FAMILY UPDATE NEWS #38 -- June 1996
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(Prophecy, Dad speaking:) "Don't you just love to see the power of God moving upon our Family everywhere? It's happening! It's really happening! And it's only just beginning, for there are great things ahead! It's just wonderful! It's everything I ever dreamed of!" (ML #3047:23b,25a; GN 677).
June 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
FOREIGN LANGUAGE TRACTS COMING!
--By WS Staff
Have you ever met someone who didn't speak your language and couldn't read your local lit? To help you feed and win such people, we're asking our translators, NPCs and CROs to work together to get you copies of the "Somebody Loves You" tract in as many languages as we have available. You should be receiving these foreign language tracts soon, if you haven't already, and you are welcome to photocopy or print as many of them as you need.
We pray they'll be a blessing to you and a help in winning many more to the Lord! (Other tracts, such as "The Prince and the Magical Power" and "To You -- With Love," will follow in the future, God willing!) The language of the tract will be indicated in small print at the bottom of one of the pages.
NEWLY RECOMMENDED VIDEOS ON CHILDBIRTH AND BABIES
--By WS Staff
(Note: These videos may soon be available to borrow through your Family and Education Department [FED]. We are listing them here for you so that if you wish, you can take advantage of any opportunities you may have to order a personal copy for your Home through your relatives or friends.)
1. "Pregnancy Exercise Program," by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. A home exercise program for women at all stages of pregnancy, a Feeling Fine program, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 51 minutes, 1985. Intro by Dr. Arthur Ulene, MD. (ISBN 0-932513-02-6)
Includes a warm-up routine, mild aerobic-type exercises, a cool-down, and a very good relaxation segment. The intensity level was selected for the unique conditions that exist during pregnancy. Jarring and jumping movements have been eliminated and there are no exercises done flat on the back. The program has timing segments at key points to allow heart rate monitoring. Modern music background. Good for both first-time and veteran mothers!
2. "Motherwell," maternity health and fitness, a program of SBI Corporation, Carlisle, PA, USA, 1992. With Bonnie Berk, RN, co-founder.
A medically-proven fitness program for expectant and new mothers. This 90-minute comprehensive, adjustable-pace home exercise program is taken from the nationally-acclaimed "Motherwell" classes used by thousands of women in hospitals and healthcare facilities in the US, including the army and navy. (Call 1-800-MOMWELL for classes in the US.) This video covers safety and exercise tips, and includes a very helpful practice session in relaxation, using imagery. Very instructional with simple exercises; emphasizes the kegal exercise. This PG exercise video is probably more interesting and best-suited for veteran moms.
3. "Your Newborn Baby--Everything You Need to Know," by J2 Communications, Meridian Entertainment Corporation, Beverly Hills, CA, USA. 60 minutes, 1995. With Joan Lunden, featuring Dr. Jeffrey Brown, MD.
Very informative and enjoyable presentation by TV announcer Joan Lunden, of the "Mother's Minutes" and "Mother's Day" TV shows. Covers how to choose your baby's doctor; decisions before your baby's birth; needs for nursery, hospital and layette; the birth; feeding; changing; bathing; crying and sleep. Generally in line with Family practices. Especially good for new mothers and JETTs, teens and siblings interested in baby care.
WATCHMAN GRADUATES
We have been saddened to hear that in early June, Watchman committed suicide, apparently from an overdose of drugs and medicine. In recent months there had been some encouraging signs of progress in reconciling with Watchman: He had visited his ex-wife Katrina several times, as well as one of his daughters, Rosita, and her children. Also, his son, Romeo, who is not in the Family, has been visiting and having positive contact with the Family.
Please keep Katrina and Watchman's children -- Meekness, Rosita and Romeo -- in your prayers, as this sad turn of events is understandably difficult for them. We've heard that Romeo in particular has taken his father's death quite hard, so please pray that he can stay in close communication with his mother and other Family members, and that the Lord will comfort him.
URGENT APPEAL FOR FINANCES FOR RUSSIAN LIT!
The Lord has told us to "pour forth," but we need your help!
-- From the European CROs
The doors of opportunity to witness freely in Russia seem to be rapidly closing. The Lord has warned us repeatedly that our time is short and we need to flood the country with the Word of God while it is still possible to do so! In prophecy recently He told us, "Thou must pour forth the Words [because] the need is great and the hunger is great; there is a thirst for the Water of Life in the land. The time is short. Send ye therefore laborers, open ye therefore your barns and fill the land. There are many, oh, so many who will not have the opportunity to hear the Words of Life if you do not give it to them." He also warned, "Let not your laborers fail in the field because they have no seed to give unto the people. Do it now while you can, for the days come when it will be almost impossible."
The Word we have given out already has borne tremendous fruit, as many Russians have received it with gladness and appreciation. Through reading the posters, they have opened their hearts to receive Jesus. Many precious people all over the former Soviet Union are now using our lit to teach others about their new-found faith! Praise the Lord!
