MissionaryNet

How To Send And Receive International Money Donations!

2006-04-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

During the operation of my duties at MissionaryNet I have become aware that I have neglected to offer education on how to send and receive international money donations. It is very discouraging for a developing world ministry to work hard and to put together a web presence and then not be able to receive a donation! This little page will hopefully correct that problem.
There are a number of methods for transferring money. The major factor affecting which is best is the location of the receiving ministry and costs. Transfer companies differ greatly in the countries they reach.
Visit my Furl page to see over 18 links to sites related to money transfer. My first recommendation is that a ministry establish their own accounts with either Paypal or iKobo.

Why Skype Is Great For Developing World Ministries!

2006-04-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

Whether you are a developing world ministry or merely know one, you should pay attention to this article. Effective communication is such a vital need within the church and Skype is providing a literal revolution in the way phone communications are going to operate in the future. This article will explain in non-technical terms why Skype is a tool for developing world ministry.
First, if you are not at all familiar with Skype you should visit their website at www.skype.net . There you will get technical as well as practical instruction about Skype.
When you get a Skype phone number you can choose from exchanges anywhere that they are available in. For example, I currently live in the state of Florida but when I signed up for my line there weren't any exchanges available in my location yet. Since I have had considerable ties to Georgia (including going to bible college there) I ended up getting an Atlanta telephone exchange (678-369-0656). I could have just as easily had a New York or any other city. I can even get a number in Europe. The advantage of this relationship is that callers in that exchange area can call as a local call. This can be extremely valuable for an overseas ministry. For example, suppose you get a lot of support from people in a particular city. By getting such a number in their area they would be able to call you in your country as easily as calling their next door neighbor!
From my experience, phone service in the developing world is very expensive. If your ISP charges you by the minute you should compare the rates. Skype has a very low rate. But because you pay for the Interenet by the minute your total costs (Skype fee plus Internet access fee) may be more than a local company may charge for the call.
But if you are going to call the people multiple times, ask them to install Skype and you will not have any charges from Skype at all. It won't cost any more for the Skype call than the regular fees you are charged by your ISP.
So the bottom line for the developing world ministries is that a U.S. phone number is probably a good idea. There are other possibilities for communication. Yahoo established a similar service to Skype. Google used Skype, I understand, in their GoogleTalk software. The problem is the various platforms aren't compatible YET. Most likely they will enable the various telephone programs to inter operate with each other but for now it will be a toll call for Skype to call someone on GoogleTalk or Yahoo.

Using A Computer Lab In International Mission Ministry

2006-04-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

In that Great Commission there are three action words (go, make, and baptizing) and ,importantly, notice that two of them can be done through the internet. This article is about some ideas that may help pastors launch a internet based ministry in their congregation.

If you are trying to reach a particular people group then you may want to do research about the country's technological infrastructure. There is usually a difference in the Internet service in rural areas as compared to the cities. Personally I believe you should target the major cities in an area and train pastors so that local ministers can do the work, eventually reaching the rural areas. That seems to be the strategy the Apostle Paul followed.

Make "virtual" missions an extension of your regular missions program. It makes an excellent introduction to missions. Its advantages are: it is much less expensive, it is "safer", it can be done "part-time", it can be done by any age group, it is handicapped accessible, and the training and experience received through it are directly usable if student goes on into short-term or long term, mission work.

Have your church members take a computer lab with them on their next mission trip. Have them set it up as part of the mission trip and provide some basic training about its use. That way when they return they will be able to continue to minister from their homes.

Encourage the creation of a child sponsorship program. Encourage the general church population to each sponsor a child and use the new computer lab to establish communication and relationship between the sponsor and the child. In a typical child sponsorship program a sponsored child might send a couple letters a year to their sponsor. By using email these letters can be as often as the parties want. Hopefully the sponsor will start to teach and disciple the child.

The computer lab that we plan on using includes the open-source educational software "Moodle". It would be helpful if your group familiarized itself with it before it is brought to an overseas ministry. In fact a Moodle is a great way to interact with your own church members. You can provide online bible study that enhances and supports your regular church messages. Its a great way for everyone to learn the Moodle software. Are your people understanding your sermons? Are they "deep" enough? Moodle courses running throughout the week can provide you valuable feedback from your people and can let you take your message to deeper levels for those who are hungry for more.

