Over the years I have had many people join in short and long-term missions. Some were very sure about the “call” while others were just along for the ride. All of them experienced change in their life, and that change was not always as good as you might expect.

There are many aspects to short-term missions and I’d like to talk about a couple of issues with you today. These are based on experience and relate to the most often-asked questions and concerns about mission trips.

Am I Called?

Despite the fact the Bible says “GO,” many people assume or question whether they are really called to make a missions trip. Most people assume that the “Professional Missionary” (whatever that is) is the only one “called”. People often don’t feel gifted in the area of evangelism and simply don’t see how they can do any good by going on a missions-specific trip.

Little do those who stay home realize that just going is in and of itself a powerful testimony to the world of Christ’s love for them. God “sent” His Son and sends us to. Perhaps the biggest surprise for those who go is how much fruit there is just because they packed the suitcase and joined the group. What God makes obvious to those we go to is that He cares enough about them to send them someone. It doesn’t take long before the conversation comes around to the Sending of His Son.

Are you called? Yes! Do you have to learn to be an evangelist or bible teacher or theologian or professional missionary to make an impact. Nope, just going is going to make an impact.

What Do I Have To Offer?

Related to the above, the next question people ask me is what they can possibly do, what can they offer? Short-term mission is usually a group activity. Certain mission trips are very specific with clear goals, such as: carrying bibles to local believers or renovating a school or teaching how to sow clothes or showing kids how to use the Internet. Other mission trips are more prayer oriented such as visiting an unreached peoples group and simply praying for them so that doors can open to specific, goal-oriented trips later.

Whatever the case, you have your physical abilities and your spiritual abilities to offer. If you can’t renovate a building you can do a lot of good by helping the locals carry a basket of fruit home. Since you’ll be watched by the local people, your godly lifestyle will share an aspect of the Gospel, often impacting more than any words you can say. And because you made the effort to go, the act of service and unity will show the local people the true, father-heart of God.

Do you have something to offer? Yes! I’ve seen enough people come to Christ because someone came and helped wash the toilet facilities! You don’t have to be a professor or CEO of a company or rich to make a difference in a hurting and frustrated world.

Why Go? There Are Enough Lost Right Here

While it is true that GOING can mean a days outing across the city, most people aren’t doing that either. The importance of short-term missions trips has always been the equipping of the saints just as much as bringing the gospel to an unreached peoples group. In most cases people come home from a trip transformed, empowered, engaged and excited. They have seen that God used them and their excitement and energy flows out of them to all those around them, saved or unsaved. Getting out of our daily routine and surrounding opens our eyes and expands our horizons to understand much more about God’s heart and the needs of world around us. It’s hard to picture the history of the Children of Israel or the Book of Acts when one has never traveled. It is hard to remember the power of change the Holy Spirit works in us all when we are stuck in our local church. When we get out of our surroundings we get back the perspective of God at work and that will give us the power to bring change back at home.

Why Go? Christ Jesus went. He came to this earth and the GOING remains a spiritual power source to release us to impact all of our world, both at home and abroad. GOING will change your perspective (back to what it was when you first got saved).

I Can’t Go

If you really can’t go (and of course some cannot) then help send someone who can go! Your reward, the Bible says, will be in heaven waiting for you.

End of Part One

By now, Pastor Dennis Balcombe is a legend in China, and most of you know about him. Here is a short video we hacked up about some of his legendary work.

Watched this already? Fine. Have you checked the website? Here is the link to his international organization: Revival Chinese Ministries International …→

Keep scrolling – more cool stuff below!!

60 Asians, 14 Africans, 12 Europeans, 8 people from Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean, 5 from the USA and Canada, and 1 person from Australia or New Zealand.

Communications

The people of the village would have considerable difficulty communicating: 14 people would speak Mandarin, 8 people would speak Hindi/Urdu, 8 English, 7 Spanish, 4 Russian, 4 Arabic. This list accounts for less than half the villagers. The others speak (in descending order of frequency) Bengali, Portuguese, Indonesian, Japanese, German, French, and 200 other languages.

Religions

In the village there would be: 33 Christians, 22 Moslems, 15 Hindus, 14 Nonreligious, Agnostics, or Atheists, 6 Buddhists, 10 all other religions.

