19990606 Brigada Today

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News and Notes about Brigada, Your Gateway to Missions Networking!
On the WorldWide Web, browse https://brigada.org or http://www.eGroups.com/list/brigada-today
Brigada Today is “the missionary helper newsletter!”
Compiled by Doug Lucas <DLucas@teamexpansion.org>, Louisville, KY
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In this issue….

LIGHT THE WINDOW CD-ROM NOW AVAILABLE

Have you heard about AD2000’s new “Light the Window” CD-ROM? It’s got 650 megs of videos, music, data! Included are complete working copies of websites from 14 organizations supporting Praying Through the Window IV, the whole Adoption Guidance Program (updated), a special Networking Program (new!), and lots more. You can’t get to the bottom of this CD, but you’ll have fun trying! For Praying Through the Window IV (PTW IV), find the October 1999 “Light the Window” prayer guide and video along with prayer guides, books and videos from all previous PTW’s. You’ll find database information, slide presentations, free software, and even pray along in RealAudio with key mission leaders-like Luis Bush! The PTW guide has clickable links to maps and profiles of strategic towns of the 10/40 window, and profiles of the people group. The cost of all of these resources would amount to several hundred dollars if purchased separately, but Brigada readers can purchase it for $9! Fax credit card info. to 719-576-2685 in the USA (Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Discover Card orders accepted), or write Info@ad2000.org. There’s also a plastic case version available from YWAM (but all we have are telephone numbers for that version: 1-800-922-2143 in the USA, or 425- 771-1153 elsewhere) for $11.99.

LIST OF NETWORKS IS GROWING!

Okay… so finally our list of networks is growing a little bit. But it still isn’t where it should be. We’re trying to build a list of sources, contacts, connections, links, etc., for information and networking on specific people groups. Notice how you can enter your information as a “mailto:” entry and folks will automatically subscribe to your Brigada-type email conference. It’s free! So please jump in – just see the instructions at the top of the page. http://www.egroups.com/folders/brigada-today You’ll need to register at egroups.com first (go to http:/www.egroups.com and follow the instructions).

LAST CHANCE FOR CIN PRAYER JOURNEY TRAINING

Christian Information Network will be conducting a Prayer Journey Training, June 18-19 at New Life Church, in Colorado Springs, CO. If you are planning on participating in the Praying Through The Window IV prayer initiative by taking a prayer journey, this training is invaluable. Sessions will be conducted by Beverly Pegues, executive director of Christian Information Network and the CIN staff. The cost for this training is $75 per person or $105 per couple. For more information, write cin@cin1040.net. Better do it today.

WHAT’S UP WITH PRAYER IN YOUR TOWN?

The National Pastors’ Prayer Network (US) is eager to receive reports and updates from other nations on the progress of pastors praying together for revival and spiritual awakening. The NPPN Global Update has connections with Pastors’ Prayer Networks in Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Argentina and Canada. You can submit reports and requests on the prayer movement among pastors in your nation to: phil@nppn.org or subscribe to the NPPN Updates at: subscribe@nppn.org or visit the NPPN web site at: http:www.nppn.org or add your Pastors’ Prayer Groups to a web directory of over 850 PPGs at: http:www.nppn.org/ppg

SOFTWARE FOR YOUR FINANCIAL TRACKING

If you’re a missionary with financial accounting needs, check out http://www.mindspring.com/~rnewman/PMM51.html to learn about Personal Ministry Manager. A ton of missionaries have told us they love it. If you’ve no web access, write rnewman@mindspring.com.

THE LATEST FROM AD2000 & BEYOND

What’s the current status for JP2000? Dan Scribner at AD2000’s Int’l Office sent me a scoreboard report this past week. He says there are 1599 peoples on active JP list, of which 1119 have no Church of 100 reported. Gulp. Furthermore there are 556 with no reported on-site Church Planting team yet, and still 225 that aren’t targeted or “claimed.” How can you get more information? Visit http://www.ad2000.org

VIDEO OVERVIEW OF HINDUISM

Mark Kelly mentioned this past week the movie, “The Gods of India,” a video overview of Hinduism. For information, e-mail wcn@xc.org or write World Christian News, P.O. Box 26479, Colorado Springs, CO 80936. You can get Mark’s occasional email bulletin called Advance by writing subscribe-advance-newsletter@xc.org.

MORE GOOD REASONS TO BE CAREFUL WITH ATTACHMENTS

Well, June is mating season for viruses, it seems . . . and there are tons more coming into your email attachment box. Rather than describe them all – are you seeing a trend here? Unless you have up-to-date virus checking software or you’re very daring, never open executable attachments. If you receive one from a friend, before opening it, write him/her and ask its purpose. Your friend might have one of the new-breed viruses that sends out infected attachments without his/her knowledge! Gulp.

