In this issue….
- SOMETHING MISSING THIS WEEK: THE AD TRAILER
- PLEASE COMPLETE OUR BRIGADA “READER SURVEY” TODAY! (PRIZES!)
- THE WORLD OF ISLAM CD-ROM
- FREE BIBLES FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
- GET A TASTE OF TRANSLATION AND LINGUISTICS
- ARE FOREIGN MISSIONARIES BEING DRIVEN OUT OF RUSSIA?
- MISSION TO NORTH KOREA IS POSSIBLE
- PAYPAL IS HITTING THE MARK
- FREE STUFF FOR EDITORS
- IT’S NOT TOO LATE FOR HINDUS AND SIKHS
- CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR MISSIONARY NURSES
- TRAVEL PORTALS
- GREAT SEARCH SITES
- WIRELESS PORTALS
- NEW BIBLE COURSE FROM GRACE NOTES
- THE BACKPAGE: LESSONS FROM A STARVING COOK
- CLOSING STUFF
SOMETHING MISSING THIS WEEK: THE AD TRAILER
Okay… enough is enough. Thanks to a sponsor or two and some recent PayPal participants, we finally bit the bullet and upgraded Brigada Today to the “no ad option” at eGroups. What that means is a) there will no longer be those little generic eGroups-chosen advertising teasers at the end (touting the latest in some New Age crystal that can be yours for a price 
) and b) we’re hoping that will alleviate the way Brigada Today is converting to an attachment for certain email clients. Time will tell. Either way… no more annoying generic ads at the end! Yahoo! And … we are still able to offer Brigada Today at no charge to subscribers! Yay! Thanks again to our sponsors like TealBrook on the web at http://www.tealbrook.com and Taylored Communications on the web at http://www.operatorservices.com and to those who have clicked on: https://secure.paypal.x.com/refer/pal=DLucas%40TeamExpansion.org PLEASE COMPLETE OUR BRIGADA “READER SURVEY” TODAY! (PRIZES!)
Remember Jonathan Marsden’s challenge (upon our passing the 10,000 reader mark) to measure the involvement of Brigada readers? Well, with the help of one of our Brigada participants (a ‘pro’ survey researcher) we can now take Jonathan up on his challenge. We’ve commissioned the researcher to design a reader survey that will help us learn more about the Brigada constituency, how you use Brigada Today, and how we can make Brigada even better for everyone — and in keeping with our sensitivity for those working in difficult areas, it’s entirely confidential.
The results will be valuable for us – but only if we can get most of you agree to complete a five-minute questionnaire. So, please do me a favor by letting Jim at Campbell Research know you are willing to help. Just send a message (no text necessary) to survey@campbell-research.com.
To sweeten the pot , six lucky participants will be chosen at random to each receive a prize: a brand new “Sport” water purifier for you or the missionary of your choice, courtesy of TealBrook email info@tealbrook.com or on the web at http://www.tealbrook.com (a $30 value! Thanks Mike and Deb!). Results from the survey will be made available to everyone in future editions of Brigada Today.
For the privacy minded, Jim and Campbell Research have committed to absolute confidentiality — your email address won’t be used for any purpose other than this survey. Jim is doing this out of the goodness of his heart, and because he doesn’t mind having the opportunity to let 10,000 missions-oriented people know that Campbell Research specializes in designing, conducting and analyzing research for Christian ministries, including missions organizations. After all, if we want recruits, donors and unreached peoples to listen to us, it’s nice to think about listening to them also. And surveys are a terrific tool for listening to large groups of people. Who knows, you might hear something important!
To find out more about surveying your constituents, write Jim at info@campbell-research.com, or visit www.campbellresearch.com. But do so only after sending a message to survey@campbell-research.com agreeing to take the survey. Thanks!
