30th April, 2009

FREE VIDEO AND FREE MUSIC

Gospel Jazz and Catholic Music Express have hours of free jazz and contemporary worship music on mp3's or podcasts from well known bands.

If you have never seen this world famous short video then clock on That's My King and be astonished at this live recording of SM Lockridge.  Show it in church and expect everyone on their feet clapping at the end. Click here for an mp3 file  

Don't miss this extraordinary 6 minute film, the winner out of 3,600 entries in the Food, Taste and Hunger category of the 56th Berlin International Film Festival. You never knew that your fast food might be served twice. With thanks to our friend Bobby in the Middle East for Chicken a la Carte. 




29th April, 2009



THE MONEY FORUM

The USA and Europe are creating trillions of dollars to boost the world economy but how much is a trillion dollars? Click here to see scientist Chris Martenson demonstrate how a stack of a trillion dollars would reach 69 miles into the sky, truly an out of this world solution! Don't miss his other brilliant short videos.




28th April, 2009

TALIBAN BURN CHURCHES
EXECUTE TWO IN KARACHI

Bobbie is the daughter of Edgar, one of our students from Pakistan back in late 1980's. These days Edgar leads a church in Pakistan, has a School of Mission with 20 students, and hopes to open Banking for the Poor before long. This morning Bobbie passed on some disturbing news, "There have been attacks by 100 armed Taliban in Taseer. Two believers were executed, three churches were burned to ashes and the Cross was trampled on the ground." The full story is confirmed by Christian journalist Altaf Naseem on his news website for Pakistan and ICC- Persecution have it on their front page. Last week we heard that the Pakistan government has made a deal with the Taliban to allow them to govern provinces within 60 miles of Islamabad, the capital, with medieval Sharia law, a decision they and possibly the West will soon come to regret. I like to think that Isaiah 31.8 might still be prophetic as God's plan for today's cruel factions.




27th April, 2009
 


WORRIED FACES IN MEXICO

Our friend and translator in Saltillo, Jesus nicknamed Chuy, writes about the deadly swine flu that is sending waves of anxiety all over Mexico and has the whole world on high alert. Jesus says that his nation has wandered far from God in recent years by embracing drug trafficking, violence and corruption to rise but now people are wondering if even God has had enough. Chuy's church is praying for a solution to this deadly plague and for the ears and eyes of Mexico to be opened to returning to God's way for the nation. If you feel anxious about this flu then employ faith and works now. Take all precautions, look after yourselves, buy Tamiflu or Relenza for your cupboard, and trust God promises of help in Psalm 91 (read now)  or see and hear these verses of faith for times like these.





26th April, 2009
 

ANGRY BROTHER CAME TO FIGHT
WEEPS INSTEAD

Our partner Moses Aringo could not wait to tell us that when 40 believers came to Lilongwe, Malawi for three days together nine local people saw this and decided to follow Jesus and were baptized in the river. Now, one of these men had been sent by his parents, strong followers of a Middle East religion, to find his brother and to demand from him an explanation of his commitment to Christ. Instead the angry brother himself fell under conviction, wept powerfully, confessed that he was a sinner and asked Jesus to forgive him and be his Saviour. He went to the river and after he was baptized both brothers hugged each other and wept some more watched by all the amazed people.




25th April, 2009

PAPUA FAMILY
PAY THE HIGHEST PRICE
 
We are very sorry to tell you that missions couple, Astrid and Edward, doing medical work for primitive peoples in Papua,  have lost their 2 year old daughter, Vara, to malaria this week. We hope you will join us in a moment of prayer for them at this very sad time.




24th April, 2009



FREE GUIDE TO LATEST OFFERS AND EVENTS

Since 1995 Brigada are providing missions people worldwide with a free weekly e-mail or web page full of resources, trends, free offers and opportunities.




23rd April, 2009

BEFORE AND AFTER
THE MIRACLE OF A MODERN EDEN

Last week we went to see the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK. Just a very few years ago this was an ugly, abandoned, polluted quarry and today it is an educational attraction that is packed with visitors from all over Europe. Eden could not be more spectacular to see or more beautiful in appearance. You get a very real experience of both the tropical rain forest and the Mediterranean climates inside the world's two biggest domes each the size of many football pitches. Quite apart from seeing a steaming jungle in the UK I was very taken by the astonishing transformation of something which was dirty, dangerous and destroyed into something of great value. The New York Times calls it "a miracle." I thought that if this is what man can do with such a mess how much more can God transform polluted, spoiled and abandoned human beings who are of infinitely more value in His eyes, and that would be an even greater miracle.




