FAMILY UPDATE NEWS #34 -- February 1996
DO
"God bless you with perpetual excitement in the Spirit as you receive and drink of the Lord's New Wine--as it thrills you and fills you and gives you new power and strength to go places you've never gone before, and to see things you've never seen before, and to do things you've never done before" (ML #3027:195).
February 1996, The Family, Zurich, Switzerland.
(For JETTs and up. Selected portions may be shared with children younger than JETTs at the discretion of their parents, teachers or shepherds.)
NOTICES
SUGGESTED VIDEOS ON PREGNANCY AND PREPARED CHILDBIRTH
--By WS Staff
We recently received some videos on pregnancy and childbirth from our researchers in the States, which we reviewed and would like to recommend for our many pregnant mothers. Lord willing, we hope to make these videos available to your area video circuits in the near future! Meanwhile, we want to present you with this list, as some of you may be able to locate them through libraries, video shops, or order them through relatives. We hope this is a blessing to you!
1. "The Childbirth Preparation Program--A Program for Practicing Useful Labor Techniques at Home" (52 min.; by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Feeling Fine Programs, 1985)
Lamaze breathing and relaxation techniques are explained and practiced for the first half-hour with different couples. The second half of the video shows clips of the actual deliveries of their babies. Very good for those who have not attended a birth before, and a helpful aid to practicing relaxation and breathing, for labor and delivery.
2. "The Joy of Natural Childbirth" (60 min.; by NP International, Ltd.; Peter's Production, an MCA Home Video, 1984)
Presented by actor Lorenzo Lamas and wife Michelle. Opens with personal testimonies of famous couples who've experienced natural childbirth with the Lamaze Method (John Ritter and wife, Jane Seymour, Kenny Rogers and wife, etc.). Covers the Lamaze method with practice in relaxation, breathing patterns, the coach's role, hospital deliveries, how to lift things and move about in pregnancy, and more. Faith-building and positive. Ends with a hospital birth and closing song by Kenny Rogers.
3. "Lamaze Method: Techniques for Childbirth PreparationA guide for practice for labor in the home" (60 min.; by Aspo/Lamaze; directed and produced by Sheri Singer)
Hosted by Patty Duke Astin. Gives clear explanation of goals in labor and delivery, including very helpful practice sessions for relaxation (touch relaxation and massage), controlled breathing and expulsion techniques.
4. "UltrasoundEyewitness to the Earliest Days of Life" (25 min.; by Sound Waves Images; produced by Shari Rogers, 1990)
Gives marvelous insight into the fetus's growth and development, from fertilization to a full-term baby ready for birth. Informative, touching, faith-building. (Write to: Sound Waves Images, Inc., 2422 Harness Drive, Union Lake, Michigan, USA 48387; Tel: [313] 360-0743; 347-9439.)
5. "Everymom's Prenatal Exercise and Relaxation Video" (by Crystal Visions Associates; produced by Kenneth and Tracy Schmidt, 1988)
Great prenatal exercises with five PGs in last trimester. Includes warm-up, simple low-impact prenatal aerobics, floor work, and practice in relaxation. Nice visuals in outdoor California setting with the sound of ocean waves.
6. "Journey into Life--The Triumph of Creation" (30 min.; a Questar Video Presentation; produced by ABC/Kane Productions International, Inc. and Genesis Films, Ltd.)
A moving film that captures the most amazing moments of creation on camera. From the moment of conception to the magic of birth, filmed inside the womb, following the stages of growth of a baby during the 38 weeks of pregnancy. (Distributed by: Questar Video, Inc., P.O. Box 11345, Chicago, Illinois 60611-0345. Customer Service: 1-800-544-8422.)
1995 YEAR-END STATS ANALYSIS
--By WS Staff
Last year, 1995, our first year under the Charter, proved to be a record breaker in many areas!
HOMES: We finished the year with a grand total of 551 DO Homes, more than double the 265 of one year ago in December '94! December '95 also ended with us having 551 TS Homes, which is exactly the same number of TS Homes that we had in December '94! The average DO Home size went from 32.6 members in '94 to 16.9 in '95, while TS Home size remained at about 7.0.
POPULATION: Our DO membership went up, from 8,648 in December '94 to 9,295 in December of '95, an increase of 647 people, or 7%. Our TS membership fell during this same time period, from 3,922 in '94 to 3,786 in '95. Our total membership (DO and TS) is now 13,081. That is the highest number of actual fellow-laborers that we've ever had in the history of the Family!--Praise the Lord!
