.chalmers.org or email <cedicovenantedu> </cedicovenantedu>

LEARN SUPPORT-RAISING FROM THE PROS — The Jesus Film Project development leadership team is offering a two-day seminar to share everything from development philosophy, strategy and structure, to direct marketing and new donor acquisition and tons more. It’s slated for April 7 & 8, and costs $150 per person for the workshop, materials, and lunch on Friday. It’s scheduled to take place in San Clemente, CA. For more information and full schedule materials, email amyelliottjesusfilmorg or call (949) 361-4549. Space is limited, so hurry!

GREAT SITE FOR “THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST” –- Has anyone told you lately, “You should go see the Passion?” Check out http://www.bible.org for helpful supplies related to Mel Gibson’s movie the “THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST”. They have compiled the scripture references that relate to the scenes in the movie and they have selected from their 3500+ free bible studies those that relate to the film.
***While you are at the site Download their multimillion dollar NEW English translation (NETBible) for free and enjoy the over 60,000 translator notes that allow one to get inside the heads of the translators as they worked with the original languages or purchase it on CD or in fine leather from $29.95
*** check out the satellite maps that are in the NETBible http://www.bible.org/docs/about/maps/index.htm
*** see also the free translated studies they have at http://www.bible.org/foreign/foreigntoc.htm
*** they are looking for translators that would like to translate any of there free studies into a language that would benefit you. http://www.bible.org/docs/about/translat.htm Contact passionmoviebibleorg for more information on any of the above.

RESOURCES FOR NON-TECHIES — Interested in getting help for your computer network — software or hardware? Need tech support for your Christian agency’s Internet connection or firewall? Finally — an answer, and no need to mortgage the team in Taiwan! Just click here for one of Ken’s collection of great reference materials, this one focused on “Tech Help For Non-Techies”. (Thanks again, Ken!)

HELP-WANTED AT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN INDIA — A Christian school in the South of India would love to get Christian teachers who are native English speakers and who would come for at least a year to teach the children and to have an impact into their lives. The school is part of the Ywam ministry. Therefore DTS graduates are preferred. You will not be paid but will have to raise your own support, but you will get to know the warm and hospitable South Indian people For more information please write to: Ian Liu akcsvsnlnet

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS OPPORTUNITY IN FIJI (SEP 1-12, 2004) — Is God calling you to Fiji? The Transformational Partnership (Luis Palau Evangelistic Association, CitiReach International, Living Stones Foundation & Sentinel Group), by invitation of the Assembly of Christian Churches in Fiji and in association with government leaders in Fiji, is ready to see God transform entire communities and the nation through the power of Jesus Christ. Together with a vibrant network of organizations, Fiji will be host to: 100+ short-term mission teams from around the world (1,000-1,500 individuals), Luis Palau’s 2- day “Fiji Fest, City wide clean up projects, water projects, business seminars, Bible training courses and much more. Every strata of life will be impacted! God is at work and Fiji is ready! For more information about how to be a part of this large international outreach visit http://www.fiji2004.org or email randyburtispalauorg

NO BATTERY-POWERED PROJECTORS — Some time ago, someone asked for a battery-powered data/video projector. Allen and Betty compiled data on those responses and were thus far unable to find *any* leads. However, they did hear of some work in progress and would appreciate your prayers on the inventors’ behalf.

ABSTINENCE EDUCATION — Check out http://www.eliprojects.org if you want field-tested educational materials or more information on abstinence and its use in missions & cross-cultural work, or simply write to vnurmieliprojectsorg

YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT — Educate young minds overseas! International Education Services (IES) a non-profit faith venture, is seeking the provision of teachers for Grades 3,4 and 5; Grade 6-8 English as well as K-8 ESL, Computer and Art. The school serves 52 families with about 90 students from 12 different countries. Serving at IES places you at the cutting edge of missions in the largest unreached nation in the 10/40 window. For a brief introduction to the school go to http://www.pcpies.com. For more information contact Sally at recruitpcpiescom

MEMBER CARE IN CRISIS SITUATIONS WORKSHOP — This is a reminder that the Registration Deadline for the Member Care in Crisis Situations and Debriefing Workshop is March 31. This workshop is sponsored by Wycliffe Bible Translators and will be held in Dallas, Texas, USA, April 26-May 1, 2004. Costs of the workshop include a $100 registration fee and approximately $145 room/board. Registration deadline is March 31. Participation is limited. For information contact member_care_intlwycliffeorg.

FREE RESOURCE NEWSLETTER FOR MISSION MOBILIZERS — Here’s an IFES New Zealander who provides up to date resources, articles and research, books and sites to better equip you to mobilize college students for global mission (and to minister to them while they are on campus) Write the author, Mark markgtscforgnz , if you would like to receive a copy. It’s sent to workers in New Zealand, Australia, England and the United States. Thanks Mark!

TALKING BIBLES EXPAND SCOPE OF CARE-GIVERS — The Talking Bible is greatly enhancing Care-giving Ministries in local congregations. The Talking Bible is a marvelous bedside companion for one who is ill or hospitalized. It speaks God’s precious, comforting Word during those long hours when one needs it most. ASI is encouraging every local church to have one or more Talking Bibles for its care-giving ministry. Each Talking Bible has an entire New Testament sealed inside. They are beautiful, inexpensive and easy to use. Talking Bibles are available in English, Spanish and many other languages. Talking Bibles are available from Audio Scriptures International in California. Visit http://www.audioscriptures.org for more information. Or call ASI at 760-745-8105.

20040118 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 19 Jan 2004 04:50:00 +0000

In this issue…

THANKS TO THE GREAT SUPPORTERS… — We’re so thankful, today, for Family Circus Children’s Ministries, which sent a $100 gift for our Brigada-sponsored secretary, thereby enabling us to continue to get Brigada Today out the door on time! Thanks, too, to audioscriptures.org, which sent $50. (See their item next.)

Your organization or church could be next. See… http://www.brigada.org/donate.html for complete instructions. Thanks again!

