20040314 Brigada Today

In this issue…

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS! — Thanks so much to the Chalmers Center for their partnership in making possible a Brigada-sponsored secretary! The Center is part of the Economic & Development Department at Covenant College, 706-419-1805. Thanks, too, for the anonymous donors who gave $100, $25 and $10 respectively, this past week. We appreciate you! If you’d like to donate to help underwrite the costs of the Brigada- sponsored secretary, just click “Sponsor” in the menu.

REPORTEDLY CHEAPEST COUNTRY-TO-COUNTRY RATES (FROM USA) — Try an international calling service that reportedly has the cheapest country- to-country phone rates. Learn more at https://brigada.org/phone.html (And thanks to these services for their desire to enable the Brigada- sponsored secretary!!)

“EVERY TONGUE” COMBINES WELL WITH JOSHUA PROJECT — Have you noticed the way the folks at Joshua Project have meshed so perfectly with the folks from “EveryTongue.com”? Give it a look. For example, see http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rop3=107987&rog3=IR Scroll down to the “Ministry Tools” section and look for the audio link. Find those audio samples at over 5,400 people groups so far! Great stuff. Well done Dan and the gang at Joshua Project… Well done EveryTongue.com. Way to work together!

MISSION FINDER IMPROVES THEIR SEARCH ENGINE — This excellent missions resource site continues to expand and add features. The site is divided into useful categories of mission opportunities such as Short Term Missions, Medical Missions, Missions for Medical Students, Vocational Missions, Christian Orphanages, Native American Missions, TESOL opportunities, and more. There are also sections for Missionary Travel and Insurance for Missionaries, plus the newly expanded Resources page. Each category can be searched individually or by groups. Visit http://www.MissionFinder.org and see for yourself! (Thanks Rod!)

NEW WEBSITE FOR CHRISTIAN TRAVELERS — Need travel info for your upcoming venture? Try Mission2go.com, which helps both new and seasoned international travelers deal effectively with the mechanics of travel including ticketing, passports, money, security etc. Additionally, there is much content geared specifically toward the Christian traveler including advice on researching organizations, spiritual preparation, and support raising. Additional areas of interest include a travel equipment Gear Guide, discussion Forum and opportunities for experienced travelers to share their knowledge by submitting stories and articles. Check them out at: http://www.mission2go.com

OPERATION WORLDVIEW VIDEO SERIES — Mission ONE offers this new video curriculum based in part on the Perspectives Course, designed to introduce world missions to your church or small group. Designed for eight classes one hour or more in length, this series contains dynamic videos and film clips from around the world, along with beautifully designed digital slides to illustrate the rich teaching. Perfect for church-wide studies, Sunday School classes or small groups, Operation WorldView asks, “What is The Story above all stories, and what is your Destiny in the Story?” For more information, visit http://www.mission1.org

COLLECT OLD CELL PHONES, RAISE FUNDS — Now here’s a fund-raiser that’s going to sound quite random. :-) You know those old cell phone sitting around in your junk drawers or boxes in the basement? Here’s a company that donates $1 (and up to $15) per phone, based on type and condition. So you can collect those old cell phones, ship them for free to the company’s site in L.A., then expect a donation 90 days later. For more information, see their site at: http://www.pledgeaphone.com I checked this to be sure it was for real and couldn’t find any bad news about it on the web. (Go to Google and type in “pledgeaphone scam” and it’ll return nothing… until this item gets indexed by Google, that is. :-) ) (Thanks for the tip, Steven!)

LEVERAGE OUTREACH WITH “THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST” MOVIE — “Have you seen the Passion of Christ?” That’s one of the most often-asked questions these days, it seems. The movie has sparked conversation and controversy, and Christians around the world are using it to reach out into their communities. But where do these conversations lead? World Harvest Mission (WHM) has just released a new resource, Living in Light of the Gospel Story, to help you engage individuals interested in exploring the gospel story. The course explores six different topics to challenge participants to see how life can be different by living in light of: The Father’s Love, The Cross, A New Reputation, The King’s Forgiveness, Heaven, and The Kingdom. WHM has drawn from its church planting experience around the world to create in-depth studies that capture issues of the heart. Living in Light is highly approachable, affordable, and adaptable. Go online to learn more and place an order. Visit http://www.whm.org/about-news03-02-04.shtml or e-mail bookstore@whm.org to request more information.