22nd April, 2009



HOW TO HANDLE WORK, MONEY AND LIFE

You can download some brilliant teaching in mp3 format from John Wright, the pastor of Europe's largest Vineyard church. Set 1 is for everyone who struggles to be a Believer at Work. Set 2 is all about Handling Money, so important in this year of global economic crisis, and Set 3 from the book of James is about How to Get Through and Grow When Life is Tough. I heard John teach all three series and thanked God for such sound teaching. (In English only, sorry).




21st April, 2009



THE WORLD'S NOTICE BOARD


There is a new outward looking church in Terrassa-Barcelona, Spain, with people from different countries. Monica has sent us the Centro Nueva Vida website.

Exodus East Asia in the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia focuses on informing the church and families about the many issues surrounding homosexuality and bringing faith and wholeness to homosexual men and women who want to follow Christ. EEA have a  conference in KL on May 22-23. E-mail

If you are in Myanmar-Burma then e-mail Juan in Chile who hopes to bring a team to Myanmar to help with education, health, church, drama and mission. 




20th April, 2009



PEACE FOUND IN TIME OF HIGH TENSION

Writing from Bukavu in DR Congo, one the world's most tense nations, Pastor Luc Tulinabo says that with the help of the School of Mission students eleven people have decided to follow Jesus and have been baptised.




19th April, 2009

DESPITE DANGER IN INDIA
490 PEOPLE ASK FOR BAPTISM 

Our partner Daniel has made our day with the news that the work that was started in Chattisghat State just three years ago, where there is plenty of opposition now has 3,500 believers following Jesus together and another 490 have asked for baptism, which in India is a very serious and often dangerous commitment. Daniel's delightful Mercy Homes for children are the talk of everyone who sees them are now 90 strong in India and visitors have taken the concept to Mexico, Ecuador and Peru as well. Three of the homes in India need a well digging if that is something you would like to consider for around £500 each.



18th April, 2009

HERO OR FAILURE
AT THE END HOW WILL THEY REMEMBER YOU ?

As I approach my 60th birthday things that I never thought about before begin to appear in my mind. If it is the same for you then these two very short articles from Henri Nouwen might appeal to you as much they do to me.

Will we lose the game in the last few moments.
What shall we do with our lives between ages 60 and 80 ?

12th April, 2009
Easter Sunday


BECAUSE HE LIVES
I CAN FACE TOMORROW

God sent his son, they called Him Jesus,
He came to love, heal and forgive,
He bled and died, to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know, He holds the future.
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives.

See Benny Hinn sing "Because He Lives" on You Tube

11th April, 2009

Art by Francis Amoah

THE TOMATO LADY

Mathilde is the lady leader of a DCI Banking for the Poor scheme in a deeply Islamic West African village, far inland, where it is very difficult for ladies to follow Christ or enter open society.  However when Aminatou heard that Mathilde was offering 0% loans to women without asking them to become Christians she applied for a loan to buy a large quantity of tomatoes which she then took to the city to sell at a good profit. Now Aminatou buys seeds and insecticides for her own garden, she can pay school fees for her children, save money and she gets to talk to local believers as well. What a lovely story, thank you Mathilde.





10th April, 2009
Good Friday

NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED
BUT THIS IS HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN

See The Passion Of The Christ Trailer
See the crucifixion scene from The Passion film




10th April, 2009








THE LEADER'S
REFLECTION

Students in the DCI Schools of Mission face an exam at the end but then comes an even greater test from God who graduates them into the School of the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 66.10-12 you find the program and notice that it is God who is doing the testing. His first test is to refine you as a future leader like silver which means that He applies heat to reveal impurities which rise to the surface. Next He puts you in prison where movement is restricted by a lack of all things although the demands and the call remain heavy upon you. Then God allows men to trample all over you and you go through the fire of hot words with cold water being poured on your vision. All this has to happen so that when God brings you into a place of abundance you will not fall or fail Him.




9th April, 2009

TWO FREE SCHOOLS OF MISSION 
DOING WELL IN BUJUMBURA - BURUNDI

Matthieu Nshimimana the leader of one free School of Mission in Bujumbura, Burundi has sent us some photos of some very happy students, click here to see the slideshow. We wish them God's very best blessings.


Felix Niyongabo also has a free School of Mission in Burundi which has reached its first graduation. Students are now planting a new church in Ngozi-Busiga where a lot of people are waiting for the opening. The DCI Fund has been pleased to add to the large amount of money raised by local believers to finish the construction this year. Click here to see the photos.




8th April, 2009

DCI IN THE UK WELCOMES PARTNERS
FROM UGANDA, INDONESIA AND SWITZERLAND

For the last 12 days the first ever DCI group going back to 1983, from Nottingham, England have really enjoyed welcoming partners Yoppi from Indonesia, George from Uganda and Michael and Emily from Switzerland for an international get-together that everyone enjoyed. Great times of fellowship and worship have made us friends for life. Click here to see the photos




7th April, 2009



THE WORLD'S NOTICE BOARD

Jorge Luiz, 37, would like to invite you to a Mission Conference in Conceição do Coité City, Bahia, Brazil on 19-22 November.