TALKING BIBLES TESTIMONY BOOK, ONLINE FREE! — “From Knotted Strings to Talking Bibles,” Harvey Hoekstra’s latest book, published by William Carey Library is now available on line at http://www.audioscriptures.org The most common reader response is, “I just couldn’t put it down…” Full of anecdotes and photos, this book reads like a novel. Some have said that chapter eight on “Customs and Concepts” alone is worth the price of the book. This is the captivating personal account of a pioneer missionary family’s years in Africa and beyond. “It’s a thrilling story of an adventure in life and an adventure in changing mission that sets the Gospel free among illiterate peoples around the globe,” says the Rev. Harold Kurtz former head of the Presbyterian Mission Fellowship. “Here is an amazingly vivid and marvelously detailed account of mission that captivates you as if you and I were there too,” by Dr. Charles Van Engen, Fuller Theological Seminary. “From Knotted Strings to Talking Bibles” is a book every new missionary contemplating engaging in pioneer evangelism in remote places crossing cultural and linguistic barriers should read. Available on line: http://www.audioscriptures.org for $19.95. All proceeds go to support Audio Scripture International’s Talking Bible Projects.

DYNAMIC MISSION: POWERFUL MISSION SOFTWARE — Tired of managing folders and spreadsheets instead of your mission? Dynamic Mission software helps you efficiently send service teams all over the world. In 2003, Mission to the World used it to send out 6800+ volunteers. It handles projects, teams, staff, finances, travel, work assignments, inventory and more. Built by professionals over the last six years. “We couldn’t manage all the details and paperwork of projects and teams without Dynamic Mission.” — Carol G., MTW Save tons of time using a tool already tailored for the short-term missions environment. Use intuitive screens instead of forcing your process through a generic project tool. Refocus your energy on your mission by purchasing Dynamic Mission today. Try it free at http://www.DynamicMission.com Become a sales affiliate and earn 20% at http://www.DynamicMission.com/ap or email salesDynamicMissioncom or call in the USA 770.978.8468.

HOW TO GET THAT FREE FAMILY MAGAZINE FOR YOUR MK — Several people had difficulties with the Focus on the Family website mentioned in last week’s issue, in relationship to the free magazine offer. Focus on the Family says that you can subscribe through the internet site, but it seems as though no one is having any luck. Therefore, Melissa (the original contributor of the item) called them and they said to send the 1) full name of the child 2) the age and birthdate of the child 3) the full address 4) and the magazine requested either through post mail to their address listed on the website or to servicefotforg, and they will be able to process the request. Make sure that you mention that are a missionary asking for a complimentary subscription. You could even tell them you heard about it in Brigada at Brigada.org! :-) I doubt they’ve ever heard of us. (Thanks Melissa!)

TESOL OPPORTUNITY IN THAILAND — Cornerstone Workplace English (C.W.E.) is a legitimate profit making English language school company that employs professionally trained and experienced ESOL teachers to train the staff of Thai business in Chiang Mai North Thailand. The aim of the company is to bypass the “missionary label” and engage the Thai marketplace with the gospel. The company is looking for properly trained ESOL teachers who are believers with a heart for reaching Thais. The long term goal of the company is to see small groups of Thai believers planted within the Thai workplace and to generate a people group movement in a contextualized way. Applicants need to be socially very capable, flexible and willing to bend with an Asian culture, and a strong follower of Jesus with a heart for outreach. Applicants need to speak English with a “western” accent. Contracts available for 6 to 12 months. Visas and work permits available. Contact Stuart cweloxinfocoth for an information pack.

“WOW” STORIES NEEDED FOR CATCH THE VISION “2020″ — The couple who wrote the golden-oldie mission book/Bible study Catch the Vision 2000 is back in the U.S. for a year of R&R (Rest and Riting?). If you know of recent “wow” accounts of mission breakthroughs, contact Bill & Amy CatchTheVision2020yahoocom They know how to handle security issues as they track down the factual details of striking stories for a new, improved Catch the Vision 2020!

NEED FRENCH MATERIALS? — Equipping the Saints offers French Thompson Chain Reference Bibles and French ministry books at up to 90% discount. A resource list is available on the ETS web site. Check out http://www.etsusa.org In the USA call 1-540-234-6222 or email etsricanet for more information.

EVANGELICAL PURCHASING SERVICE — Thanks, Ken, for the tip about Evangelical Purchasing Service, (EPS), tel in the USA 800-445-6791 or write epscrcaolcom or log on at http://www.epurchasingservice.com/

INTERESTED IN MINISTRY AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS? — Check out the International Student Ministry Conference May 28-30. International student ministry (ISM) is growing in North America, Europe, and many other countries. ISM will be one of the issue groups for the Lausanne 2004 Forum. Last year leaders of ISM from 12 countries attended the annual equipping conference of ACMI (Association of Christian Ministries to Internationals). ACMI ’04 will have 40 workshops, plenary sessions and special interest groups related to ministry among International students, May 28-30, at Wheaton College, near Chicago, Illinois, USA. There will be a concurrent conference for Christian international students. For brochures and details, go to http://www.acmi-network.org or email acmiofficegatemancom

FEEDBACK ON SKYPE.COM CALL SERVICE; OPTIONS — We got quite a bit of feedback on that Skype.com peer-to-peer calling service. Bottom line: Be wary of any peer-to-peer service. Since your computer becomes a kind of server for someone else, there’s a certain degree of risk that you’ll be hacked. Course, Andrew wrote with what seemed like a better option, Free World DialUp. http://fwd.pulver.com He added, “FWD currently offers the ability to make outgoing calls to toll free numbers AND incoming numbers (no fee payable for allocation of the number) so someone on a regular phone can call your VoIP number. FWD also offers a voice conferencing service. The advantage of services such as FWD is they are based on the agreed standard known as SIP whereas Skype currently uses its own non-standard protocols.” (Thanks to all – and especially to Andrews — for responding!)