Jesus Was A Teacher

2006-04-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

We've all had it happen where something is right in front of us yet we were not able to see it. One of the most amusing examples of this is the person who looks everywhere to find their eyeglasses only to find them on their head (or even worst, on their nose!). I'm not picking on people with eyeglasses since similar things have happened to all of us. In fact similar things happens to us in our Christian walk. Luke 10:21 "In that same hour Yeshua rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight." But one of the things the Holy Spirit does in the world is to lead believers into the truth about Jesus so that we can know Him and become like him. I started this project because of a glimpse of the good that could be done in the world by using computers to bring education to the developing world. I love using the computer to study the Bible (a free downloadable bible is available at e-sword). One of the most exciting insights was when I realized how intertwined Jesus' life was with teaching. Do a bible search (using e-sword, or the online Bible at Bible-Gateway.com or your concordance) of the word "teacher" and you will see that the verses where it is used is most often referring to Jesus. It dawned on me that teaching was such an integral part of His nature that if I was to be like Him I too must teach. In fact, in the Great Commission, His final words before He ascended to Heaven were instructions for us to teach.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.

Matthew 28:19, 20 RSV

I like to use words from foreign languages sometimes. There are various reasons for this and among them is that it helps prevent people from bringing in their own pre-conceived notions of the definition. So for that purpose I would like to introduce you to the word "talmidim". If you install the Hebrew Name Version of the Bible in your e-sword there would be verses using the word such as this:

Joh 13:22-23 The talmidim looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. One of his talmidim, whom Yeshua loved, was at the table, leaning against Yeshua's breast.

So when I say that we are to be teachers I also include that we must also be talmidins. We teach while we are still being taught. View supporting verses to see all the references to Jesus as a teacher.

A Better Idea For Short-term Missions

2006-04-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

What's wrong with this picture. A mission team puts a lot of time, energy, and finances into a mission trip. They travel to a far off place and have a fantastic time and make great new friends. But then when it's over, and they've returned home, time begins fading the memories and distancing those relationships. As Bo Cassell writes "I think the evidence shows our typical approach to mission trips is backward, and that’s why we’re often not getting the lasting impact we expect from them. ...it’s likely we’re treating mission trips as just another stand-alone program we throw into our summer youth ministry mix. That’s why our kids stand up in church and talk about lasting change after the trip, then return to their pre-trip life patterns soon after the afterglow fades. “

Is Bo right? Are short term mission experiences just flashes in a pan? I think Bo is on the right track. From my own short term mission trip experience I know it is real easy for the ministry to end real quick once the trip is over. Time has a way of erasing the memories, distancing the people that had made new and exciting relationships. There is a cure available for this, however. It's called the Internet. Now I don't just mean an email or two (but that is ok to start) but a complete involvement in the lives of those in the mission field that extends beyond the ending of the mission trip.

A quick study of "How To Build A Computer Lab" tells how easy it is to build a robust computer lab from old computers (often available for free). I advocate that the mission team undertake such a project. Once the mission team sets up the computer lab they now have a method that lets them continue to minister even after their return.

Now the mission team can build the lab and use any software they wish but I have put together a bundle of software especially for providing education. One major software I use is the operating system, a Linux distro, called k12ltsp . K12ltsp is built especially for education and includes a large bundle of educational software. The second major software we use is Moodle Moodle is a CMS specifically designed for teaching on the Internet. It will let the mission team (and helpers if they wish) to build their own custom lessons. It is a fair assumption that if the team goes down with a computer lab and has a long range goal of maintaining the relationships they establish on the trip through online courses then the mission teams attitude will be completely different from a typical short term mission.

And if the mission team is really ambitious they can also recruit their fellow church members as teachers. I call them “virtual missionaries”. Even though they never went to the mission field virtual missionaries "go" by internet, teach by internet, and disciple by internet. What started out as a “flash in the pan” mission experience would now be a long term, perhaps permanent, ministry.

Technology Considerations For Developing World Ministries

2006-04-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

Lab Administration
It will probably be difficult to find technical support and IT help for a computer lab in a developing world country. Fortunately, the K12LTSP Linux build we install on the computer lab server has VNC included in its software suite.

"VNC has a wide range of applications including system administration, IT support and helpdesks. It can also be used to support the mobile user, both for hot desking within the enterprise and also to provide remote access at home, or on the road. The system allows several connections to the same desktop, providing an invaluable tool for collaborative or shared working in the workplace or classroom. Computer support within the geographically spread family is an ever popular use."

