In this issue…

1. PROMOTE FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG THE POOR
2. INT’L HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN CONTINUOUS (IN THE USA)
3. HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE BUDGET CONSCIOUS MISSIONARY?
4. MOROCCO SUMMIT
5. EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR MINISTERING TO THE POOR
6. 2005 SHORT-TERM MISSION LEADERS’ CONFERENCE
7. CULTURE SHOCK RUSSIAN STYLE!
8. NEW MISSIONARY TECH SUPPORT FORUM
9. RETREATS FOR PROSPECTIVE MISSIONARIES
10. GO TO THE NATIONS… AS AN ENGLISH TEACHER
11. FUN PREPARATION FOR SUMMER MISSIONARIES
12. VIETNAMESE FISHERMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
13. CROSS CULTURAL TRAVEL CAN BE A HOOT!
14. FESTIVAL DC
15. “A PRAYER A DAY FOR MYANMAR”
16. COMMUNICATION BARRIERS
17. SO. CALIFORNIA MISSIONSFEST CONFERENCE
18. AMAZING SPONSORS!
19. CLOSING STUFF

1. PROMOTE FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG THE POOR — Are you interested in learning church-based, field-tested strategies that equip you to promote financial self-sufficiency among the poor? Get training from the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College from June 13 – June 18, 2005 in Lookout Mountain, GA USA. Their Two- Thirds World/ Track focuses on providing small business training to low-income entrepreneurs, savings-led microfinance programs, rotating savings and credit associations, and microfinance institution partnership. Chalmers’ partners include World Relief, Food for the Hungry International, and World Vision US. To register, email chalmers(at)covenant(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or visit http://www.chalmers.org
2. INT’L HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN CONTINUOUS (IN THE USA) — Most international plans cannot provide on-going health insurance coverage for a person that returns to the USA with a chronic illness. Now an American company is offering international health insurance for individuals that also guarantees continuous coverage in the USA. The plan also provides an HSA option, copays and no waiting period for maternity. For more information on how to set up “country-specific group health coverage” contact: jeff(at)gninsurance(dot)com or call 480/813-9100. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Toll free in USA: 866/636-9100. Visit http://www.gninsurance.com
3. HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE BUDGET CONSCIOUS MISSIONARY? — Yes it’s true! If you are looking for international health coverage at a reasonable price be sure to check out the International Citizens Series Economy Plan from Insurance Services of America. A quick glance at the rates will show you that a 25 year old male can get health insurance for an entire year for as low as $380! Rates vary by age and gender, but they are all very affordable! This plan provides excellent coverage underwritten by the oldest and largest insurer in the world. Also, at no extra charge, you will get 15 travel assistance benefits with help provided by a live operator 24 hours a day! You may get complete details at http://www.missinonaryhealth.net or for a free quote and to discuss your needs, email them at health(at)missionaryhealth(dot)net, [replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] or call them at 1-800-647-4589 (1-480-821-9052 outside of North America) and ask for Mark. Insurance Services of America is a Christian organization that specializes in helping missionaries and mission organizations find affordable healthcare. They have a wide range of plans for missionaries, mission groups and churches, so be sure to contact them to see how they can “shop around” for you to help you save money on your health insurance needs. (Thanks to Mark and Insurance Services for their help with Brigada’s operating expenses!)
