I knew a couple of people with GPSs, and the youth group from one supporting church had three. A couple of student brought their own. (The ones designed for cars did not work well for this event – they were not accurate enough)

My steps for the event
1. Determine the location of the event and get permission.

2. Scout the area and find the places to hide the caches. I setup 18 plus an example cache. The park I chose also had a registered geocache.
a. Photograph each spot
b. mark and record the coordinates
c. decide what type of cache container you will use at that spot
d. create a name, description, and hint for each spot

3. prepare your cache containers.
I used several types and sizes—magnetic key holder, camping match holder, sprinkler head, fake rock key holder, disposable food container bowl (like tupperware – which I spray painted dull green), 1 foot long 2″ PVC pipes with one end glued on (and spray painted). I got just about all of them at Home Depot.

4. print a log sheet and geocache document sheet for each cache container and place them in the container.

5. Divide the caches into courses.
I created 3 courses out of the 18 caches. Each course had 6 caches to find. This allowed me to start 3 teams at one time, each headed in a different direction. Then I could start 3 more teams 10 minutes later and they wouldn’t easily run into each other. I included the registered geocache on each course so that they could look at this later online.

6. Create a sheet for each course that can be given to the teams. Each cache on the sheet should have the coordinates, size, name, description and hint (cover it with masking tape, so they can pull it off and use it if needed).
a. create a seperate sheet for the example cache

7. Create a master sheet for each course, that you keep – this one has pictures and what the container is.

8. Day of the Event
a. Explain Geocaching and show them the official website
and the registered geocache on the course. You may
have to do this where you can have internet access.
a. Divide into teams–have them pick team names.
b. explain how the game will work
c. do a sample cache together
I created a sample cache in the parking lot
and gave everyone a sample course sheet
with the sample cache data. We all used our
GPSs to find the cache. I used a small cache
hidden under flowers, so that they understood
that the cache could be hard to find. This
also made sure each team could use their GPS.
d. start the first teams – log the time
e. I stayed at the start/finish and teams could call me
for additional help.
f. Log the time when a teams returns.

Here is my post on my personal blog with more specifics and information.

The Top Five Obstacles in Support Raising
Over the last 25 years, I’ve heard hundreds of reasons why people were not able to get to full support. Whether those reasons were legitimate (or simply conjured up in their mind), they still can be seemingly insurmountable obstacles blocking our path to success. Fear of rejection is, of course, mentioned by many, a lack of contacts is a common excuse, and a few even claim their no-win situation is because they live in a poor rural state where people have no money. But when I mention I live and raise support in Arkansas (a perennial last place in U.S. average salaries), they seem to drop that line and move on to another!
It’s human nature, isn’t it, to view circumstances as bad rather than good, as problems rather than potential, as a glass half empty rather than half full? We’re all guilty. Each of our situations are unique, but I wanted to try to get to the core issues of what really keeps us from full funding. In my opinion, the top five real (not just felt) obstacles are (in reverse order):
# 5. Lack of Training: I met with a couple this week who was about to embark on a lifetime of missions service, but it had not even occurred to them they should seek out support training. After observing them do a support raising appointment role play, it was obvious this highly motivated/gifted couple could have tremendous impact for Christ, but they would probably never get to full support (and to their missions assignment) unless they received and applied first-rate training.
# 4. Self-Sufficiency: I struggle with this one myself. And I suspect some of you reading this experience a daily tension between totally relying on God rather than your well-planned strategy, finely-honed skills, magnetic personality, and even first-rate training. And instead of “fixing our eyes on Jesus” (as Heb 12:2 encourages us), we can become overly obsessed with goals and deadlines. “Unless the Lord builds the house, the laborer builds in vain” is a sober reminder from Psalm 127 who really is in charge!
# 3. No Accountability: A couple of days ago, I listened to the frustrations of a support trainer for an organization who had the dead-end assignment of helping current staff maintain full funding. The reason he’s seeing no progress at all with his perpetually underfunded staff? Most of the leaders of the ministry are below budget, there’s no enforced policy requiring underfunded personnel to suspend their ministry and focus exclusively on support, and no one-to-one accountability structure to make it happen. Sounds like a recipe for disaster!
# 2. Satan: Do we really believe we have an enemy bent on our destruction? Do we underestimate the spiritual warfare that is taking place right now over our soul, our walk with Christ, our ministry, AND our support raising? Ultimately, our battle is not with flesh and blood (i.e. phone calls and appointments, etc.), but a spiritual one that is won or lost in the prayer closet believing that “greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world.”
Drumroll please: And the # 1 obstacle that plagues us all? A Faulty View of God: Nothing quite compares to this because all of our attitudes and actions flow from here. See the Lord as “high and lifted up” who completely loves us, who’s sovereignly called us, and who’s promised to fund us from His rich and glorious (i.e. FULL) bank account in heaven (Phil 4:19) that needs no bailout or stimulus package! Daily embracing the power and greatness of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is an exhilarating, paradigm-changing experience sure to have direct impact on our support raising journey!