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SERVE? CONSULT BRIGADA-OPPORTUNITIES

It’s like having a free placement service combined with a free “headhunter” service (the friendly kind) all in one! For example, Todd ToddMJohnson@sprynet.com recently wrote from the World Evangelization Research Center where David Barrett and he are patiently trying to put the wraps on the next World Christian Encyclopedia. Where am I going to send them? To Brigada-Opportunities. Because that is the place where volunteers meet potential! If you’re looking for a place to serve, where God can use your special gifts, just send a note to brigada-opportunities-subscribe@egroups.com. And if you’ve got an opportunity (Todd, this means you

), just email the note to brigada-opportunities@egroups.com. You don’t have to join – but your email will float into the conference even though you’re not subscribed! That way, you get to place your notice and those who are searching for the opportunity get to read the mail! When the volunteer hits reply, the reply goes straight to the person who sent the message (not to the whole conference). Couldn’t be simpler. So go for it!

BY THE WAY – THE WORLD CHRISTIAN ENCYCLOPEDIA IS COMING!

Almost forgot to mention, . . . the World Christian Encyclopedia is reaching its final stages of production! Yahooooo! That’s why the team of researchers at the World Evangelization Research Center is looking for two new full-time missionary researchers (mentioned in the item above). They’re zeroing in on a new edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia – three 800-page volumes examining the status of Christianity and evangelization in all the countries, peoples, cities, provinces, and languages of the world. Mission strategy and a plan to complete the task of world evangelization is also being highlighted. An online version and a companion CD-ROM are planned to make the data more accessible to missionaries and church leaders. So that’s why they were looking for two individuals who would be fully-supported missionaries seconded to WERC in Richmond, Virginia, USA, for the next 3 – 6 months – to complete the print Encyclopedia. And get this (remember you heard it first here on Brigada!) – they’re also working on an online version called the World Christian Database. (By the way, if you know of someone who might be able to help them, write ToddJohnson@gem-werc.org.) Yahooo!

NEED INFO ON PUPPET MINISTRY FOR MISSIONS?

Now you have it. Just send a message to puppets@brigada.worldchurches.org and you’ll receive a 70K resource directory on how to make ministry happen cross- culturally! Thanks Ken!

IF KIDS ARE YOUR FOCUS, YOU NEED THIS RESOURCE DIRECTORY

Ken’s done it again! Tons of great stuff on outreach to youth around the world. 81K with contact addresses and lots of content. Just write to children@brigada.worldchurches.org

FOR THOSE SHARING HOPE WITH MUSLIMS

We’ve already shared the 15K Muslim-Training guide (refreshed June 10th, by the way). But here’s a 58K Muslim-Outreach guide! Just write muslim-outreach@brigada.worldchurches.org. Ken, we’re in your debt! (If you want a new copy of the Muslim-Training guide, muslim-training@brigada.worldchurches.org.)

GREAT MISSIONS PRAYER SITE

Have you taken a look at http://www.prayerispower.org? They’ve got a unique approach to internet prayer ministry where pray-ers are divided in teams and each person receives just 10 requests and/or praises each day. One of the 10 is a nation with a great summary of facts and requests. So with this approach, in less than one month, every nation and the president/head of state has been prayed for by name! Great idea!

NOTECARDS AT HALF-PRICE

Have you been wishing for that special way to write supporters or friends? Now you’ve got it. Send for 12 Cards & Envelopes for only $2.50 per pkg. (normally $4.50 per pkg.). The original pen & ink artwork on the cover is a close-up of a lamb being held in the arms of The Shepherd. The artist is Bert VandenBos. This Card and others are produced by Kingdom Graphics and can be seen or ordered at their “Secure Credit Card” Web Site: http://www.kingdomgraphics.com or toll-free 800-618-3133 (only within the USA) or kingraph@navpoint.com. Payment must accompany all orders.

WORLD MISSIONS ATLAS PROJECT

At each year’s International Conference on Computing and Missions http://www.iccm.org, Bob Sutterfield finds one jaw-dropper application. This year it’s the World Missions Atlas Project http://www.worldmap.org. Bob’s right. Just as he told me this past week, you’ll find “thick, rich data to delight missions mobilizers and wannabe cartographers. Zero in on a region, find the peoples who live there, and click to the prayer profile you need to begin informed intercession. Too cool!”

BRING VISITORS TO YOUR MISSIONS SITE

Here’s a spot where you can plug in the URL of your missions web site and get some eyeballs: http://dmoz.org/Society/Religion/Faiths_and_Beliefs/Christianity/Missions

TIME TO “GO GLOBAL”

Check out “Go Global”, a ministry of YWAM Australia, a missions mobilization ministry especially dedicated to the 10/40 Window. Representatives from Go Global can come to speak or teach at your conference or event. Write mauriceantonelli@hotmail.com or http://www.pastornet.net.au/scwm/goglobal.htm.