THE WORLD OF ISLAM CD-ROM
We told you a few weeks ago about the new CD coming from GMI. Well it’s here, and it’s something else! This is a serious missions resource for helping us better understand Muslims and minister in the Islamic context. It contains the full text of over 50 of the best books and journal articles on Islam, seminary courses, a bibliography, photographs, maps and Web links. You can get a copy for only $39.95 (now $19.95 for full-time students and Two-Thirds World ministry leaders) plus shipping and tax. GMI did the production work for this partnership with the Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity (London), Fuller Seminary and Lausanne. They produced 8000 copies and have already distributed 6000, many going to ministry leaders in the Two-Thirds World. More information is available on the Web at http://www.gmi.org/products/islamcd.htm or contact Karen info@gmi.org or by telephone: 719-531-3599 or fax: 719-548-7459. The CD can be ordered from offices in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand. We’ve also set up a new Brigada autoresponder file about the CD; to get a 12K email with more details about this resource, send a normal blank email to world-of-islam@brigada.org. FREE BIBLES FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
Over 200 million Christians live under restriction and persecution for their faith in Christ. Most do not even have their own copy of the Bible. Now there is a unique way that you can provide them with a portion of God’s Word at no cost to you. By visiting “The Bible Site” on the Internet you can click a button that will send a scripture portion to a persecuted Christian, funded completely by sponsors of the site. The success of this exciting campaign depends upon as many Christians as possible visiting “The Bible Site” and encouraging others to do the same. As more people visit and make free donations, awareness will be raised about Christian persecution and thousands of Bibles will be provided to our suffering brothers and sisters worldwide. Visit “The Bible Site” by clicking: http://www.TheBibleSite.org (Thanks Justin!) GET A TASTE OF TRANSLATION AND LINGUISTICS
Check out the 5-day course returning to the Portland, Oregon office of Wycliffe Bible Translators, August 14-18. Introductory classes on phonetics, phonology, grammar, language & culture learning, translation & semantics, are all taught by experienced linguists and translators from around the world. Try it on for size, total it up and see if Bible translation might be a good fit for your unique gifts, interests and talents! Field reports, videos, personal testimonies, prayer, devotions and group living build meaningful relationships between staff & students. Tuition, materials, housing and meals (breakfast, lunch and delicious ethnic dinners) are all provided for $100. Scholarship available. Phone John Wilson at 503-652-1662, toll free 800-269-2007, or e-mail Jim Stair at jim_stair@wycliffe.org. http://www.wycliffe.org/nwro ARE FOREIGN MISSIONARIES BEING DRIVEN OUT OF RUSSIA?
MISSION TO NORTH KOREA IS POSSIBLE
You can start by participating in YWAM’s “North Korea Study School.” The school will be held for 3 months, from October 11 through December 29, 2000, in Vancouver, Canada, and Manchuria, China. The purpose of the school is to help participants gain an understanding of North Korea from God’s perspective and to seek, through intercession, lectures from many viewpoints, study trip and project development, a unified strategy for ministry to this important nation. The cost is US $2600 plus airfare to Northeast China. This will be a unique opportunity to understand the North Korean mind, appraise the situation and discover opportunities for ministry. Those interested can contact Christina at nkm@ywam-aiim.org and/or browse http://www.ywam-aiim.org. PAYPAL IS HITTING THE MARK
We continue to hear rave reviews by those using PayPal. Many are saying that it’s just a handy way to send secure payments for purchases made at sites recommended by Brigada Today — but this system will only work if vendors and purchasers join PayPal in advance. The only downside we can see of the system is the one brought up by one happy PayPal user (thanks Terry), who writes “If someone sells you something and you pay by Paypal, make sure you know the person is reliable OR you’ve already received the merchandise and it’s in good shape. Because once you pay them with Paypal, the money is gone. If the seller fails to ship the merchandise, or if you return it expecting a refund from Paypal — you won’t get one. That’s not what Paypal is. Admittedly this isn’t a fault with Paypal, it’s just that people should know it’s only a cash transfer agent, not a bank or credit card.” So if you’re trying to find a way to securely send money across the Net, you’ve found it. But if you want buyer protection, look elsewhere. Check out PayPal by clicking below
Disclaimer: Remember that, although we would have recommended PayPal anyway, because it “scratches an itch” we’ve felt for a long time, we also want to make it clear that those who enroll in the service will be triggering a referral benefit to Brigada Today in the form of a $5 “thank you” from PayPal to Brigada. Thanks in advance!) https://secure.paypal.x.com/refer/pal=DLucas%40TeamExpansion.org