VNC will let the computer lab be supported from anywhere in the world and will protect against everything except hardware malfunction.

Shipping Costs

Shipping costs vary depending on many factors and can run $75 or more per unit. Tariffs and import duties can be a consideration also. Not all countries give exemptions to charities or don't give them uniformly. Fortunately, the thin client will function even with major parts like the hard drive and cd drive missing. Four out of five power supplies can be can be removed with some minor re-wiring. Removing the power supplies also reduces the heat production. Excess heat can be difficult to control, especially in the hotter climates. And it saves on the electric bill. There is even a possibility we can eliminate the computer case. Doing so not only drastically reduces the weight but also reduces the shipment to the classification of computer parts instead of computers. Computer parts will have less problem with customs and less chance of being stolen than a complete computer would.

Internet Costs

ISPs in the developing world can be very expensive. This is mostly because telephone service is very expensive. In many locations users are charged by the minute. If reducing these costs is important then it may be prudent to shift as many downloads to evenings when phone service fees are often reduced or free.

Finding Teachers

The software we install on the lab server is designed specifically for online education. That means that labs can have teachers from any where in the world. It also means they can be elderly and/or not old enough to drive. In fact, youth seem to be the most likely teachers. A church youth group devoted to mission work would be the ideal.

Curriculum

The K12LTSP software has pre bundled software especially suited for the K thru 12 grades. These programs provide excellent resources for use in a Moodle course. One of the most technically challenging courses conducted on Moodle and K12LTSP are courses teaching languages such as English As A Second Language. K12 even includes an astronomy program that lets the user look at the stars in any part of the world.

How To Build An Inexpensive Computer Lab

2006-04-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be great if on your mission trip, before you left, you had set up a computer lab for Christian distance education ?
We'll show you how to utilize old, discarded and unwanted computers into a full fledged, highly efficient Christian computer lab designed especially for Christian education (a great gift to a developing world ministry to close the digital divide).
The education provided through this computer lab will be a gift that keeps on giving for a long, long time.
We will help any mission team heading to a developing world country to build (with their computers and hardware) a fully functional , high speed computer lab. We will help install software and will help provide continued technical support for the lab and the software once it is installed. This assistance to short term mission teams is free. FREE!

Ministry By Internet
For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
for I know your readiness, of which I glory...
2Co 9:1-2

Intro
These instructions will give you directions and an introduction on how to put together an inexpensive educational computer lab for as few as 3 or more than 200 students from free software and discarded computers. All the software we will discuss can be downloaded for free, including the operating system. You will also learn how to install the software and network the computers to each other. There will also be directions and links to find inexpensive or free computers for the lab from professional refurbishers.

Hardware

Used Computers - Computer speeds, storage capabilities, software capabilities, download speeds, etc have increased tremendously. As a result that high-end computer of a few years ago has become obsolete for many applications. In fact their disposal has even become a problem in many locations. The systems you are about to learn change that older equipment into thin clients.. With the knowledge provided here you will be able to take that discarded computer equipment and with only slight refurbishing you will have a robust computer lab to bring with you.

Server - There is a catch, however (isn't there always?). The lab will require one decent sized modern computer to function as the labs server. There are various opinions regarding "how big" it needs to be but the number of students, the course load, internet access all affect the proper sizing. A smaller server (500-800mhz) may only be able to run 10 computers where a Pentium 4 might be able to handle 200.

Clients - Clients are the workstations of the lab. In this system, the clients computing power (that old 486 processor for instance) is only used to power the transfer of data from the mouse and keyboard to and from the network server and to operate the monitor. The client is able to access the programs on the server and uses the processor of the server when it does. The client uses so little of its own resources that they can fully function within the network even without a hard drive.

Network - Costs for the network hardware should be minimal. You will need a switch or switches large enough to handle the number of computers you have and the cables to connect them all together.

Software
Linux is the operating system that enables us to run these older computers at acceptable speeds. Linux also lets us run "thin clients" (which is a stripped down PC) that sends all the user queries to the server to be processed. Linux is Open Source software and many free versions are available by download.

LTSP - LTSP stands for Linux Thin Server Project. Do visit their website to get all the information on the project. Thin clients serve as network connections only. They use the server's software, not their own. Often they don't even have hard drives. In principle it is similar to the old "mainframe" configuration. Top
K12 - K12 is the Linux build that we use and is our suggested version for the lab. LTSP is built into K12. In fact k12's complete name is K12LTSP. K12 is a Linux built especially for young students (thus the name K12 as in kindergarten thru twelfth grade). There is a multitude of educational software bundled in especially for students .

