Now with 4570 Participants – and over 20,000 hits monthly on the web!
News and Notes about Brigada, Your Gateway to Missions Networking!
[Pass this issue to a friend! To subscribe, see instructions at end.]

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In this issue….

* BEST DEAL IN THE GALAXY-COM!
* FOLLOW-UP TO “NOW YOU CAN SAVE BUCKS WHEN CALLING FROM OVERSEAS”
* GOT A ONE-DAY MISSIONS SEMINARY COMING UP? POST IT ON THE NET!
* THESE WORLD BOOK DUDES
* WANT TO ATTEND A VERY MOVING SEMINAR?
* GLOBAL GLIMPSE FROM THE JESUS FILM
* MORE TRAVEL AGENTS NEEDED
* WANT NEWS FROM A JEWISH PERSPECTIVE?
* “DID YOU KNOW?” – FROM OUR UKRAINIAN CORRESPONDENT
* DON’T FORGET TO PRAY ON FEB. 5, THE “NIGHT OF POWER”
* WEBWATCH – SEARCH FOR A CHURCH IN KERCH FOR MURCH
* HOW DO YOU CATCH SHINGLES?
* BRIGADA-PEOPLES ARCHIVING PEOPLE GROUP RESOURCES
* CAN YOU HELP GET MEDICINE TO A SICK GIRL IN ISTANBUL?
* TO SUBSCRIBE TO BRIGADA TODAY

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BEST DEAL IN THE GALAXY-COM!
OSo have you heard about Galcom’s new CD? Galcom International USA has developed a CD missions data base as an aid for informed prayer for the unreached peoples groups and as a reference tool for missions. The current demonstration issue contains the PIN peoples group data base of unreached peoples groups, 22,000 screens of text, 250 pictures, drawings and videos and 50 voice files. It profiles many missionaries and ministers working among unreached people groups. It also has a separate file of people groups designated as “least evangelized”, answers to questions on adopting a people group, current disease outbreak information, information on most known terrorist groups, and address of many world mission ministries. This CD will run on any IBM compatible 386 or higher and is an excellent reference aid and also a tool for churches and prayer groups who participate in “pray through the window”. To order send request to GalcomUSA@aol.com – and [if they can manage to collect their mail on America Off-line :-) ] they’ll answer in no time at all [well, maybe in a few days when they can squeeze in :-) ]. Here’s the best news. The price. Not $299. Not even $79. This little baby is $15! At this price, I figure the people at Galaxy-Com must care more about unreached people than they do about making bucks! :-) Cool.

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FOLLOW-UP TO “NOW YOU CAN SAVE BUCKS WHEN CALLING FROM OVERSEAS”
$ $ $ Those Cross-link people can be emailed at Crosslink@earthlink.net. They’re the ones providing the special prices on calling the USA from overseas. One reader [Paul] wrote, “Thanks for the CrossLink info in Brigada Today. I called them – it looks good. Talked to Sharon, very nice lady with a heart for missionaries. She had already received seven calls from folks who heard about their service via BRIGADA! (Mon.AM). Needless to say she is quite interested in knowing more about Brigada. … By the way, Sharon quoted me an example of a price/minute from India (my usual destination) of $.78. Just to call into a local email provider there – now no longer available at any price – was $.80/minute.” Thanks Paul! By the way, if you’re nervous about your organization getting a financial rebate from the group (if you are not-for-profit and don’t want to mix in profit kick-backs), just take the normal pricing. Even it is apparently a really good deal. Also, George Peavy says it’s tough to use these call backs for modems sometimes, especially in countries where you have to place the call through an operator. Finally, George also cautions that some countries might forbid use of call back services because they don’t want to lose the long distance revenue.

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GOT A ONE-DAY MISSIONS SEMINARY COMING UP? POST IT ON THE NET!
That’s right! Here’s a spot keeping track of all the one-day missions emphasis days around the world. http://www.goshen.net/misslink/chapel/oneday.htm is the URL. Announcements or corrections may be e-mailed to xxchapel@lcfn.org and must be received two weeks in advance of the event or the deadline for registration. Barbara Haas is the Webmaster there. Great idea.