We now have more laborers in the Russian field than at any previous time -- hundreds of full-time Family missionaries, and thousands of friends and Outside Witnessers. All are eager to fulfill the Lord's commission to give out the Word. Our limitations at this time are the amount of lit we have on hand. We presently have a relatively small stock of posters and tracts in Russia, so need to print many more -- not only to meet the current need, but especially to have lit already printed and in the Homes should the situation tighten and government restrictions make it difficult or impossible to freely print Christian literature in the country. Considering the current political climate in Russia, the doors may not stay open much longer. Therefore, we urgently need to print more lit, and for this we need finances! Can you help personally, or obtain donations from your friends?
The support you send will go a long way. Here is an idea of how far a $100 donation would go:
Picture yourself in Russia. A line of 10,000 people is filing past you, most with their heads bowed low in despair. They don't understand why their lives are so difficult! Wouldn't you just love to give them a poster to encourage their faith and share with them God's message for the hour? $100 will cover the cost of printing 10,000 posters. With your help, each of these people could walk away with a poster in hand!
Now picture yourself standing in a town square in the midst of a crowd of 30,000 people. Sad, broken people who have lived lives of fear and deprivation. They long for comfort, for hope! Jesus has spoken a precious message to them in the "To You -- With Love!" tract. Whether they receive this message or not could be up to you! $100 would cover the cost of printing enough tracts to give one to each of these 30,000 people!
Now you're in another city. As you walk the streets, you pass by throngs of young people who are mystified about what is happening in the world around them. Where are things leading? Just what is going on? "What is truth?" they wonder. With your help, we can give them the answer. $100 is all that is needed to print 20,000 "Signs of the Times" tracts!
Time is short! We need your help today! $100 is just a sample figure, but whatever you can send, more or less, would be greatly appreciated and go a long way! The more funds we receive, the more lit we'll be able to print! Please send your donations designated to the "Russian Lit Fund" via your TRF. We know the Lord will bless you for all you are doing to help us bring the light of His Love and Words to the people of Russia. Thank you so much! We love you!
With love,
Your European Continental Office
P.S.: For those of you who are already giving regularly to the Russian work and/or to a specific field Home, we'd like to suggest that you do not divert your gift that month toward the printing of Russian lit, as we wouldn't want to take away this vital support from the Homes. But if you are able to give an additional gift for the "Russian Lit Fund," it would be a tremendous blessing! Please send donations via your TRF or reporting office. Thank you so much! WLY!
ASIA
CTP BRINGS BLESSINGS ALL AROUND
(From Paul, Lily and Michael, India:) We have been visiting a local cancer hospital every week, and helping out with up to 75 adult and child patients, as well as visiting parents and relatives. It's been exciting to see how our skits, music and arts-and-craft activities brighten up the kids' and parents' faces! It's so wonderful to see them forget their pain and suffering for a little while and have a good laugh! We have also been trying to witness more there, win souls, and give out lit.
Previously, I considered the one day each week we spent doing CTP work a loss from our normal outreach activities, but now I can see it is a real ministry of feeding hungry, broken-hearted people with the Word and truly a way to show His Love to others. It has proven to also be a real boost for our provisioning and outreach, as we are able to explain some of the fruits of our ministry in terms that people can understand and relate to. Thank the Lord for Dad and his counsel to "consider the poor!"
GOING FOR SOULS!
(From Jonathan, Pakistan:) On a recent road trip we set a goal of winning at least one soul per day, something which is not always easy in this country. But the Lord honored it, and one of them was a precious friend that we were following up on. When we told him about Salvation, he sincerely prayed with us. Then he looked up and said, "Maybe my life will change and God will make me a new person." He was so sincere and precious, and it was beautiful to see the Lord touch his life this way and answer our prayer for souls.
We also heard that a factory owner who we had prayed with us on our last visit to the city had just passed away. When visiting his son, we told him about Heaven and how his father is safe and happy There because he had received Jesus. The son readily received the Lord with us also, praise God!
As we continued to put souls first, the Lord helped us to get out 67 videos in three days. Once again, our faith was greatly strengthened to see our powerful Lord at work!
HIS UNLIMITED POWER TO SUPPLY!
(From Christina, Mary, Bright and James, Thailand:) For the past eight months we had been knocking on every possible door to try to raise the funds we needed to purchase a passenger van. After all this time we had just a third of the required amount. We were running short of options, and then we heard that the van's price was going to increase the following month! We felt like we had done all we could and had exhausted our own means and sources of supply, and we were ready for the Lord to take over.
We received a call from Mr. C., a friend whom we hadn't been in touch with for two years, who called us one day to ask for our help to teach English to his teenage son before he starts school in the US. Though we were happy to be back in contact with Mr. C., we weren't sure about the English-teaching request, and how it would work when we already have so much to do in our service for the Lord.
A couple of days later, Mr. C. visited our Home, and we could tell that he was sincerely, even desperately seeking our help. That night, we counseled together and asked the Lord if we should take on the three-month commitment to teach this boy. We received a confirmation that we needed to extend ourselves and meet this need -- that in giving, it would be given unto us. We also hoped that in going out of our way to help this man, perhaps the Lord would also touch his heart to help towards our other ministries, or even donate funds towards the needed van.
