In this issue….

--------------------------------------

NEED FREE COMPUTER HELP?

computer Try Wycliffe Associates! This is one item you might want to file away somewhere!! Just send an email describing your computer problem to the appropriate email address below.

A page of useful computer tips and resources on the Internet is available at https://brigada.org/today/articles/pctips.html

--------------------------------------

EUROTRAIN 2001

Top Flight Leadership invites you to nominate a young leader (high school or college age) for EuroTrain 2001, a unique adventure style leadership and ministry training experience. Accepted participants benefit from a mentoring relationship at home prior to assembling in Denver, Colorado for additional training. The training includes everything from rock climbing in Wyoming to field trips and practical ministry in Europe. EuroTrain utilizes a strong historical mentoring component. Each student will read a historical biography and later visit strategic locations in the life of these historical mentors. Imagine reading about William Carey and then visiting the church where he pastored when he wrote his Enquiry and made his maps of the world! EuroTrain participants will gain an understanding of servant leadership, develop practical ministry skills, expand their vision for the world and take beginning steps toward developing a personal mission and life map. For more information and to nominate online go to http://www.experiencingleadership.com or email info@topflight.org.
--------------------------------------

DAILY UPDATE FROM MISSION NETWORK NEWS

letter and ligntening bolt Want a free update from Mission Network News? Get all the news that’s fit to email by sending a blank message to mnn-news-subscribe@mnnonline.org. (Thanks Greg!)
--------------------------------------

NEED A VIDEOPHONE? CHECK OUT HOWARD’S

telephone Maybe it’s time for a dedicated “videophone” like we used to read about in those old “Tom Swift” science fiction books. :-) If you’d like to learn more about this AT&T product, write Howard Indialover@aol.com. Though, according to Howard, it retails for $1299, he’s able to offer them to Brigada Today participants for just $299 plus $14 shipping. His supply is limited… so better act fast! It doesn’t use the Internet… and a videophone would be needed on each end of the conversation.
--------------------------------------

HOW TO ORGANIZE A CONFERENCE

A worker home on furlough wants to learn the ins-and-outs of organizing a field retreat/conference. Can anyone put her on the trail of good courses, web sites or other venues for becoming educated in this type of thing? For example, what’s the best software for registration info, what should a hotel contract say, common practices in dealing with the hotel & charter bus companies, list of tasks for a generic event, etc. She’s also wondering if anyone can suggest what venues / organizations might be contacted in an attempt to recruit experienced conference planners to do this work on behalf of field workers, or their sending agencies, on a full or part time basis? Please send your suggestions to Sharen sjeden@pobox.com and she will be happy to collect the responses and make them available to the Brigada family in the future. Thanks!
--------------------------------------

TRAINING FOR CHURCH PLANTERS

graduation cap Maybe you’d like to learn about church planting? The Center for Intercultural Training (CIT) in Union Mills, NC is hosting a seminar on Church-Planting in a cross-cultural setting, Jan. 8-12, 2001. Taught by Dr. Tom Steffen of Biola University, this course is a survey and analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of various church-planting models and strategies used around the world. It identifies key factors that the church planter can implement in a context specific, phase-out oriented church-planting strategy. For more info, write citinfo@compuserve.com or call toll free (or via Net2phone) 800-887-1786. You can also visit their website at http://www.citi.org.
(Thanks to Chris and the Team Expansion HeartBeat Online for this info! To subscribe to the “HBO”, just send a message to heartbeat-online-subscribe@egroups.com.)
--------------------------------------

FREE WEBHOSTING RESULTS

Brigada autoresponderTwelve people responded to Ross’ request for information about website hosting for non-profits at relatively cheap cost or free of charge. The key stipulation was that the host allow domains. An investigation of the sites recommended by the Brigada family indicates the range extends from free to low cost website host providers. Some of them are operated by Christians to support mission and mission agencies. Some provide email services as well, while others do not. One provider lets you build a free web page (similar to eGroups) with online giving facilities from surfers/donors. Some allow domains while others allow only sub-domains. For the full report, send a blank email to web-hosting@brigada.org. Ross’ new site, by the way, can be found at http://www.h-c-r.org.

