- NEW DVDS FOR THOSE REACHING OUT TO MUSLIMS
- CITYWIDE MISSION NETWORKING
- FREE TENTMAKING QUARTERLY JOURNAL
- CHECK OUT NONPROFIT/CHURCH LAW
- WHAT IN BAGHDAD IS WORTH DYING FOR?
- LOOKING FOR OLD RECORDED MESSAGES
- MISSIONARY TRAINING CAMP
- THE SWORD (RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT [R&D] TRAINING)
- THESE PARTNERS HAVE ENCOURAGED BRIGADA
- WILL YOUR CHURCH/GROUP/STATE/COUNTRY JOIN THE BUCKET BRIGADE?
- THE BACKPAGE: MORE “COOL TOOLS” FOR TRAVEL & MISSIONS
- CLOSING STUFF
- NEW DVDS FOR THOSE REACHING OUT TO MUSLIMS — There are 2 new DVDs out there that should be of interest to people working with Muslim audiences: “More Than Dreams” and “Escape From Darkness”. “Dreams…”
highlights the true stories of five different MBBs (Muslim Background Believers) from different parts of the Muslim world who came to become followers of Christ after having dreams of Jesus. The quality is top- notch and is produced in the original language (with English subtitles) of those telling their stories (in docudrama re-enactment). “Escape…”
http://www.EscapeFromDarkness.org
is the amazing testimony of Daniel Shayesteh, a former radical Muslim who was heavily involved in the Iranian fundamentalist revolution and was once committed to exterminating Jews, Christians, and other “infidels.” (Thanks Tim!!!)
- CITYWIDE MISSION NETWORKING — Manned by three former Initiative360 staff, GO Connect is identifying mission activity and networking within America’s largest metro cities (over 240). To find your state and city go to:
http://www.goconnect.org/content/view/1140/180/
If God is stirring your heart to pray for mission networking & mobilization to either begin or move forward in your city, or you are sensing His leading to help birth a citywide network, email Go Connect at: networking(at)goconnect(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- FREE TENTMAKING QUARTERLY JOURNAL — Did you know that Global Opportunities publishes a free tentmaking journal called GO World? Eight pages of informative, challenging and thought provoking articles on the essence of tentmaking. To keep costs down, it is available only as a pdf via email or by downloading the current issue from their website. To subscribe simply visit their website
http://www.globalopps.org/goworld/index.htm
- CHECK OUT NONPROFIT/CHURCH LAW — The latest issue of the Nonprofit and Church Legal Trends Memorandum is now online. Just go to
for the issue. In this issue, catch info on small and medium nonprofit organizations, guidelines on per diem expense reimbursements, and more.
- WHAT IN BAGHDAD IS WORTH DYING FOR? — When Mahmood, an educated young Sunni Muslim shopkeeper in Baghdad, reads a secret New Testament, amazing dreams and a curiosity about Jesus follow. But threats from his frightened wife and angry father build as relatives are beaten by religious fanatics. Mahmood must choose between pursuing his own peace or honoring his family and cultural traditions. His choice may surprise you! The new book, “Baghdad Believer”, shares the exciting adventure of one Iraqi’s struggle with new choices between truth and culture, self and family, risk and security. This first-person story paints a picture of the daily life of a Sunni Muslim living in Baghdad. The internal worlds of Muslims – the worlds of honor & shame, anger & fear – are the keys to understanding why Iraq is such a violent place, and always has been. But, this story gives hope that reconciliation and peace with God and with family can and does happen. This is the hope that readers will experience – that few Iraqis are always violent and that most Iraqis seek a better life where there is peace and trust. For additional information, see:
- LOOKING FOR OLD RECORDED MESSAGES — Tom is looking for old recorded messages from missionaries and missions leaders in any format, especially on audiotape. Because the cassette is dying out as an audio recording medium, many of these recordings are in storage, probably to be disposed of one day and never heard again. (This would also apply to reel-to-reel recordings as well). If you or your mission organization has old audio recordings that need a new home, e-mail him at worldlysaint(at)myway(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- MISSIONARY TRAINING CAMP — Catch it June 20-24. Elijah Company is dedicated to the mentorship of workers for global harvest. Each year three training times are offered at Living Waters Farm in Virginia. Highlights include personal relationships, culture, spiritual strongholds, disciplines, partner team building, developing a prayer base, and evangelism. The instructors share the realities from personal life experience. The camps lay the groundwork for ongoing mentorship. See their web site for an outline of content, manifesto, testimonials and applications.
or call (757) 226-3507 or email elijah(at)elijahcompany(dot)org [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- THE SWORD (RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT [R&D] TRAINING) — Take the SWORD (Strategic Seminar-Workshops in Relief & Development). The lecture phase begins April 4, 2008 and the field assignment begins June 30, 2008. The whole period of 12-week lecture is available, as well as weekly modules. The Field Assignment, which is optional, is spearheaded by the Beijing Olympic Outreach. Pre-requisites: God’s heart in you for R&D to reach the nations for Christ. DISCOUNTS: Tuition for the 12-week lecture phase would be US$3,500. (which covers the Beijing Olympic Outreach). Anyone who would register on or before May 15th 2007 with 50% of the tuition paid will have a 10% discount; full tuition paid on or before April 30th 2007 will have 15% discount on their tuition. Contact for registration:
streams7(at)juno(dot)com [As a means of preventing spam for our contributors, in the preceding email address(es), please replace (at) with @ and (dot) with .]