Going to Mr. C.'s home to finalize the agreement was quite a surprise: When the automatic gates opened, we beheld a palatial mansion of glass, steel and marble, surrounded by a large landscaped garden including exotic ducks swimming by a sculpted waterfall. He took us for a tour of his home, which comprised about 22 rooms in all! He was obviously proud of his wealth and this increased our faith to ask him for a donation for the van. When we finally explained our request for his contribution towards the van, he asked us how much we needed. We told him that we were short about $12,000. To that, he replied, "No problem! I'll take care of it!"
It was almost too good to be true, but in the following few days as we discussed the matter further with him, we realized that the Lord had wonderfully answered our prayers in His Own special way! We felt like it was a fulfillment of the Lord's promise that if we please Him, He will lay the world at our feet! Praise God!
PARTICIPATION IN THE ASIA PACIFIC GAMES FOR THE DEAF!
(From Philip and Sharon, SEA:) As a recent CTP project, our Home was able to participate in the Asia Pacific Games for the Deaf. It was exciting to see the Lord open so many doors and lead us to many precious people. Each of us had specific responsibilities, as liaisons for the badminton, table tennis and football events, and working in the office. Our teens also helped in different events. We were all given VIP ID cards.
We were able to meet some of our deaf catacombers and friends from the Indian football and badminton teams. They were all on-fire, and so thrilled to meet the Family at the Games! We had dinner with five of them the night before they returned to India. They told us that they had witnessed to and led to the Lord the whole Indian team. God bless them!
At the closing dinner ceremony, the committee members thanked us personally for our help, and presented us with a plaque in appreciation of our participation in the event. It's so amazing how the Lord engineered the whole thing and how He fulfilled His promises in several prophecies He gave us prior to the Games!
AFRICA
HELPING OTHER MISSIONARIES BOTH PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY!
(From Paul and Olivia, Kenya:) We've started helping an orphanage with 88 children, which is run by two American missionaries. We've been able to provision a regular supply of vegetables for them, ten cupboards and 20 new benches to replace their dangerous old ones. After one of the missionaries came over for our fellowship meeting, she said, "I had tingles going up my spine all the way through it! From now on I'll be a regular visitor to your fellowships."
MINISTERING JESUS' LOVE AT HOSPITALS
(From Spring, South Africa:) The most urgent need we have seen in the patients at the hospital we visit regularly is for them to know how much the Lord loves them. Every Sunday a local shop donates many bouquets of flowers to us, which we distribute to the lonely patients. They are happy to tell us about their lives and are thankful for our prayers for their operations and healing. Many also gladly pray to receive the Lord's Salvation. Just last week, 37 people were saved! Praise God!
EUROPE
BOUNTIFUL SUPPLY FOR SLOVENIAN SHIPMENT
(From Tim and Rachel, TS, Sweden:) When a team from here made a second trip to visit orphanages in Slovenia (part of the former Yugoslavia), the Lord supplied a big truckload of provisioned clothes and shoes, curtains, baby equipment, etc. The Lord also provided free ferry tickets, 500 liters of diesel fuel, car parts and labor for several expensive repairs. The organizations involved faxed us official letters confirming our ministry and the human aid nature of our shipment, which will help get it to its destination safely. Praise the Lord!
POWERFUL TV WITNESS!
(From Miguel and Gideon, Spain:) Spanish Maria was the subject of a popular TV program, "Quien Sabe Donde" (Who Knows Where), which had been widely advertised. Maria's mother, who for years has been actively antagonistic towards the Family and in close contact with various anti-Family groups, had arranged this show, supposedly in an effort to find her "lost" daughter who had moved from Spain years ago. Although Maria lives in another field, the Lord had indicated that it would be good for her to attend this TV show as a witness and step towards reconciling with her flesh family.
The program opened with interviews with Maria's mother and other relatives, which contained a very negative representation of the Family. The MC then said that the Family had made it possible for the TV crew to talk with Maria, and they proceeded to show a very anointed interview (recorded earlier), where Maria was able to refute the main allegations her relatives had brought against the Family.
After the interview, the MC asked her relatives if they wanted to meet with her right there, which they agreed to (her relatives had not known that Maria was even in Spain). So Maria came on camera and there was a very touching moment as she and her relatives embraced each other.
They then held another interview all together. Maria really shone during the program and had a beautiful, loving attitude. Overall, the program was a big victory and a step toward reconciliation. After the program, the MC and the TV crew commended Maria for her sweet, loving sample, and the Family in Spain received very positive reactions to the show from friends and contacts.
STUDENTS DO RESEARCH ON THE FAMILY
(From the Dunton Bassett Home, Engand:) Eight different groups of students from main universities have been visiting us over the past six weeks. We really are the "in thing" to study!
Mass Media students have also come to interview and film us. A group of four filmed the Home and children, and did an interview on our Endtime beliefs. We gave them a "20 Minutes to Go" video and Endtime posters to insert into the interview.
Students are studying us from many different angles, each trying to find something different from everyone else. One of the students is studying Dad and was very excited that she had just come back from Tenerife, where Dad had started the FFing ministry. She had been in one of our seminars at Newcastle University and said that all the students had been very impressed by us, in contrast to visits from other NRMs. This girl said that she is quite fascinated by Dad, and her thesis covers Dad's continuing influence on the Family from the spirit world.
