I agree that this thread hasn't gotten enough attention and that my response of blog, blog, blog is overly simple. I just really wanted to emphasize how easy it is to get online and explain why blogging has become the phenomenon it is (even if it is getting somewhat old). I still find it difficult to find regularly updated mission information of good quality. After a week, I still haven't been able to get a final response from the PCUSA about publishing their RSS feed of mission letters on this site. We've had a hard time getting missionaries to blog on the site because of the security concerns you mention, but there are many who don't have those concerns. I envision missionaries telling their supporters they could stay in touch through the web and think blogs are the easiest way to do it. Increasing feedback to supporters can only encourage more support and increase the size of the pie.
You are entirely correct about blogs and technology. They are just tools, but they are tools that can affect people's lives and extend. Lives matter, not blogs. I'm just a web developer, so I'm passionate about how the web can be used as a tool.
I wonder if we could find a way to address the knowledge issue through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where Dr. Sunquist works. My father (Don Dawson) also has a lot connections through the World Mission Initiative which is based there. Could we possibly get professors to publish their works online in a protected environment where we grant these workers log-on privileges?
I see that being another question that runs into the issue of securely sharing information, needs and resources. How do we know people are who they say they are and how do we know who to allow to see things? There are some new technologies (such as Information Cards/CardSpaces) I think can help solve the problem. I'm trying to learn more about them and will share on my blog when I feel I understand them reasonably.
I'm not a missionary nor am I a mission expert, so here are some questions. What information is important to gather? I've seen it as stories, testimonies, prayer requests, resource requests and sharing opportunities. How would we ideally share needs and opportunities if security wasn't an issue? How would these tools be used to impact peoples lives?
Thanks for kick-starting the conversation,
Andrew