Awudu Razak Ibrahim, 32, who is with Mid-Ghana Bible Collge in Kumasi, Ghana invites all believers who have left Islam to follow Christ to join a very special support organisation. Awudu understands the problems and family issues as he has been through them himself.
   
Pablo, 34, from Apodaca, Mexico has 3rd International Conference for Cell Churches that he would like to invite you to come to.




6th April, 2009



ARE YOU IN LIBERIA ?

We are looking for a responsible and competent man or lady of proven integrity to be our volunteer representative in Liberia, to check out applications for help and supervise projects that are approved. Write to Mrs Sally Griffiths with your full details please.




DIGITAL EVANGELISM DAY
APRIL 26th WORLDWIDE

April is the month to find out how to use the Internet to communicate your faith with thousands of people worldwide who are ready to listen and discuss things with you. Learn more here and it's all free.




5th April, 2009

WILL YOU SMILE OR WINCE IN PAIN ?

Enjoy this short video of some real bad parking, allegedly taken by the security camera in our church car park, but we don't believe that !





4th April, 2009


MORE POOR IVORY COAST VILLAGERS
GET A CHANCE TO PROSPER

Our partner in just about the remotest part of the Ivory Coast Mah Malachie has granted micro-business loans to four more poor villagers, adding them to the existing list of clients who are finding a way out of poverty. They made the occasion into a happy ceremony. And at the same time Mah's wife gave him a new baby boy. Thousands of congratulations from everyone here.




3rd April, 2009



THE WORLD'S NOTICE BOARD

Claudio Salazar, 45, who is a male nurse in Venezuela wants to hear from readers in Indonesia because he wants pray for the land and visit professionally.

David Meza, 40, also from Venezuela is starting a network to support churches and groups in mission, training and church planting at home and overseas.

David Armadà of EMSI Misión in Spain, our friends behind free medical treatment for thousands of poor villagers in Burkina Faso and Peru tells us that Terrassa TV has broadcast a program about their work. See it here.


 

2nd April, 2009

ROBBED OF EVERY THING HE HAD
IN FIRST FIVE MINUTES

Within minutes of arriving in Sierra Leone our friend John Duco from Liberia was welcomed by being robbed of every last thing he had by the driver of a motor-cycle taxi.  These coastal West African states have a sad history of blood diamond wars which left people with their arms, noses and ears cut off; corruption and devil worship is everywhere.  Our bank will not send money there, neither will PayPal or Ikobo, and not even the money-sending mafia in the UK will deal with the money-mafia in Monrovia and that tells you everything ! John is brave man but he goes into these dark places of the earth that Isaiah 45.3 talks about, knowing that in the darkness there is hidden treasure to be found.  And so it was because in Bo 16 people decided to follow Jesus after 1,275 people heard the gospel. In Kenema 6 new believers came forward and a free School of Mission started up with 25 students.




1st April, 2009



THE MONEY FORUM

One of our friends who lives in the very heart of the Arab world has found a way to bless the poor knowing that it is better, as Jesus says, to give than to receive. He said to me yesterday that sometimes when he meets lowly people like toilet cleaners he senses that God has something to say to them so he shows them a cross that he wears discreetly on a chain, points skyward and says "Issa," that is Jesus.  Then he blesses them with some money and often the reaction is priceless.  He says that doing this is not difficult and the warm feeling he gets from having obeyed God is worth more than any amount of money.

31st March, 2009

CONTROVERSY OF THE MONTH
IS FOREIGN AID HURTING AFRICA?

Dambisa Moyo writing in the prestigious Wall Street Journal says that $50 billion of international assistance goes to Africa each year yet evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that this aid has made the poor poorer, and the growth slower leaving African countries more debt-laden, more inflation-prone, more vulnerable to the currency markets and more unattractive to higher-quality investment. It's increased the risk of civil conflict and unrest. Moyo says that aid is an unmitigated political, economic and humanitarian disaster so it should be cut off and alternatives introduced. Read Foreign Aid Is Hurting Africa. Do you agree ?




30th March, 2009

COMMENTS
IS FOREIGN AID HURTING AFRICA?

This article shows the glaring stealing of international aid funds. Greed prevails. What is needed is a tidal wave of micro-enterprise development funds for trustworthy people.
Dr.Kevin Dyson, Australia.

There is no doubt from our mailbag that Africa is addicted to aid. Most people write for hand-outs instead of hand-up's into long-term solutions through work.
Les Norman, The DCI Fund, UK.