CRISIS & TRAUMA WORKSHOP — Presented by Dr. H. Norman Wright, Wycliffe Counseling Ministries is sponsoring this workshop for missionary personnel, member care workers, counselors, ministers and lay counselors. The workshop will be held on May 14 & 15, 2004 at the Wycliffe US Headquarters in Orlando, Florida. For more information or a Workshop brochure contact Mary Maggio at Wycliffe Counseling Ministries (972) 708-7315 or e-mail Mary_Maggiosilorg

TV SHOW ABOUT MISSIONS ON DISH NETWORK — The new weekly television program, MISSION, begins airing on the Dish satellite network, Friday nights at 9pm Eastern Time starting February 6. Co-hosted by Steve Saint, son of martyred missionary Nate Saint, the program features stories about mission work around the world. Stories from AIM, Pioneers, SIM, SEND and World Team as well as mission stories of the Saint family. Friday nights at 9ET on the Dish network – channel 9701, Angel One. Get more information at http://www.faithtelevisionnetwork.com (click on MISSION).

SHORT-TERM LEADER’S TRAINING IN APPLETON — It’s not too late to sign up for the ServantPrep Short Term Mission Leader’s training February 12-14, 2004 in Tampa, FL. Learn how to prepare, lead, and debrief team members effectively so that your short term experiences will result in long term passion and commitment to reach the nations. But, you must register soon! Download a brochure with all the details at http://www.commitministries.org/STML_FL2004.pdf To get more information on the material contact Ray xctraineraolcom . To Register or ask questions, send an e-mail to Jamie babbslovefloridaaolcom

DON’T GO TEACH ENGLISH WITHOUT TRAINING — Invest three weeks in practical TESOL training and ensure that your teaching is effective and your ministry with students is enhanced. During Essentials of TESOL, July 12-30, 2004, at Biola University in southern California, you will: learn methods and techniques for teaching English language skills, be introduced to the sound and grammar systems of English, discover teaching materials, explore cultural issues, and learn appropriate ways of being a Christian teacher. You will also get supervised experience teaching non-native speakers. Non-credit tuition is only $505. Visit http:www.biola.edu/academics/sics/essentials_tesol.cfm for more info and call 562/903-4844 or contact kittypurgasonbiolaedu for an application.

TEE ON RADIO? — A group of missions in Cambodia are interested to learn if anybody has TEE lessons as radio scripts. If you know of somebody who does, please contact Janice jreidrtsinternationalorg (If you’d like a copy of the results, be sure to tell her.)

YWAM CROSSROADS DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL — Are you looking for greater intimacy with God and a taste of cross cultural missions? If you are age 30 or more, or a family with children, consider taking the Crossroads DTS at Youth With A Mission, Lebanon, PA, USA. The three month lecture phase begins April 18, 2004. It includes topics such as the father heart of God, how to hear God’s voice, prayer and intercession, evangelism and missions, and spiritual warfare. The following two month outreach to Ukraine provides practical experience in cross cultural ministry. See their website at http://www.ywampa.org or email ywampacomcastnet

NEED 16MM PROJECTORS? — Equipping the Saints offers good used 16MM film projectors at $125-150. These are Eiki SSL or SL units and are in good working order. Check out http://www.etsusa.org In the USA call 1- 540-234-6222 or email etsricanet for more information.

OMF BAY AREA MISSION CONFERENCE – Catch “The Great Commission and 21st Century Asia”, April 30-May 1, 2004 at Peninsula Covenant Church in Redwood City, CA. There will be four plenary sessions, 13 workshops, children’s program and fellowship with visiting missionaries. Featured speakers include OMF’s General Director Dr. David Harley and Professional Service China’s Field Director Dr. Rudolph Mak. For registration, contact Elaine Tai omfconferenceyahoocom or (650) 559- 8088. Or log on at http://www.us.omf.org/northwest

PRAYER “SPAM” — It’s really a shame that, once I’ve seen my 200th prayer request email in a single day, sent to me without request, those prayer request emails begin to *feel* a lot like *spam*, especially when I’m traveling, collecting messages via my cell phone. On the one hand, I feel *guilty*, because when would a prayer request ever become a piece of spam. On the other hand, they meet the definition, in that they’re a) unsolicited, b) clogging up my channel so I can’t get my work done as effectively, and c) ultimately undesirable, since I already have 240 missionaries to pray for in the mission with which I work! So — warning: Before adding someone to a prayer request list, even though your motives are noble and admirable, better ask first. If they don’t answer, don’t add them. Because, I’m just adding *all* those prayer request email addresses to my “blocked list” in my Norton AntiSpam. So… unfortunately, if those folks ever want to send an item to Brigada Today, I won’t even know they wrote me. :-(

VOLUNTEERS (E.G., IN EAST AFRICA) — Occasionally we get email from volunteers ready to serve in a particular place. How do we get that word out. Obviously, we can’t promote them all. Say a gal wants to serve in the Kenya/Uganda area this summer. She’s a missionary with experience working with orphans and street children in that area looking for information on opportunities and the state of affairs in that area. So … you could write Tammy tammymariedonahueyahoocom but… how do we help the other *thousand*? I think one of the best models is Brigada Opportunities. But for it to work well, reps from the various missions have to be *listening*. Then when willing workers want to see options, they’ll just join and drop their interest inquiry to the group. To learn more, write: brigada-opportunities-subscribeTeamExpansionorg You can unsubscribe at any time. There are nearly 200 mission leaders waiting online right now, to help you.

20040111 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 12 Jan 2004 04:51:00 +0000

In this issue…

TWO NEW SPONSORS! — Thanks to our new sponsors this week… two anonymous gifts of $100 each. That puts us at $1300.25, so we’re well on our way to being 10% of the way to our $16,021 goal for our Brigada- sponsored secretary! We appreciate your willingness to partner with us to get Brigada out the door and on your screen on time! To sponsor (via PayPal or by snail mail), just click on over to: http://www.brigada.org/donate.html for complete instructions. Thanks again!