- THESE PARTNERS HAVE ENCOURAGED BRIGADA — Thanks to these volunteers who, with their encouraging gifts, have added fuel to our fire: A former ACMC member sent $50 this past week. Thanks!!! Our prayers are with your new role. A resident from Arizona sent *another* $50 just yesterday. We are *sooo* thankful!!! This helps us along on our financial need for 2007 of $17,150 for secretarial help as well as building partnerships to further the Brigada vision of mission organizations and churches working hand-in-hand worldwide. So far in 2007, we have $1276.86.
- WILL YOUR CHURCH/GROUP/STATE/COUNTRY JOIN THE BUCKET BRIGADE? — So, based on the item immediately above, we only have $15,873.14 to go! The really amazing thing is — there are some people on this planet that could just write that out in one check. The gift is totally tax- deductible in the USA when the check is made out to Team Expansion, our “mother ship.” However, until someone like that steps forward, we have to do it bucket-brigade style. Will you pass the bucket from your church, mission, state, or country? When you send your gift via PayPal or check, we’ll gladly mention your state, country, organization, or church and you’ll be “passing the bucket” in the brigade. Just click on “Sponsor/Donate” 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. (Team Expansion is a 501(c)3 incorporation so for USA citizens, your checks made out to Team Expansion are tax-deductible.) 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. And thank you in advance for helping.
- THE BACKPAGE: MORE “COOL TOOLS” FOR TRAVEL & MISSIONS — In previous issues, we’ve listed these tools:
#1: Beat jet lag (Sleep E., Party W., Gear up to sleep, Herd your kids)
#2: Get your own mosquito tent (for malaria-infested areas)
#3: Insist on AC adaptors that don’t require converters/transformers
#4: Rent or buy a “worldphone”, satphone, and/or sat modem
#5: Pack by checklist, pack light
#6: Use roller bags
#7: Bring a filtered water bottle
#8: Carry a thin notebook & a pen, write everything down
#9: Use a money belt
#10: Try a photographer’s vest
Today, we suggest you add to that list… #11: Stay healthy, but don’t become O.C. — I always tell my kids, “If you want Ferrari performance, you better power up your engine with high octane fuel.” How do you power up your own personal engine? You decide, but I’ll tell you what works for me. No matter where I am in the world, I make sure I have breakfast food with me. I never miss. Maybe it’s a granola bar from home and a banana from the local market. Or maybe it’s a bowl of some kind of bran cereal with “a box of milk.” Either way, I think it’s the most important meal of the day. If I miss breakfast, however, I roll with the flow and just pick up when I can. No worries. In general, when traveling, I like to avoid any food that hasn’t been peeled, washed in a safe way, and/or cooked. That means most leafy salads are off-limits for me. They just trap too many impurities in the crevices of all those leaves. In fact, I stay away from any foods with crevices. I also avoid sauces and dressings that might have picked up impurities from setting out too long. I carry a very small bottle of hand sanitizer with me to “wash up” before handling any foods with my hands or before I touch my eyes. I make sure I know how much sleep I need — then I get it as best I can. Know yourself and your limitations, then stick to them. You’ll do no good for anyone else in the world if you get amoebic dysentery. At the same time, I try not to become obsessive-compulsive (O.C.) about the whole thing. After all, we are in God’s service, we are in the work of making disciples of all nations, so he’s promised he’ll be *with* us. What safer place on earth can one imagine? :-)
#12: Find a camera/kit you can truly *carry*, then *use* it — I was hauled into the back of a swat truck once in Uruguay because, unbeknownst to me, policemen were making a drug bust in the market I was photographing. I think they concluded I was working for some magazine or something because the camera I was using had one of those long telephoto lenses on the front. It was too high profile. My suggestion is – carry a camera that’s comfortable and practical for you, but beware of equipment that raises your profile unnecessarily. Right now, I’m using a Canon PowerShot G7. It’s one of those unique cameras that has essentially all the settings of a single-lense reflex, without the look of one; in fact, it carries reasonably well in my jacket or vest pocket, completely out of sight. But it’s probably too much camera if you’re not the type to study the owner’s manual. Again, the secret is to find something that works well. Read reviews online. When you notice that a friend or co- worker is producing great results, ask her what she uses, then see if that would work for you. And once you find something you like, stick with it — and *use* it. That means you’ll probably a little tripod to stick in your backpack or vest pocket. It’s the only way you’ll get shots with *you* in them (using the self-timer). My carry tripod is so light, I barely know it’s in one of my right vest pockets. It’s probably just 6″ long, but it’s generally all I need to capture a shot of a luncheon meeting or a time-exposure of a church building at night. I sacrifice a bit by carrying a rather powerful external flash. Those built-in on-board flashes are great if you’re only taking snapshots up to 11′ away. To capture all those new believers at 10pm, you’ll need something stronger. Get a flash attachment with a head that you can pivot upwards to “bounce” the flash off the ceiling so it illuminates the entire room. That’s the way to get a really pleasing picture at night without all the glare in your subject’s eyes.
Catch more “cool tools” for mission and travel, next edition
Recent Comments