Let me take one step back… Many of you are asking, “What is a Netbook and how is it different than a laptop?” Honestly, the industry is trying to figure that very question out too but simply, a Netbook is “a very small portable laptop computer desined for wireless communication and access to the internet.”(Wikipedia) These computers started off as small machines designed for web-browsing and e-mailing and usually depend on the internet for its storage/application needs (cloud computing e.g. using google docs to do document stuff). Generally, these diminutive devices (read purse/Franklin planner/Ryrie Bible size) are 2-3 pounds, have wireless capability built in, have screens from 5-10 inches and are extremely inexpensive. Most of the early ones did not have a hard drive (the first “official” one, the ASUS EeePC, first had only a flash drive) and ran Linux but today there are some that have moderately sized hard drive (120-160GB) and run using Windows XP (Vista requires too much processor and memory for these machines). They usually take a low power, lower speed processor(ATOM, ARM, etc.) and a small amount of memory (512-1032M). Battery life is also a high value in these devices. If you get a three cell models, the battery lasts around 2-3 hours but with the more expensive 6 cell, you can get as much as 6-8 hours.

I bought one, an Acer Aspire One A150-1126(9.8″ screen, 160 GB HD, 1G RAM, Windows XP, Six Cell, was $389, now $279) about six months ago for my son to use for his virtual home school and ended up letting him use my more powerful “huge” 14 inch diameter laptop (bought for its “small” size) and taking his Acer Aspire One around with me on campus. For THIS ROLE, this computer is just perfect. In the past, my laptop was just too heavy to lug around campus and so I didn’t have it most of the time and so I could not get access to my files, I could not show the perfect “illustration” YouTube video, check my calendar, etc. And how many times have you had an appointment or Bible study scheduled with a student and they were either extremely late or don’t even show up. You are stuck on campus until your next appointment because you don’t want to lose your precious parking spot. In the past, your options were pray, read your Bible (both awesome choices) or get some coffee. Now because I have a computer the size of a “classic” planner, I usually carry it with me all the time (and no more planner and in a pinch even no more Bible as it is on the laptop). While I am waiting, I can check e-mail, work on my PowerPoint document (Yes office can run on the Windows version as can most other windows programs), update my calendar, collaborate with a colleague, skype a student from Thailand, and check my facebook (oops… What is the student I am supposed to meet doing on there?).  The six hour battery is great too when I can’t find a open plug (e.g. when on an airplane).

Here is a few negatives, the diminutive specs limit the number, size and power of the software you can run. At best, you can only run maybe 5-6 main applications at a time. If it is a Netbook that runs on the Linux operating system (not Windows), you cannot use Windows based software (though there may be a free equivalent). Though the original idea of Netbooks is to run everything on the web using a browser, web applications are almost but not quite as good as the professional apps residing on your computer (e.g. MS Office) and so many netbooks are starting to come preloaded with Windows.  Netbooks do not come with a CD or DVD drive so you are dependent on the internet, external drives or Flash Drives to move data. For many the game breaker is that the screen is very small (hard to see for many) and the touchpad and keyboard are small(though surprisingly easier to use than I originally thought). I would play with one at a store before purchasing one to see if you can handle these items.