TOLL-FREE NUMBER FORWARDED TO YOUR PHONE — Now you can get a US toll free number forwarded to any phone in the world with no setup fee and low international rates. And all the while, you’ll be helping Brigada reach its 2004 goal for the Brigada-sponsored secretary. Click to http://www.brigada.org/phone.html

SEE AN UNREACHED PEOPLE PROFILE IN 3 CLICKS — That’s what you can do now at the Joshua Project site. 1. Click on the Profiles main menu item 2. Select a country – page will refresh with appropriate peoples list 3. Select a people – page will refresh with the selected people profile On the People Profile, among other things, you can see all the people group specific ministry resources such as Bible translation status, Jesus film availability, audio recordings and radio broadcasting information with links directly into the associated website. An illustrative example is: http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rop3=103686&rog3=TH This resource is a *tremendous* step forward for all our networks, churches, and agencies. Let’s pause a moment and give thanks for Dan Scribner and the whole JP.net gang! Thanks for hanging in there, guys!

BATTERY-OPERATED VIDEO PROJECTORS? — Thanks to Allen, for sending a summary of the responses to his questions about projecting video on the road using battery-operated equipment. Turns out that the majority of the responses recommended using a standard DVD, vcd, or vcr along with a multimedia-type projector that could be powered using a battery and an inverter to convert the 12 volt to 110 volts. The problem with this is the very high cost and very high consumption of power thus needing more than just a little battery power. So for now, Allen is back to the 16mm and generator. Apparently, the biggest obstacle is the excessive cost of the available multimedia projectors, the least expensive beginning at $800.00. Allen reported that there was one other option that he is still exploring, and that’s the type used by the “God’s Story” folks. It still uses a small generator, but very small in comparison to what the 16mm projectors require. (Thanks for reporting, Allen! We wish you the best in your continued quest! Don’t miss the very next item for one possible new option. :-) )

SHOWING THE JESUS FILM? — Check out Airborne Ministries JET PAC (Jesus film Evangelism Tool PACkage). Airborne Ministries has an awesome compact video equipment set available for showing the Jesus Film. It’s especially designed for remote areas and unreached peoples. The airtight, waterproof case is a must when facing dusty roads or monsoon rains! It has traveled by plane, outrigger canoe, been strapped to a horse, and dragged behind a water buffalo to reach remote villages! The 45-lb. Pelican case contains a complete sound and video projection system, including minidv Jesus videos in appropriate languages and other Gospel videos when available. There is also a 29- lb. Honda generator to power the system. Airborne Ministries donates the labor to assemble the sets, and travels to field locations to train local ministers to use the video equipment effectively. They provide these sets at cost. For more info email Bill <billdunckleecom> or check out http://www.airborneministries.org or call 772-778-9106 in the USA. </billdunckleecom>

WHAT’S THE IMPACT OF SPAM? — Here’s the real long-term impact of all that unwanted email: That you won’t get the really *important* message someone was wanting to send you. Why? You will have unintentionally deleted it, along with all the junk mail! What can you do? If you can use Outlook 2003, the spam filter is reputed to be very good — with nearly 100% of spam-capture and very few “false positives.” I’m trying out Norton Antispam for the next few months. So far, it’s catching all but a few of the spams/day.

SIDEBAR EFFECT OF SPAM, RELATIVE TO BRIGADA — Now here’s a corollary for Brigada. Let’s say you subscribe us to your group (without asking). We mark your email as spam… then you later write us an item that you’d like to submit, from the same address. You wonder why the item ever shows up… It’s because we’ve marked your address as spam — and now your message isn’t getting through. (Sorry about that!) Bottom line: It’s always more polite to ask before subscribing others to your list. (By the way: In 8 years of work on Brigada, we’ve never subscribed anyone else.)

“TALKING BIBLE SUNDAY” — Audio Scriptures International (ASI) is reporting that the fledgling “Talking Bible Sunday Movement” is gaining momentum. According to ASI leadership, the slogan, “A Talking Bible Sunday in Every Church”, is taking hold. ASI is urging that in every church there be an annual “Talking Bible Sunday” with a special offering to help provide Talking Bibles to non-readers in their languages. The Talking Bible is a revolutionary, user-friendly, listening device the size and shape of a pew Bible in which an entire New Testament in a desired language is sealed inside. For more information go to http://www.audioscriptures.org For more information, write Harvey hthoekjunocom toll-free or via Net2phone 1-800-318-7262.

TESOL COURSE AVAILABLE IN MONTANA — Youth With A Mission, Montana, is again offering an intensive, four-week TESOL course which will run from July 26 through August 20, 2004 in Lakeside, Montana. This course will prepare you to teach English in any setting and in any country. A practicum is also included within the time-frame of this course. Early application is encouraged as this course fills up quickly. For further information email: tesolywammtorg or visit their website: http://www.ywammt.org and click “schools”.

MISSIONPREP LANGUAGE AND CULTURE SEMINARS IN TORONTO — Are you preparing for overseas ministry? Then take advantage of this tailor- made Language and Culture training held in one of the most multicultural cities in the world. February 8-20 is Missionprep’s Culture & Language seminar. April 18-30 Missionprep will host its two week Language Acquisition Seminar. For more information contact Priscilla priscillaglobaltalkca or call 905-640-1621 or visit http://www.timcentre.com/missionprep

CUSTOMIZABLE MISSION EDUCATION — Are you looking for a new, more customizable way to do mission education with preschoolers, children, youth, and adults? If so, you may be interested in a resource called “WINGS: Catch the Wind of God’s Spirit” produced by Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia. It aims to help all of Jesus’ followers to become missionaries in their daily lives, and encourages teachers to draw on their own insights and cultural contexts. A leader’s guide is available now on cd-rom ($30) and will be available as a book/cd set ($50) in March 2004. For more information, or to order online, go to http://www.co-missioners.com or send email to wmuvwmu-vaorg

MKS GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION AT FOCUS ON THE FAMILY — Thanks to Melissa for clueing us in on Focus on the Family’s offer of magazines to missionary kids. MKs are able to receive a free (no S&H as well) subscription to one Focus on the Family magazine. The magazine they receive will depend upon their age. To order a subscription you can call the order line at 1-800-232-6459 and ask for the specialty line. Stuck in Benin, and can’t get to an overseas telephone line, but *can* get access to the web at the local library? Not to worry. They’ve got you covered. Just go online at family.org and order the magazine there. (Thanks for the member care help, Melissa! Keep up the good work!)