FREE STUFF FOR EDITORS
If you edit a Christian magazine, newsletter, or ezine, relating to mission or evangelism in general, there are some royalty-free articles and news items available as part of the Web Evangelism Guide (Thanks Tony!): https://brigada.org/today/articles/newsreleases.html IT’S NOT TOO LATE FOR HINDUS AND SIKHS
With two weeks to go before the strategic Consultation for Ministries to Hindus and Sikhs in North America, (August 3-5, Minneapolis) organizers are requesting prayers for significant outcomes, stronger relationships, and smooth event functioning. If you qualify to participate or wish to recommend someone to attend e-mail the organizers immediately at AugConsultation@cs.com. But act fast! It’s coming up immediately! CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR MISSIONARY NURSES
Oklahoma Baptist University School of Nursing is committed to encouraging and supporting nursing missions. The School is offering a unique continuing education opportunity for missionary nurses to update skills. The next session will be held January 15-19, 2001 on the OBU campus in Shawnee, Oklahoma. For more information contact Dr. Lana Bolhouse Lana_Bolhouse@webmail.okbu.edu. TRAVEL PORTALS
Seems like I regularly get requests from folks seeking the best deals in travel. We used to host a special email conference for those who would like to throw out “requests for quotes”, but any more, it’s probably just as efficient to check out any 3 of the following web sites — most are equally good at sniffing out the best deals:
bestfares.com : have to join for $59 for full access, but great site
biztravel.com : somewhat focused on business traveler;
expedia.com : great upgrade recently; simple building your trip
travelscape.com : well organized; linked to expedia
travelocity.com : linked to Sabre, the travel agent reservation system
trip.com : wide selection; comparison shop with links to airline sites
cheapseats.org : this is a wash; extensive registration; hardly worth it
cheaptickets.com : slow, clunky, . . .but cheapest int’l fares
lowestfare.com : airline ticket consolidator; best deals at last minute
priceline.com : these folks you already know about
frommers.com : like the travel guide books by the same name
concierge.com : mapping, destination information (from Fodors), links
fodors.com : same as the popular guidebooks
iexplore.com : aimed at adventure sites
www.lonelyplanet.com : like the books by the same name; rugged traveler
timeout.com : info. about events in 33 cities; 20-something crowd
(Thanks to PC Magazine for compiling this list of favorites)
GREAT SEARCH SITES
Isn’t it crazy the way it seems you can find out just about anything any more by searching the web? But how does one find a “needle in a haystack”? Well with the following search sites, now you can! Alternate between the following until you’ve found a favorite:
about.com : expert human guides compile links and info.
altavista.com : directory of categories; related to babelfish
askjeeves.com : GREAT site for asking plain English questions about all!
brittanica.com : search the Internet or the whole Encyclopaedia
copernic.com : get a free utility program that searches 12 engines
directhit.com : specializes in returning the most relevant short lists
excite.com : popular, full-service, owns webcrawler.com
magellan.excite.com : concept-based search site
alltheweb.com : claims to have indexed more pages; impressively fast
go.com : search portal using categories, advanced features; metasearch
google.com : goes extra mile, ranks pages, shows search words in context
hotbot.com : owned by Lycos; more advanced search features; fine-tune it
lycos.com : full-service search portal; slightly awkward
metacrawler.com : collect results from a dozen search engines at once
northernlight.com : in addition to normal, one can pay for deeper search
profusion.com : up-and-coming metasearch portal
savvysearch.com : results from 11 different engines
snap.com : owned by NBC Internet; TV ads; personalizable
yahoo.com : full-service portal that pioneered organization by category
(Thanks to PC Magazine for compiling this list of favorites)
WIRELESS PORTALS
Have you made the jump to wireless yet? I’ve been using an OmniSky modem with a Palm V and I’ll have to admit — it’s very freeing. There have been times that I’ve been out on the road, away from the office, when I didn’t want to take time to fire up my laptop and link it to my cell phone — because a quick two-line email would do. The Palm V with the OmniSky modem is perfect — in the USA, that is. In addition, the unlimited wireless web connection is a whole new way to think about the Internet. Anyway… here are some top sites for wireless web users:
avantgo.com : 350 Internet channels for Palm and Windows CE
air.go.com : customize for your unit; use translators and more
go2online.com : address and locator service, info. provider
mobile.msn.com : lately, one of the best
omnisky.com : The broadest available content — for a price
www.oraclemobile.com : customizable portal with tons of options
shadowpack.com : download the new web-clipping application; great portal
speedia.com : free news, finance, weather, stock lists, etc.