REACHING ENGLISH-SPEAKING YOUTH
(From Magda, Jonathan and Andrew, Ukraine:) We contacted one of the language institutes, which invited us to do a show for three of their student groups. Everybody enjoyed our songs and skits, and just about everybody received Jesus.
One of the English teachers came to Magda after the show and said, "There is a remarkable difference between your young people and my students, unfortunately to my disadvantage. Your people are so at ease and obviously have a healthy self-esteem. You can tell they know where they are going in life. Whereas I can't say the same about my students." Magda witnessed to him about our beliefs and how our young people had grown up with an outgoing concern for others.
The English teacher then asked if we could come and teach their theology class the following week. The dean of the institute also invited us to come back every week for a similar class at a set time, for whoever wanted to participate. This was a real blessing for us, as we had been praying to get something going on a regular basis with English-speaking youth.
The two-and-a-half hour theology class was quite a challenge, as we were not given a subject to teach on. YAs Apollos and Maggie taught a simple "Plan of Salvation" class, then we had an open forum where the students asked us a lot of interesting questions and each of us present gave our testimonies. Everyone in the class who hadn't gotten saved in the previous meeting received the Lord. The English teacher came to thank us afterwards and said our teaching had been very professional! Thank You Jesus!
MINISTERING TO MUSLIM YOUTH
(From Tanya, 15, and Maria, 15, Ukraine:) When we first started to meet and talk with Muslim young people, they were quite shocked that we, as Christians, would want to be friends with Muslims. They started teaching us Arabic, which has been fun for both them and us.
We have been reading some of the basic MO Letters with them like "Richman, Poorman" and "The Holy War," which they really liked. One of them told us that he'd been studying economics for years now, but "Richman, Poorman" finally put everything in its proper perspective!
We meet regularly in one of the dormitory rooms, with anywhere from six to 14 students. They listen to a whole Letter, with one of the boys translating into Arabic. After the class we usually have a question and answer time, and they all have very sincere questions. We are learning to stay simple and stick to the points we agree on.
We've also prayed for and comforted some of the Palestinian boys who had lost contact with their families for a while after the recent bombings in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Songs like "Peace in the Midst of the Storm" really come alive when singing to these boys, who don't even know if they have a family or home to go back to. Meeting these students has been a learning experience, as well as lots of fun.
THE FRUIT OF MAIL MINISTRY AND FOLLOW-UP
(From Sophie, 19, Slovakia:) On a mail-ministry follow-up visit to one of the biggest cities in Slovakia, we met Mirko. He was so surprised and thankful that his prayers to meet somebody from the Family were finally answered! He had been corresponding with us for some time. He is slightly mentally handicapped, so he acts a little bit like a child, but also receives things in the Spirit with childlike faith, and fell in love with Jesus and the Family. Every week he writes to ask for counsel about how to witness and how to feed people.
At the beginning of this month he visited us for a couple of days, which was a real special time for him. He really enjoyed the fellowship and Word classes, and played with our children.
Mirko helped us appreciate how the Lord can use anybody to win souls to His Kingdom. Every week he meets with ten boys who are now all saved and together they study the Bible and the lit that we send him. They all have a lot of questions, and Mirko tries to remember all the things we have told him so he can share them with his friends. Thank You Jesus! He was almost crying when he had to leave, but was excited to share his bag full of new lit with his friends.
FREED FROM MAN'S ARMY TO JOIN THE LORD'S ARMY!
(From David [new disciple], Bulgaria:) When I first decided to join the Family, I had a ten-year contract with the Bulgarian army. I was ready to forsake all, but the Lord showed me that it could cause problems for the work in Bulgaria, so I stayed in the army for two-and-a-half more years.
During this time the Lord taught me many lessons, and I made a commitment to change my life completely. I started to pray more, and I saw how blind most people around me really were. The Lord also helped me witness and talk to my mother and she started to change her way of thinking towards us. Later she even witnessed to some of her friends, but the most important thing is that she helped me get out of the army, which was quite a miracle.
At this point, after the Lord taught me a lot and it seemed it was His will for me to join the Family, everything moved like clockwork and I was able to leave man's army and join His Army in only two months. Praise the Lord!
PERFORMANCE AFTER ROCK CONCERT!
(From Tim, 16, and John, 20, Russia:) Three of us recently accepted an invitation to witness at a rock concert. There must have been around 200 young people in a big room where several rock bands were playing. We gave out posters, did some personal witnessing, and won ten young people to the Lord, all of whom want to come over for Bible classes.
On our way home we were so inspired that on the bus we gave out our last few posters and started singing a cappella, clapping and doing a little Holy Ghost sample right on the bus! We were singing songs like "Jesus the Light" and "I Love Jesus" in Russian, and "Oh, in the Sky" and "Nice to Be Here" in English. On the bus we led another two young people to the Lord! A friend of ours who had come along with us was really flipped out.