BETROTHALS, BIRTHS AND NEW DISCIPLES: This December there were 32 DO births and six TS births, an average of more than one a day! Throughout '95, we had 338 babies born, which is almost one a day and 14 more than the previous year. 1995 was the first year since '87 that we had an increase in the births category. This was largely due, no doubt, to the fact that our second-generation members are now having quite a few children of their own. Praise God!
Betrothals also soared to 62 throughout '95, which comes to 158% more than the 24 held in '94, and the most we've had in 10 years!
We've been winning more new disciples, too! In 1995, 357 people joined our DO ranks and 63 joined as TSers. That averages about 35 new disciples per month, or more than one new disciple per day!
OUTSIDE MEMBERSHIP: Now that we are keeping better track of our outside membership*, it's determined that we have a total of 17,328 outside members, broken down as follows: 501 Live-outs, 189 Catacombers, 6,732 DF/Follow-up members, 387 Outside Witnessers, 4,946 Active Supporters, 4,538 Mail Members, and 35 GP members. That's quite a fold, and almost double 1994's total of 8,821! (*See "Fundamental Family Rules," point 19, pg.161.)
NATIONALITIES: We now have DO members from 76 nationalities, 31% of which are from the US. Our second highest nationality is Japanese (7.0%), followed by Brazilian (6.3%), Canadian (5.7%), and citizens of the United Kingdom (5.6%).
Our TS population consists of 60 nationalities, and our outside members are made up of 63 nationalities. All told, between our DO, TS and outside members, we comprise 93 passport nationalities and principalities!
SOULS WON AND PERSONAL WITNESS: In December, our personal witness sky-rocketed to 900,000--up 61% from November's 550,000! Likewise souls won increased to 130,000 in December--up 134% from November's 56,000! During 1995 we personally witnessed to 7.2 million and won 932,401 (13%), of them to the Lord.--More than one won out of every ten witnessed to!
Souls won this year were up 16% from last year, and personal witness was up 7%, which shows the good fruit of the Charter! The 932,401 souls won this year averaged out to 77,700 a month, well above our 27-year average of 59,000 a month. The nearly one million souls won in 1995 averages out to 13 souls per month or 160 souls for the year for each DO and TS member 16 years of age and older. "What did you do to win a soul today?"--Enough to earn credit for at least one soul every two days! Praise the Lord!
DISTRIBUTION: The Family distributed two-thirds of a million posters, 64,000 tapes, and 17,700 videos in December. That brought the year's totals to 6.6 million posters, 397,000 tapes, and 141,000 videos! All three categories saw increases from '94: poster distribution was up by a massive 48%, tapes were up by a hefty 39%, and videos were up by 18%--again, good fruits of the Charter! The Family has been witnessing more, winning more, and distributing more!
Total lit distributed rose to 13 million pieces or 143 million pages, an amazing 43% more than 1994!
TOTAL WITNESS: In December, our total witness was a high 93.8 million--almost exactly the same as December of '94. Our total witness for the year was 865 million. That's a little less than last year, but very high considering that this year included very little persecution-related witness. Thank the Lord for another year of peace!
TO-DATE STATS: To date, in our 27-year history, we've had a total witness by all means possible of 64.8 billion. We've personally witnessed to 208 million, and have led 19 million of them to the Lord (a 9% ratio of souls won to personal witness!) and 9.1 million received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (nearly half of those we've won). We've had 2,173 Family betrothals, 11,865 Family births, and 244 members have passed on to their Heavenly reward!
Broken down into yearly averages, this equals a total witness of 2.4 billion a year, personal witness of 7.7 million a year, souls won of 704,000 a year, 337,000 Holy Spirit baptisms a year, 80 betrothals, 439 births, and two deaths a year.
COUNTRY SHINERS: Our lit-pages-per-adult shiners were Albania at 19,000, followed by Latvia, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica, Russia and Ecuador.
The most souls were won in Brazil, 24,000, followed by India, Mexico, USA, Venezuela and Colombia. The souls-per-adult shiners were Costa Rica at 180 and India at 133, followed by Latvia, Colombia, Ukraine, and Mexico.
The posters-per-adult shiners were Latvia at 1,517, Kazakhstan at 1,500, Russia at 621, Slovenia at 442 and Romania at 441.
The tapes-per-adult category was led by Costa Rica at 109, followed by the Czech Republic at 41, Indonesia at 40, the Philippines at 32 and Ecuador at 30.
And videos-per-adult saw Ecuador distributing 13.2 per adult, followed by Taiwan at 13.1, Costa Rica at 12.2, Venezuela at 11.5, and South Africa at 11.4. Praise the Lord for our whole Family, who are really getting the job done!