NEW SERVICE LETS YOU MAKE CALLS FOR FREE — Here’s a great new free service online which allows you to make phone calls anywhere around the world for free. It is based like a p2p (peer to peer) service where you can only call those who have the program installed. The neat thing is you can buy a VoIP enabled phone and when someone calls it rings your external phone. Pick up the handset and start talking. Go to http://www.skype.com for details. (Thanks to Matt, serving in Europe!!! Yahooo!)

EMERCY: SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MISSIONARIES — As an organization dedicated to the success of missionaries, Emercy’s mission is to provide a wide variety of services and projects that undergird missionaries and the churches that support them. Some of these services include research, logistical support, consulting, short term teams, supply shipments, care packets, and interim position filling. Each relationship that Emercy forms with missionaries is tailored to the needs of the missionary. If you are interested in finding out more about the services that Emercy offers, visit their website at http://www.emercy.org or call them toll free from the US: 877-875-4483. International callers please dial 205-391-9867. You can also send your email to infoemercyorg

BE DISCIPLED TO REACH THE NATIONS — Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Turner Valley, Canada desires to equip, train and challenge you to reach the unreached! A Discipleship Training School (DTS) challenges you to grow in your faith, and equips you to reach the nations with the Gospel. It includes 3 months training with 2 months mission trip. Here are the upcoming dates: March 23-August 13/04 and September 15/04- February 4, 2005 Prices: $2950 CND (tuition and accommodation) plus $3500 CND (missions trip). To DTS grads, they also offer the School of Biblical Studies (SBS), a 9-month inductive study of each book of the Bible. Dates: September 13/04 to July 1/05. Price:$8100 CND. Contact: turnervalleyywamca http://www.ywamturnervalley.com YWAM Turner Valley, Box 730, Turner Valley, AB, T0L 2A0, Canada, or tel/fax 403-933-3754.

SERMONINDEX.NET CLASSIC AUDIO SERMONS — SermonIndex is an internet tape ministry with free mp3 audio sermons! Just download them, then burn them to cds or simply listen to them live on the computer. Many of the sermons offered are rare and have an underlining theme of revival. Some of the speakers include: A.W. Tozer, Leonard Ravenhill, J. Edwin Orr, Alan Redpath, Duncan Campbell, T. Austin Sparks, and many more. To date there have been an estimated 1 million+ downloads of the 3000+ sermons. Greg has been running this ministry for just over 1 year now and is 24 yrs old and lives in Toronto, Canada. For more info, log on at http://www.sermonindex.net or email sermonindexmsncom or call Canada 416-624-4734.

20031221 Brigada Today

Editor — Sun, 21 Dec 2003 22:57:00 +0000

In this issue…

YAY! SPONSORS! — Thanks loads for the anonymous sponsor who gave $100 this past week. In addition, Dial-Abroad sent $60 for November’s phone use via Andy Gray. So those phone calls are working well! Keep dialing long distance!!! The total use for Brigada talkers via his service in November was $599.45. (So he “rounded up” and gave a $60 sponsorship gift! Thanks!!!)

IF YOU USE CLIPBOARD, TRY CLIPMATE; HELP BRIGADA — Since 1994, we’ve been using a little utility called “Clipmate” to help us prepare each edition of Brigada Today. Now, the author of Clipmate has offered to give Brigada 1/3 of the proceeds from any sale he sees come in as a result of this ministry. You can try the program for free — for 30 days — then decide for yourself. Like I say, we’ve been using this program for 9 years and we depend on it *daily*. For $25, it’s the best deal on the planet… and $8.33 will go to Brigada to help us try to make our goal for 2003 to underwrite the cost of our new Brigada secretary. So… let’s see… we’re just $2820 short of reaching her salary goal for 2003… so if only 338 people would buy Clipmate by Dec. 31st, we’d make it!!! Lacking that, if even 338 would go to our website and use PayPal to send $8.33 directly to us — that works too! But by buying Clipmate, you get a utility that you can use *daily*. Give it a try. See the details on how we use it by going to: http://www.brigada.org/referrals/Clipmate.html or just click on the Clipmate link at the top of the front page of brigada.org Thanks for giving it a look … and thanks for making it possible for us to keep Brigada on-time and on your screen! Want to learn still more? Read the personal letter to Doug from the author of Clipmate: http://www.brigada.org/referrals/Clipmate_story.html

COULD DIALPAD HELP YOU CALL HOME? — If you haven’t heard about DialPad, then maybe you’ll want to take a listen! If you’re overseas, it might be better than the connection you get by phone! :-) http://www.dialpad.com Check it out. It might give you free long distance to the USA from anywhere in the world. Also, if you’re going to sign up, sign up by going to sending email to Russell if caopscenterpactecnet He’s promised to support Brigada with 5% of his income, once he starts to turn a profit.

DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE EVANGELICALS GROWING? — Guess what: it wasn’t a joke! :-) According to the Religion Journal evangelicals have now grown to include some 400 million people in 123 countries, with the fastest growth now coming from Latin America and Asia. In fact, according to the article, evangelicals in Kazakhstan have increased from 40 to 12,000 in 12 years. Whoa. Similar things have happened in Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine — and yes, even in Algeria! Pray for Indonesia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where Islamic extremists are trying to take over the country. Again, according to the article, Hindus, Buddhists and animists aren’t too far behind. See the entire source at: http://www.religionjournal.com/showbrief.asp?id=749

TRY THESE PAGES FOR FLAGS, MAPS, AND MORE! — Thanks to Brigada participant, “Mert”, for referring us to these two websites, with city populations, basic political maps, and even flags from around the world:
http://www.citypopulation.de/
http://www.world-gazetteer.com/home.htm
http://www.flags.net
http://flagspot.net/flags/
(Thanks Mert!)