Moodle - Moodle is an open-source software package designed specifically for creating and teaching online courses. It is being used by major universities, high schools, middle schools, and even elementary schools. Moodle is not part of the K12 project. It is its' own project and we're adding it to the lab. It is exceptionally well supported. Moodle was designed for teaching online from an internet hosting server . Since Internet access in the developing world can be sporadic or expensive we configure the lab to run separately from the Internet as well as connected.

XAMPP - Xampp installs PHP and MySql on you lab's server. PHP is a programming language that is in very common use by a lot of websites. MySql is a database program. Moodle , as well as many other programs, need both of them. If you run Moodle it is necessary to install Xampp; otherwise it isn't necessary.

Installation Instructions
Complete installation instructions for all the various software are available at the software designer's websites themselves. The K12LTSP Linux operating system is the most complex of them. If you aren't familiar with Linux you may find it advantageous to find someone who is familiar with Linux already( I'm available) . You will need to download four very large files (broadband connection is a must), and burn them to CDs. After installing K12 then you install Xampp . It is very easy to install and involves nothing more than downloading the file into a folder. within the K12ltsp file tree and the unzipping it using the code given at the Xampp site. It really is that easy. Moodle is so well supported that any install problems can be straightened out by a visit to their forums.
You will need access to a high speed internet connection to download the necessary files and it's best to burn those files onto a cd. The K12LTSP operating system fills four CDs (nearly 2800 mb). That would take forever to download with a dial up connection. The other two software packages can be downloaded to your hard drive (they don't need to be burned to cd). Xampp is only 39 mb and Moodle is only 9.36 MB. Downloading them with a dial up is do-able but it would still take a while.

Miscellaneous Considerations
Administration K12LTSP includes a program called VNC which enables remote access to another computer through the Internet. If your computer lab is connected to the Internet you will be able to be a remote administrator to provide much of the technical administration through VNC from your home location.

Shipping Normally, shipping the computers is one of the most difficult things to do. That's why your short term mission trip is a perfect opportunity to bring them. It is the least costly and most secure method cover any other method. Check with your airline what their baggage specs are well in advance of your trip. Packing always causes some tough choices to prioritize what items to bring. When discussing baggage with the airline be sure to mention it is charity and also that you will be coming back very light to make up for the overage (it's worth a try anyway).

Internet Costs The infrastructure in the developing world is either non existent, in poor condition, or very expensive. It is advisable to find out what it costs to be on the Internet in their area and plan for the expense. One of the things in our lab that we have done to reduce Internet costs is to design it so that it can run effectively without being connected to the Internet. Read my article about "Internet In A Can" for more info.

Teachers Once a ministry has a computer lab it needs teachers. The software we install in the lab is designed to enable volunteers to easily design and teach courses. These teachers can be young, old, homemakers, part-time, etc. You can start to train your volunteers (we call them "virtual" missionaries by the way) even before the trip and even if they're nor going on the trip.

Curriculum What curriculum is taught? That decision will be up to the pastor or leader of the developing world ministry and the teachers. Some suggestions include Bible study, health, trades (electrical, automotive, etc), agriculture, languages etc.

TAKE A COMPUTER LAB ON YOUR MISSION TRIP!

What Is "Internet In A Can"?

2006-04-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

A pastor friend from Kenya, Africa was perusing the MissionaryNet website and came across the term I coined "Internet in a can". He wrote in asking what the term means. Here is my reply:

Hello John,

As always it is good to hear from you. The peace of the Lord Jesus be with you and yours.

"Internet in a can" is a name I coined to describe a simple but effective method for transferring files between computers. It isn't anything new and everyone knows about it. What I hope to convey with the name is a new way to look at this very common practice, to open peoples eyes in other words. So, based on the above, here is a description of "Internet In A Can":

The internet is built very much like a water system except it carries data instead of water. And just like a water system, the Internet has different size pipes. It has great big "pipes" that carry the data between countries and cities down to little "pipes" the size of telephone lines that bring the data to the user. But as you are aware, water can be poured from a pipe into a container and carried to a different location, even one without piping. The water in the pipe is the same water that is in the bucket. The difference between the systems is only the AMOUNT of water that can be transported, not the type or the quality.