AGES: We now have 3,046 adults over 21, 593 YAs, 1,248 teens, 599 JETTs, and 3,809 children under 12 in the DO Family, or 33% over 21 and 67% under. Our TS membership makeup is very similar percentage-wise, 30% being over 21 and 70% under.
MINISTRIES: The ministries with the most check marks on the DO TRFs were DTD and provisioning, both of which are major ministries in 19% of our DO Homes. These were followed by DFing at 12%, performing at 11%, other, street witnessing and personal witnessing all followed at 9%, mail ministry at 7% and outside job at 5%.
For TSers, the highest was personal witnessing at 35%, other at 30%, outside job at 27%, and mail ministry at 8%.
WHERE WE ARE AT: We currently have DO Homes in 65 countries with TS Homes in many of those, as well as three others, meaning we are now spread abroad in 68 countries of the world!
Of our DO population, 25% are located in North America, 21% in South America, 21% in Europe (12% W. Europe and 9% E. Europe), 2% in the Mideast and Africa, 5% in the Indian subcontinent, 8% in Southeast Asia, and 18% in the Pacific and Orient. In all, 58% are in the West and 42% in the East; 61% are in the North (North America, Europe, and the Far East) and 39% in the South!
All things considered, December was a great month and 1995 a great year. We did more witnessing, won more souls, and distributed more lit in 1995 than we did in 1994. The Family grew in population and number of Homes, in births and new disciples, and we went into more new countries. We are still on the move! Praise the Lord!--And God bless you all for your daily labors of love, which helped make it possible!
HIGHLIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS '95 WITNESSING
(Editor's note: The following are a few of the exciting outreach ministries which Family members conducted during the Christmas '95 season. This list is by no means all-inclusive, but simply represents a sampling of some of the outstanding events from the testimonies we have received thus far.)
> Colombia: One Home performed their Christmas pageant as a Christmas present to a large children's welfare organization.
> Brazil: A choir and teen show troupe gave many performances in venues ranging from orphanages and mental health institutions to a number of government offices and institutions. Media witnessing also boomed, with a one-hour radio broadcast reaching four countries, and several TV clips--a total mass witness to 1-1/2 million people!
> Italy: Family members collected and delivered food and clothing to Bosnian refugees in Slovenia.
> Hungary: Several Homes organized a large Christmas program for 500 orphans. A friend donated the use of a large disco where they sang, put on a Christmas puppet show, held organized games for the children and distributed hundreds of donated toys! At the end, the children received the most precious Gift of allJesus!
> South Africa: A party was held on Christmas Day for the young residents of seven children's homes. Some of the homes' children also participated in the Family's Christmas show group. The teenagers living in the children's homes then helped to distribute gifts and food which the Family had provisioned to some of the many street children in the area.
> Greece: One of the Homes did a special Christmas show for Iraqi refugees!
> Japan: This year the HCS show group divided into three teams and took their show to hotels, clubs, orphanages, senior citizens' homes and many other places.
> Ukraine: Family members held shows at a Red Cross Center for handicapped and diabetic children and their parents. Most of the viewers prayed to receive Jesus, including the city director of the Red Cross, who wants to show our videos on a local TV station. A special Christmas concert and puppet show was also organized for 80 children from a school for disadvantaged children, and took place at one of the fanciest casinos in the city!
> England: The Family at Dunton Bassett held their annual Christmas Open Home, which was attended by many friends and locals, who were all very encouraged about the Family's recent court victory.
> Spain: The Family held a Christmas performance in a drug rehabilitation center where 40% of the addicts are HIV-positive.
> Russia: One of the Moscow Homes has organized a program named "Love's Bridge" in 20 orphanages around Moscow. This Christmas they performed at the orphanages and supplied the children and staffs with donated goods, presents and Christmas dinner!
> Peru: A performance was held in a large cancer institute.
> Italy: Family members performed in several dormitories run by the international Roman Catholic charity and relief organization Caritas, at kitchens for the homeless, and at Boys Town.
> Vietnam: The Vietnam pioneer team spent Christmas visiting friends and contactsall so hungry and receptive--who had previously received Christmas tapes and posters.
> Washington, D.C.: Despite the government shutdown, the D.C. Show Troupe performed at the White House for the fourth Christmas in a row!--The morning of the day that they were scheduled to perform, they had still not received a confirmation from the White House staff, so the Home assumed that the show had been canceled due to the budget crisis, and dispersed for other witnessing activities. Later that morning they received a phone call from the White House informing them that the program would take place that evening! By a miracle, they were able to get the entire Show Troupe together on short notice, and get to the White House in time. Praise the Lord!