NEED SOMEONE TO TYPE YOUR DICTATION? — Try iDictate.com. (See http://www.idictate.com for full information.) There’s a free trial there… and after the trial, you’ll pay one cent per word, but maybe that’s a reasonable fee compared to hiring a secretary to do it? You’ll have to be the one to decide. As for Eddie Smith, member of the US Prayer Track and Director of the US Prayer Center in Houston, TX, it’s perfect. ” I can telephone and dictate passages for my books. Within mere minutes…or a few hours if it’s long…I receive a text email with it typed out! And no secretary to hire, manage, and insure!! What a world! By the way, a pastor can upload his taped sermon and get the same result.” By the way, Eddie has some pretty great websites of his own at http://www.usprayercenter.org and http://www.prayerbookstore.com (Thanks for the tip, Eddie! And no, I don’t think you saw it originally in Brigada… at least not that I recall! :-) )

LEARN TO TEACH ENGLISH — MissionPrep-Toronto is offering a (TEFL- TESOL) May 10–June 4, 2004) Teaching English as a Foreign (Second/Other) Language program that will equip you for an exciting ministry whether at home or overseas. This intensive 4-week training program will provide you with a wealth of practical and proven procedures, resources and models for teaching the full range of required components: listening, speaking, reading and writing; pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, language use; etc. During weekly practicums you will observe successful programs within the rich multi- culturalism of Toronto as well as gain a minimum of 20 hours of teaching experience.
For more information contact Priscilla Marr 905–640-1621 missionprep@globaltalk.ca

SUMMER INSTITUTE ON MUSLIM STUDIES IN SPAIN –- Here’s a 4-day/40- hour interactive training course with a 1-week outreach to a Muslim Country in North Africa immediately following. “SIMS-Spain” is an intense training and outreach experience that prepares you to live the gospel in a way that invites Muslims to the Lord. The course will be held early July in Southern Spain. Crescent Project is co-sponsor of the event. Registration deadline is May 21. For more information and exact dates email sims-s@interum.org or visit their website at: http://www.interum.org

NEED COMPUTER HELP? — Remember the guy, Jonathan, who needed help with his computers? Well Eduardo offered a solution. Try subscribing to iccm-tech. Just send a message to: iccm-tech-subscribe@yahoogroups.com You’ll receive an automatic mailing with instructions on how to submit your question. You can always unsubscribe once you get an answer. Painless. (Thanks Eduardo!) In some cases, you might also be able to get help from the International Christian Technologist’s Association (ICTA) www.icta.net. If you’re in Australia, a Brigada participant named David runs an email list with a ton of volunteers waiting to resolve problems. Contact ithelp4missions@crosscape.com.au They also have a new project, Sideros (see http://www.sideros.net which aims to set some standards for Christian IT Consultants helping missions, or running short term trips. However both groups have limited capacity, so they can only do so much. (Thanks David!) In addition, The International Conference on Computing in Mission (ICCM) has an email list on yahoogroups called iccm-tasks to share tasks which volunteers/students can be involved in. Email iccm-tasks-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to join, either to offer help, or to list an IT project with which you need assistance. Of course, because you’re dealing with volunteers, you might have to wait your turn.

EUROPEAN CONSULTATION FOR TENTMAKERS — All of the TIE and WEA representatives in each European Country and all other interested Tentmakers worldwide are invited to the TIE European Consultation to be held at the resort Hotel Rila 70 kilometers outside of Sophia, Bulgaria. The consultation will run from May 28 to 31. The fee of 165 euros include the registration, room and all meals. There is an extra fee of 30 euros for a single (non shared) room. Topics to be covered include: tentmaking and the internet, professional and business tentmakers, how we can all support and assist one another. For further details and a copy of the brochure, contact DWGGreen@aol.com or see the website http://www.tentmakersnet.com

ADDRESS CHILD ABUSE APPROPRIATELY — “Abuse: the Hidden Secret” is a six-video instructional series that provides methods to prevent child abuse, ways to spot abuse, and steps to take when allegations arise. Attorney Scott Ross, who has innumerable hours of research and experience as the lead person in dozens of child abuse cases, spearheaded the project for New Tribes Mission. It comes highly recommended by Frank Severn, President of IFMA and General Director of SEND International. You can see a preview and find out how to order the series online at: http://www.abusethehiddensecret.com Or email bookstore_hq@ntm.org or call 800-321-5375. Might be particularly appropriate for house parents and boarding school parents working with MKs and others.