4. MOROCCO SUMMIT — Interested in reaching Morocco with the Gospel? Want to learn what others are doing in Morocco? Looking for tips on how to begin ministry there, what to do, or how to do it better? Have a vision and looking for folks to partner with you in the work? Whether you are just considering an outreach or are already ministering in North Africa, the Morocco Summit is for you. Arise Shine Morocco invites missionaries, interested individuals, mission agency and church representatives to meet together in Southern California for two days in April to learn from one another and to explore together what has been done in the past and what might be done in the future. Workers with decades in Morocco will share from their experiences and teach on reaching Muslims within the Moroccan context. Panel and group discussions will address specific issues and opportunities. The overall thrust will be to unify, inform, inspire, encourage, equip and empower participants for effective ministry in Morocco. HURRY – the deadline for registering is March 31, 2005. For more information write: asm(at)interum(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
5. EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR MINISTERING TO THE POOR — Learn exciting strategies that have been used by missionaries and national Christians working in both rural and urban contexts as well as countries closed to the gospel. The Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College, in partnership with Food for the Hungry International, World Vision and World Relief, is offering training in Lookout Mountain, GA USA from June 13-18. Learn about microfinance and microenterprise development strategies that are appropriate for churches and missionaries and grounded in a Christ-centered message. For information on this event or their email based distance learning, visit http//www.chalmers.org or email CEDI(at)covenant(dot)edu [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
6. 2005 SHORT-TERM MISSION LEADERS’ CONFERENCE — This intense, interactive short-term mission training conference seeks to empower church, school, and agency leaders in Christian short-term mission. Training topics include STM Basics 101; A Host Receivers’ Perspective of STM Teams; Effective Planning, Training, and Leading of STMs; A Prayer Walking Strategy for Your STM; Our Response to the Poor; Understanding Cultural Mannerisms; Reentry, Debriefing, and Follow-up; Risk Assessment; and much more. For information and registration, visit http://www.STEMmin.org or e-mail dbromley(at)STEMmin(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
7. CULTURE SHOCK RUSSIAN STYLE! — Planning an overseas summer missions experience? “Peterburgers” is a humorously piled platter that’s culturally insightful and spiritually challenging. Treat yourself to funny adventures in Russia told with culture shock training for missionaries in mind. Order by contacting Dick Sleeper dick(at)sleeper(dot)us [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Copies are $10.00 per copy (plus shipping). Bite down on “Peterburgers”!
8. NEW MISSIONARY TECH SUPPORT FORUM — Those geeks over at Missionary Tech Support have just added a new online forum to help you with your computer questions and challenges. http://www.missionarytechsupport.com/forum Of course you can still email for tech support help(at)missionarytechsupport(dot)com or schedule a “Remote Geek” session. Tech support is always free to the missions community. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
9. RETREATS FOR PROSPECTIVE MISSIONARIES — “The Journey Deepens” is a weekend retreat to help prospects explore, discover and connect with how they could become a missionary in another culture. These weekends are for college students, professionals, and high school seniors who are willing to become a missionary but not sure if that is God’s will or how that could unfold. Each retreat of 50 participants and 5 experienced missionaries from multiple agencies is highly relational with extended worship, small group discussions, personal reflection and much prayer. Discussions include the missionary call, support-raising, singles/families, etc. The next retreat will be April 15-17 in Davis, Oklahoma (between Dallas and Oklahoma City). The Journey Deepens is presented by MissionsFocus Int’l and co-sponsored by ACMC, Caleb Project, Perspectives and the U.S. Center for World Mission. Browse http://www.TheJourneyDeepens.com.
10. GO TO THE NATIONS… AS AN ENGLISH TEACHER — Here’s a 4-week TESOL course in effective English teaching techniques, sponsored by Youth With A Mission in Lebanon PA USA. May 9 – June 3, 2005. Details, application forms, and alternate dates are listed in at http://www.ywampa.org. E-mail questions to ywampa(at)comcast(dot)net. [Replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .].
11. FUN PREPARATION FOR SUMMER MISSIONARIES — Culture shock can hit your funny bone! Siberian Shivers is a great preparation for summer missionaries to any culture. Bill uses humor to tell true stories with cross cultural lessons for missionaries to cap each adventure. Whether you’re headed for Siberia or someplace toasty, get ready with Siberian Shivers! Order by contacting Dick Sleeper dick(at)sleeper(dot)us [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Copies are $8.00 per copy (plus shipping). It’s never been cooler.
