It has been a little difficult to get into the Christmas spirit without as many decorations, as many Christmas songs and as many gifts to buy, but the spirit of Christmas is finally here for me.

I think I began to feel it last weekend a little when we went to Guatemala City. There were more decorations and one of my friends insisted on listening to Christmas songs. We also sang some Christmas hymns at the church we attended. We wrote down the words to “Go Tell It On The Mountain” in Spanish and sang them at our Bible study on Wednesday. On Thursday my homework was to share the story of the birth of Jesus in Spanish during our speech time. Then Saturday we attended our first convivio of the season. Convivio is the word Guatemalans use for a Christmas party.

Saturday morning a sweet missionary couple came and picked us up and took us to their house to eat chili and relax. It was so much fun… we even played Phase 10. During the car ride back we sang Christmas carols the whole time. While we sat in traffic we opened the windows and serenaded the town. We got lots of strange stares and laughs. I loved watching how people’s faces changed. Then, we wrote our own version of the 12 days of Christmas. It begins like this… “On the first day of missions the IMB gave to me.” We are planning on recording it soon. So, I will have it up as soon as I can for your enjoyment.

We still have invites to 2 different convivios, one this week and one on Christmas after we celebrate with our Guatemalan families.

Lottie Moon

I am probably only giving about 5 Christmas gifts this year, so Lottie doesn’t have a lot of competition. I am, however, giving Lottie the largest gift I ever have.  It’s no great amount but every little bit helps.

I decided to give this amount because of reading two articles from Baptist Press last week. One says economic troubles have caused damage to international mission work. This is perfectly illustrated with a look at the IMB website. ISC missions are currently not functioning. The other article says that CP giving is up over last year. How can those two things be compatible? Well, for starters, the economic situation was already bad last year (anyone remember the talk of the election), and has not really improved that much. Secondly, a major problem is the value of the dollar versus other currency. When Southern Baptists send a missionary to Azerbaijan the value of the Manat works in our favor. But when inflation rages out of control and the manat is worth 26% less it not only takes 26% more for that missionary, but it takes that much more from the IMB and the people paying their salary.  (The article said that happened in Venezuela, but I thought Azerbaijan was funnier.  Fortunately I’m not a reporter)

I believe that the IMB is the most worthy of causes, and I know that the heart of the great commission is the “all nations” part.  Therefore, I will be giving my largest gift to Lottie Moon this year.  We can call it my own personal Great Commission Resurgence.

Here are some “sound bites” from Sunday morning’s message, “Silent Night, Holy Night” based on 2 Corinthians 8:9 for the second Sunday of Advent:

• It was a huge sacrifice for Jesus to come to Earth.
• It was a sacrifice for all who would believe.
• It was a willing sacrifice.
• We should bow before Jesus as Lord now willingly, before we will be forced to after we die.

You can listen to the sermon here or by clicking on the audio player below:

You can also listen to Sunday evening’s message, “Who’s Missing? Whose Mission?” based on Romans 10:13-15 which is the theme for the 2009 IMB Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, here or by clicking on the audio player below:

Long before international flights flattened and shrunk our world. Long before the internet connected us across the oceans at the speed of sound, Lottie Moon boarded a slow boat to China to bring Christmas to China. Each year her heritage and sacrifice inspire countless thousands in Baptist churches across the land to give to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering for international missions.

Today the face of missions is reflected in the bright smiling faces of Brian and Lisa Sullivan who work among the same people Lottie loved. Or in the faces of Kanesa Snow or Blythe Chapman who returned this year from serving our LORD in a part of the world few of us have ever heard of and will probably never visit. These young ladies were the face and presence of Jesus in world where most have never heard the name of Jesus.

Due to the downturn in our National economy and the financial struggles of our churches, the International Board reported last week that they will deploy six hundred less missionaries than last year. At a time when people are coming to Christ in unprecedented numbers around the world, we are cutting back due to lack of funds. There is something fundamentally wrong with this reality.