MEMBER CARE IN CRISIS SITUATIONS WORKSHOP –- Here’s a reminder that the Member Care in Crisis Situations and Debriefing Workshop sponsored by Wycliffe Bible Translators 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. Participation is limited. For information contact member_care_intl@wycliffe.org If you’re planning on attending this workshop, better act fast. The registration deadline is March 31.

INTERESTED IN TEACHING ENGLISH OVERSEAS? — Youth With A Mission of Montana is offering another intensive, four-week course to train men and women desiring to teach English overseas. This course will run from July 26 through August 20, 2004 and is accredited. Application deadline is July 10. For further information visit their website at: http://www.ywammt.org or email tesol@ywammt.org

NEW NORTH INDIA CHRISTIAN TRAVEL SERVICE — For those with only 3-4 days in North India, the famous triangle of Deli, Agra (Taj Mahal), and Jaipur can provide a wonderful introduction to India’s culture and history. North India Christian Tourist Assistance now offers tours specifically focused covering these three great cities. From one-star to five-star, NICTA provides a range of services. Check their website at: http://www.geocities.com/nictaagra/visittajmahal.html

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS AT THE USCWM — If you ever thought of working “behind-the-scenes” in missions mobilization, training, strategy or services, then perhaps EXPLORE is for you. Designed for people who wish to learn more about the U.S. Center for World Mission in Pasadena, CA, this 4-day seminar covers the history, impact and mission of the USCWM, with a focus on how you might use your gifts at the US Center to reach unreached people groups. The next EXPLORE Seminar is scheduled for June 2 – 5, 2004. Space is limited, so register early. For more information, please visit the USCWM website http://www.uscwm.org , or email David.Flynn@uscwm.org .

CORRECTION ON REPEAT FUNDING FOR MISSION TRIPS — In the compilation on repeat-funding for mission trips, our compiler included an item referring to the possibility that perhaps the person *going* on the short-term mission trip might receive a tax-deductible receipt for his or her contributions toward the trip itself. Thanks to Marianne for catching the fact that this would not be permissible, due to IRS regulations. (The person going is receiving a form of “goods or services” directly from the donation.)

“MICROSOFT LICENSING FOR CHARITIES” QUESTION — Replies to the Brigada question concerning using USA-based non-profit licenses by overseas missionaries reveal that many missionaries just do it! However, those who have tried to determine what is a correct use still have questions. Some suggested using the licenses from the local Microsoft district; however, some districts don’t have licenses for non-profit organizations (Philippines, for example). There was only one response that comes from a person who has tried investigating this with MS representatives (thanks Mike!). Although, the agency Mike represents does not yet give licenses to their missionaries, Mike’s agency maintained that no one at Microsoft or the licensed broker definitively said “don’t do it”. Therefore, our compiler (Thanks Lester!) concluded that he believes it is fine for missionaries to take a U.S. bought computer with U.S. installed Charity MOLP software with them overseas. It is not OK to send licenses to a regional office somewhere comprised of foreign workers and/or machines. The best dividing line: missionaries must be employees of the organization and look to U.S. sources for Microsoft support. Thanks again Lester… and thanks to the great contribution by Mike!

LATEST REVEILLE SHOFAR SHARES NEWS — Read about: + Using Soldiers as tentmakers + News about Afghan warlords + Muslim studies courses in 2004 + Spiritual landscape of Mauritania + News about Christians in Iraq + Helping Iraqi children through service personnel + World conference for military Christians in Korea These are the articles in the latest Reveille Shofar recently posted at www.oprev.org/Shofar.htm . Keep in mind that, as always, this does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of all the beliefs expressed at the site.

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