SOUTH AMERICA
TEENS SING AT UN "HABITAT" CONFERENCE
(Curitiba, Brazil:) When the UN held a conference in this city to deal with the issues of city life and the world of the future, the Lord opened the door for five Family members to attend. They performed for UN representatives from all over the world, as well as officials from all levels of the Brazilian government. Several people commented that the show was just the touch the meeting needed!
After the Family's performance, they met mayors from a number of major Latin American cities, many of whom already knew of the Family. They were surprised to see Family representatives present at such a high level and somewhat technical conference, and pleased to hear of Family CTP projects aimed at helping to solve and alleviate urban problems.
SHOW TROUPE HIGHLIGHTS EVENT FOR CHILDREN
(From Tommy, Brazil:) After participating in this year's "International Year of the Family" activities, we were invited to participate in our city's "Month of the Child" program, taking place in Latin America's largest public park in Sao Paolo. We performed six shows during the 10-day event. Despite the presence of other nationally-famous TV personalities, the organizers declared our show for children to be the best, because of the emphasis on real-life values, and the learning made fun through music and drama.
The city government also put the Kiddie Viddies into the official program of scheduled workshops. Because we did so many shows, our name, "The Family," was all over the program from beginning to end, including appearing in the official state bulletin. We also received special recognition for our contribution from the organizers. Over 10,000 underprivileged children from all over the city participated in this event. We are becoming recognized as a "part of the solution" in this largest city of Latin America, which is so plagued with poverty and violence.
ASIA
CHILDREN'S DAY PERFORMANCE
(Bangkok, Thailand:) Children's Day is a big event in Thailand. For the last several years, the Family has been invited to perform in the National Stadium for 10,000 underprivileged children. This year, the MCs from the DF Home performed several songs, which were very well received. The MCs were also pictured in a front-page newspaper article the following day and mentioned in other media coverage of the event.
ATTENDING THE S.E.A. GAMES
(Chiang Mai, Thailand:) This year's South East Asian Games were held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and a team from the Family went too--to witness! The Lord miraculously supplied VIP passes (only very few of which are even issued), allowing the team to go anywhere they liked in the sports complexes. The Lord helped them meet and witness to many, including government officials, diplomats, lawyers, academics, athletes and others from Thailand and surrounding countries. Praise the Lord!
GOOD FRUIT OF OUR INTERNET WEB SITE
(From Sharon, SEA:) A new friend of ours has been very interested in our origins and beliefs regarding the "Law of Love," etc. Being a regular user of the Internet, he was delighted to hear about the Family's Web site, and logged on right away. The first thing he went to was the section about our founder. He printed out Dad's picture, as well as looking at the photos of other Family members. He then went to the Statements, and immediately printed out the portion of "Our Origins" which explains Flirty Fishing. He was very excited to learn more about this subject, which has been quite misunderstood and unclear for many people here. After visiting our Web site, he told us that he would really like to visit us at our house, and would bring his older brother as well.
The Family's Web site has also borne good fruit with the husband of one of our supporters, Daisy. She had been one of our very close friends and generous supporters for some time, but her husband had never been very hungry for the Word. He was, however, extremely interested to hear about our Web site!
A couple of days after we told him about it, they came over to our Home and he began telling us all about our history, almost quoting from "Our Origins"! We had given that Statement and others to Daisy earlier, but we don't believe her husband had ever read them. But now with the new, attractive packaging of the Internet, he is thrilled, and drinking in the Word! It's such a victory to see him come alive in this way! It's also wonderful to know that our friends have at their fingertips information they are interested in, and are not entirely dependent on our getting reading materials into their hands! What an amazing new tool, which is already resulting in real progress for our work! Praise the Lord!
(Editor's note: Dear Family, please pray for those working on updating and upgrading our material, as well as those following up on the e-mail received.)
NATIONWIDE TV PROCLAIMS THE MESSAGE!
(From the DF Home, Thailand:) The government-operated TV channel recently broadcast a four-hour TV program to help combat drug abuse in Thailand. Family members took part in the program, and the Lord used this opportunity to proclaim His message loud and clear!
The program began with a powerful performance of the Box Skit, acted by YA Tim and narrated off-camera by Thai Nina. The skit ended with an original Thai number, "The Answer," sung by YA Angelina. The singing team also performed three other songs during the course of the program, then at the very end Nina made a presentation and the whole program concluded with our song "Peace in the Midst of Storm!"