Poor and Rich

In this 100-person community: 80 would live in substandard housing. 67 adults live in the village; and half of them would be illiterate. 50 would suffer from malnutrition. 33 would not have access to clean, safe drinking water. 24 people would not have any electricity. Of the 76 that do have electricity, most would use it only for light at night. In the village would be 42 radios, 24 televisions, 14 telephones, and 7 computers (some villagers own more than one of each). 7 people would own an automobile (some of them more than one). 5 people would possess 32% of the entire village’s wealth, and these would all be from the USA. The poorest one-third of the people would receive only 3% of the income of the village.

More to Ponder

If you woke up this morning healthy … you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the fear and loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pain of starvation … you are better off than 500 million people in the world. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep … you are more comfortable than 75% of the people in this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace … you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If you can read this, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Copyright

This material is copyright-free. You may reproduce it. Original version by Donella H. Meadows More info at www.odt.org

I have been using Brian Gardner themes for a few years now, even before StudioPress existed. Brian puts a lot of effort into getting it right. Although WordPress has many Themes to offer, I stuck with Brian because of the extra effort he built into his works of art. Even his free themes never broke, had an excellent logic to them, were (are) easy to follow so they could be customized and even had SEO (search engine optimization) built into the back end. SEO is important because no matter how great your website is, if no one can find it …

So now I am trying the Genesis Framework. I’m not going to explain what a framework is, you can read about that on StudioPress.com or on WordPress.org.

I see that the Genesis Framework remains the same quality and standard of excellence as hoped. I read many reviews about this framework and they were all positive as far as I could see. The logic makes it easy to customize and it is amazingly fast, something I had not expected. SEO is built in and a huge plus is that the forums answer any question you might have. I was delighted to see a long support thread which really had little to do with Genesis or a child-theme, yet the people at StudioPress had taken an enormous amount of time and energy to fix the RSS feed problem. Above and beyond what should be expected from a support forum.

Observations About The Genesis Framework

Some of my observations:

Genesis as a framework is up-to-date with all the goodies WordPress has built into the back end. It is easy to add “Hooks” and “Filters” and “Shortcodes”. Of course there is a learning curve to all of these – the difference between hooks and filters for example. But that is the reality of using any technology. One tip I would give you is that if you are searching the forums for answers, make sure you are viewing an answer to do with the latest Genesis release. As upgrades are released, some older issues have been re-deployed in the newer versions. But I’m rambling here… It took me a couple of days to get my live sites set up (this is a testing site). Some simple items such as page navigation is made overly complicated since I was trying to resolve all my needs without editing any of the Genesis code. Adding all the bits and pieces to the child theme was possible, but it took some extra time. (Part of the problem is learning the terminology so as to find the correct answers in the support forums or the Genesis documentation.)

Genesis Child Themesy

The Child-themes are nice and simple. They all have the style.css file, functions.php and home.php and some have landing pages or other custom pages. That makes initial setup and quick changes relatively simple. Not all the child themes look modern, but behind the scenes they too have been updated. (If you remember back to the Revolution days, you will find those themes are on the StudioPress site.)

Since I am terrible at graphics and color coordination, I rely heavily on graphic artists tastes and ideas to put together a nice looking theme. A small wish I have is that a couple more “modern” themes would be added. For example, if the last StudioPress theme had been added to the portfolio I would have taken it. I read somewhere that Brian argues too many choices don’t help. He is probably right about that but perhaps retiring some of the older-looking Revolution themes would be an idea (hiding them somewhere where people could still find them).

Conclusions

Genesis is:

• Fast
• Up-to-date (HTML5 and Responsive Design and Flexible Grid are all coming – probably done by the time you read this )

UPDATE: there are already a couple of Responsive Design themes available!!

• Customization-able
• SEO friendly
• Well supported (even the old themes I don’t use anymore are still supported!)
• Costs some money, but not much by comparison
• Reliable / trustworthy
• Has several plugins created just for Genesis
• PSD files included for custom headers

An example of some of the many Shortcodes: (within a blockquote)

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 5:55 · Nitrous Theme on the Genesis Framework by StudioPress powered by WordPress

Ten years from now we will interact with the internet in completely different ways. Roger McNamee identifies six changes that are already transforming the ways we consume and create content.

Quote: The next big shift is now, and it’s not what you think: Facebook is the new Windows; Google must be sacrificed.

Another great site for Free Stock Photos & Images for personal, educational and non-commercial usage is www.stockvault.net/

Another one I like for church is creationswap formerly CreativeMYK

If you are looking for backgrounds for your website, try subtlepatterns.com. They have a very nice collection of good backgrounds. Just pick what you like and then login to WordPress and click, Appearance, Background and upload the image.