Thanks Ross!!!

--------------------------------------

DIRECTORY OF INDIA MISSIONS

book Here’s a book that reportedly contains information about major missions in India. It includes a brief history of missions, objectives, types and areas of ministry, and postal and E-mail addresses. A model study of four missions is also included. (Published by IMA in October 2000; Pages 180). For your own copy, just send a donation of 150 Indian Rupies (plus Rs. 20 for postage) or $10 for overseas orders (including postage) to INDIA MISSIONS ASSOCIATION. Inquiries and orders can be directed to the:
INDIA MISSIONS ASSOCIATION
PB 2529 48 FIRST MAIN ROAD
EAST SHENOY NAGAR
CHENNAI TAMIL NADU 600 030
INDIA
Email them at imahq@vsnl.com.
--------------------------------------

FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MISSIONS MAJORS

graduation cap Central Christian College of the Bible (CCCB) is offering full-tuition scholarships to any full-time student intending to go into missions or ministry. CCCB’s goal is for students to be able to graduate debt-free, so they can go overseas or start ministry immediately. Details of the program are on their web site under “Admissions”. Room & board costs will be less than $3200/year. CCCB is receiving four times as many applications as there are available spaces, so early application is recommended. For additional information, or to apply on-line visit http://www.cccb.edu or contact the admissions department at iwant2be@cccb.edu or call toll-free or via Net2Phone 888-263-3900. CCCB has been devoted to training preachers, ministers and missionaries for nearly half a century. (Thanks Wendy!)
--------------------------------------

PERSPECTIVES IN 2001

Over 100 Perspectives courses begin in January 2001. Bill Bright calls its “unbeatable”, Floyd McClung says “It’ll ruin you for the ordinary!”, George Verwer suggests it is “absolutely essential”; it is standard training for mission mobilizers continent-wide. Beginning in January, 105+ sites throughout North America “open wide their gates” to Christians of all backgrounds for 15 evenings of mission challenge and study through the Perspectives Study Program. Graduate and undergraduate credit is offered at nearly every location. See http://www.perspectives.org for Perspectives Spring 2001 start dates, contact info, local web site links and general endorsements. Who in your church needs to be discipled with the whole world in view? Send them to Perspectives! (Thanks Mark!)

--------------------------------------

BIBLE MEMORY MULTI-LINGUAL

Bible What computer programs might be out there (preferably economical) that assist in Bible Memory? Of special interest are ones where the user can customize the passages to memorize and even use other languages. In other words, the program will basically provide the structure, some sort of review feature, perhaps grade your progress, keep track of topics, etc. Current user feedback on efficiency – ease of use appreciated. Please respond to Jon jonekblad@writeme.com His results will appear in a future Brigada Today.
--------------------------------------

BUILDING MULTICULTURAL TEAMS

book Building Credible Multicultural Teams by Lianne Roembke has been republished by William Carey Library. This “landmark study on multicultural mission team… is filled with significant data, relevant insights, and practical ways to help multicultural teams work well.” (Dr. Ken Williams, International Personnel Training Consultant, Wycliffe.) It can be ordered by emailing Orders@wclbooks.com, or, in German, Multikulturelle Teams: Risiken und Chancen, write verlag@campus-d.de. Dr. Roembke travels widely speaking on this and related subjects. The next weeklong seminar for mission leaders, HR and Member care staff will be in Cyprus, May 7-11, 2001. For registration information contact: Tim@memct.org.
--------------------------------------