"Internet in a Can" works the same way except we are talking about data, not water. The "bucket" is any one of a multitude of storage medium such as floppy discs, CDs, portable hard drives, and the new USB keys. Each "bucket" holds different amounts of data. Which size you need depends on your intended use and the equipment you have available. For small file transfers the data can be saved to a floppy at a cybercafe, for instance, and carried to your offline computer. For larger files you might want to find a computer with a faster Internet download speed AND a Cd burner. One CD can hold 700 mb. One page might be only 50 or 60 kb, just a "drop" in the bucket. And then there are portable hard drives that can just plug into a computer without the user needing any technical knowledge. These would let you store and transfer huge amounts of data. Now if you plan to download and move a lot of data you might want to get a USB remote hard drive loader. (see examples at http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=31389&Sku=ULT31310 and http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1162561&Sku=M501-1052. The second item lacks its own power supply which can cause problems. If you can get a semi-permanent location to download from you might prefer the device at http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=394846&CatId=285. This one involves installing part of it, a receptacle, in the computers ahead of time and you will need two of them (one for your home machine). The harddrive is in a case and the case is inserted into the receptacle. This style is not "hot swappable" which means you need to shut the computer down to insert it and start up again with the hard drive in it. Then it will show up as "drive d" in your computer. Using our water analogy again, a hard drive full of data would be like a water truck. It contains many days supply so that even though it isn't flowing like a pipe there is such tremendous volume that there is a long-term supply.

Internet In A Can, Computer Labs, and Moodle

I've included an article which is step by step instruction about how to build a very inexpensive computer lab that utilizes old computers. I've been able to get Moodle (remember that teaching software that I keep talking about) installed on it so the lab would be self contained and wouldn't necessarily need to be connected to the Internet. That is where "Internet In A Can" fits in. By us agreeing to use the common interface "Moodle", courses made and created on one Moodle can be saved and installed on another Moodle. So a teacher (or more accurately a teacher's aide) here in this country could make a course, download all the study material for the course, save it to a CD, and mail it to you (i.e. Internet In A Can). When you receive the CD you follow a few simple steps and the course is now installed on your computer lab server. This enables even those ministries that are cut off to still reap major benefit from the Internet. The software that the lab comes with includes many, many programs for education.

Just so you know, if you can get just the motherboards of old computers we might be able to get you set up with a computer lab. Read the article for a description of everything you need, but what I am saying is that the "thin clients" (the individual workstations of the lab) don't need harddrives, nor cd drives, and probably not even power supplies (with a little bit of electrical knowledge to bypass them). If all those items are missing most people would consider the computer inoperable and junk. If you can find something like that go ahead and grab them and we could start building it. I'll be looking for computer donations next week but even if I find them shipping costs will still need to be addressed. Some of the weight, and thus shipping costs, can be reduced when we remove excess parts.

Again, it is great hearing from you. Please be praying for this work.

Your brother in Christ,

Robert

Are You Planning A Mission Trip? Bring A Computer Lab!

2006-04-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be great if on your mission trip, before you returned, you had set up a computer lab for Christian distance education?

Learn how to build a low cost computer lab to bring with you on your mission trip!

"Once installed K12LTSP lets you boot diskless workstations from an applications server. You can use old PC's as diskless clients or buy new ones for under $200 each.

All applications run on the terminal server. Workstations are "thin." They have no software or hard drives. Thin-clients are perfect for schools because they are easy to install and require little maintenance. They are reliable and immune to malicious tampering and viruses.."
Quote from the K12ltsp.org website.

If your short term missions team would be willing to

seek donations of the used computers for the lab (old obsolete ones such as 486 will even work)
do the easy install of the software on the one computer set up as the server
establish the computer lab's network (router, switch or hub, cables)
deliver them on your mission trip

I can help provide

technical assistance (live help) to install the Linux software (k12LTSP or Edubuntu) on your server
continued personal help in the administration of the computer labs after it is delivered .

Hopefully, after your computer lab is up and working I can interest you in utilizing Moodle to teach your new students. Moodle is a free, open source software designed specifically for online teaching. Moodle will enable you and others to create and teach online courses through the internet after your return . A gift of a computer lab is a gift that will bless them with all the educational and relationships for years to come.

Highly recommended links with more info:

Riverdale High School

Technology Rescue

K12LTSP

Moodle

Build A Computer Lab

Edubuntu