For this reality to be a memory rather than a present crisis, we need to give generously to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering this year. In a tight economy generosity will probably demand sacrifice. It will probably demand giving less expensive gifts this year to those who are almost impossible to buy for because they already have some much, and giving more for missions.

The quip among many Southern Baptists is “when are we going to get this Lottie lady paid off?” The simple answer is never as long as there is a young man living in a high rise building in a sea of people in the Third world that has not heard the name of Jesus, or as long as there is a child struggling to go to sleep with an empty stomach in a remote African jungle who does not know Jesus loves him and is reaching out to save him in every way.

On a cold Christmas Eve in 1912, Lottie Moon closed her eyes in death aboard ship in the harbor of Kobe Japan on her way home after nearly starving to death with the Chinese people she loved more than life itself. Lottie died doing what she loved—being the presence of Christ in the world. This Christmas let’s honor her memory by giving sacrificially to make sure people around the world know the reason for the season!

The 2009 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Goal has been announced by the International Mission Board.  The 2009 goal is $175,000,000.00.

100% of this offering goes to support missions efforts overseas.  It makes up approximately 40% of the annual IMB operating budget.

Immanuel Southern Baptist Church’s 2009 Lottie Moon Offering Goal is $1500.00.  We will collect the offering through the month of December and send it to the International Mission Board.

Pray about the amount you give; it is extremely important to our mission efforts.

Ok, so this is quite a bit late according to the previous posted list… Sorry… But at least its good! I hope you enjoy this detailed list of facts about the country Mauritania )

Mauritania

Country: Mauritania
Area (in Square Miles): 1,030,700 sq. km. (slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico)
Number and names of provinces, states, etc.:
Capital: Nouakchott
Ports (if any): Nouadhibou, Nouakchott
Infrastructure (how are the roads, are there railways, etc.): Mauritania’s infrastructure is poor compared to its neighbors. The roads are dilapidated, particularly in the countryside; long distances and the difficult desert climate make their maintenance difficult. There are about 7,660 kilometers (4,760 miles) of roadways, 866 kilometers (538 miles) of which are paved, and 704 kilometers (460 miles) of railroad line for carrying iron ore from Zouérat to Nouadhibou. Several roads are under construction, and land conversion and road construction are a top priority for the government. The country is home to the world’s longest freight train. The more than 1.5 mile-long train carries iron ore from central Zouirat to the port of Nouadhibou.
Kind of Government: Islamic Republic
Leaders Name: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984; Chief of State) Prime Minister Cheikel Afia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA (since 16 November 1998; head of government)
Kind of Economy: Overview- A majority of the population of Mauritania still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. With the current rise in metal prices, gold and copper mining companies are opening mines in the interior. The nation’s coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country’s first deep water port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt.
Major crops: Millet and sorghum were Mauritania’s principal crops, followed by rice and corn. Before the 1980s, millet and sorghum accounted for 70 to 80 percent or more of total grain production. Rice production in the 1970s averaged 5 to 10 percent, and corn made up 10 to 25 percent. In the 1980s, rice production grew in importance, as national planning emphasized irrigated agriculture (which favored rice) and a change in dietary habits.
Major Industry: Agriculture, Cement, Fishing, Industrial Gas, Mining, Paints, Textiles
Major Natural Resources: iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
GDP: $2.756 Billion (2007 Est.)
GNP: $1.72 Billion
Trade Deficit: A trade deficit of 6.6 billion ouguiyas is growing, however, and reflects not only the weakness of the domestic economy but also increased debt repayments and the decrease in money transfers from Mauritanian workers abroad.
Human Trafficking Report: Mauritania is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor, begging, and domestic servitude; adults and children are subjected to slavery-related practices rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships in isolated parts of the country where a barter economy exists
Crime statistics: Crime in Mauritania is moderate but steadily increasing. Most incidents occur in the cities and larger towns and are petty crimes, such as pick-pocketing and the theft of improperly secured or openly visible valuables left in vehicles. Most criminal activity occurs at night; therefore, walking alone at night is not advisable. Residential burglaries and robberies, particularly at the beaches in Nouakchott, are not uncommon. In Nouakchott, travelers should avoid the beach at night. During the day, beach-goers should travel in large groups or stay in popular areas because of the increase in the number of thefts and robberies there in the past several years. Violent crimes and crimes involving the use of weapons are rare, but increasing. Rapes and assaults have occurred and, in some instances, involved the American community. Foreign tourists, including Americans, might be targeted for kidnapping in Mauritania.
(?)Top 5 ways people die
HIV/AIDS incidents (in % of people infected): 0.8% (2007 est.)/ 14,000 (2007 est.)
Percent of people in poverty: 40% of people below poverty line
Average yearly wage: Average Annual Income (GNI per capita) US$560
Largest employers: The government and Mining Industry
Military: Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes Naval Infantry), Air Force (Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2005
Any wars fought in last 20 years: Mauritania/Senegal Border War 1889-1991
Alliances: Morocco and The U.S.
Official Languages: Arabic (official and national),
Unofficial language: Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya
Mission Agencies working in the country: IMB, Joshua Project, Hannover International Bible Church
Whether Bible translations are available in all the language: Yes
Whether the Jesus movie is available in all the languages: Yes
#of Computer users: (per 100 people; 2005 est.) 1.4
# of internet users: (per 100 people; 2005 est.) 0.5
#of cell phone users: 24.3(Per 100 people; 2005 est.)
Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, and dusty
Environment Current Issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation
Age Structure: 0-14 years- 41% (male 643,436/female 638,793)
15-64 years- 55.7% (male 818,778/female 923,046)
65 years and over- 3.4% (male 44,836/female 60,597) (2009 est)
Median Age: total: 19.2 years, male: 18.3 years, female: 20 years (2009 est.)
Diets: Mauritanians live on a simple starchy diet of couscous or rice. Families can rarely afford meat or fish. Fruit, most of which is imported, is considered a luxury. Vegetables are not popular, as they are expensive and hard to grow in the desert soil.