Our partner in Malawi Moses Aringo says that the DCI micro-enterprise scheme there has been a great blessing to many but many more are coming to ask for assistance. Typically, Miriam, a widow who is sick with AIDS victim borrowed 12000 shillings to start a charcoal business and has repaid 4000 so far. A Mrs Madise sells eggs with a loan of 15000 shillings and the income is a great help to her family. And Moses report tells of many more poor families now prospering.

In northern Uganda George Purkweri tells the story of one widow who borrowed just one chicken from the DCI Chicken Bank. From that one chicken she now has 18 hens laying eggs and this pays the school fees for her family.




29th March, 2009 

HOW NORMAL ARE YOU ?

"During a visit an asylum, I asked the director: "How do you determine whether or not a patient should be kept in?" "Well," said the director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub." "OK, I understand," I said. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup." "No." said the director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"  With thanks to our friend John Clements for making us laugh. Do it again John.




28th March, 2009



HOW CAN I JOIN THE DCI FELLOWSHIP ?

We have no formalities or registration process because we are not an institution, more of a fellowship based on following Jesus and His call. You are simply welcome, and we have a special page to help you make a start. We are a group of like-minded men and women working together all around the world, supporting each other's vision to reach the lost, the last and the least. We like the small group principle of Acts 13.1-4 which leads into worship, prayer, being open to the Holy Spirit and sending people out to be a blessing. The way forward is to begin talking to us and working with us which will lead in time to a friendship and then you can share your resources of men, money and materials with others and they can share what they have with you.




27th March, 2009



THE MONEY FORUM

The falling value of the pound and the dollar is significantly reducing the value of gifts sent overseas. In Japan, the £1 they had a year ago is only worth 62p this month, the equivalent of a 38% pay cut! If you are supporting people in mission, they will probably never say anything so why not ask how they are doing ?

26th March, 2009

CUBAN UNKNOWINGLY WALKS
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GEORGE MULLER

In the 18th century it is recorded of George Muller that without making his wants known to any man, but to God alone, he cared for thousands of British orphans. This week I asked our young friend Ranledis in Cuba how he was managing with his crowd of neglected children and elderly people. He replied that funds are always at zero for buying food and only by faith in God do they proceed. Typically last Sunday the cook arrived to find the cupboard empty, so she and Ranledis turned to prayer and waited. Within 15 minutes a man came with some money. Click to see more photos. To join us in supporting Ranledis click here.




25th March, 2009



DID ANYONE DESIGN THE UNIVERSE ?

Pastoral advisor John Lennox MA, MA (Bioethics), PhD., DPhil, DSc, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science, lectures on Science and Religion and has been in public debate on the Design of the Universe with famous atheist Richard Dawkins. Engage brain and follow the riveting trail (in English) on You Tube.  I saw the full brilliant DVD from Amazon and even felt a twinge of sympathy for Dawkins under the withering arguments of believer Lennox. Every School of Mission should buy a copy.

24th March, 2009

THEY PLAN TO TURN
SOUTH PACIFIC UPSIDE DOWN

Writing from Fiji Marion Male is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Christian Training Centre in Labasa. Marion says that she has never forgotten how the first money for her work came from the DCI Fund. Now ten years later God has really blessed NCTC and the students go out to many villages.Marion says that the training centre has taken shape from nothing to where they are now and these Fijian guys intend to turn the South Pacific upside down for Jesus. Congratulations Marion, it is great to hear from you.




23rd March, 2009

THE WORLD'S NOTICE BOARD

BBC Africa has these top tips on how to succeed in business from Africa's entrepreneurs, great reading for all of the DCI Banking for the Poor clients.

Patrick O'Connor writes to say a big thank you because after 16 years in Honduras he is now going to India and will be teaching the free DCI School of Mission studies there.

Click here to send in your news or story

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SOME OF OUR PHOTOS?

Click to see our Picassa Albums from around the world.
Choose one and then click Slideshow to see the display.

Click here for Schools of Mission around the world
Click here for Banking for the Poor projects
Click here for projects to help orphans and the poor
Click here to see some of the people in the DCI family
Les and Pilar

Who are we ?

Click here to see our Vision and Values statement.
Click here to see an illustration of what we do, more or less.
Click here to see our statement of faith

Click here (soon) to see the Wikipedia article on our work, reserached and written independently of ourselves as part of academic studies for the prestigious Fuller Seminary in the USA.


HOW YOU CAN HELP US
How to join us?
Click here for a special page

ABOUT THE EDITORS

Les Norman is a writer, an editor and the publisher of these pages that call attention to the lost, the last and the least of the world. Since 1977 he has been following the call of Christ. He is married to Pilar and they have three children.

Find out more here