I wonder how many people I’ve talked to, over the years, about New Thing’s work in the former USSR.
Thousands, I’m sure. I’ve spoken at churches, Rotary clubs, book clubs, library groups, you name it. People are generally fascinated to learn how the explosion at Chernobyl, and the collapse of the Soviet Union, led to the amazing humanitarian-aid operation that we call New Thing!
I’ve found that this is the single best way to get folks involved. Better than paying for TV spots or magazine ads. Better than renting mailing lists.
People who hear about New Thing first-hand are usually eager to share their email address with me, so they can receive our photo reports, and track with our work in the former Soviet Union. And sometimes, down the road, they decide they want to help.
So I’d like to ask you to consider helping the people of Belarus in an unusual way — by considering one or more of these possibilities:
1. Invite me.
If you’re part of a group that might enjoy a talk by Doug Brendel about Chernobyl, the old USSR, and New Thing’s work in Belarus, arrange for me to speak there.
It could be your book club or library group, your history club, a cultural or social club of any kind, a Bible study group, a Sunday school class or church.
I can talk for 10 minutes or do Q&A for an hour or anything in between. I can preach a sermon or just hang out over coffee. Whatever’s appropriate to your group.
(I’m absolutely willing to meet with groups that aren’t located in the northeastern U.S., where I live. If I can line up several meetings, it can become cost-effective to travel.)
2. Ask your friends and contacts to invite me.
The simplest way would be to forward this email to them. They can reach out to me directly for more information.
3. Post the jpeg file you see here on your social media streams: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Get the word out that there’s something cool happening in the former Soviet Union, and you’re personally tracking with it!
Whatever you feel comfortable doing, I hope you’ll always feel free to share my contact information with anyone who might be interested in New Thing’s work. You can give people my email address (Doug@NewThing.net is easy to remember) or my phone number: (978) 810-1005.
This is a great way you can contribute to New Thing’s work of compassion without spending any money! Thanks for thinking about it. Let me know if you have any questions. And thanks for journeying with us!
Much love,
Doug Brendel