DIGITAL CAMERAS ARE FINALLY REACHING USEFUL LEVEL

Been putting off the decision of buying a digital camera because you’ve heard about the “jaggies”, ie., that the resolution won’t appear good enough on the page and the picture will look fuzzy or rough on the edges similar to the old “dot matrix” printer look? Well… depending on your expectations, your wait might be over. I’ve recently seen a couple of these cameras that produced beautiful hues with near photo-like realism. For one of our missionaries headed to Bosnia, we recommended (a couple of months ago) the Nikon Coolpix 900s, which was running around $600 or so street-pricing. And that camera does a sufficiently beautiful job to make you say “cheese” any old day. (I saw the output!) But now there are even newer models, costing less money, being introduced in the coming weeks… that there are even fewer reasons to wait! One of those new models is the Toshiba PDR-M1. Like most technologies, as the weeks pass, the price goes down and the quality goes up. Digital cameras are no exception. The PDR-M1 is around $320 street-priced, is a cinch to operate, and when you need it, it’ll take pictures with up to 1.5 million pixels (those little dots used to produce digital shots). You’ll get accurate exposures, sharp detail, and great color — all in a compact size and an attractive package. If you’ve been waiting for a good reason to buy a digital camera, the PDR- M1 might be it! Check it out at http://www.dsc.toshiba.com or call a camera dealer near you! (And… in case you’re wondering, I don’t get a cut…

)

NOW YOU CAN SET UP YOUR OWN WEB OFFICE FOR FREE!

Just go to http://www.webex.com. This is a great site! You can arrange an international presentation where everyone shows up for a kind of “live and in person” meeting with you. You can do PowerPoints or take people on a tour of the web or . . . whatever! The first level is absolutely free (premier services are also available).

WHERE WILL VOICE RECOGNITION GO IN THE FUTURE?

Just about anywhere you want it to take you. If you don’t believe me (and you live in the USA), call toll-free to talk to a computer at 888-573-8255. This computer is located in Victor Zue’s Laboratory for Computer Science at MIT. The project name is Jupiter – and it’s out of this world! It uses speech understanding to answer your questions about the weather over the phone. The same crew is also working on an airline information application and a mapping application. What does this have to do with missions? Well not much at the moment – but in a few years, there will be tons of possible applications, especially for those who hate to type or don’t have access to the web but can get a phone connection.

TIPS FOR INT’L EMAIL TRAVELERS – PART 2

Last week we wrote about doing your homework before traveling overseas. That homework might point you to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) who has a point of presence (POP) in your destination country. But what if none are available there… at least none to which you can subscribe in advance. Well one option is to set up a web-mail account before you leave your home. Just about all the major “portals” are allowing you to set up free web-based email services now. You can do it at http://www.yahoo.com or http://www.hotmail.com or http://www.netaddress.net and many others. Roger wrote this past week to report that during his recent furlough in the USA, he found it very convenient to get a free Yahoo e-mail account. “We could access it anywhere we could get on the internet,” he reported. “We had our xc.org address forwarded to the Yahoo address, and could thus receive all that mail directly. With a Yahoo account, you can also check external mail which has a POP account, so we could actually take our mail off our server in Irian Jaya, Indonesia, in that manner also.”

However, many are traveling the other direction — where web access is either expensive or totally unavailable. If you’ve done your homework and, in spite of it, you can’t locate an ISP with POPs in your destination area, ask once more if any locals there would help you set up an account with a local ISP. Sometimes, all it takes is a one-hour stop-in at their office in the capitol city. You might be surprised to learn how “high tech” their local network is . . . and they might have POPs throughout the country! Just be sensitive — remember that anything and everything you say is being stored on local servers, maintained by friendly (or not-so-friendly) locals.

To connect, you’ll often need special phone tip adaptors. Again, it’s better to find out about these in advance, where possible. Maybe someone would be willing to pick you up an adaptor so you can hit the ground running the moment you arrive. For example, those from the USA will want a tip-converter for an RJ-11 type plug. I find these in the most unlikely places. The Swiss-type connectors are available at a little computer store in the basement of the main downtown train station. I got the connection for Bosnia in an appliance store in Split. Croatia. These tips are enough to drive you crazy, so it’s worth trying to set them up in advance. If you can’t find a local to help you, talk to PORT, a computer company specializing in products for travelers, http://www.port.com or, in the USA, 1-800-242-3133. They can usually help you figure out what you need.

Next week we’ll talk about the minimum “secret agent tool kit” to take along on your trip. You can almost hear the Mission: Impossible music in the background already, right?

CALL FOR MISSIONS POEMS/DRAMAS

Got any missions poems/dramas that others could use in a missions conference? Then Grace wants ’em!

Write her at gracew@idmail.com. Send her the whole script or poem if possible, and don’t forget to mention if there are special permissions needed before use. She’ll assemble them and make them available to us here for an autoresponder. Thanks!

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BRIGADA TODAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FOLLOWING TEAM OF REGULAR VOLUNTEERS:

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