In this issue…

  1. SPECIALIZED MINISTRIES FOR SPECIAL TASKS
  2. CATCH TESOL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
  3. GREAT INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC CALLING RATES FROM US
  4. PROFESSIONAL COACHING TRAINING TO MULTIPLY YOUR IMPACT
  5. PARTNERSHIP TRAINING THAT REALLY WORKS
  6. ANOTHER WAY TO GEAR UP FOR TEACHING ENGLISH
  7. CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2006
  8. MISSION COMMISSION LEADERSHIP TO CHANGE AT CONFERENCE
  9. GREAT CALLING RATES FOR BROADBAND USERS
  10. TESOL TRAINING IN EUROPE!
  11. INVEST IN BRIGADA’S FUTURE
  12. WHERE DO YOU TURN TO FIND MISSIONS PASTOR OPPORTUNITIES?
  13. THE BACKPAGE: TODAY I SHOT A MOLE
  14. CLOSING STUFF
  1. SPECIALIZED MINISTRIES FOR SPECIAL TASKS — God raises up unique ministries for special tasks in Christ’s mission. Talking Bibles International trains and equips people from other churches and missions to help them provide Talking Bibles for non-readers and the blind. If you or your ministry could use help from a Talkingn Bibles representative, perhaps to shape strategy or plan outreach, visit: http://www.talkingbibles.org or write info(at)talkingbibles(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. CATCH TESOL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA — Now you can study TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in Chiang Rai, Thailand, October 2-27, 2006 . This TESOL is a four-week course to teach people how to teach English as a second/foreign language. This course is registered with the University of the Nations, Kona, the international training body of Youth With A Mission and is accredited through Sea English Academy International in Australia and carries with it an Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate IV. Upon successful completion of this course, the TESOL graduate will be qualified to teach ESL or EFL in almost every country in the world. The class size is limited so early inquiries are recommended. Application and reference forms will be sent via email. Contact chiangraitesol(at)gmail(dot)com for further information or for an application. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
  3. GREAT INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC CALLING RATES FROM US — Get great calling rates for domestic (starting at 1.9cents/min to continental US and Canada) and international calls (200 countries for less than 10cents/min …UK 3cents, France 3cents, Russia/Moscow 2.5cents, Israel 3.2cents, Colombia/SA 4.2cents, South Africa 9cents). Call from any touchtone phone including cell. Prepaid service. No contracts. No monthly, activation, or connection fees. No need to switch carriers. Up to 470 FREE minutes on signup. Lots of convenience features. For more info go to: http://www.tel3advantage.com/?agentnumber=837371 An agent affiliate program with good income potential is also available at no cost to sign up. (By the way, thanks to Judy and her crew for the recent sponsorship $14 gift to Brigada based on those of you that had signed up for long distance with her. It’s a great system. Have at it!)
  4. PROFESSIONAL COACHING TRAINING TO MULTIPLY YOUR IMPACT — Don’t tell people what to do, help them to think better! Transformational leadership requires new ways of communicating with those you work with. Coaching skills are essential. Introducing the 65-hour Core Coaching Skills Certificate Program. A first of it’s kind, this program is for leaders who wish to gain coaching skills and take on a part-time or full-time coaching role in their ministry. The “beta” course will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand October 30 – November 3, 2006. For complete details go to: http://www.mcoaches.com or e-mail for an alternative web site with little Christian language keith(at)asiacoaches(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
  5. PARTNERSHIP TRAINING THAT REALLY WORKS — If you are called to faith ministry and terrified of raising support, this training can work for you. It gives you the thorough communication training, coaching and relational skill development that will equip you for a lifetime of ministry. The secret for results is two-way, live, interactive video conferencing that builds skill and confidence over a three week period. They send you the video conferencing unit which is easy to plug in and use. You meet on line for two or three hours a week and work on practical assignments in between sessions. All you need is high speed internet and a TV monitor. It is low cost (especially if you can get four to six people together) and results are guaranteed. Check out the website:

    http://www.kingdomcometraining.com

    Or send an e-mail:

    jerry(at)kingdomcometraining(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]