-THE WAY )

Hey y’all-

We’re one month away from a trip to Hong Kong. We stay there for a few meetings and head to the US on January 2nd. This trip is coming to an end really fast.

Here are my thoughts on going home. Great. Awesome. Ready to see some friends, drink some coffee, and tell some tales. One problem:

Thanksgiving Party with the college students.

Me and Shih Yun

Joyce, Rain, and me

Good friends. We’ve made some good friends in Taiwan and it is always hard to leave good friends behind.

Pray for us as we finish out our time over here. Pray that we are strong and bold in our witness. We are clear in our Gospel. We are faithful to our Lord. We are loving in our attitudes. Pray that God be glorified in our service to Him.

Thoughts?

Uncle Jeff

Voices of the Faithful is 1 year daily devotional. The book presented by the International Mission Board is a compilation of devotionals written by missionaries around the world. The topic of the devotionals changes from month to month with a brief monthly introduction by  Kim P Davis. The book provides a good insight into the daily lives of  missionaries in the field. The book also provides a daily opportunity to pray for missionaries and the people that they are serving. Overall, I thought the book was a good resource. As the topic changed from month to month, I found that certain months in the book were far more enjoyable than others. I also enjoyed the great amount of Scripture used in the book. But as in any case with this many different writers, I felt many of the passages used were misused by the writer for that day. With that being said, I still believe that God can use a book like this to put a passion for missions into the heart of the reader.

MEDAN, MANDIRI

Penyetopan pembangunan gedung DPRD Sumatera Utara, Jalan Imam Bonjol, Medan, oleh pihak Dinas Tata Ruang dan Tata Bangunan (TRTB) Kota Medan tampaknya sebatas surat peringatan. Pasalnya, aktifitas pembangunan terus berlangsung.

