In this issue…

  1. THANKS TO THE GREAT SUPPORTERS…
  2. TALKING BIBLES TESTIMONY BOOK, ONLINE FREE!
  3. DYNAMIC MISSION: POWERFUL MISSION SOFTWARE
  4. HOW TO GET THAT FREE FAMILY MAGAZINE FOR YOUR MK
  5. TESOL OPPORTUNITY IN THAILAND
  6. “WOW” STORIES NEEDED FOR CATCH THE VISION “2020”
  7. NEED FRENCH MATERIALS?
  8. EVANGELICAL PURCHASING SERVICE
  9. INTERESTED IN MINISTRY AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?
  10. FEEDBACK ON SKYPE.COM CALL SERVICE; OPTIONS
  11. CRISIS & TRAUMA WORKSHOP
  12. TV SHOW ABOUT MISSIONS ON DISH NETWORK
  13. SHORT-TERM LEADER’S TRAINING IN APPLETON
  14. DON’T GO TEACH ENGLISH WITHOUT TRAINING
  15. TEE ON RADIO?
  16. YWAM CROSSROADS DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOL
  17. NEED 16MM PROJECTORS?
  18. OMF BAY AREA MISSION CONFERENCE
  19. PRAYER “SPAM”
  20. VOLUNTEERS (E.G., IN EAST AFRICA)
  21. CLOSING STUFF

  1. 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… https://brigada.org/donate.html for complete instructions. Thanks again!


  2. 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.

  3. 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 sales@DynamicMission.com or call in the USA 770.978.8468.

  4. 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 service@fotf.org, 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!)

  5. 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 cwe@loxinfo.co.th for an information pack.

  6. “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 CatchTheVision2020@yahoo.com 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!

  7. 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 ets@rica.net for more information.

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

  9. 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 acmioffice@gateman.com

  10. 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!)

  11. 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_Maggio@sil.org

  12. 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).

  13. 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 xctrainer@aol.com . To Register or ask questions, send an e-mail to Jamie babbsloveflorida@aol.com

  14. 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 kitty.purgason@biola.edu for an application.

  15. 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 jreid@rtsinternational.org (If you’d like a copy of the results, be sure to tell her.)

  16. 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 ywampa@comcast.net

  17. 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 ets@rica.net for more information.

  18. 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 omfconference@yahoo.com or (650) 559- 8088. Or log on at http://www.us.omf.org/northwest

  19. 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. :-(

  20. 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 tammymariedonahue@yahoo.com 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-subscribe@TeamExpansion.org You can unsubscribe at any time. There are nearly 200 mission leaders waiting online right now, to help you.