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THESE WORLD BOOK DUDES
This encyclopedia thing has been interesting to follow. (I’d like to be a “spider on the wall” in the World Book conference rooms. They spend big-time bucks on color ads, only to get a big response from something they’ve never even heard of. “Brigada what???” :-) ) One user wrote to say that when he first asked for the special offer ($79 pricing on the $299 product), they declined, saying it had “expired”. “But I persisted politely and prayerfully,” Dennis wrote, “and the Britannica folks finally asked me the source of the information that prompted the call. I opened up the file from you, read it aloud to them and they let me buy the set for $79!” [Wish I could have been there as a spider on the wall.] “Wait, that’s not all,” continues Dennis! “I explained I’d like to buy a second set for a friend. “What?” they replied in surprise. “We can’t do that!” But I said, “Well, you also said you couldn’t sell me the first at a reduced price, and then you did. I figured I might as well press my manners and ask for a second.”

Dennis wrote, “In disbelief, they let me buy a second set!”

He continued, “You guys are wonderful, especially when it comes to stretching a faith missionary’s resources.” [blush] And then there’s Andrea. Nice person. She wrote, “Just to say thanks. I ordered mine yesterday for 79 buckies, and I still can’t believe it! Thank you so so much. God bless you guys oodles.” [I hope He hears the “oodles” part.] Another reader who also talked them into honoring the deal told us that this CD does indeed contain the entire text that is featured in the most recent printed edition but only 3400 of the 24000 graphics/pictures in the print version. Once again, if you want to try to persuade Robert (or any of the other good World Book sales people) to honor this $79 price (such a deal), call World Book at 800-747-2194 or have a friend in the USA do it for you. And thanks to Greg Parsons at the US Center for inspiring this entire interesting chase scene! :-)

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WANT TO ATTEND A VERY MOVING SEMINAR?
Now you can. John Hanna alerted us to “The Moving Peoples Seminar,” a two-day introduction to nomadic peoples and Christian mission among them. Meet Christians from a number of missions with experience in different parts of the world and discuss nomads and various aspects of reaching them. Organized by the Nomadic Pastoralist Network & sponsored by missions in the Evangelical Missionary Alliance. When: July 15-16, 1997. Where: Bulstrode, Gerrards Cross, England (WEC-International headquarters) Cost: 25 pounds full board & room, or 10 pounds per day. [(Which is a fraction of what everyone else is charging for seminars these days!)] For further information, contact: David J. Phillips, Moving Peoples, WEC-International, Bulstrode, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL9 8SZ ENGLAND.” Thanks John!

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GLOBAL GLIMPSE FROM THE JESUS FILM
The JESUS Film is on the move… even to radio! Work is underway on an International English version as the first of the “top 20” language translations. Also schools throughout Russia should soon receive 60,000 videocassettes, primarily in minority languages. Worldwide broadcasts of The JESUS Film are planned in partnership with the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), helping expose 3 billion people to the gospel by the year 2,000. Work continues to get film teams into areas of India, Nigeria, and Indonesia where there is no television coverage. Finally, new language translations are embarking this month, such as the Oromo language in Ethiopia, the Tigre language in Eritrea, and the Kissi and Kpelle languages in Guinea, West Africa.
(Source: Janet Moen, JESUS Film Prayer Request-Jan. ’97. For more info. visit http://www.jesusfilm.org or email pray4jfp@cci.org or leave your name and address at (800)988-PRAY(7729).)
Thanks to John Hanna of Caleb Project for compiling GLOBAL GLIMPSE each week.

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MORE TRAVEL AGENTS NEEDED
Topping the list of all 71 Brigada conferences this past month was brigada-travel-bids, with 300 messages (most of which were requests for bids!). Imagine sitting at the desk of your travel agency and all of a sudden getting half a dozen extra calls per day for requests for quotes! And many of these are overseas journeys . . . some for groups! So please please don’t waste time. The current stack of two dozen Brigada-Travel travel agents are having a hard time keeping up! Please call up your favorite travel agent today and ask him/her to join the fray!!! This thing could turn into one of the most helpful features of the new Internet craze! So . . . tell them to send an email message today to hub@xc.org with only the line,
subscribe brigada-travel-bids

Remember that those requesting quotes don’t need to join. They just send their message to brigada-travel-bids@xc.org with proposed itinerary enclosed. Travel agents then send back bids direct and personally. You sit back and pick the itinerary and price you want. Great deal. Free. Fast. Cool.

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WANT NEWS FROM A JEWISH PERSPECTIVE?
For firsthand updates on the entire Mid-East, from a Jewish perspective, from YET non-Christian Jews, check out Friends of Jerusalem Insights. Reader Sandra J. Koster wrote, “I really like what they send out as well, and often the articles are similar [to the Mid-east digest]. If anyone is interested …, they can write Moshe Kempinski asking to be put on their mailing list. Just a regular letter is it, not command type responses are required. Mail your request to moshe01@netmedia.net.il. Thanks Sandra!