In summary, let me answer the question, “Would I replace my computer with one?”

• IF the replacement computer will be my only or primary computer, I would say DEFINITELY NOT. This is not designed to be a primary computer. There is so much you cannot run on it, it is debilitating as a primary computer.
• On the other hand, IF this new computer is my secondary computer and I use it as an “extension” of my main computer so I could edit files, do e-mail, etc. when I am at a place where taking my main computer is not practical. I would say, MOST CERTAINLY YES. I use my home or office computer when I need to do heavy processing (video editing, graphic design) or need to do time consuming tasks… (easier on the eyes and hands) but there is nothing like a Netbook when you need to do work out on the field.

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The other place where I buy resources for Students is Amazon.com. They have Bibles and other resources in many different languages for good prices. Also, if you sign up as an Amazon associate, you can get a percentage of whatever is bought off of your site. (future post).

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For those of you over the age of 25 who may not know what facebook is, you’re not alone. Facebook is a website that connects people together via the internet. What started out as a website to connect college students with each other has grown to become a “social network” of over 30 million users worldwide. With a facebook account you can keep in touch with family and friends, post photos or videos of your recent vacation, chat with your friends via the instant message feature, or commiserate with them about how hard it is to get your kids to do their homework. You can also share the gospel, or encourage a brother or sister in Christ who lives half way around the world.

It took me a while , but I finally entered the arena of virtual friendship (I am 50 years old, after all, and still not completely able to program my new cell phone). I made the leap because many of the students we work with use facebook as a primary means of communicating with each other. Shortly after opening my facebook account I began to see the ministry opportunities it made possible.

I was looking at the facebook page of a former student who attended the International Fellowship meetings a few years ago. I had lost touch with him, but reconnected via this virtual community. He told me he had finally finished reading the Bible. I asked him what he thought about it. He replied that he liked the teachings of Jesus, but couldn’t believe the miracles. We sent messages back and forth over the next week or so. We were exchanging our ideas about the supernatural and the claims of Jesus. The long and short of it is that I was able to mail him (how old school) a copy of More than a Carpenter which he read and learned the evidence behind Christ’s claims.

A while later I noticed one of the students who had been part of the leadership team at the International Fellowship was online and I sent her an IM (Instant Message). Soon we were catching up on the latest news from our sides of the world. (It still amazes me that I can type something on my computer, hit a button, and BAM, my words appear on someone else’s computer in Asia!)  Anyway, as we talked about our walks with the Lord we were able to encourage one another to keep going and trust in His love at all times.

Another feature of facebook is the ability to advertise events and invite your facebook friends to attend. I have used this to contact people about ISI events such as Bible studies, social events, and other activities. Students who have friends in their network that are not in mine can invite them to the event. This is a great way of getting to know new people who may be interested in some of ISI’s programs.

Please keep praying for me as I get used to this new way of doing things – I sometimes feel like a computer dinosaur.

Funding Your Ministry Conference

1. General Comments/info

1.1. Partnership development(PD) is Ministry and a deeply spiritual endeavor.

1.2. Every support appointment is a divine appointment, just as much as a witnessing opportunity.

1.3. In PD, we are challenging people and giving them the opportunity to be devoted to the Lord and invest in His kingdom work. PD is about connecting people to God’s heart.

1.4. God wants us to live dependent upon Him and interdependent with others.

1.5. Go to the right/worthy people who are deserving and feel privileged to be part of your support team. Matthew 10:5-16 1.6. Bless your donors and give of yourselves (Time, calls, notes, emails, gifts, meals etc.).

1.7. We represent Christ and are following Him in obedience. They’re rejecting Him, not us.

1.8. We bring powerful spiritual authority into fund raising. It is a two-way relationship – ”Freely you have received, freely give.”

1.9. We have a divine calling and are worthy of our wage.

1.10. No matter how desperate a need may seem, a Christian’s need to give is far greater than the one who has the need to receive.