The government program received extensive news coverage by other channels, some of which included clips of the Family. The children's show group was also interviewed by "Radio Thailand" for a nationwide broadcast!
DEAF CATACOMBERS' WITNESSING EXPLOSION!
(From Happy and Charity, India:) Due to various circumstances, our large number of deaf catacombers were not able to do as much witnessing this year as before. Deaf live-in disciple, Joshua, was very burdened about this, so we devoted one of our Sunday catacomb meetings to a discussion and Word class on the subject. About 100 catacombers and some other sheep attended. Zorin, our deaf catacomb shepherd, and Joshua shared lessons and testimonies about the importance of witnessing at Christmas. The catacombers caught the vision!
After a few days, they were all so on fire with the witnessing fever that we could hardly keep up with their tool supply!--It seemed that no matter how many tools we ordered for them, they needed more! Joshua got a group of the best witnessers together and challenged them to go on the road and pioneer new places. As a result, we were able to get out 1,200 posters and 130 tapes in six days. We also met and personally witnessed to over 1,000 students and won 800 of them to the Lord! Perhaps the most amazing thing is that much of this witnessing was done by deaf catacombers to hearing people! God blessed their faith!
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WITNESS
(From James and Ruth, India:) This month one of our supporters and his wife celebrated their wedding anniversary and we wanted to do something special for them. We gave them a nicely framed poem about love, taken from Marvellous Marriage, and a bouquet of flowers. During the little ceremony which we performed for them, we tied their hands together with a red velvet ribbon, symbolising the love the Lord had given them for each other. We then prayed that they would have a wonderful year ahead.
In the middle of the prayer some of their relatives came, and we didn't know what they would think of this couple being tied together with a ribbon! We told the couple that they could take it off if they liked, but they were not at all embarrassed. They kept the ribbon on for another hour or so, as they walked around talking to the other guests as they arrived. They really liked the ceremony, and also the poem.
EUROPE
SPEECH AT CONFERENCE ON THE MILLENNIUM
(From Gideon and Rachel, England:) Gideon was invited to present the Family's beliefs about the Millennium at a conference on that theme, which was sponsored by INFORM*. The conference was attended by over 100 academics, reporters and students. (*INFORM is a UK-based group of academics, partly funded by the government, that disseminates factual information about New Religious Movements.)
Gideon's speech included lots of details about the Millennium and quotations from Dad on interpreting Bible prophecy. Afterwards, one academic commented that of the various groups that spoke, only Gideon had a clear explanation of the Millennium.
The academics were very interested in our posters about the Millennium and the time-line chart. One person was overheard to say, "I've been wanting to find out what Moses David has to say about the Endtime!"
CHALLENGING CHURCH CHRISTIANS TO WITNESS
(From John and Rose, Romania:) A mail ministry member in a village in the north of Romania, invited us for a week of witnessing and follow-up meetings. She also arranged the use of the town's Casa de Cultura (cultural hall) for our evening meetings.
The first day, we spoke at a Pentecostal church, and challenged the people to be witnesses. We offered everyone a stack of "Somebody Loves You" tracts to take with them and distribute, and we saw several people giving out tracts on their way home! God bless them!
We caused quite a stir in the village, and some people got quite fired up about us! One pastor prohibited his youth from attending our meetings, but our hall was still packed every night with young people between the ages of eight and 18, as well as a few faithful older folks.
Our evening meetings contained prayer, songs, skits, a Bible message, etc., on subjects such as eternal Salvation; the Word; the Endtime; the Holy Spirit; witnessing; faith and healing, etc. On the last evening we played the Family Outreach video and challenged everyone to become missionaries where they were. Three young people were desperate to join us, and their parents seemed happy about that prospect. A nearby Home is following up on them.
CONFERENCE ON "NEW RELIGIOUS PHENOMENA"
(From Philip and Kasia, Poland:) After hearing that the Family would be a topic of discussion at a conference titled "New Religious Phenomena in Central and Eastern Europe After the Fall of Communism," which was to be held in Krakow, Poland, we requested and were granted official permission to attend. At past conferences we were somewhat on the defensive, standing up for our rights to religious freedom, etc. This time, in light of the recent victory in the BI court case, we felt it would be a good time to major on letting people know about our work in the EE, bringing good news, happiness and help to the needy, etc.
We gave most conference participants an information pack which consisted of a cover letter explaining the Family, several FARs, a compilation of mail ministry responses, the Statement "The Family Adopts a Charter," Christmas Reflections, and the "Sex, Slander, and Salvation" book advertisement.