CROSS-CULTURAL PREPARATION COMING UP

graduation cap Anthropology for Strategic Ministry Planning is a three-week intensive course which covers the foundational issues needed for all cross-cultural ministries. Major topics covered are the study of social organization of communities and people groups, research methods, the anthropology of religion, cultural analysis, and culture theory. It is through the framework of this study that a strategic ministry plan can be developed. This class, taught at the Center for Intercultural Training in North Carolina by Dr. Richard Lewis will be held from January 15-February 2. To register or for more information, write citinfo@compuserve.com or call 800-887-1786 or visit http://www.citi.org.
--------------------------------------

SHORT-TERM MISSION LEADERS’ TRAINING

graduation cap COMMIT Ministries and ServantPrep Training Int’l have announced their 3rd Annual Short Term Mission Leaders Training Seminar, April 26-28, 2001, in Honolulu Hawaii. This 3-day intensive program focuses on building a short term training program that can be used in your own setting with coaching, resources, and other fine help available from experienced training staff. Tuition is $199 per person and lodging and meal packages are available from $189 for the three days. For more information and discount airfare quotes contact Greg commit@juno.com or access the COMMIT Ministries web site http://www.commitministries.org.
--------------------------------------

SHORT-TERM MISSIONS IN HAWAII

(Okay . . . I won’t make a single joke about how it’s a “dirty job”. I’ll print this exactly as we received it! :-) ) Are you willing to give just four weeks of your life to help needy churches with their VBS programs this summer…on the outer islands of Hawaii? The schedule is set for July 8-August 5, 2001. The team will work with needy churches in Maui, Molokai, and Oahu and help with a work project in Waianae. Cost is just $2285 per person and includes RT airfare from just about anywhere in the US, ground transportation, Interisland air travel, most meals, lodging, adult supervision, and all materials related to the work project. For more information contact Greg commit@juno.com or you may access the COMMIT Ministries web site http://www.commitministries.org.
--------------------------------------

‘BUILDING NETWORKS’ GUIDE

ad2ksm AD2000 & Beyond tells us that they only have 42 Building Networks books left. Here’s your last chance before their office closes down forever. This book contains the networking and resource sections of the Adoption Guidance Program at: http://www.ad2000.org/adoption/index.htm. Sale price: $10 plus postage. Order from info@ad2000.org.
--------------------------------------

RADIO TRAINING

Want a short residential course on both the practical and communication aspects of evangelistic radio? Radio Worldwide, based in Leeds UK, offer regular short courses, particularly suitable for non-Western Christians wishing to work in radio. Radio Worldwide sometimes also operate training courses on the field. http://www.rww.clara.net or write admin@rww.clara.net.
--------------------------------------

COMPUTER HELP FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED

computer Associate of Christian Community Centers aims to encourage Christians to help the underprivileged (especially youth) gain empowering computer expertise. Their email list shares information on grants, computer donations and other information. They are also looking for similar ministries to be added to their website.
List: http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/acccc/
Site: http://www.acccc.org/
--------------------------------------

NOW AVAILABLE

book The 2001 edition of Into All The World, the annual Great Commission Opportunities Handbook, is ready for action! It’s 100-pages in length with 16 articles and includes “Short-Term Missions Today” as a special 40-page Editorial Feature Section, plus, 9 Mission Opportunities Comparison Charts, and an 8-page Resource Product Section offering 84 different books, videos and training manuals. Request all the copies you can effectively use! They come for the modest S&H costs, plus (your budget permitting) a requested 50 cents/copy ordered. An invoice will be enclosed with the shipment. Contact Bill Berry, Publisher, at BerryMissions@aol.com.
--------------------------------------

ATTENTION CHRISTIAN SCUBA DIVERS

Does anyone know of an international organization for Christian scuba divers? Even national organizations would be a start. The question comes from intercessors with a burden for a small country in the Indian Ocean that is a divers’ paradise. It seems like Christian divers would be a natural pool to draw from to mobilize intercession for this otherwise little-known, very Muslim country. If you have leads, please contact Jane at jrumph@libertybay.com.
--------------------------------------