Please Pray for North Africa and the Middle East

Islamic World In Turmoil

Download the PDF

As regimes topple in North Africa and shakings threaten Middle East leaders, could this be the breaking down of a wall of Islam many have predicted for years? Or will it have the opposite effect? Will it strengthen extremism and create an open door for radical Islamist groups to take power?

In the space of just weeks the impossible happened in the Muslim world. Starting in Tunisia December 17, 2010, Mohammed Bouazizi’s suicide started revolts against repressive regimes in the region. The Tunisian government was quickly overthrown and people in Algeria, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Jordan, and several other countries began demonstrations.

For those of us who have been praying and working into this area of the world for years, we are amazed and rejoicing at all God is doing. Nevertheless, it is too soon to abandon prayer for the region and assume the job is done. We need to listen to God’s prophetic voice and continue to pray and intercede in accordance for the people.

This short guide (PDF) will help you. Download: Islamic World In Turmoil

Cloud Computing is being pushed as companies, large and small, jump into the arena.

What is cloud Computing? It is defined this way: “Cloud computing is Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand, like electricity.” Furthermore, it is defined as “On-demand self-service Internet infrastructure where you pay-as-you-go and use only what you need, all managed by a browser, application or API. Cloud computing is broken up into multiple segments including: Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Platforms and Cloud Applications.”

At CeBit 2011 (the biggest IT trade show in the world), practically every vender had something to show off under the Cloud Computing umbrella. Not the least were of course all the Tablet computers which use apps (applications) all hosted somewhere on the Internet. Take for example the iPad2, a devise which does a lot but isn’t a conventional Computer as we know it. (Meaning we don’t load software onto it or do many of the conventional things we do with computers. Instead, much of it’s worth is based on the Apps (applications) we buy or download for it, all of which are run on the Internet somewhere – a Cloud Computing experience.)

ASIDE: Great video on the iPad2 is here: http://www.apple.com/ipad/

Is all this good for us? There are of course many privacy issues. There are many missionaries around the world who must be very careful of these types of apps which of course want a ton of information about us, since they also want money from us. And of course that is a second huge issue – just how expensive is all this going to get. Someone has to pay for the servers and development of the software we want to use. While many will see it as fair to pay nominal fees for using the services, it becomes obvious quite quickly that it is not for the poor!

Despite the negatives, there are of course many advantages and certainly many cool tools, toys and helpful applications. But it will take a savy public to make sure some privacy exists and that costs don’t get out of control.

Dear Friends,

The eyes of the world have been on Egypt, wondering if a very courageous revolt demanding the resignation of the President, reforming the constitution, and ending corruption, would possibly succeed.  Protected, and yet not assisted, by our armed forces, these hundreds of thousands of protesters, at great risk to themselves, persisted stubbornly in their revolt for 18 days until Friday, February 11, when President Mubarak resigned and the Army promised to fulfill the protesters’ demands. They have already dissolved both houses of parliament, suspended the constitution and are now working towards the rebuilding of both in time for presidential elections in September.

Last week, like in July 1952 when young army officers overthrew the King and declared a Republic, Egyptian history was re-written and we all believe we are in a new and exciting phase of this great nation’s destiny.

Thank you

I would like to Thank You on behalf of the Bible Society and the Christians of Egypt. We were overwhelmed during this time by a flood of emails, phone calls and Facebook messages from all over the world, assuring us of your prayers and the real desire to help (I am sure you will appreciate why it has been impossible to answer each of you personally).

On the “night of rampage”, January 29th, when many businesses, shopping malls,vehicles and police stations were vandalized and destroyed, a bunch of hooligans approached the Bible House in the middle of the night. Our security guard had fled and the Muslim neighbors guarding their homes told us that they were preparing to protect our beautiful building when suddenly, for no apparent reason, the gang stopped in their tracks and returned from whence they had come! The neighbors were convinced that this was divine protection of the Bible Society and told us so! We were sleeping at the time, but undoubtedly, some of you, in different time zones were praying for us!

How is the current situation in Egypt?

People feel empowered; they have broken the bonds of fear from a totalitarian system. Much goodwill and unity has been expressed. However, some costly damage has been done like the stealing of valuable archeological treasures from the Cairo Museum, the destruction of many government properties and the escape of many prisoners. There are also dozens of strikes and demonstrations by varied groups of society who believe they were unjustly treated by the previous regime and now feel free to demand their rights. All this continues to create a feeling of insecurity among many. On the positive side there is a massive, spontaneous “clean up” campaign going on in which Christians and Muslims of all classes of society are working together to clean up and rebuild Cairo and other cities across the nation.