GIVING AND RECEIVING GOD'S BLESSINGS AT A CANCER CLINIC
(From Adam, James, Angelica and Christine, Russia:) Since we started to do all we can to help provide for the children at the cancer clinic where we minister, the Lord has really poured it on us! We have received enough to also supply all our own monthly needs of bread, tofu, soya milk and bananas. When we get more than either the cancer clinic and we can eat, we give the surplus to a local orphanage and a center for delinquent children. Praise the Lord!
During one of our meetings with the director of the clinic, a mother came in to the office to talk about her three-year-old child, who was in intensive care. The director explained the medical procedures to her, and how important it is for the children's progress for those around them to keep a positive attitude. She said, "We provide the medical expertise." Then pointing to Adam and Peace, who were in her office at the time, she added, "And they are Christian 'psychologists' who will provide the things we can't: encouragement and counseling. With God's help, we will all do what we can to ensure the best care for your child." Praise the Lord!
LOVE AND MUSIC TOUCH PRISONERS AND THE AGED
(From Joy, Katya and Steven, Russia:) A friend invited us to visit a women's prison in a city in Russia's far north. She arranged the transport, and it wasn't until we got on the bus that we found out that others were going with us: a TV crew, a Salvation Army officer (who was very friendly and receptive), and two women from the American Association of Nurses. The trip was quite inspiring as we had time to witness, sing, read the Word and stamp our posters with our address.
When we arrived, the room was full of about 400 women of different ages. They responded beautifully to our songs -- smiling, clapping and singing along with us. They all repeated the prayer aloud, and were happy to receive posters! One woman said she was "positively charged" for weeks! Praise the Lord!
We then found out that it had been arranged for us to hold a concert in another prison on the same day! On the way there they kept saying that this prison was special; it was for corrupt former policemen who all had higher education and would probably respond differently, etc. But we knew that the hearts of men are the same everywhere, so we sang to their hearts, like we always do -- and the Lord did it!
At first there were just a few people in the hall, but a few minutes later we were standing before a crowd of 500 people! Although they were not as outgoing as women in the previous prison, we could see that the message reached their hearts.
The man from the Salvation Army was really inspired about our songs, especially "You Gotta Be a Baby." He kept exclaiming, "This is it! This is the right approach! I'm going to implement it!"
We also did a show at a veterans home, bringing them hope and the Love of Jesus! It was so rewarding to see their sparkling eyes and smiling faces! After the concert somebody said, "Our eyes can see better now! Our wrinkles disappeared!" Thank the Lord!
WITNESSING AT A FOREIGN LANGUAGE UNIVERSITY
(From Martin and Charity, Russia:) This month we pioneered witnessing at the foreign language university. We were amazed at how well the students spoke English, German and French. Being able to witness at this university has been a real blessing and made it possible for those on our team who don't speak Russian well to witness more. We talk to some students in the university, and visit others in their dorms. We have been able to meet quite a few receptive students, praise the Lord!
PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL POLICE DAY
(From John and Ruby, Hungary:) For the third year in a row, we participated in the National Police Day program. We put on a 25-minute show with songs, clowns and puppets. The department also sponsored some of our needs. At the end the lady in charge commented, "If there is anyone we can depend on, it's the Family. You are all so dependable and we know you always come through!" Praise the Lord!
PACIFIC AND AUSTRALIA
WITNESSING THROUGH RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
(From Alf, Claire and Elle, Japan:) Our neighbors' kids have been attending our video nights regularly, and by using movies that relate to them we've found it to be a good witnessing opportunity. One of them received Jesus recently, and he started to show interest in our way of life. His mother has started to read the Bible, which she says is very new and fresh for her. We also invited our friends to our Home birthday party last month, which they really enjoyed. Praise the Lord!
REACHING THE KIDS THROUGH SCRIPTURE CLASSES
(From Sunny and Christie, Australia:) Sunny and Jeff teach weekly Bible classes in four local public schools to over 200 11-and 12-year-olds. The other Scripture teachers, who come from different churches in the area, have been very impressed by Sunny and Jeff's approach with the kids, and their extensive knowledge of the Bible.
They perform Family songs on their guitars and occasionally show a feeding video such as "The Easter Story." One day they both dressed up in the latest "in" gear and sang a few rock'm sock'm songs, which really turned the kids on. They have also done a few skits, which have gone over very well and it gets the kids more interested in the message that is to follow.
For a supposedly Christian nation, it's surprising how very few children seem to know much about God, so we are very encouraged that the Lord has opened this door to teach these kids some of the basics. Please pray that the Lord will guide us in this ministry!
FROM BUDDHA TO CHRIST!
(From Abe and Mercy, Taiwan:) When we first got to know Rita, she was a very devout Buddhist and would pay weekly visits to the temple to read and chant Buddhist scriptures. Even after she got saved, she would say, "Praise Buddha" in answer to us saying "Praise God" about something good or inspiring. Though attached to her Buddhism, she was always eager to receive the counsel and advice we had for her from the Word. She could not deny the power of the Word and how it helped her through many personal trials and battles, but it seemed she wanted the fruit of the Word without the Word-Giver -- Jesus.