MISSIONARY MENTORSHIP CONFERENCE CALL – Elijah Company Missionary Mentorship’s third FREE missionary mentorship conference call is scheduled for January 8, 2004, 8:30 est. These monthly calls allow seasoned missionaries to impart needed practical advice for all those planning on missions involvement. This month the call will focus on building a support team. For call number, access code and content outline write to mentorshipelijahcompanyorg or call (757) 639-2906. See website http://www.elijahcompany.org for other services.

“CALLING IT A CRUSADE ISN’T HELPFUL” — Thanks to the reader (name withheld for sensitivity’s sake), who wrote us about last week’s item, “13) THE CHINESE CHRISTIAN CRUSADE”. He reasoned, “Here in [our land] we’ve had perhaps more exposure to this vision than Christian circles in the West. I very much doubt that the leaders would be pleased with the label ‘crusade’. That is a word we’re trying to ‘ban’ as much as possible, sandwiched as we are between two neighbors [less positive about that term].” Thanks for the feedback! We’ll hope that the campaign’s organizers can hear your heart!

BATTERY POWERED PROJECTOR SOUGHT — Normally the _Jesus film_ is projected using a 16mm projector, powered by a small generator. But when you add the projector, gas container, generator, film reels, screen, and etc., you have accumulated well into the hundreds of pounds. Some missionaries would like to find someone to help locate or invent a battery powered, inexpensive (video) projector in order to project the Jesus film in remote village settings where carrying a 16mm projector and an electric generator is unduly burdensome. If you have a lead, email Allen PierceinEGjunocom

NEED SPANISH MATERIALS? — Equipping the Saints offers Spanish books, Bibles, videos, curricula and tracts. Discount pricing up to 85% on some items is available. A 32-page Spanish resource list is on the ETS web site. Check out http://www.etsusa.org In the USA call 1-540-234-6222 or email etsricanet for more information.

MISSIONARY TRAINING CAMP — The next Elijah Company training camp is scheduled for February 5-8, 2004 in Virginia. These intensive times have helped solidify and energize individual missionary calls. For information regarding the camps see their website at http://www.elijahcompany.org or call (757) 639-2906 or write to infoelijahcompanyorg

NEED INEXPENSIVE MINISTRY MATERIAL OR EQUIPMENT? — Since 1991, Equipping the Saints has served evangelical Christian ministries worldwide by providing information and inexpensive new and used ministry materials and equipment. Equipping the Saints can help your school, church, medical clinic, orphanage or camp with a wide variety of new or used items, at a fraction of what these would cost on the open market. Check the ETS web site at http://www.etsusa.org You may also email etsricanet or call in the USA 1-540-234-6222 for more information.

TEACH ENGLISH IN CHINA — And be paid for it. A university in China near Fuzhou, is offering around 5000 RMB a month to a holder of a master or doctoral degree level instructor who will teach Oral – Aural and Business writing in English this spring semester Feb. 9 – July 7, 2004. Free accommodations. A R/T air ticket will be given with a year contract. For more information contact Rod at rodpa1earthlinknet

HOW TO PROJECT JESUS FILM WITH LEAST HASSLE — Normally the Jesus film is projected using a 16mm projector, powered by a small generator. But when you add the projector, gas container, generator, film reels, screen, and etc., you have accumulated well into the hundreds of pounds. Allen would love to find someone to help locating or inventing a battery powered, inexpensive (video) projector in order to project the Jesus film in remote village settings where carrying a 16mm projector and an electric generator is unduly burdensome. Anyone know of how he might get started — or if there is one already? If so, please write to Allen at PierceinEGjunocom . He’ll let us know whatever he can come up with. Thanks!