Although we did not present official speeches, we were able to address the assembly on several occasions, and got in a good message to the generally uninformed Eastern European academics. We were also able to meet and personally talk with quite a few different academics. PTL!
PACIFIC AND AUSTRALIA
BUDDING U.S. NAVY CATACOMB MINISTRY
(From Tim, Mercy, Comfort, Daniel and Charity, Japan:) During one of our frequent busking trips to a town near a US naval base, our YAs and teens met a 19-year-old American, Steve. Deeply impressed by our message and witnessing young people, Steve began to visit the Home several times a week, despite his heavy work schedule at the naval base and a long, expensive train ride to our Home. He loves having Word time with teens and YAs, very much looks forward to going witnessing with us, and flipped out over the HCS Christmas show! He recently confided to us, "You are the answer to my prayer for the Lord to lead me to a missionary group where I can fellowship and learn how to witness."
Steve is already a well-known Christian on his ship and has suffered considerable persecution for standing up for his convictions! He's now brought two other fellow sailors to the house who are Christians. One named Josh learned Russian in high school and he's asking if he can visit the Vladivostok Home when his leave (vacation) comes up! Praise the Lord!
MINISTRY TO RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS
(From Tim, Mercy, Comfort, Daniel and Charity, Japan:) Some time ago, the Lord led us to two Russian scientists who are pursuing their work in Japan, as government support for scientific studies has essentially collapsed in Russia in the past five years. Michael, aged 26, recently finished a master's degree at the Tokyo University. He is especially fond of Family music and had initially recognized the Family from a photo of food distribution in Russia, as his family had received those very cans of food!
Recently, Michael was accepted for an advanced physics project, which meant he had to move to a remote area of Japan, where he felt quite lonely and isolated. He kept in touch and we did our best to encourage him in his new situation. We then had the opportunity to drive his personal belongings to his new housing situation, and were able to spend almost two full days with him. On the day we left, we were able to share with him about the Holy Spirit and he gladly prayed to be filled with the Lord's Spirit of Love! We were also able to introduce Michael to the brethren in a nearby Home.
The second Russian scientist is married and has an eight-year-old daughter (who speaks four languages!). We first met his wife on the street about five months ago, and she was thankful for Christian fellowship and an opportunity to teach her daughter more about the Word. Her Jewish husband is a top physicist. The Lord kept leading us to visit them regularly at their apartment, and slowly we built a friendship with this family. The husband didn't do very well with direct witnessing, but when it was more indirect and we made an effort to use many illustrations, anecdotes, etc., he found the witness much easier to relate to.
Then a couple of months passed where we had no contact with them. One day, this man called and told us that he and his family missed our visits. It turned out that both his wife and daughter were recovering from sickness, and would be going to Moscow for a month. We quickly arranged a follow-up visit, bringing them a copy of the Christmas Kiddie Viddie in Russian. Their whole family watched it, transfixed! The mother told us that while their daughter was sick, she had listened over and over to the tapes we'd previously given her, while reading the words in the songbooks!
As we left, both the wife and husband embraced us very warmly and told us how much our friendship means to them, as we did also. They thankfully received the newest FAR on the earthquake relief on the Sakhalin Island and the Endtime class from Treasures in Russian!
NORTH AMERICA
MINISTERING TO THE RESCUE TEAM IN AUSTIN
(From Rebecca and the Austin teens, USA:) The Lord laid it on our hearts to return to Austin to minister to and show our thanks to the people who helped us so much after the accident there.
Many of the people that we met during that time remembered us, and people we had never met also knew about us from the news coverage of the accident. Everyone was very happy to help us with whatever we needed.
On the first day, we returned to the hospital and visited the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Units where our young people were first cared for after the accident. We talked with and thanked the staff, explained how well everyone was doing and recounted some of the miracles the Lord did in answer to prayer. Some of the Emergency Room personnel said that receiving our teens after the accident was one of the most traumatic experiences they had ever gone through, but the miracles the Lord did in the lives of our young people helped them see the whole situation in a different light.
We also went to the wards where our teens stayed, and sang for all the nurses and doctors. They all remembered our teens well, and were very touched that we had come back to thank them. Some said that our visit "made their week!" The paramedic who had been the first to arrive at the scene of the accident came up to us in tears. She asked if we could meet with all of the paramedics, fire department and emergency air lift personnel who had been involved in getting our young people out of the van and to the hospital. We agreed, and she worked it out for us to meet with them that evening. We began by explaining that we had come back to tell them how much we loved and appreciated them, and how thankful we were for all that they had done for us.