“Kalau begini kondisinya, ini namanya penyetopan sebatas surat. Sebab kenyataan di lapangan, para pekerja tetap bekerja seperti biasa,” ujar Presiden Gerakan Aku Geram dan Anti Koruptor (GAGAK) Safrizal El Batubara di Medan, Rabu (18/11).

Mestinya, imbuh pegiat anti korupsi ini, setiap kebijakan yang sudah diambil harus diawasi realisasinya di lapangan. Pengawasan sangat penting supaya kebijakan tidak hanya sebatas di atas kertas sementara di lapangan sama sekali tidak terealisasi.

“Dinas TRTB Medan harus menindaklanjuti surat perintah penyetopan di lapangan. Itu pun kalau tidak mau disebut penyetopan penghentian pembangunan gedung DPRD Sumut hanya sebatas surat,” tegas Safrizal.

Diberitakan sebelumnya, Dinas TRTB Medan menyetop pembangunan gedung DPRD Sumatera Utara di Jalan Imam Bonjol, Medan, karena tidak dilengkapi Izin Mendirikan Bangunan (IMB).

“Suratnya dikirim semalam atau hari ini. Yang jelas saya sudah menandatangani suratnya,” ujar Kabid Pengendalian dan Penataan Ruang Dinas TRTB Medan Thamrin ST melalui telepon, Selasa (17/11).

Thamrin menjelaskan, surat perintah penyetopan pembangunan terpaksa dilayangkan karena hingga saat ini gedung yang dibangun persis di antara gedung DPRD Sumut dan DPRD Medan itu belum memiliki IMB.

Akibat tidak diurusnya IMB gedung yang rencananya untuk wakil rakyat itu, Pemko Medan merasa sangat dirugikan dari sisi pendapatan asli daerah (PAD). “Retribusi yang seharusnya dibayar sekitar Rp400 juta lebih,” ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Sekretaris DPRD (Sekwan) Sumut Ridwan Bustan yang dikonfirmasi secara terpisah membantah pembangunan gedung DPRD Sumut berbiaya Rp171 miliar lebih itu tidak dilengkapi IMB.

“Siapa bilang tak ada IMB-nya. IMB-nya sudah diurus dan biaya administrasinya (retribusi) Rp382 juta,” ujar Sekwan dengan nada tinggi.

Ketika disampaikan yang mengatakan adalah Kabid Pengendalian dan Penataan Ruang Dinas TRTB Medan, Sekwan tetap bersikukuh pembangunan gedung DPRD Sumut telah dilengkapi IMB. [adi]

MEDAN, MANDIRI

Dinas Tata Ruang dan Tata Bangunan (TRTB) Kota Medan menyetop pembangunan gedung DPRD Sumatera Utara di Jalan Imam Bonjol, Medan, karena tidak dilengkapi Izin Mendirikan Bangunan (IMB).

“Suratnya dikirim semalam atau hari ini. Yang jelas saya sudah menandatangani suratnya,” ujar Kabid Pengendalian dan Penataan Ruang Dinas TRTB Medan Thamrin ST melalui telepon, Selasa (17/11).

Thamrin menjelaskan, surat perintah penyetopan pembangunan terpaksa dilayangkan karena hingga saat ini gedung yang dibangun persis di antara gedung DPRD Sumut dan DPRD Medan itu belum memiliki IMB.

Akibat tidak diurusnya IMB gedung yang rencananya untuk wakil rakyat itu, Pemko Medan merasa sangat dirugikan dari sisi pendapatan asli daerah (PAD). “Retribusi yang seharusnya dibayar sekitar Rp400 juta lebih,” ujarnya.

Thamrin menuding pihak yang paling bertanggungjawab tidak diurusnya IMB gedung DPRD Sumut adalah Sekretaris DPRD Sumut.

Sementara itu, Sekretaris DPRD (Sekwan) Sumut Ridwan Bustan yang dikonfirmasi secara terpisah membantah pembangunan gedung DPRD Sumut berbiaya Rp171 miliar lebih itu tidak dilengkapi IMB.

