Your IMB E-Letter
April 2, 2014
 VIDEO: Third World Joys
Within our First World mentality we often assume the Third World is full of problems. It's time to show the other side of the picture! There is a lot to love about the Third World, which brings so much joy. Here are just a few #ThirdWorldJoys.
 FIRST PERSON: God's been writing me into His story
As a missionary kid in Guatemala, Bethani Thomas suffered the trauma of being kidnapped. But God used the ordeal for good. "I wasn't a typical American teenager. At times, that bothered me, but now I realize that my story was really His all along," Bethani writes in her first-person story.
 WorldView: Where is the next (spiritual) James Madison?
Perhaps you're a Millennial believer in Christ, but you've decided to take a pass on being part of a local church. It's an outmoded institution encrusted with irrelevant traditions, you say. But consider this: What if James Madison had decided to go it alone after the American Revolution and let others worry about a fledgling nation on the edge of collapse?
Visit WorldView Conversation, the blog related to this column.  Central Asian artist starts spiritual conversations with art
Edward Graph (name changed) has a whole gallery full of his art, just waiting for passersby to stop in and ask about it — and they do. He welcomes the questions. He's got his answers ready. "Using symbols, you can bridge over into sharing very strong truths about God," Graph says. "In normal life, it's hard to bring up this stuff."
 Art and missions in East Asia
You don't have to leave your talents and hobbies behind to be a missionary overseas. Who knew painting, drawing and even scrapbooking could be used to tell people about Jesus. See how IMB missionaries in East Asia channel their artistic abilities to make connections and reach out with the Good News of the Gospel.
 VIDEO: Christians take Jesus to the red light district
For those working in the sex industry in Thailand, life is not their own. Many are victims of trafficking and others are forced into the life to stay alive and provide for their families. Christian workers take the Gospel to the red light districts of Thailand, offering friendship, hope and a new life in Christ.
 Professionals explore calling at marketplace summit
What if your job was your mission field? About 500 people were inspired at the Missional Marketplace Summit at Germantown (Tenn.) Baptist Church. The summit, sponsored by the church in partnership with IMB, offered a mind-boggling array of perspectives on using business models to take the Gospel to unreached peoples and equipping the next generation for marketplace ministry.
Learn more about being a global marketplace professional at marketplaceadvance.com.  'Church planting is a relay race'
When IMB missionary Carlos Llambes, founder of the Dominican Baptist Convention's church- planting institute, moves to Mexico City this March, Wilfrid Brunache will take Carlos' place. Wilfrid has given up jobs teaching English to devote his efforts full time to church planting. "Church planting is a relay race, and this is the hand-off," Carlos says of the transfer of leadership from a missionary to a national believer.
 10 Days of Sacrifice for East Asian Peoples, April 9-18
Ever wonder what it's like to eat on just $1 a day? Ten Days of Sacrifice calls believers to focus Bible reading and prayer on the East Asian peoples, along with sacrifices of time, money, food and concern, with the hope of seeing East Asian peoples reached with the Gospel. Daily devotions will challenge you as you get a glimpse of what life is really like in East Asia.
 Afghanistan: Prayers for the healing of a country
As Christians, we have a calling to intercede for those living in the shadow of death. At this pivotal moment in Afghanistan's history, may we be faithful to plead with God for a country desperately in need of His mercy. Order the Afghanistan prayer guide, a 32-page prayer resource divided into four main segments — peace, reconciliation, restoration and hope. Consider leading your church or small group in a focused season of prayer for a people and country loved by God.
 Give, benefit, help missions!
Do you own real estate you'd like to turn into an income stream for the rest of your life? Perhaps there's a piece of property you would prefer to give as an outright gift and receive a tax deduction for the fair market value? Learn how — and more. To see a visual presentation about how this can work for you and missions, click on "calculator" and the bottom of the page
 Spring 2014 CommissionStories tabloid
The president of the Indian subsidiary of a major multinational company wants to see his business grow across South Asia. But that's not the only reason he and his wife moved from Tennessee to India. God can use all kinds of folks to expand His kingdom! The latest edition of CommissionStories tabloid also tells the stories of a missionary couple in Dominican Republic who understand voodoo on a personal level, a Bhutanese refugee training church planters in the U.S., volunteers from Missouri rebuilding a school in Philippines and more.
CommissionStories tabloid is published quarterly. The online version, commissionstories.com is published throughout the year.  Bold as Love
As Christians, we're called to love our neighbors — all our neighbors. But is that even possible? And can we truly love them well? In Bold as Love, Pastor Bob Roberts shows you what it looks like to live out your faith daily in the global public square among people of other faiths — Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists — and atheists.
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