THE BACKPAGE: 2003 IN REVIEW — This evening I took a few minutes (several, actually :-) ) to page back through all the Brigada Today’s of 2003 (1 for each Friday in 2003). As I did, I saw some trends… so [drum roll], here are Doug’s “Picks & Pans, Tops & Trends” for 2003:
*** EASIEST SERVICE TO HATE — After being bombarded by “Plaxo-pings”, we concluded that the only good Plaxo message was one which didn’t happen.
*** MOST OPINIONATED ITEMS OF THE YEAR — Hands down… got to be those recovering “BackPage editorials”. I mean… What’s up with a guy that rants and raves so much about an online service called Plaxo? :-)
*** TOUGHEST TRADITION TO DIE — After Netscape users complained they ate up characters, we broke an 8-year tradition and stopped enclosing email addresses in pointy braces. <> :-)
*** BIGGEST LOSS OF THE YEAR — We mourned the loss of Interdev. :-( Time will tell how God will replace them. For now, I’m clueless.
*** MOST OUTSTANDING NON-MICROSOFT FILE FORMAT — Without a doubt: the PDF file, which really came into its own in 2003.
*** BIGGEST STORY THAT WASN’T? — Probably the urban legend that Fuller Theological Seminary was turning Muslim. (Dec. 19th issue, “Here’s the skinny”) :-) The rumors of its conversion were greatly exaggerated. :-)
*** MOST EFFECTIVE BAD TOOL OF THE YEAR? — Who would have imagined a Minnesota teen could accomplish so much with so little. You guessed it: the winner of this award? Worms and trojans, which ate some of our Brigada family members for lunch. They… *we* … all learned to be skeptical.
*** WORST OMEN FOR THE INTERNET — You probably thought I was going to say viruses. Not so. The worst omen is: spam.
*** MOST UNDERRATED MISSIONS TRAINING — Here’s some training you can really sink your teeth into: Dental Training for missions http://www.dentaltrainingformissions.com All dentist jokes aside… :-) … we believe this training holds tons of potential for zillions of fields, in spite of the fact that it’s woefully under-promoted.
*** BEST NEW MISSIONS SUPPORTER: SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION — During 2003, it became all the more obvious that early & active retirees were fulfilling an all-the-more valuable role around the globe, thanks, in no small way to efforts like the “Finishers Conferences” http://www.finishers.org/events
*** MOST OUTSTANDING DEATH THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN — Thank to the Lord, due in no small way to the faithfulness of some of its original staff, the Joshua Project research not only lives, it’s becoming more and more useful all the time! http://www.joshuaproject.net/
*** MOST EXPENSIVE INFORMATION NOW MADE AVAILABLE FOR FREE — We would have to hand that award to the World Christian Database online: http://www.worldchristiandatabase.org Originally published in the form of the World Christian Encyclopedia, this information set us back a couple of hundred bucks. Today, you can get it… and so much more… for free.
*** BEST REDISCOVERY OF THE YEAR — Has to be the Bethany Prayer Profiles, which we originally thought had been sucked into the vacuum of space, but were really resurrected at http://www.ksafe.com/profiles/home.html
*** “BEST CD TOOL OF THE YEAR” — That honor goes to the “Countries and Peoples of the World” CD, first reported in a Brigada exclusive on Jan 17th, promised in March, released on Aug. 8th. We dedicated an entire issue to this awesome tool. http://www.ywam.org/books/countries_and_peoples.htm
*** BEST-MADE TOTEM POLE OF THE YEAR — Fortunately for networking’s sake, peopleteams.org continued to grow. To a great extent, they enliven much of what Brigada’s email conferences always wanted to be. Three cheers for peopleteams!
*** MOST VALUABLE NEW STAFF ADDED? — That’s easy. She was the *only* new staff added! :-) During 2003, after establishing a regular habit of falling behind week after week for the past couple of years, we finally gave up and asked for help. The Brigada family responded by pitching in to help us afford a part-time Brigada secretary. The result? We caught back up the month after she started and we haven’t missed a weekend since! Yahooo! Three cheers for sponsors and kind-hearted people! :-) *Four* cheers for our Brigada Secretary!!! :-)
*** MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS OF 2003 — The gifts ranged from $10 all the way up to a one-time gift of $5000! We’re talking about Brigada sponsors, of course! The total, as of today, is $12,780… just $2820 short of our goal of $15,600 for the Brigada Secretary. Only $2820 to go! What a success story! Just a few hundred Clipmate purchases and we’re a big success. Goodness. Even if we run short, it’s still a huge success!!!

*** SO FROM ALL OUR BRIGADA STAFF (both of us! :-) ) to ALL OF YOU, have a blessed, safe, and Happy New Year!!! Doug

20011223 Brigada Today

Editor — Mon, 24 Dec 2001 00:59:00 +0000

In this issue….

1) FEEDBACK ON CHRISTMAS GREETINGS/”12 DAYS”

Thanks to all those who gave feedback to improve the multi-language holiday greetings that appeared in last week’s _Brigada Today_. Next year’s greetings will presumably be better because of it. We’ve also updated the web version of the item at:

http://www.brigada.org/today/2001/bt20011221.shtml

A couple of participants found fault with the “12 Days of Christmas” story, pointing to sites like:

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/twelvedaysofchristmas.htm

(Thanks Doug and John!). My “take” is that even if the origin of the story isn’t very well-supported, it’s still a fun way to view the “12 Days.” Doug and John are probably right though. You wouldn’t want to bet your farm on its truthfulness. As a result, we won’t feature it again and it’s been removed from the web version.

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2) NET-ROAMER

If you are a serious road e-warrior and need internet access, Net- roamer offers the iPass Network of more than 14,000 local call access numbers in 150 countries. Your first half-hour is FREE. Your email address will not change and you keep your regular Internet Service Provider. User-friendly software for Laptops and most PDA’s including Macs. With Net-roamer you surf, send and receive email exactly as you would when at home or office. Click on http://www.net-roamer.com .

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3) OKAY, OKAY… AN ANSWER FOR “SULFNBK” SUFFERERS

Okay.. okay… sorry if we seemed insensitive and unkind last week to those having been fooled by the Sulfnbk “un-virus” (in which unknowing users were tricked into erasing one of their actual Windows files by some vandal virus-writing maniac). If you need to restore your file, go to the fix on this page and everything will be all better:

http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/sulf.html

(Thanks Joel and others… Sorry Michelle. Once again, my apologies. I suppose I was only reacting negatively because I’ve been getting so many of these un-virus-laden emails in at work, in an already over-zealous schedule.)

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4) IF YOUR MISSION TRAVEL BUDGET IS FALTERING…

Check out videoconferencing. ViaVideo has the midpriced Polycom ViewStation unit for $4000 or a low-end camera for $595 that you can hold in your hand. It even comes with magical software which actually works well, if you have a fast Internet connection.

http://www.polycom.com/products/viavideo.html

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5) OMF BAY AREA MISSION CONFERENCE

The conference is coming, “The Heart of China” April 26-27, 2002, at Peninsula Covenant Church (Redwood City, CA). Annual bay area mission mobilization conference featuring 4 plenary speakers and 11 workshops. Web site: http://www.us.omf.org/northwest Cost $25/person ($20 if registered by April 19). Group rates are available. For registration info, contact Julie Hamiter (925) 459-0734 or <omfregisteryahoocom (omfregisteryahoocom) >.

Plenary Speakers:

1. Dr. Eugene Choi, Med. Services Int’l (MSI)

2. Dr. Neil Thompson, OMF US National Director,

3. Elizabeth Lowe, China Program

4. Rev. Doug Vavrosky, OMF Coordinator for Chinese Ethnic Ministries

Subscribe to the OMF Bay Area Mission Update (quarterly email notice): omf_bayarea-subscribeyahoogroupscom

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6) HURRY! LAST CHANCE TO TRY STAR OFFICE FOR FREE

If Microsoft has priced itself too far outside your budget… or if you’d simply like to prove to yourself that they’re not the only player in the software industry, try:

www.sun.com/software/star/staroffice/6.0beta/get.html

It’s free! Better hurry though. The beta program ends on Dec. 31st!