“Siapa bilang tak ada IMB-nya. IMB-nya sudah diurus dan biaya administrasinya (retribusi) Rp382 juta,” ujar Sekwan dengan nada tinggi.

Ketika disampaikan yang mengatakan adalah Kabid Pengendalian dan Penataan Ruang Dinas TRTB Medan, Sekwan tetap bersikukuh pembangunan gedung DPRD Sumut telah dilengkapi IMB.

Presiden Gerakan Aku Geram dan Anti Koruptor Safrizal El Batubara mendukung penuh kebijakan Dinas TRTB Kota Medan menyetop pembangunan gedung DPRD Sumut karena tidak dilengkapi IMB.

“Bagus itu. Jangan mentang-mentang karena pemerintah atasan (Pemprovsu) lalu suka-sukanya membangun tanpa IMB. Ini Medan, Bung! Semua ada aturannya termasuk dalam mendirikan bangunan baru harus dilengkapi IMB,” tegas Presiden GAGAK.

Selanjutnya Safrizal berharap Gubsu H Syamsul Arifin SE segera mengevaluasi kinerja bawahannya yang dinilai tidak becus dalam mengurus IMB gedung DPRD Sumut. “Gubsu harus tegas menyikapi permasalahan ini. Siapa pun yang bersalah dalam persoalan ini harus ditindak tegas,” ujarnya. [adi]

Information From Boston Standard: November 10th 2009

http://www.bostonstandard.co.uk/news/Volunteers-needed-to-keep-an.5810292.jp

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help keep an eye on North Sea Camp in Freiston.

The DMM Advisory lit up last week with a not-unexpected announcement regarding Intelligent Mail barcode readability standards: Effective November 30, the 70 percent readability verification threshold will be raised to 80 percent minimum tolerance – on its way to the 90-percent mark, now scheduled to take effect in March 2010.

This shift, set by the Postal Service after hearing recommendations from the Mailers’ Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC), certainly raises the bar on IMB output quality. Fortunately, the USPS reports that “mailers are achieving very good readability scores on MERLIN® for Intelligent Mail barcodes.” In fact, I’d say that’s an understatement: During a recent one-month period, 96 percent of IMB letter mailings submitted to the USPS achieved a MERLIN readability rating of 90 percent or better. (See the full report.)

This bodes well for the long-term acceptance of barcode technology that quite literally has the potential to transform the way we use paper mail. Of course, these favorable results only tell some of the story: The same early adopters who moved first to build Intelligent Mail into their workflows are more likely to have the equipment and the personnel necessary to ensure the smoothest possible transition. As more mailers in all segments move to IMB – spurred on by USPS mandates instead of postal futurism – the quality of printed barcodes will likely be all across the board, especially at first.

This makes a barcode quality tool like BCC’s Mail Verifier Plus an unquestionable asset to any IMB-minded postal professional; but even more importantly, it speaks to the importance of planning ahead. The USPS has made their intentions plain with regard to the necessity of transitioning to Intelligent Mail. They’ve given the industry plenty of time to make the move, and kept barcode readability standards low (relative to POSTNET and PLANET thresholds) to let mailers test their new IMB-equipped systems. But the clock is ticking on this inevitable innovation: If you’ve yet to switch, there may not be a better time than this to do it.

If you’re already a BCC client and you’re contemplating the leap to Intelligent Mail, I encourage you to check the User Forums in BCC’s exclusive Customer Portal to ask questions and receive transition advice from our staff and your peers. If you’re not yet working with BCC but would like advice on creating an Intelligent Mail future, contact one of our Product Specialists and let them know: How Can We Help?