So one time Mercy had a heart-to-heart talk with her, encouraging her to make a choice between Buddha and Jesus. Her case seemed a bit different from the type of Buddhists that Dad talks about in "How to Witness to Pagans" (ML #2389, DB9), who just go through the motions without any commitment, and their religion is just some kind of face-saving tradition. When Mercy presented Rita with this challenge, she said she would think about it for a few weeks. During this time we kept feeding her the Word.
When she finally chose Jesus over Buddha, it was beautiful to see the change in her. She was transformed into such a happy, outgoing person, that even her classmates were astonished and asked her if she was in love! Rita told them it was Jesus. She is now our hungriest student of the Word and practically gobbles up everything we feed her and keeps asking for more all the time. It is so wonderful to see the Word doing the work, if we are just faithful to feed it to the sheep!
NORTH AMERICA
AN UNEXPECTED CALLER!
(From Samuel, Abby, Zech and Hannah, USA:) We received an urgent call from a young businessman who we had met some months ago, asking to meet with us. It had dawned on him that the Family was the same group that he had met years ago in Germany when he was 16 years old, and which he had wanted to join but wasn't able to. He was thrilled to see the Lord's hand in things!
He made an immediate commitment to help support the work and started off by offering to clean all the carpets in our house, since that's his business! We had been praying for a contact to do just that! Praise God!
ORGANIZING A PLAYGROUP FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
(From Anna, 17, of Zac and Hope, USA:) For the last couple of months we have been going weekly to organize and run a children's playgroup in one of the main homeless centers in our city. We have received a lot of positive reactions for this from the center's staff and directors. The other volunteers at the shelter always look to us for ideas of things to do with the kids. Thank the Lord for the Family's good training and input along these lines!
People are always so amazed at how such "young" teens can handle what they consider to be such a big load. For us it just comes naturally, thanks to Dad and Mama and all our shepherds. Praise the Lord!
ROCK CONCERT WITNESSING
(From Charity Knight, Lydia Child and Rosita Gypsy, USA:) We went witnessing at a D.C. Talk (contemporary Christian rap group) concert. The witnessing there was great -- everybody was geared for talking about Jesus. We had first thought that there would just be a lot of church kids, but when we prayed, the Lord showed us that He wanted us to go there to get out the meat of the Word.
By a miracle we were able to get inside, and we passed out many Mountain Streams like "Flatlanders," "Change the World," and "Mountain Men," as well as Endtime posters. There was a great variety of people there -- adults as well as lots of teens. The majority of teens we talked to turned out to be not too churchy after all, but rather, this was the only kind of concert their conservative parents would allow them to go to! It was a very inspiring witnessing opportunity, praise the Lord! (Editor's note: While it went well for this team, we want to caution you that those running similar events may not appreciate your presence there, witnessing to "their" young people. Please be sure you have the Lord's leading and exercise wisdom when witnessing at Christian concerts or other events organized by churches or Christian groups.)
A WALKING ANSWER TO PRAYER!
(From Paul, Clara, Peter and Maria, USA:) We recently met again a man named Jimmy, whom we first met last Christmas. At that time, he was recently saved and was going through a big breaking, as his wife and infant daughter were at a center for abused spouses, with the workers encouraging his wife to stay away from him because of his past record with the law and drugs. Jimmy's life had changed dramatically since his Salvation, but people still saw him as the man he had been before.
When we met him that December, he was very thin and ragged-looking. He asked for prayer that the Lord would help him get back together with his wife and child. He gave us the last few coins in his pocket as a donation for the poster. Later at the Home we shared his prayer request with everyone, and we all prayed for him.
Then just recently, Maria met Jimmy again in another parking lot in a different part of town. He recognized Maria, but at first she didn't recognize him because he was clean-cut, not skinny anymore -- and happy! He introduced Maria to his wife and baby daughter, and joyfully explained how everything had worked out fine. Maria told him how we had prayed for him and he was so inspired. Praise the Lord!
PARTICIPATION IN CITY JOB FAIR
(From Stefan and Phebe, Sam and Esther, USA:) We are helping to host our city's Job Fair again! After several months of planning sessions, our name was put at the top of a long list of assisting agencies on a flyer which was distributed around town. Sam was nominated head of security for the Job Fair, and will be working as liaison between the city fire chief and the job providers -- over 200 companies that will be looking for employees.
The upcoming Job Fair will be exciting! We have worked with the community relations board on this since November of last year, and have become very trusted and respected for our willingness and near "enjoyment of sacrifice," as someone put it! The entire event will be staffed by Family volunteers, with policemen as assistants! We have invited other Homes to participate, as this promises to be an event with far-reaching results!
SOUTH AMERICA
HELP FROM THE HEAVENLY REALM!
(From Jonathan, Amy and David, Brazil:) We were desperately praying for a guarantor for our house, and a few days later one of my English students asked me if she could be our guarantor. She told me, "I heard a voice say, 'Be David's guarantor.' I said, 'Why should I?' and the voice said, 'Why shouldn't you?'" She also said, "This is something I can do for God." It was a real miracle.