wolfetech.com : only available for Motorola or RIM pagers; fee involved
yahoo.com : use your yahoo email account wirelessly; categories
yodlee.com : one password to access all your online accounts; timesaver
NEW BIBLE COURSE FROM GRACE NOTES
On August 11, 2000, GRACE NOTES will begin distribution by e-mail of three new verse-by-verse courses in books of the Bible: 1 THESSALONIANS, 2 THESSALONIANS, and REVELATION. In these courses, lessons are distributed weekly by e-mail. There is no charge! If you prefer, you can request delivery of and (or all) course(s) all at once as a Microsoft Word 6.0 file. It will be sent as an e-mail attachment. Send your request to Grace Notes wdoud@bga.com; specify which course(s) you want, and which delivery method (weekly e-mail or attachment) you prefer.
(Note that Brigada Today doesn’t ever “endorse” any particular doctrine or ‘flavor’ of teaching — so you’ll have to decide for yourself which parts of these kinds of courses fit with your own understanding of scripture — “eat the corn and leave the cob.” 
)
THE BACKPAGE: LESSONS FROM A STARVING COOK
) secured the help of his mother (Yay Peggy! ) and we were off to the races. Of course we realized it would be hard work for everyone involved, but perhaps it didn’t really dawn on us exactly how much work it would be until we started seeing Peggy at work from one meal to the next. Yikes. 
The truth is, on one particular day she worked from nearly dawn ’til dusk without stopping. When the day was done, we all realized too late that Peggy, the cook, hadn’t stopped to eat even a bite for herself! What’s more, now that the day was done, she was too exhausted to even think about eating. She went home a very tired (albeit fulfilled ) volunteer.
I’ve been thinking about the old adage about cooks who work so hard that they end up starving. At Team Expansion, we have a Pastoral Care specialist who reminds us regularly just how important it is that our missionaries get quality input while on the field. But in spite of Donna’s best efforts — with all the cooperation we can muster — the truth is that we occasionally still see burnout, fatigue, or worse yet, even moral failure and complete crumbling of missionaries’ spiritual foundations.
How can this be? How can these noble professionals leave house and home, family and friends — then end up themselves as a casualty on the highway to Heaven. They sometimes set out with the highest intentions and end up with the lowest inclinations. They witness to countless souls, starving spiritually and/or physically, then end up starving themselves — physically or spiritually.
What can we do about “starving cooks syndrome?” One idea is to designate a “Donna” in your own mission family — someone who will constantly monitor (and wave the flag for) “member care.” That representative could attend the “Pastor to Missionaries” conference in December (to be held at the JAARS Center, Waxhaw NC — read all about it at http://www.barnabas.org/f-ptm.html ). Check out the links at http://www.missionarycare.org/links.html for even more ideas.
But maybe the simplest act of kindness we can do is just to look around us. Those of us working at those meals saw that Peggy was giving of her whole self . . . and we probably urged her to eat something at one point or another that day. But . . . those in leadership probably need to take greater steps than simple words. We probably need to urge and take action to prevent “starving cooks syndrome”. We can’t afford hungry soldiers. It’s just not acceptable in the army in which we all serve.
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Emphasis is placed on items relating to unreached peoples and challenges faced by those reaching them cross-culturally.
PLEASE DON’T SUBSCRIBE US TO YOUR LIST — It’s always better to ask before manually force-adding anyone to your list-serve or mailing list. Recently, tons of well-meaning people have been subscribing Doug to their lists. Since he often travels overseas, he doesn’t join many of those, for obvious reasons (like being charged big-time for overseas access). So as a general rule, please don’t bulk-mail us! See the note above if you’d like to submit items for Brigada Today. Thanks for understanding. Bottom line: We will never create Brigada Today items from bulk mail. Bulk mail gets deleted immediately — sorry. Nothing personal. We suggest you apply the same standard to everyone. Ask first!
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BRIGADA TODAY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FOLLOWING TEAM OF REGULAR VOLUNTEERS:
Global Glimpses: John Hanna, Caleb Project, jhanna@cproject.com
Brigada Website: Bob Mayhew, WebServant@brigada.org- Brigada Customer Service Manager: help@brigada.org
- Brigada Coordinator: Doug Lucas, Team Expansion & Brigada, DLucas@teamexpansion.org
- and many other occasional contributors too numerous to mention!
- But thanks for working together! That’s the dream of Brigada!
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