CHRISTMAS WISH FROM THE BRIGADA FAMILY

Brigada Logo Looking for just the right words to wish that special someone a merry Christmas? Well… if he or she is from one of the following languages, maybe you’re in luck! :-) Here’s how to say “Merry Christmas” in over 33 languages!, as published previously in Brigada Today:
Afrikaans ‘n Geseende Kersfees en ‘n voorspoedige Nuwejaar
Afrikander Een Plesierige Kerfees
Albanian Gezuar Krishtlindje
Arabic I’D MIILAD SAID OUA SANA SAIDA
Armenian Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Basque Zorionstsu Eguberri. Zoriontsu Urte Berri On
Bengali Bodo Din Shubh Lamona
Bohemian Vesele Vanoce
Breton Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Celtic Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Chinese :
Mandarin Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Catonese Gun Tso Sun Tan’Gung Haw Sun
Hong Kong Kung Ho Hsin Hsi. Ching Chi Shen Tan
Cornish Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Cree Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian Sretan Bozic
Czech Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish Gladelig Jul
Dutch Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
English Merry Christmas
Esperanto Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian Roomsaid Joulu Puhi
Farsi Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish Hyvaa joulua
French Joyeux Noel
Frisian Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
German Froehliche Weihnachten
Greek Kala Christouyenna!
Hawaiian Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew Mo’adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi Bada Din Mubarak Ho
Hungarian Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic Gledileg Jol
Indonesian Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Italian Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Kala Khristougena kai Eftikhes to Neon Etos
Korean Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Latvian Priecigus Ziemas Svetkus un Laimigu Jauno Gadu
Lettish Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian Linksmu Kaledu
Manx Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori Meri Kirihimete
Marathi Shub Naya Varsh
Navajo Merry Keshmish
Northern Sotho Matlhatse le matlhogonolo mo ngwageng o moswa.
Norwegian God Jul Og Godt Nytt Aar
Pennsylvania German En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Papiamento Bon Pasku i Felis Anja Nobo
Pig Latin Errymay ristmaskay nday appyhay ewnay earyay
Polish Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Portuguese Feliz Natal
Rapa Nui – Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Romanian Craciun Fericit
Russian Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i s Novim Godom
Serbian Hristos se rodi
Slovakian Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce
Samoan La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Scottish Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur
Serbian Hristos se rodi!
Singhalese Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto
Spanish Feliz Navidad!
Swedish God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt Ar
Tagalog Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tamil Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal
Thai Sawadee Pee Mai
Turkish Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian Srozhdestvom Kristovym
Urdu Naya Saal Mubarak Ho
Vietnamese Chung Mung Giang Sinh
Waray Maupay nga Pasko ngan Mainuswagon nga Bag-o nga Tu-ig
Welsh Nadolig Llawen
Zulu Nginifisela inhlanhla ne mpumelelo e nyakeni

In addition, here’s a piece of artwork originally from “Mark.” Best wishes from all of us at Brigada Today (like we’ve got this great big staff! :-) )

                                      X
XXX
XXXXX
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX
"BOAS FESTAS"
"JOYEUX NOEL"
"VESELE VANOCE"
"MELE KALIKIMAKA"
"NODLAG SONA DHUIT"
"BLWYDDYN NEWYDD DDA"
"GOD JUL"
"BUON ANNO"
"FELIZ NATAL"
"FELIZ NAVIDAD"
"MERRY CHRISTMAS"
"KALA CHRISTOUGENA"
"VROLIJK KERSTFEEST"
"FROHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN"
"BUON NATALE-GODT NYTAR"
"HUAN YING SHENG TAN CHIEH"
"WESOLYCH SWIAT-SRETAN BOZIC"
"MOADIM LESIMHA-LINKSMU KALEDU"
"HAUSKAA JOULUA-AID SAID MOUBARK"
"'N PRETTIG KERSTMIS"
"ONNZLLISTA UUTTA VUOTTA"
"Z ROZHDESTYOM KHRYSTOVYM"
"NADOLIG LLAWEN-GOTT NYTTSAR"
"FELIC NADAL-GOJAN KRISTNASKON"
"S NOVYM GODOM-FELIZ ANO NUEVO"
"GLEDILEG JOL-NOELINIZ KUTLU OLSUM"
"EEN GELUKKIG NIEUWJAAR-SRETAN BOSIC"
"KRIHSTLINDJA GEZUAR-KALA CHRISTOUGENA"
"SELAMAT HARI NATAL - LAHNINGU NAJU METU"
"SARBATORI FERICITE-BUON ANNO"
"ZORIONEKO GABON-HRISTOS SE RODI"
"BOLDOG KARACSONNY-VESELE VIANOCE "
"MERRY CHRISTMAS - - HAPPY NEW YEAR"
"ROOMSAID JOULU PUHI -KUNG HO SHENG TEN"
"FELICES PASUAS-EIN GLUCKICHES NEWJAHR"
"PRIECIGUS ZIEMAN SVETKUS SARBATORI VESLLE"
"BONNE ANNEBLWYDDYN NEWYDD DDADRFELIZ NATAL"
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX

-------------------

TO SUBSCRIBE — To subscribe to BRIGADA TODAY, send email to brigada-today-subscribe@egroups.com.

TO UNSUBSCRIBE — Send email to brigada-today-unsubscribe@egroups.com. (Subject and text are ignored.)
IF IT DOESN’T WORK — Write Don & Judy, our Customer Services Managers at help@brigada.org. Yahooooo for volunteers!!!

COPYRIGHT — This issue of Brigada Today is Copyrighted © 2001. However, permission is granted to freely redistribute these materials, including those available through email autoresponders, provided that such redistribution is to those who will help the Good News of Christianity to reach the unreached. But please include this phrase: “For a free subscription of Brigada‘s weekly missions publication, write <brigada-today-subscribe@egroups.com>.”
IMPORTANT: To copy or reproduce Brigada Today for any other reason is illegal and is not permitted.

DISCLAIMER — Please note that there’s no way we can possibly screen all the text on all the web sites or items we recommend. We try to check them out first… but if we miss something, please don’t assume that the opinions on those sites are identical to those of the Brigada family of networks. “Eat the corn, leave the cob!” ear of corn
For subscription questions or problems, write help@brigada.org.

SUBMITTING CONTENT — To submit content or ideas to Brigada Today, first please get a copy of “Guidelines for submitting items to Brigada” Then, once you’ve composed your item in keeping with those guidelines, send your item for Brigada Today to DLucas@teamexpansion.org.
Thanks to for hosting the Brigada mailing list.
Emphasis is placed on items relating to unreached peoples and challenges faced by those reaching them cross-culturally.

not symbolPLEASE DON’T SUBSCRIBE US TO YOUR LIST — It’s always better to ask before manually force-adding anyone to your list-serve or mailing list. Recently, tons of well-meaning people have been subscribing Doug to their lists. Since he often travels overseas, he doesn’t join many of those, for obvious reasons (like being charged big-time for overseas access). So as a general rule, please don’t bulk-mail us! See the note above if you’d like to submit items for Brigada Today. Thanks for understanding. Bottom line: We will never create Brigada Today items from bulk mail. Bulk mail gets deleted immediately — sorry. Nothing personal. We suggest you apply the same standard to everyone. Ask first!

OPCWARNING ABOUT FORWARDING EMAILS — Please, before forwarding any kind of request (even if it says “please send this to all your friends”), please check to make sure it has a VERIFIABLE ORIGIN, a VERIFIABLE PURPOSE, and a VERIFIABLE CLOSURE (OPC). By following this simple approach, many “email viruses” could be nipped in the bud… at least in the Brigada family. More information about the full Brigada OPC protocol is available. Thank you.

-------------------

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

*Global Glimpses: John Hanna, Caleb Project, jhanna@cproject.com
*Brigada Website: Bob Mayhew, WebServant@brigada.org
*Brigada Customer Service Manager: help@brigada.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!