MINISTERING TO AN ACCIDENT SURVIVOR
(From Joanna, 15, Brazil:) I recently returned to visit a young girl I had met while caroling in a hospital last Christmas Eve. This girl was bandaged and in a cast from head to toe. As we sang for her and her relatives who were visiting that day, they began to cry. The girl was sobbing almost uncontrollably, and I reassured her that Jesus loved and cared for her. She told me that she had been in a car accident where she had lost her father, mother and sister. She had been in a coma for three days, but miraculously survived against all odds. She was devastated by the accident and the loss of her loved ones, whom she loved dearly.
I prayed with her to receive Jesus, and gave her a Heaven poster and the poster "Man of Love." We told her that her parents and sister were happy with Jesus in Heaven (they were Christians), and even happier than they could ever have been on this earth. She was touched by our concern for her and how much love we showed her, being total strangers. We promised we would visit her whenever we had the chance to. Before leaving we prayed for her healing.
I have been visiting her since then, and gave her the tapes "Fear Not" and "How to Win," and the Daily Food with a class on Romans 8:28. She began to be more cheerful and told me that she knew her life had been spared for a purpose.
During one visit, I told her about the Austin accident and how the spirits of the girls came back and talked to their parents, etc. She was very excited, and told me of some spirit trips she had while in a coma, including a near-death experience with her departed uncle appearing to her, reassuring her that her family was in good hands, and that they were happy in Heaven.
I gave her a copy of the Christian Digest, "Within the Gates," and she loved it. She was released from the hospital a little while ago, after being hospitalized for three months. She is very happy and taking it all very well. Ministering to this precious girl has made me count my blessings, as she had lost practically everything and yet is still thankful and cheerful about everything. I'm still following up on her.
SUPPORTER'S SON OPENS UP MINISTRY HALF A WORLD AWAY!
(From Dave, Tim and Cielo, Colombia:) One of our main supporters has a son in Italy, in a rehab center for drug addicts. We'd been feeding this boy spiritually by mail from here, and he had begun witnessing to all his friends in the institute, telling them how the Lord could change their lives, as He had done for him. Then the directors forbade him from talking to people about God there, which really discouraged him and he thought about quitting his witnessing.
We tried to encourage him, and sent him a letter with many promises to inspire him to keep up the good work. After that, the young man went to the head director and told him about the Family, how we had helped him and how he should authorize the Family there to come to the institute. (The Family in Italy had tried but had been unable to visit the center.)
The director said that he wanted to meet us before making his decision on that proposition. We prayed for a miracle, and the Lord did it! We later heard that two brothers went to the institute and talked with this man. After letting them sing to the young people there and pray with them, he said he was very impressed and invited the Family back any time they wanted to sing and help the 2,000 young men who receive treatment there! Praise God!
THE HEALING POWER OF OUR TAPES
(From Pedro, Aurora, John and Paul, Brazil:) A man who has all of our Word tapes told us that he uses them to give therapy to people in his neighborhood who are in need of healing and comfort. He puts them under headphones and has them listen to our tapes for a couple of hours. His "prescriptions" vary, depending on what kind of problem they have. For example, he sometimes prescribes two hours a day for 10 days. He says that this method of therapy has cured many people.
MIRACULOUS MANIFESTATION OF GOD'S HEALING POWER!
(From Lydia, Pedro and Daniela, Chile:) Two-and-a-half years ago we met a woman and her family who own a restaurant in the north of our country. This woman had been operated on 20 times for cancer, and still wasn't cured. We offered to pray that the Lord would heal her. After that we left the city and heard no more news of her, although we continued to pray for her health. When we went back to her city recently, we looked her up. It was a very emotional reunion, as she tearfully told us that after we prayed for her she was cured without any more operations!
STATS ANALYSIS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 1996
-- By WS Staff
DISTRIBUTION: Posters distributed were up 23% from last month to 505,290; tapes were up 3% to 30,450; videos were up 9% to 12,057; and Living Waters were up 28% to 18,794. Praise the Lord! That brought our total pages distributed this month up by 20% over March, to 11.1 million pages, or 1.02 million pieces!
SOULS WON AND PERSONAL WITNESS: Souls won were up from last month a significant 32% to 74,930, and personal witness was up 19% to 640,751! Since our beginnings, the Family has now led 19.3 million souls to the Lord! -- That's about 60,000 a month for the past 27 years! -- Close to 2,000 a day!
TOP TOOLS (based on April's amounts ordered by the Homes for distribution:)
Posters - What Everybody Needs Is Love: 40,415; Signs of the Times: 19,330; Why Worry?: 16,045.
Tapes - Great Adventures II: 2,074; Daybreak: 1,942; Sweet Dreams Tonight: 1,710.
Videos - Fun on the Farm (TA4): 908; Little Creatures (TA3): 897; Let's Have Fun! (TA1): 828.
HOMES AND POPULATION: The number of DO and TS Homes continued to climb, DO Homes up by 20 over last month to 585, and TS up by 2 to 552! The Family continues to expand!
In April there were very fruitful road-trips into Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia and Laos, where the teams report a tremendous vacuum for our message and help. "Cambodia itself is like one huge CTP ministry," one brother commented.
