In this issue…

  1. EUROTRAIN: INNOVATIVE YOUNG LEADER TRAINING
  2. MICROFINANCE AS MISSION IN THAILAND
  3. MISSIONS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
  4. HOW DO YOU WIRE YOUR FUNDS?
  5. SHORT-TERM INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
  6. SEARCH IN OTHER LANGUAGES
  7. YOUR SOURCE FOR BIBLES IN OTHER LANGUAGES
  8. ANOTHER IDEA TO KEEP YOUR PC VIRUS-FREE
  9. URGENTLY NEEDED – EXAMPLES OF INNOVATIVE MISSION
  10. CLOSING STUFF

  1. EUROTRAIN: INNOVATIVE YOUNG LEADER TRAINING — Top Flight Leadership is taking nominations for EuroTrain 2003. EuroTrain (for leaders age 15-25) is a completely unique experience, and an answer to the new paradigms needed to develop new generations of leaders. In July 2003, EuroTrain groups will travel through five nations in Europe learning leadership, developing ministry skills, getting a grasp of their destiny, building key relationships, and creating a plan for long-term personal and leadership growth. Get the details and nominate a young leader (or request to be nominated) at http://www.experiencingleadership.com or contact Top Flight Leadership at <eurotrain@topflight.org>, 877-9-LEADER, or 817-447-1100. </eurotrain@topflight.org>

  2. MICROFINANCE AS MISSION IN THAILAND — Step Ahead Microenterprise Development in Bangkok goes to the market everyday, in the love of God. They’re seeking to amalgamate microenterprise development, and mentoring, with personal and business development training in an integrated service among the poor of Thailand. They serve in the slums of Bangkok daily, to empower and love those who make their living doing everything from sewing dresses, and roasting chicken, to making noodle soup. Step Ahead’s innovative member training module, draws from Stephen Covey’s best-seller, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and explores the life of Joseph as a model of proactivity. This unorthodox ministry approach accepts the slum-dwelling poor as business partners, and sets out to help them achieve comprehensive transformation in their lives, families, and communities. To learn more, check out the web site. http://www.stepaheadmed.org

  3. MISSIONS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM — The Acts 13 Initiative in Manila, Philippines will host an eight-week missions experience for college- aged youth, June 2 – July 26, 2003. The experience will include intense participant discipleship and outreach opportunities. The cost, $2,000 US, includes room, board, training materials, local transportation, and outreach costs. For more information and to apply, please check them out online at http://www.acts13.tv .

  4. HOW DO YOU WIRE YOUR FUNDS? — International Christian Ministries works in a number of countries in Africa but needs to know the safest and cheapest way to get money to countries like Nigeria on a regular basis. Pay Pal does not work there! Got ideas? Send them to Greg <kenya96@aol.com> or call him at 661-832-9740 in the USA. He’ll prepare a summary report of all the possibilities for a future issue of Brigada Today.

  5. SHORT-TERM INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE — Usually short-term insurance excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions. Now a company is providing limited pre-ex coverage for medical care received outside the USA and Canada. Also included: $100,000 medical evacuation, hospital room and board, intensive care, outpatient medical, emergency dental, trip interruption, AD&D, and lost luggage coverage. Five deductible options. One can apply (and also renew monthly) via web at http://www.overseashealthinsurance.com . For information contact: jeff@gninsurance.com or call 480/813-9100; Toll free in USA: 866/636- 9100. For other options and more info., also http://www.gninsurance.com.

  6. SEARCH IN OTHER LANGUAGES — Did you ever notice that Google searches in other languages? Just click on ‘Advanced Search’ and select a language from the pull-down window on the ‘Language’ line reading ‘Return pages written in’ (Also, selecting ‘Language Tools’ instead of Advanced Search allows you to limit the pages returned to those located in a specified country. (Thanks for the reminder, Chuck!)

  7. YOUR SOURCE FOR BIBLES IN OTHER LANGUAGES — If you ever find yourself searching for Bibles or Jesus videos in another language, check out Multi-Language Media Inc, PO Box 301, Ephrata PA 17522 (tel. 717-738-0582). Visit their website at: http://www.multilanguage.com .

  8. ANOTHER IDEA TO KEEP YOUR PC VIRUS-FREE — I sure heard it this past week. A ton of MAC users wrote to say, “Hey… we *never* see any viruses.” :-) (See item #8, “SIMPLE SECURITY STEPS”, from the Dec. 6th Brigada Today.) By the way, if you’re a missionary having trouble finding parts for your MAC, try http://www.ibookparts.com They support all Apple laptops, and do pretty steep discounting for missionaries needing support. What’s more, they ship worldwide, and can supply parts (such as LCD’s, Hard drives, and CDROM/CDRW drives) for most laptops.

  9. URGENTLY NEEDED – EXAMPLES OF INNOVATIVE MISSION — Seedbed is a network of missionaries and missiologists who are actively promoting and nurturing the development on new models of mission for the 21st Century. They are very keen to make contact with people of all nationalities who are attempting innovative missionary projects so as to locate examples of effective innovation that can be held up as models for other mission workers who are looking for creative ideas. They also want to locate mission theorists who are researching emerging models of mission. If you are involved in innovative mission, or are doing research in a related field, please contact Seedbed at http://www.seedbed.info or email the Seedbed Coordinator Peter Stephenson <peter@seedbed.info>