  6. ANOTHER WAY TO GEAR UP FOR TEACHING ENGLISH — Can’t wait ’til October? Thailand not in your travel plans? Try TESOL Training in Hong Kong, July 18-21, 2006 by Tony Mendoza of Jesus Is Supreme Global Outreach Society. It is a program of Project Light International, a U.S.-Accredited TESOL Certificate Training Program from that will be held at Shepherd’s Heart Family Christian Church, Longos, Bacoor, Cavite (just right after the Las Pinas and Bacoor Boundary at Coastal Road). The course contents are 1) Nature, culture and context, 2) Essential language teaching theories, 3) Lesson planning, assessment and instructional material preparation, 4) Team and individual teaching activities, 5) CD-ROM tutorial training, 6) Tentmaking and Missions, 7) Observed teaching component. There will also be TESOL Trainers Training Course during the afternoon sessions. For more information email shemfamily(at)yahoo(dot)com or call or text Carol at (63)928-3416817. [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
  7. CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2006 — From September 22-26, 2006 about ten international speakers will meet about 140 participants to discuss development issues from a Christian perspective. Main topics include “The role of local Christians in Community Development (Focus on HIV/AIDS and Reconciliation)” and “Linking Relief and Development”. Keynote addresses, practical workshops, and tracks are offered to help participants in aspects of their work and life. More information at http://wwww.ccd-network.net While there, pick up a CD of the last conference containing all speeches (mp3, ppt) and lots of additional material for just $20. See the content at

    http://www.ccd-network.net

    Send your request to ccd(at)awm-korntal(dot)de [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]”

  8. MISSION COMMISSION LEADERSHIP TO CHANGE AT CONFERENCE — South Africa will mark a leadership transition during the Mission Commission’s 10th International Convocation, June 18-24. At this global consultation for mutual encouragement, common work and greater understanding of the mission enterprise around the globe, participants examine global issues and challenges, plan their joint work and strategies, and foster the in-depth relationships without which the MC could not function. This will be a special conference, because after twenty years at the helm of the MC, Dr. William (Bill) Taylor will hand over the direction of the MC to Dr. Bertil Ekstrom. Learn more at http://www.wearesources.org
  9. GREAT CALLING RATES FOR BROADBAND USERS — VoIP service is now available using a small adapter unit on cable or DSL connections with unlimited calling to US and Canada for $19.95 per month (and very low international rates). Check out details at http://www.voipnetadvantage.com/?agentnumber=837371 This service can be used to call from international locations as long as they have compatible cable or DSL connections, and a US or Canadian address for credit card billing and shipping of the phone connection adapter unit. There is a one time setup and shipping charge of $46.90 for this service, but the first month of calling to US and Canada is currently free to offset some of the initial costs. A portion of every new subscription will allow Judy to pitch in on Brigada costs here… so please … let’s all get talking! :-)
  10. TESOL TRAINING IN EUROPE! — YWAM Latvia is running a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certification course this summer! So if neither Thailand nor Hong Kong will work, maybe Latvia will do it. They’ll cover topics such as basic theories and methods of teaching English, intercultural communication for teachers, classroom management, how to work with different learning styles, testing, principles of language acquisition, as well as the how to use English as a ministry tool. The certificate you will receive at the end is an internationally recognized TESOL certificate and will be accredited through the University of the Nations. It will be a 4-week course with an optional 5th week of English camp/outreach at the end. It will be held at the YWAM base in Valdemarpils, Latvia, and will run from July 23 – August 18 (or to the 23rd for camp). The cost is only $995 which includes all teaching, room & board and materials. (To stay for camp will be an extra $100.) For more information, contact Lydia at tesol(at)ywamlatvia(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .] and/or find more info at http://www.ywamlatvia.com
  11. INVEST IN BRIGADA’S FUTURE — Want to help Brigada spread the news about missions resources, unreached peoples, and outreach conferences all around the world? Just click on “sponsor” in the top menu (to use PayPal or a credit card), or if you prefer, 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. In any case, thanks for considering Brigada in your estate giving, your monthly church missions fund, and/or your own personal giving for this calendar year.
  12. WHERE DO YOU TURN TO FIND MISSIONS PASTOR OPPORTUNITIES? — Mark’s wondering where you go for Missions pastors’ openings. He’s visited ChurchStaffing.com but sees almost nothing from churches looking for a missions pastor or director or outreach pastor or director. Now he’s wondering if there’s a better option somewhere. Is there a site that is more focused on finding missions personnel? If you have an option, write Mark mark_simpson53(at)hotmail(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
  13. THE BACKPAGE: TODAY I SHOT A MOLE — That’s right. I’m a murderer. :-) Last week my wife complained that a mole was tearing up our front yard. Those new runways were for him, I’m sure, shopping aisles for all sorts of snacks. But for her, they were ugly cracks in the new lawn we had just re-seeded last fall. And her flower bed was nearly vaporized by the little guy. I felt sorry for Penny, but didn’t know how much good I’d do. I scattered the obligatory white grubworm poison — instant death to the mole’s favorite party menu items. No dice. He still kept nosing around our yard, in search of other tidbits. Next I scattered some castor-oil-type powder, guaranteed to annoy him. I guess the stuff is supposed to taste, to him, about like onions do to me. Sadly enough, our unwelcome guest seemed all the more determined to haunt our front hard like a devious ghost from a bad science fiction movie.