Nah, ini dia proses yg sangat mudah tapi jarang dilakukan oleh pemilik rumah. Dibayangi pengurusan yang ribet, takut di pingpong, atau sekedar malas, kita sering menyerahkan pengurusan IMB pada pihak ketiga.
Kami juga baru melakukan pengurusan IMB satu bulan setelah pembangunan di mulai. Dan pengurusan hanya memakan waktu 1 jam, dengan mendapatkan papan IMB dan tanda terima.
Berikut persyaratan IMB untuk daerah Bekasi (mestinya sih sama aja untuk tiap daerah) :
- Fotokopi KTP yang sama dengan Nama di Sertifikat
- Fotokopi IMB lama
- Fotokopi Sertifikat
- Fotokopi PBB terakhir
- Surat ijin tetangga

Untuk item terakhir, copy blangko kosongnya minta ke kelurahan aja. Untuk pembangunan di lokasi perumahan, tandatangan cukup sampai RT/RW, tetapi apabila di luar perumahan, maka diharuskan tanda tangan Lurah dan Camat. Hal ini dimaksudkan agar tidak adanya sengketa status tanah yang akan dibangun, secara perumahan umumnya sudah memiliki sertifikat Hak Milik/ Hak Guna Bangunan.
Pada pengurusan ijin tetangga, kami terlanjur minta ijin hingga kecamatan. Masing2 dikenakan 50rb tanpa kwitansi untuk sebuah tandatangan.
Pengurusan IMB dilakukan di BPPT. Prosesnya pun relatif cepat dengan patokan pajak harga 15rb per m2 dengan administrasi 500rb (bisa di tawar loh, Hehehe) . Dan lagi2 tanpa kwitansi. Hanya tanda terima. Proses pengerjaan IMB perumahan sekitar 3-4 minggu. Dengan luasan 115m2 pajaknya 1.7jt plus 200rb. Total 2.2jt.
Paling engga papan IMB langsung dapet dan terbebas dari kunjungan orang2 kelurahan yang menawarkan jasa pengurusan IMB. Hehe

SUARA MERDEKA CETAK – Sleman Akan Ubah Perda IMB.

Speaker: Steve Bass

1) The Mark

PHOTO: (http://media.photobucket.com/image/Arrow%20in%20the%20Fedex%20Logo/tricks-and-illusions/fedex-logo-illusion-1.jpg) Click on the Link to see an example of the mark.. Look for the shaded Yellow arrow in the picture.

You probably didn’t know that was there until you just clicked on the link after i pointed it out for you. Our lives should not be like this. The first thing we need to have down when we are going into ministry is the MARK OF CHRIST!!! You might be wondering, “How in the heck do i get this ‘mark’”? It’s really simple, go to Christ as a sinner and receive the wonderful gift of Salvation ) This is very crucial to your ministry, people shouldn’t have to search for Christ in your life…

2) Be Audacious

Quote: “Share the Gospel with people, and sometimes use your mouth!”

Vocabulary:      Au-da-cious [aw-dey-shuhs] adj. ‘extremely bold or daring; recklessly brave; fearless: an audacious explorer.’

You know in math class and you’re solving an equation for math (believe me, i know this– algebra 2 is going to be the death of me!)… Well if you have done this before you know that in order to get all the points on a test most teachers are going to expect the answer and the work. Jesus is the answer in the equation of life and we show people the work. We must be the link to Jesus for people. Are you audacious enough to show people Jesus? Key Concept: TELL PEOPLE THE STORY OF JESUS!! BE AUDACIOUS!!

3) Disciple, Disciple, Disciple!

Verse: Acts 14: 21-23      “²¹ After they had evangelized that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, ^{(A) 22} strengthening the hearts ^[a] of the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith, ^(B) and by telling them, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles ^(C) on our way into the kingdom of God.”  ²³ When they had appointed elders ^(D) in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

In this verse Paul and his missionary team, they were investing their time in the churches they planted. They were making disciples, not decisions. This is something we need to look at and learn from. You see the problem is, ” we are limiting evangelism to pastors and official heads of churches (not good!) and lifeway bookstores is doing our discipling for us (what the heck is up with that?!?!)… We need to take back the reigns and disciple the christians around us! One way to look at this is the question: Who are you drinking coffee with? Who are you investing your time in? 

-THE Way )– Hope you enjoy, a piece of Kaleo for you!