12. VIETNAMESE FISHERMEN’S FELLOWSHIP — Got any idea where to find good resources to present the gospel to a Vietnamese, or disciple them? David grsin(at)singnet(dot)com(dot)sg would like to know. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
13. CROSS CULTURAL TRAVEL CAN BE A HOOT! — The Great Siberian Rail Adventure is all about finding humor, spiritual encouragement, and cultural insight traveling in the middle of nowhere. Journeying this summer overseas or know someone who is? Get ready for your adventure with this funny book. Order by contacting Dick Sleeper at dick(at)sleeper(dot)us [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Copies are $8.00 per copy (plus shipping). Climb aboard!
14. FESTIVAL DC — The dates are Oct. 3 to Oct. 10, 05. Delta Ministries International is partnering with the Louis Palau Association to bring teams to Washington DC to serve in various venues demonstrating the love of God in a “two-handed” Gospel approach. For the week leading up to the DC Festival, teams will be involved in saturation evangelism, prayer walking, restoring homes with Habitat for Humanity, medical needs and random acts of kindness. The two days of the DC Festival will include humanitarian needs, medical screening, sports areas, children’s games, Christian music, presentation of the gospel of Christ and much more. The registration deadline is June 2005. For more information or to find out how you can be involved, please contact Asher Sarjent at DELTA Ministries International, PO Box 30029, Portland, OR 97294 USA; U.S.A. callers can dial toll-free: 1-800-533- 5822; Out of U.S.A. callers dial: 001-503-669-8048 or email ashers(at)deltaministries(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address, please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Website:

http://www.deltaministries.com
15. “A PRAYER A DAY FOR MYANMAR” — This is your opportunity to pray for Myanmar: http://www.p4mm.com The site is initiated by Myanmar Partnership, a group of about 20 Christian organizations with a focus on Myanmar. This website has prayer requests for every day of the month. Subscribe for email updates at the website.
16. COMMUNICATION BARRIERS — The Mbalantu People of northern Namibia: I. lives in a traditional Mbalantu home which is several small, round huts surrounded by a tree limb fence. He welcomed three believers sharing the Gospel with him one afternoon. He repeated his gratefulness and showed a great desire to learn. However, he never grasped what it means to be saved. It was a prime example of the task of missions to clearly communicate the Gospel. Pray for the Lord to build prayer support and call missionaries for the Mbalantu, an unengaged people. To adopt the Mbalantu people for prayer or for more information, please visit http://www.forgottenpeoples.info or email swacsc(at)iafrica(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
17. SO. CALIFORNIA MISSIONSFEST CONFERENCE — MissionsFest, a FREE family missions conference is coming to the Ontario Convention Center April 29 to May 1st (Friday – Sunday). There will be programs for: Children (ages 3 to 11), a Saturday Youth Rally, and Adults (3 Plenary Speakers, 60 Seminars and 85 Missions Displays!). A special track of seminars will be offered for Missions Pastors, Spanish Speakers, and Children’s Workers. All Pastors, Church and Mission Leaders are invited to attend a special Friday luncheon to hear Pastor Ed Smith, Board member of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union. Pre-purchased tickets are required for this luncheon and the Youth Rally (call 909-394-1263). Volunteers are needed for set up, hosting, ushering and supervising children. If you want to be a part of the world-wide missions movement, plan now to attend April 29th to May 1st. And why not sign up to volunteer for a couple of hours? Visit http://www.mfestsocal.org or e-mail info(at)mfestsocal(dot)org for further details, or call (909) 394-1263. No registration is required for this FREE family missions conference.
18. AMAZING SPONSORS! — Hats off to the 3 anonymous sponsors for sending $10, $15, and $25 respectively (Thanks!), and to Dial-Abroad for sending $142 as a portion of the long distance usage fees from January! Please keep talking! :-) If you need a long distance program, or if you’d just like to help Brigada, just log on at https://brigada.org then click “sponsor” in the top menu (to use PayPal or a credit card), or just send a check payable to Team Expansion to: Team Expansion (Brigada secretary), 13711 Willow Reed Dr., Louisville, KY 40299. Thanks! As always, be sure to let us know if you’d like us to promote any particular service or ministry, or if you’d prefer your gift be anonymous.