Following are some area-by-area graphs of our per-adult averages for April '95 to April '96:
[Stats charts not able to be viewed in the ARC.]
MOVIE RATINGS
(Editor's note: The following movies have been previewed by WS units or CRO offices around the world. While these movies have generally been deemed "watchable," WS is not endorsing the full content of every one. The suggested age ratings are also subject to the faith and final decision of you, parents, teachers and shepherds. Please be prayerful and Spirit-led in choosing what you and your children watch, considering that people often react differently to the same movie, and what may be one person's meat may be another's poison. We hope these reviews are a blessing and help to you. WLY!)
Movies for Senior Teens and Up
DISCLOSURE (1994)
Michael Douglas, Demi Moore
Drama about a high-tech executive who gets passed over for a promotion in favor of an upcoming woman executive, who then attempts to seduce him, and accuses him of sexual harassment. Exposes the hypocrisy and deceit of the corporate world and what people will do for personal and corporate gain. The slant given to the issue of sexual harassment would be a good topic for discussion. For mature audiences.
PRISONER OF HONOR (1991)
Richard Dreyfuss
Movie based on the historic trial in turn-of-the-century France, where a lieutenant colonel is court-martialed for his attempts to free a Jewish captain, Alfred Dreyfus (great grandfather of the actor), who has been jailed for espionage. Some may find this one slow-moving.
RIVER WILD, THE (1994)
Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon
Intense thriller about a family rafting down dangerous rapids, who get caught up with some ex-convicts on the run.
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT (1995)
Julia Roberts, Dennis Quaid, Robert Duvall, Kyra Sedgwick
A woman finds out her husband is having an affair with another woman and struggles to cope. Lessons on pride, humility and forgiveness. Lots of bad language and attitudes, especially in the family quarrels.
SPEED (1994)
Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Hopper
Tense action movie about a bus that is triggered to explode if the speedometer goes below 50 miles per hour. Some graphic violence and psychotic nature of the bomb-planter may make this movie not to everyone's liking.
Movies for Junior Teens and Up
AMERICAN PRESIDENT, THE (1995)
Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen
Light drama/love story in which a widowed, modern-day US president falls in love with a lobbyist. Interesting character study on the personal lives of those at the top and the political choices they are faced with on a daily basis. The movie promotes a pro-liberal agenda.
BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, THE (1995)
Meryl Streep, Clint Eastwood
A world-traveling photographer arrives in a small Iowa town and strikes up an acquaintance with a farmer's wife. Well-acted character study, geared more towards older audiences. Good lessons on sacrificial love.
FORGET PARIS (1995)
Billy Crystal, Debra Winger
Comedy/love story about a popular basketball referee who goes to Paris to bury his father, where he falls in love, marries and then is faced with the task of making his marriage work. Light entertainment.
PERSUASION (1995)
Amanda Root, Ciaran Hinds
British adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, set in the early 1800s. Character study and love story about a young woman who followed a friend's advice to reject the man she loved, only to have him return eight years later.
SABRINA (1995)
Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond
Love story about a rich tycoon and a chauffeur's daughter. (Re-make of 1954 black-and-white version starring Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn.)
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (1995)
Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet
Drama/character study about two sisters and their experiences finding husbands. Shows the importance of sincerity, trust and sympathy in affairs of the heart. Set in 19th century England, and based on Jane Austen's novel by the same name, with beautiful scenery and good acting.
Movies for JETTs and Up
MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS (1995)
Richard Dreyfuss
Drama/character study of a music teacher and the challenges he faces in his life and work. Lots of lessons on shepherding, love and marriage, and parenting a handicapped child.
WITH HONORS (1994)
Joe Pesci, Brendan Fraser, Moira Kelly
Comedy/drama about a group of college students whose lives change through their interaction with a homeless man. Good lessons on learning to work together and get along, and the real values of life -- love and caring for others. Beware of unpleasant language.
Movies for OCs and Up
ALADDIN (1992)
(Animated, with voices of Scott Weinger and Robin Williams.)
Liberal Disney adaptation of the classic tale of Aladdin's Magic Lamp. Should not be viewed repeatedly due to the predominant influence of the less desirable characters. Also, some of the main characters' bad actions and attitudes are portrayed as good or cute -- such as stealing, for example.
Movies for MCs and Up
INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD, THE (1995)
Hal Scardino, Litefoot
Fantasy story about a young boy who receives for his birthday a magical cupboard which turns toys into real people and things. You can explain to the children beforehand that it is only a make-believe story, and of course not true.
Movies for YCs and Up
ARISTOCATS, THE (1970)
(Animated)
Lively Disney animation involving a cat and her kittens on the run from a malevolent butler after they inherit a fortune from their late mistress. Entertainment only; not recommended for repeated viewing.
Movies for All
ADVENTURES OF MILO AND OTIS, THE (1989)
Narrated by Dudley Moore
Cute movie about the adventures of a dog and cat who embark on a journey from their farmyard home.
WINNIE THE POOH
(Animated)
Disney animation of the adventures of the famous bear and his friends, from the novel by E.E. Milne.
Non-Recommended Movies
WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP (Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson)
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Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family