We sang three songs, gave them all hugs and kisses and prayed that the Lord would give them the grace they needed for their difficult jobs. One of the EMS workers explained to us that he had been doing rescue work for 15 years and said that in all that time no one else had ever come back to say thank you!
Only after some of the staff asked us what our names were did we realize how much of a "healing" this meeting was for them. After they had pulled our young people out of the wreckage and treated them in the Emergency Room, they hadn't wanted to know their names or anything about them, as they hadn't wanted to get personally involved. The situation was too painful. After our meeting, they kept telling us how overwhelmed they were by the miracles that the Lord had done, the positive attitude that our young people had about the situation, and how wonderful and strong our faith was to be able to pull us through. Praise the Lord for His healing balm!
* * *
(From a report by another Family member:) Brenda and her boyfriend drove from Austin to Houston to be with Estrella on her sixteenth birthday. As you may recall, Brenda and her daughter, Shelly, stayed with our hospitalized teens after the accident, until their parents could be contacted and make the trip to Austin. They bought a big cake for everyone and surprise bags with small gifts for all the children. Their card for Estrella called her "our daughter."
So the Austin situation continues to be a witness, and people whose lives were touched by the Family during that time continue to support us and enjoy and need our fellowship.
THE POWER OF RECONCILIATION
(From Meek, Hepzibah, Misty and Raquel, USA:) For years, ex-member Dave had been antagonistic towards the Family. A little over a year ago, he called our toll-free 800 number saying he was going to commit suicide because no one loved him. We listened and prayed for him, and sent him some tapes and posters. He started sending donations, and over the next few months became one of our most on-fire live-out witnessers!
He now has a fruitful ministry at a prison where his cousin is an inmate, and the two of them have won many souls through our posters. He also has a mail ministry to the inmates, and dedicates hours each week to encouraging and following up on the ever-growing group of men whose lives the Lord has changed through his ministry.
REACHING OUT TO NATIVE AMERICANS
(From Praise Newlife, USA:) After reading about the native Americans in the prophecies received for the North American Family at Summit '95, I was very touched and resolved to try to reach them. I didn't know of any native Americans in my area, so I looked in the phone book and after phoning around found some very humble and receptive people.
Please pray for this exciting new ministry to native Americans who are waiting for the Love of Jesus and someone to come to them with the Truth.
DEPROGRAMMINGS STOP AFTER "CAN" DEFEAT
Since CAN's (the Cult Awareness Network) recent court defeat and bankruptcy (see FUN 32), we have been reliably informed that there have been virtually no deprogrammings in all of the US! Thank the Lord!
MOVIE RATINGS
(Editor's note: The following movies have been viewed by members of different offices and units and generally deemed "watchable." Please understand, though, that WS is not endorsing the full content of every movie. It is possible that not everyone will find each movie to their liking. However, we hope that within this selection there will be something for everybody! Please also bear in mind that the suggested age ratings are not "hard and fast" rules, and the final decision of what age group a movie is shown to would rest on you, parents and shepherds. In other words, because a movie is printed in this list does not make it "fully sanctioned," but it is still according to your faith and your knowledge of those in your care. We pray that the following movie write-ups will be a blessing to you. WLY!)
Movies for Senior Teens and Up
CRIMSON TIDE
Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman
High-tension movie set on a US Navy nuclear submarine as the US is pushed to the brink of war with Russia. Attitudes of disunity and mutiny, and the lessons needed to be learned by both sides make good discussion topics. (1995)
NELL
Jodi Foster, Liam Neeson
A small-town southern doctor discovers a girl who was raised in the backwoods, completely apart from civilization. Shows how love and patience can help people learn to communicate, in contrast to the System's unfeeling methods. (1995)
SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE
Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
A young banker is sentenced to life in prison when his wife and her lover are found dead. Realistic and traumatic look at prison life, and this man's ability, through it all, to hold on to his character and his hope. Because of some distasteful, graphic scenes, this movie may not be to everybody's liking. (1994)
Movies for Junior Teens and Up
FRENCH KISS
Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline, Timothy Hutton
Romantic comedy about an American woman who goes to Paris to try to win back her fianc who has left her for a French woman. Some "ugly American" behavior and mannerisms of the French may need some explaining. Light entertainment only. (1995)
I.Q.
Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan, Walter Matthau
Romantic comedy, set in the 1950s, about a garage mechanic who falls in love with a customer and gets some unusual match-making help from her uncleAlbert Einstein! Fictional role of Einstein and use of deception would be good to discuss. (1994)
OUTBREAK
Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman
Military medical researcher identifies a deadly virus that has made its way from Africa to the US, then has to race against the clock to stop it from spreading. Story loosely based on a real-life incident. Tense, action movie with some graphic scenes. (1995)
Movies for JETTs and Up
APOLLO 13
Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon
True story of the Apollo 13 space shuttle's ill-fated 1970 flight. Contains good lessons on teamwork, determination in problem-solving, and Rom.8:28. Technical aspects will probably need explaining for younger audiences. Good springboard for study on space travel. (1995)
FIRST KNIGHT
Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond
Drama-love story based on the legend of King Arthur of Camelot, his wife, Queen Guinevere, and Sir Lancelot. Lessons on good versus evil, honesty, jealousy, and the danger of the "fires within." Downside: Glorifies cool self-confidence and violence. (1995)
FORREST GUMP
Tom Hanks, Sally Field
The life story of mentally slow but lovable Forrest Gump and his growth to adulthood, following his coincidental involvement in many major events of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Sweet character study with lots of good lessons. Younger age groups will probably need the historical significance of certain events explained. (1994)
STAR TREK: GENERATIONS
Patrick Stewart, William Shatner
Captain Kirk joins Captain Picard in a fight against an evil scientist. Fun entertainment for those with a taste for "Star Trek" movies. (1994)
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING
Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman
Romantic comedy about a Chicago transit worker who saves her "dream man" from muggers. Shows what a mess even "innocent" deception can lead to. (1995)
Movies for OCs and Up
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU
Nicholas Cage, Bridget Fonda
Romantic comedy about a policeman who shares a lottery ticket with a waitresslittle dreaming what the results would be! Sweet story with a good message, showing the true values in life, and that the greatest happiness comes from giving things away. Some characters and adult concepts will need explaining for younger children. (1994)
LION KING, THE
(Animated)
A lion cub raised to someday take his father's place as the king of the jungle faces adversity and exile until he finally decides to return and rescue his kingdom. Lessons on how good will eventually triumph over evil. Much of the humor is geared more for older age groups, and some scenes may need to be fast-forwarded for younger viewers. Some scenes may raise questions or cause fear, so ample explanation and discussion will probably be needed for younger children. May not be suitable in its entirety for all OCs, but, on the other hand, some parents and caretakers may choose to watch selected portions with younger age groups. (1994)
ANSWERED PRAYER
Thank you so much for your desperate prayers for Mama! In answer to everyone's prayers, her bleeding has finally completely stopped, after continuing non-stop for two months, and she is starting to regain her strength! Please continue to pray for her strength to be completely restored, and that the excessive bleeding will not start up again. Thanks so much!
PRAYER REQUESTS
CRITICAL OR LIFE-AND-DEATH SITUATIONS:
Joy (of Mark), North America: Recently diagnosed as having advanced cervical cancer, which has spread outside her womb. Joy just had her eleventh child (GBH!). The baby is normal and healthy, but Joy is very weakened from the cancer and excessive bleeding, and is in a lot of pain. For miraculous healing from the cancer; that the pain will subside and Joy will regain her strength. For speedy supply of new housing as they're having to move out of their present house.
EUROPE AND AFRICA:
That no problems for the Family will result from a negative article in Romania's largest newspaper. Against any attempts by our detractors there to stir up trouble for the Family through recent media attacks.
That a court case involving the Romanian Family's registration will be resolved speedily in our favor.
That the recent Solar Temple tragedy in France will not have any negative repercussions on our case in France or for the Family in Europe.
That an investigation arising from some false allegations against some TS and DO Family members in Belgium will be completely closed without any further problems.
Jenny (16, of James and Anna): For a healthy baby despite apparently going into labor two months premature.
SOUTH AMERICA:
Argentina: We've heard that the provincial court that was assigned our case after Marquevich's appeal was turned down by the Supreme Court, has refused to take it. This apparently means that by default our case is now back in Marquevich's court. Please pray that Marquevich will send the case to a provincial judge who will be just and fair, and who will close our case without further ado; that Marquevich will not attempt to somehow initiate a new investigation himself or bring fresh allegations against the Family.
For our Mexico media team as they respond to some negative TV shows that were aired nationwide in January. That the Lord will turn the tide of negative publicity, and the truth will be spread far and wide. Against attempts by the media and detractors to pressure the Mexican government into taking steps against the local Family.
PACIFIC:
Mariko (5, of Elisha and Liberty), Japan (PL 29:267): That she will regain all her normal body functions, which she lost after sustaining severe burns in a fire. For Elisha and Liberty's inheritance to come through quickly to help cover hospital expenses.
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Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family