I am sure you can imagine that with the country having come to a standstill for 18 days and with most foreigners (including businessmen and tourists) having left, it will take a lot of time and effort to restore Egypt to the economic stability we had begun to enjoy during the last year.

The present situation is extremely complex. It seems obvious to me (but not to many others) that the kind of “democracy” which could eventually be achieved by this revolution will be within the framework of a country whose main ideology is based on unwavering loyalty to a major religion. (A 2009 Gallup poll indicated that Egypt is one of the most religious countries in the world!). There will, hopefully, be much more freedom of expression and a more democratic governing system. But like all the nations in our region, there will still be restrictions for us as Christians which we will not be able to easily ignore.

Bringing the core message of the Bible to Egypt

While most Christians are encouraged by the “winds of democratic change”, many others fear that the well-organized Muslim Brotherhood could win in a free election, and that if this happens the status of Christians in Egypt might be worse than before. Many believers in Egypt are used to equating God’s blessing with physical comfort and even prosperity. Most expect a relatively peaceful life, and are not equipped to handle difficulties within a Biblical framework. Some Christians have not hesitated to flee the country, while many of those remaining wish they could leave as well.

The Christian faith was born in unstable political circumstances and has usually thrived most when threatened. Our vision at the Bible Society of Egypt is to take a deliberate role in affirming to Christians of all classes and persuasions basic Biblical truths. We are on the precipice of opportunity, and feel that there is an incredible spiritual gap that must be filled. The Bible Society is in a strategic position to address the whole church (Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant). Our urgent desire is for the Word of God to speak. We cannot fail to seize this opportunity to share the relevance of God’s Word during this momentous time in Egypt’s history.

The Bible speaks to the Revolution’s aspirations

Nearly all the dreams and aspirations of the youth who began this revolution are basic Biblical values. Unfortunately, some of the corruption and injustice against which they are revolting was perpetuated by so-called Christians as well. We know that, unless people’s hearts are changed by the Holy Spirit, all hope of a real “reformation of life-style”, to which many Egyptians now aspire, will be impossible to achieve. There has never been a time when God’s voice is more needed.

Developing new materials suitable for this crisis

As the current theme of the nation is “Let’s Build Egypt Together”, we are working on a Scripture leaflet based on Nehemiah’s rebuilding of his city and later of his people’s faith and conduct.

Pray for wisdom and creativity as to HOW to provide the appropriate message. We are planning several strategies: a nation-wide public media campaign featuring Biblical values which resonate with the revolution’s aspirations, a series of small, printed leaflets or booklets, a general newsletter aimed at all Christians in Egypt, and short audio and audio-visual clips which, like the parables of Jesus, will convey powerful messages from the Bible right to people’s hearts.

To quickly reach out in this way with God’s Word, we will be giving out all these specially designed materials free of charge. Our dream, in these days of unprecedented freedom, is to flood Egypt with God’s Word.

Book Fair Canceled

January and February, (the Bookfair Season) is our peak selling time of the year during which we receive 1/4th to 1/3rd of our total sales income. We produce and purchase large amounts of stock and pay our creditors after these 2 months. The Bookfair has been canceled, and we now face a financial dilemma.

We have, therefore, extended our Bookfair sales season until the end of March and challenged all our staff across the nation, whatever their particular job may be, to become active salespersons of the wonderful Scripture products we produced for the Bookfair season and to also fundraise from their friends, relatives and churches.

Helping Egypt Now

We unashamedly ask you to help us financially during this time of crisis and opportunity. We do not want to let our people down and will have to make a big leap of faith to begin producing and distributing all these materials before you have time to send us your donations. Below are different ways you can send us funds.

Security in God’s Word

Just today, some grandparents came into one of our bookshops and bought CDs and coloring books for their grandchildren. They said, “Now is the time for our children to connect with the Word of God, to find real security. We must build their trust in the Lord, and not in a certain regime or political solution.”

Please pray for unusual creativity and effective approaches to spread God’s Word in Egypt.

PS: Thanks for all who have asked about my health. I am taking strong medication to slow down my pulse and this makes me feel weak.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CIRCULATE THIS LETTER THROUGH ALL MEANS AND TO ANY PERSONS OR GROUPS YOU THINK WOULD BE INTERESTED. MANY THANKS.

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General Director
The Bible Society of Egypt