In this issue…
1. FREE “CHURCH MULTIPLICATION GUIDE” IN FRENCH
2. WHAT TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE IN MY LANGUAGE??
3. CHECK OUT THIS CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION
4. BOTSWANA INVITES YOU TO AN AFRICAN RETREAT
5. NATIONAL SHORT TERM MISSION CONFERENCE JANUARY 20-22,2006
6. HOUSEHOLD CHURCHES
7. SEE A MODEL EFFORT FOR MISSION & THE ENVIRONMENT
8. SCRIPTURE PROMOTION AND RESOURCE KNOWLEDGE: SPARK!
9. USE GOOGLEMAIL FOR YOUR BACKUP
10. REACHING MIDDLE CLASS THAIS
11. PARTNERS ROCK!
12. THE BACKPAGE: THE IMPORTANCE OF SAYING THANKS
13. CLOSING STUFF
1. FREE “CHURCH MULTIPLICATION GUIDE” IN FRENCH — George Patterson’s popular “Church Multiplication Guide” is now available in French as a free download from http://currah.info/www/paul-timothy/_francais/guide.html You may freely reproduce, distribute and sell this version of the Guide. Those who wish to translate it into yet other languages (Portuguese is already done) should first obtain a translator’s English original from http://currah.info/www/cmg/ or write to gpatterson(at)cvi2(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
2. WHAT TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE IN MY LANGUAGE?? –- Are you frustrated by the fact that you just can’t seem to find any Christian / Church Education materials in the language you speak or the language of the people you serve? Bible Visuals International has been printing picture-based Bible lessons for over 45 years. The teacher’s texts have been translated in over 85 languages and the lessons used in over 150 countries. Check out what’s available by visiting http://www.biblevisuals.org or by contacting them at info(at)biblevisuals(dot)org or (Intl. Prefix) + 1-717-859-1131. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
3. CHECK OUT THIS CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION — On environmental matters, check out A Rocha, a Christian conservation organisation now working in over a dozen countries. Try http://www.arocha.org for details. (Thanks Chris!)
4. BOTSWANA INVITES YOU TO AN AFRICAN RETREAT — Been overworking a bit lately? Burning the candle at both ends? Have a look at http://www.limpopo-lipadi.co.za for an excellent opportunity to acquire shares (at a bargain price of USD3.30 per hectare) in a 32000ha Game Reserve – with 6 luxury air-conditioned lodges – in Botswana. Churches, families or companies can buy a share together and rotate shareholder nominees on a yearly basis. Enjoy natural wilderness in this untouched, untamed, malaria-free part of Africa (about 450km northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa). Since it is 100km from the nearest town and has its own conference facilities it makes for a wonderful retreat venue, church group break-away, or missionary resting place. For more information click http://www.limpopo-lipadi.co.za/faq.asp or email jacques(at)limpopo-lipadi(dot)co(dot)za and ask Jacques any questions about the Reserve. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
5. NATIONAL SHORT TERM MISSION CONFERENCE JANUARY 20-22,2006 — This is the 17th annual conference to train, equip and mobilize teams for short-term mission. Paul Borthwick is the featured speaker and along with 15 other short term mission experts will provide insight and encouragement. The conference will be held in Los Angeles, CA. Catch 3 in depth pre-conference options starting on January 19th. Check out the website at http://www.nstmc.org for complete registration information or contact us at info(at)nstmc(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] Registration discounts are available for early registrations, groups, spouses and colleges.
6. HOUSEHOLD CHURCHES — There is a movement for the development of house churches in the west based upon the concept of “reproducibility”. The aim is to encourage relationally based experiences of the body of Christ without the infrastructure, hierarchy and complexity of traditional church organizations. In more hierarchical and segregated societies, such as Islamic societies, this is being translated into what may be termed “household churches”. That is, the members of the church are limited to members of a particular family. Although there is much that has been written about house churches in western societies, Mark would like to find information and examples of such “household churches” that have come into existence in other parts of the world. If our readers could provide any information about “household churches,” Mark would be grateful. email: mark(dot)naylor(at)twu(dot)ca [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
7. SEE A MODEL EFFORT FOR MISSION & THE ENVIRONMENT — “Care of Creation”, a non-profit whose first project is in Kenya in partnership with the International Mission Board, SBC entity. Web: http://www.careofcreation.org/home.cfm In Kenya, the person who is heading up that project is an MK named Craig. His hope is to empower believers and churches to have a positive impact on the environment and to use the project as a springboard for reaching some unreached people groups with the gospel. Check it out and see if you can replicate his efforts.
8. SCRIPTURE PROMOTION AND RESOURCE KNOWLEDGE: SPARK! — Check out this new website from Vernacular Media Services, a division of Wycliffe Bible Translators. Drill to this introduction to the Storying Scarf and hit the links to see how it works on four levels — products, training, case studies, and search. SPARK is an acronym for Scripture Promotion and Resource Knowledge. They’ve provide us all with a great site, whether it’s Scripture-specific or applying media within a cross- cultural missions context. http://spark.vernacularmedia.org/products/info/159
9. USE GOOGLEMAIL FOR YOUR BACKUP — Still looking for a great way to archive those official documents? Try Larry’s idea. He scanned essentials to a JPEG file and emailed the whole thing to a googlemail address and let them store it for him. Create any address you can remember — doesn’t have to be yourname(at)gmail(.)com, and email the JPEG to yourself, with subject line of say “Uncle Joe’s birthday party”, to bore to death any hacker who got this far. Leave the mail stored there with the attachment. Scan and email a copy of your ticket before you leave on an out of country trip. Lose a passport overseas? (not fun!) At the embassy explain the process and help them download a color scan of the original, with matching photo. Sort of self authenticates, since they can also match their file copy. Thanks Mark! Great idea. (By the way, Mark did not scan the SS card. He rightfully figured there was too much risk with just that number.)
10. REACHING MIDDLE CLASS THAIS — Cornerstone Workplace English is an innovative work which is reaching Middle Class Thais in the Workplace. CWE is based in Chiang Mai, North Thailand, but has the aim to grow further afield. You can view the website on http://www.cornerstone.co.th/cwe The company is looking for properly trained, experienced ESL teachers. Contact the manager on ilkkamaree(at)csloxinfo(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
11. PARTNERS ROCK! — Thanks to those who chip in to grow Brigada into the future. Want to help? Just click on “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. 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.
12. THE BACKPAGE: THE IMPORTANCE OF SAYING THANKS — Here’s a quick thought for those who live on mission support: Let’s remember to say thanks. Regardless of the size of the gift, our donors are often making sacrifices to send us out. Let’s remember to say thanks. It’s not exactly rocket science. Write or type a note on the receipt, scratch out an email, send a thank-you note, make a phone call, or even visit them personally. Either way, let’s invest as much time and effort being grateful as we invest making requests. Long-term, we’ll be glad we did. That’s all I’ve got to say about that. :-) Doug
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