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“DID YOU KNOW?” – FROM OUR UKRAINIAN CORRESPONDENT
Yes folks, it’s time again – [drum roll] – Did you know that the term “the whole 9 yards” came from WWII fighter pilots in the South Pacific. When arming their airplanes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gun ammo belts measured exactly 27 feet, before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilots fired all their ammo at a target, it got “the whole 9 yards.”

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DON’T FORGET TO PRAY ON FEB. 5, THE “NIGHT OF POWER”
Those interested in praying for Muslim friends on the “Night of Power” will want to download additional information on the event. Get it by sending email to hub@xc.org with only this line in the text of the message:
Get brigada night-of-power

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WEBWATCH – SEARCH FOR A CHURCH IN KERCH FOR MURCH
Got a friend named Murch who is looking for a church in Kerch? Now you can help him. Use http://www.churchlocator.com/ – a church-locator service! Don’t leave Murch in the lurch! :-)

While your web browser is fired up, check out 711.NET Christian Internet Assistance at http://www.711.net. It’s creators want it “to provide a “Central” location that users and visitors alike can quickly and dependably find comprehensive, properly organized and indexed sources of organizations, ministries, associations, products and services within the Christian community.”

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HOW DO YOU CATCH SHINGLES?
Here’s an inquiring mind who wants to know: “I have a friend who is going to Mexico very soon. He needs to know the “recipe” for making fiber concrete roofing. I have searched the internet to no avail. I am sure other missionaries have done this. Any suggestions? My email address is usjtmp@vuse.vanderbilt.edu.” Write Laurie today – so she can catch the shingles! :-) Laurie, we’re counting on a full report once you figure this out, okay? :-) [Honest!]

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BRIGADA-PEOPLES ARCHIVING PEOPLE GROUP RESOURCES
Have you visited Brigada-Peoples lately? This might be the most successful Brigada conference. They are always up there near the top of the “Number of messages received” stats (an average of around 3 or 4 daily), but the most amazing thing is that people there get answers!!! Somebody will write in and say, “Our church is adopting the Hohga Bohga people. Can anyone tell us how to begin?” And all of a sudden, people start replying from all over the planet! “My uncle is an on-site worker among the Hohga Bohga. I’ll send you his email address directly via email.” “I’m headed to the Hohga Bohga next month to visit relatives. Can I help?” “Our agency is very interested in the Hohga Bohga. Call us at…” Etc.

In fact, recently, the moderator for this successful conference has recently begun archiving standing resources in the file archival area there. For example, to obtain a catalogue of Caleb Project’s resources on unreached peoples (no doubt including the Hohga Bohga :-) ), you just send an email message to hub@xc.org and in the body of the message write
get brigada-peoples caleb_project_resources

Chris has said he would be happy to do this for other organizations with resources as well. (Nice guy.) You might have to be a member to get this stuff. To join the other 300 networking mobilizers there, just send email to hub@xc.org with only the line
subscribe brigada-peoples

in the message body. Then you won’t miss a thing on the Hohga Bohga. :-) Or any other least reached people group. :-) These guys are fulfilling the vision of Brigada. And many are very thankful!

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CAN YOU HELP GET MEDICINE TO A SICK GIRL IN ISTANBUL?
If you know someone going to Istanbul within the next week or so, you might be able to save the life of a young girl in Istanbul? Yvonne Wood, of the Nashville branch of the US Center for World Mission, is trying to get some emergency meds to the little girl and would much rather have someone carry it in than ship it. It is a matter of great urgency! Can you help? If so, write Yvonne at 74223.211@compuserve.com.

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TO SUBSCRIBE TO BRIGADA TODAY, send email to hub@xc.org with only the following message:
subscribe brigada

TO UNSUBSCRIBE, send email to hub@xc.org with this line in the text:
unsubscribe brigada

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BRIGADA TODAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FOLLOWING TEAM OF REGULAR VOLUNTEERS:

*Global Glimpses: John Hanna, Caleb Project, jhanna@cproject.com
*ADVANCE: Mark A. Kelly, Kainos Press, MarkKelly@xc.org
*Brigada Website: Bob Mayhew, Brigada Volunteer, mayhew@xc.org
*Technical Development: Jonathan Marsden, MAFxc jonathan@xc.org
*Brigada Customer Service Manager: Revis Ann Massey, RevisAnnMassey@xc.org
*Brigada Coordinator: Doug Lucas, Team Expansion & Brigada, DLucas@TeamExpansion.org
*and many other occasional contributors too numerous to mention!
But thanks for working together! That’s the dream of Brigada!