1.11. We are blessing Brokers – Connecting people to the head of God and opportunity to transfer their earthly treasures that will not last to treasures in heaven that will last forever.

1.12. Need to use both email and printed newsletters to communicate with donors and prospective donors.

2. Recruiting and Keeping Anchor Donors

2.1, it’s all about relationships, ministering to people aid connecting with their heart.

2.2. Relationships that are caring and genuine.

2.3. More about them and what is going on in their life.

2.4. Key Factors:

2.4.1. Integrity

2.4.2. Effective Listening (builds trust and demonstrates interest and care)

2.5. Cast a bigger vision.

2.6. Donors need to know that I am walking with Jesus, loving Him and see the reality of His presence and work in my life.

2.7. Giving follows ministry. Minister to others deeply in their hearts and lives.

2.8. The road to a bigger gift, isn’t a bigger ask. It’s a process of developing the relationship and making a personal connection.

2.9. Need long-term funding strategy.

2.10. Give donors your time, regularly conned with them.

2.11. Major Donor Lists:

2.11.1. Who do you know that owns a business?

2.11.2. Professions like lawyer, doctor, engineer, archived, CPA’s, etc.

2.11.3. High-level executives

2.11.4. Inheritance (wealth being passed on)

3. Successful Support Raising in a Down Economy

3.1. Review your Calling (sense of conviction of the calling). During discus times God does a deeper work in our lives and draws us closer to Himself.

3.2. Don’t Panic – Look to God and trust Him (Psalm 73125-26)

3.3. Diverse your donors more broadly (Luke 8:2-3)

3.4. Focus on the Essentials, not the Electives (Needs vs. Wants). Reduce expenses, pay down debt, increase savings, etc.

3.5. Empathize with suppliers and pray for them (Galatians 6:2)

3.6. Keep the vision of your ministry in the forefront (Rev. 7:9). Supportraising is about vision and relationships.

3.7. Facebook –the support raisers new best friend. Great way to reconnect with old friends.

3.8. Get Back to the Basics – Communication, Face-to-Face meetings, Care and Prayer.

3.9. View it as a wakeup call – 1) Get finances in order, 2) Savings, 3) Budget 4) Giving

3.10. Get Donors personally engaged and involved in the ministry.

Jeff also shared Steve Shadrach’s Article, “The Most “Secure” Job You’ll Ever Have!” from http://thebodybuilders.net/srs/may08.html as an encouragement to us all.

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In comes http://speechtree.com/ (see important note below… speech tree has moved) and  http://www.esldiscussions.com/. Speechtree was developed for use in the ISI evening TalkTime program at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue, Washington. From discussion on “advice” to “wonders of the world” there are nearly 120 topics that can be used for many different kinds of discussion formats. In addition, because it is for a program designed to encourage people to look consider a Christian worldview, it ends every discussion topic with a discussion on how scripture addresses the topic. Depending on where our students are on the engle scale, we decided whether the questions are appropriate or not. In addition I’ve know of a secular ESL program that uses these questions for their discussion groups but remove the Christian content in the end. It is very good.

ESLdiscussions.com is a recent find by a member of our team who is a professional ESL instructor. As it states in its introduction, in it

* There are currently 644 discussion topics to choose from.
* Use for ESL lessons, speaking practice, debate clubs, lesson add-ons, and more.
* Students can form discussion groups for independent speaking practice.
* The speaking activities are on everyday themes and more controversial issues.
* Each conversation lesson has ready-to-print Word and PDF downloads.
* There are 12,880 conversation questions here – That’s a lot of discussion!
* 1,000 more lesson activities (Sean Banville’s book)

In each of these topics there are questions that are intended for Student A & Student B so it works well to prompt discussion with even limited English students. But, it can be adapted for any other type of group. In addition, there are grammar discussions and idiom discussions which can be helpful for the student to prompt learning. There is even a section for discussion about current events and holidays. Again, a first rate source for discussion group questions.

NOTE: We have recently heard that the material at speechtree.com has been moved to earlyrain.org

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