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7) HEALTH COVERAGE FOR THE FREQUENT INTERNATIONAL TRAVELER

If you travel outside the USA 3-4 times a year you can save money and also avoid filling out repeat health applications for each trip. For $210 a year you can get $1,000,000 in coverage, medical evacuation, $25,000 AD&D, emergency dental, emergency reunion, repatriation of mortal remains, trip cancellation coverage etc. For information contact: <jeffgninsurancecom> or call 480/813-9100; Toll free in USA: 866/636-9100. Check out http://www.gninsurance.com and http://www.missionaryinsurance.org.</jeffgninsurancecom>

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8) FOR A GOOD DEAL ON A DATA PROJECTOR

Try these sources:

www.projectorpeople.com — where you can finally get a 5-pounder, with 1024×768 resolution, and 1000 lumens of brightness (which I personally believe should be the minimum acceptable threshold) for $2795 while supplies last — the Toshiba TLP-B2.

If two extra pounds won’t bother your back, save even more at…
www.warehouse.com — click on “hardware” then “projectors” to view the latest… including an Epson 50c with 1000 lumens, 6.8 pounds, 800×600, for $1999.95.

www.avmarketplace.com — which is featuring an 800×600 res. unit by Mitsubishi (the SA51), also at 1000 lumens, weighing in at 7.5 pounds, for just $1699.

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9) CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN BACKS BRIGADA

What a tremendous encouragement it is to see Central Pres. Church (in Baltimore, MD) back Brigada with a $250 sponsorship gift for the new year! Would you do us a favor and, in your prayers, would you just pause even for a *moment* and ask God to bless them dearly throughout 2002? Thank you so much. Doug

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10) FOR A DEDICATED VIDEO-EDITING SOLUTION, AT A GREAT PRICE

Try Applied Magic’s ScreenPlay for less than $4000. Check it out at:

http://www.applied-magic.com

Running on a PowerPC chip, it does real-time nonlinear editing with an incredibly easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface. This is a dedicated system… so you don’t have to piece together PC components or worry about operating system incompatibilities. Write <sbeanaxxisinccom> at Axxis in Louisville for a good price. (You might mention you heard about him from brigada.org, though he’s never heard of us.)</sbeanaxxisinccom>

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11) FIND OUT WHAT’S EATING YOUR HARD DRIVE (FOR FREE)

Have you been wondering where all your space went? Find out at:
www.pcmag.com/utilities

Search for DiskPie 2 and download a free solution you can use for life!

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12) DON’T FORGET: “EAT THE CORN AND LEAVE THE COB”

As you read and discover various resources in Brigada Today, be sure to verify that those sources are in agreement with your own beliefs, principles and practice. For example, if, while studying a course that you see featured in Brigada Today, you see references to a doctrine that you don’t believe in, we recommend that you simply ignore it. As we mention weekly in the “Closing Stuff” featured at the end of each Brigada Today, there’s no way we can personally screen each and every course or item featured here. Besides, if we did, you’d probably get a pretty narrow view of the tools and courses out there — namely, my own. :-) Though I personally believe I’m always right, sometimes my friends (and enemies) remind me otherwise. :-) So please, as my college history teacher from Kentucky used to tell me, remember, “Eat the corn, leave the cob.” :-)

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13) HEALTH COVERAGE FOR THE FREQUENT INTERNATIONAL TRAVELER

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14) THE BACKPAGE: YOU *DO* MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Last weekend, I was trying to gear up my mind for a trip I have to make soon to a certain Central Asian nation torn by war and strife. I was lamenting the fact that I felt oh-so-small when compared to the awesome needs in that faraway land. Hospitals with no medicines, electric companies idle for lack of fuel, government offices with no workers, illiteracy at 95%, 1 out of 5 infants perishing for lack of food, ongoing violence, decades of misery, prophets of doom… the list is endless.

In the face of all that, it was my wife, Penny, who spoke magical words, surprising me, as she so often does. Though she’s deeply conservative and outwardly shy, she has a way of capturing one’s attention when she chooses to speak up. “Just remember the story of the starfish,” she said. “Starfish… starfish… How’s that go again?” I knew I had heard the well-worn story before… but seeing the chance to hear her repeat it somehow gave me hope.

“You know. The old man is walking along the beach and sees the little boy throwing something back into the sea? He gets closer and closer and realizes there are hundreds of starfish littering the beach, stranded by high tide. Then he realizes… the little boy is approaching them, one by one, picking them up and hurling them back into the ocean. And remember… the old man says, ‘Little boy, this beach is miles and miles long, and there are hundreds… maybe thousands of starfish.”

I was remembering now. But I hung on her every word.

“Remember, the man says, ‘Do you really think you can make a difference with a problem as big as this one?’ And then the little boy picks up another one, studies it for a moment, then, without looking at the man, throws it back into the sea, saying to the man, ‘Well mister, I reckon it makes a difference to this one.’”

Suddenly I noticed my eyes were just a bit more moist than they had been before. I put my spoon back in my oatmeal and thought for a moment. She was right. I had been looking only at the big problem… failing to remember that… Jesus didn’t call us to minister to the masses. He called us to reach out to men and women who would in turn reach out to others. Maybe we can’t change a whole nation but if we change just one family of open hearts, then … well I reckon it’ll make a difference to them.

So as you ponder the new year and consider what kind of impact you can make today and throughout 2002, invest your life as effectively as you can… but realize that in the end, all we can ask is that God would empower us to change even one family . . . and if we can do that… we’ll make a difference.

May God bless us every one.

Doug

PS. Just the same, would you pray that God will guide me as I try to figure out how our organization can make an impact in that war-torn land? Lord willing, four of us from Team Expansion will travel there within the next two weeks. I’ll have to admit… it seems premature to me. But God has used a good friend and colleague (Tim) to open the doors. I dare not tell him no at this critical time in this new nation’s life. Please pray that God will now go before us and smooth the pathway. Thank you.