    Today it was time for desperate measures.

    As I returned the ladder to the garage after mounting a wall hanging for her, I saw the sod had been pushed a little farther than it had been earlier in the morning. Quietly, I just stood there watching the grass, frozen in my tracks. Sure enough, in a few moments, the ground started quivering. I was witnessing “mole at work” in real-time. This was an amazing moment… surreal… almost religious in nature. :-) Ever so gently, I laid down the ladder and retreated to the basement for my Ruger .22 Mark III Hunter handgun, complete with standard fiber- optic sights. Yes we live in a subdivision, and yes today was a holiday with *lots* of neighbors of all ages outside…. and yes I held the gun pointed at the ground, kind of like a federal agent stalking a mole at CTU. (Remember, I’ve just finished watching 5 seasons worth of “24” in 5 weeks. :-)) I paused just long enough to try to imagine where his head might be. (Well you didn’t think I was going to aim for his knee did you? I was trying to *stop* him, not interrogate him.)

    That’s when it happened. As the shot rang out, I pictured every housewife (and househusband, for that matter) within a 10-block radius calling 911 with a report of a madman stalking something in the sod. The good news was, the kill was swift. All it took was 1 round and, I suppose you could say the little critter then had quite a headache. I parted the sod with a shovel I had retrieved from the garage. There he was. (Right through his skull. And he would have made such a nice mount, otherwise. :-) ) Well, you can guess my glee when my wife proclaimed me her hero… and my 16-year-old added that I was, “Cooler than ever.” Later, as I buried the little guy in strip of woods behind our backyard, I wondered what one says at a graveside service for a mole. Surely there are certain prescribed words expected at all such events. And in fact, as I pondered the moment, I began to draw some hard-earned lessons from the day’s events — some of which just might apply to missionaries, as they enter new cultures. Let’s see…

    *** First, find a way to bring value: If, when we enter someone else’s yard, we only focus on our own interests, some host, somewhere, is bound to eventually become annoyed by *something* we break or abuse. We’ve got to bring something of value if we expect to survive in life. Leave the world better than you found it. In the mole’s case, some might argue he brings air to the roots. My wife thinks otherwise when the mower chokes on his runways and mine shafts, spewing out dirt in all directions. So — lesson learned… find a way to bring some value to your host country’s lives. Keep your nose clean.

    *** Observe, like the bunny: Of all things… my wife *feeds* the bunny rabbits. They’re somehow cool and furry. Meanwhile, she hires hit men for the moles. These dirty guys are like… in their own world. But the bunnies sit there quietly, across the yard, taking everything in — learning about their environment, carefully aware of their surroundings. So observe; listen; inquire. Be a bunny.

    *** Finally, don’t dare be caught sneaking around: Part of the reason my wife was so quick to take out a contract on this guy was because he was nameless, faceless, invisible — yet troublesome. So make friends. Establish relationships. It was ok for E.T. to be an alien, but it won’t work for you. It sure didn’t for this mole. You’ve got to forge *friendship* with your new world. And not just with anybody. Find the people in charge. (In this case, my wife. :-) ) Engage. Build bridges, not tunnels. You’ll be glad you did.

    With the graveside service complete, I turned the last spade of dirt and headed for the house. Supper tasted extra good tonight. I was a hero. Order was restored… for everyone but the mole, that is. Now it was time for debriefing. Sigh. Oops. Forgot to clean the gun. Gotta run.

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