Worldwide Activity Report -- June 1998
FAR071 -- GP     chr

Copyright 1998 by The Family

         "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to everyone, everywhere," Jesus told His followers. Every day, in nearly 80 countries, Family missionaries share Jesus' message of hope and love with many thousands. Following are some highlights of their recent activities and experiences.

         [Picture caption] Disciples of all nations. The Family is presently made up of 93 nationalities. Pictured here are Hannah, Eddie (our first Zimbabwean member, who began serving the Lord with us full-time a year and a half ago), and Abel, Zimbabwe.

Tojo's story
From Christian, Japan
         Tojo was an old homeless man, just one of several thousand homeless people living in and around the railway station in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. Whenever I would go to that area, I would take along some extra food, clothing and other items to pass out to the homeless. Since Tojo hung out near where I parked, he was always one of the first I saw. I would give him some food, perhaps an article of clothing, and a gospel tract or poster. It was no big deal--just a few minutes every week or two for a couple of years.
         As time went on, Tojo began talking about Jesus and things he'd read in the tracts. Eventually he explained that he had prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior, and was going to Heaven. He became the sweetest old man, with a winning smile and a peaceful manner that was in stark contrast to the dismal conditions in which he lived.
         Then one night he wasn't there. It was the first time in two years. As I was about to leave Shinjuku, a policeman stopped me at my car and asked me if I was the man who had given food and clothes to the old man who used to sit idle at that spot. When I said yes, he went on to explain that Tojo had died.
         "His dying words were to me," the policeman went on. "He told me to thank you for all you did for him, and to say that he'd see you in Heaven. I couldn't rest until I found you." Then the policeman showed me a stack of 20 or 30 tracts and posters that Tojo had collected over the years. "The old fellow died holding on to these," he said.
         I was surprised to hear how much Tojo had valued my friendship and those few tracts. For 15 years I've been serving the Lord here in Japan, but I haven't always seen a lot of tangible results from my witnessing and have sometimes wondered how many folks I had actually reached with His love. Only in Heaven will I really know, but I'm certain there will be one to welcome me home!

Touched by love
From Sara, Brazil
         I now host a weekly 30-minute program on a local FM radio station, called "Let Love Touch Your Life." The show combines Family-produced music with anecdotes, stories, and wise sayings on themes such as how to be happy despite difficult circumstances, and how to overcome adversity, worry, and fear.
         Right after the first broadcast, several people phoned the station to say what a help the program had been to them. One 63-year-old lady phoned twice to talk to me.
         "You know how it is when you need to hear some special word of comfort," she began, "but you don't quite know yourself what it is you need? I was like that! Then I switched on the radio, and the things you said and the songs you played were exactly what I needed!"
         After the second week's broadcast, this woman came to the studio to meet me and received Jesus into her heart.

Heaven's children
From Priscila Fisher, Moldova
         This month we started working with the children in the main cancer hospital here in Moldova's capital, Chisinau. We can't offer them much materially, but we try to lead them to Jesus and encourage them and their parents, who often stay with them day and night. It is beautiful to be around sweet children who have one foot in Heaven, so to speak, but at times I cry for them and pray desperately for the Lord to give them more time here.
         The head doctor told me about one little boy who had a tumor on his spine that required surgery. The day before the operation, all of the boy's relatives were gathered around him when he started telling them not to worry about what would happen to him after the operation. He had seen the house that he would be living in when he goes to Heaven. He said it was beautiful, just as he had always wanted his house to be--in the middle of the woods, with a beautiful stream flowing past and animals nearby. And he knew that the house was his. The next day, during the operation, he passed on to his beautiful home, but not before he had been able to comfort his parents. The Lord is faithful to give His heavenly visions to those who are in need encouragement and look to Him.

Against all odds
From Joanna, Indonesia
         Several months ago we helped construct basketball and volleyball courts at the rehabilitation center for drug addicts and troubled youth where we do volunteer work. We wanted to paint the courts and it seemed everyone was waiting for us to take the lead, but relentless rain made painting impossible. We gathered the marine paint and long-handled paint rollers we would use--and we waited. We mapped out the job, we made plans to work side by side with the former addicts and delinquents, we invited some of their parents to join in--and we waited. Finally we set a date, and prayed again for a change in the weather.
         The day before we were supposed to paint, the rain came down all afternoon and through the night. In the morning, the sky was bleak! A company was going to donate refreshments, and since it was the weekend we had no way to contact them about a possible change of plans. Also, a former addict's parents had already prepared lunch for the whole crew. Everyone was counting on us, and we hated to disappoint them. What should we do?
         We got on our toll-free hotline to Heaven to find out, and our Boss assured us that He specialized in things thought impossible. "Go to it and do it!" was the basic message we got from the Lord when we prayed.
         We arrived at the center, got the boys from their barracks, and asked everyone to keep praying. And lo and behold! The sun came smiling through the clouds! Later, when someone returned from getting more paint, he said that it was raining heavily in other parts of the city. But the Lord kept the sun out where we were until the paint was dry, proving once again that it sure pays to pray and follow where He leads!

Eritrea outreach
From Abraham, Switzerland
         Recently I spent three weeks in Eritrea, my native land, after being away for 24 years. Eritrea is a very poor country, where the people are trying hard to rebuild their lives after 34 years of war with neighboring Ethiopia. The people, both Christian and Muslim, were so eager for the gospel literature I offered them that they took it from my hands almost by force. Many asked if meetings would be held where they could learn more.
         I prayed for someone who could translate Family literature into Tigrinya, Eritrea's national language, and also for a printer. A short while later, I met a student named Adis, and he translated our "To You-With Love" tract. Then an old schoolmate of mine who is now the director of one of the best printing companies in Asmara, Eritrea's capital city, made corrections on the translation and printed it free of charge!
         Next I met Amanuel, who for a long time had wanted to serve the Lord, but didn't know how or where to start. He said that after he read "To You-With Love," he felt a peace and slept better than he had ever slept in his life. I met with him again later, and gave him a copy of Treasures. When I saw him next, he was using it to share the Word with many of his friends, who were gathered around.
         There is a great spiritual hunger in Eritrea, so please pray that we'll be able to open a permanent Family work there soon.
         (The Family's Treasures book is a unique collection of Bible-based articles on a wide array of subjects. To order your own copy, write to the e-mail address at the end of this publication.)

Salvation for the suffering
From Mamta and Joy, India
         We make weekly visits to comfort and encourage the patients at a very poor government-run hospital. It's a huge place with many wards, which we try to cover systematically on our rounds. The doctors and nurses are so overworked that the patients get little individual attention, and the physical standard is quite low--peeling paint, dirty fans, and broken window panes. It all makes for quite a depressing atmosphere.
         Each time we walk into a ward, we find that not only the patients but their visiting family and friends need someone to talk to in their time of crisis. They watch us as we go from bed to bed, and eagerly await their turn. Most are of non-Christian faiths and know little about the Lord or the Bible, so we point them to God's love and healing power in very simple terms they can understand. We explain that Jesus is a Friend who understands and loves them, and can give everlasting life to those who receive it as His free gift. Their suffering has made these patients and their loved ones desperate for divine help, and many of them pray with us and find that help in Jesus.
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         The Family is a nonprofit, volunteer organization. Each of the activities you have just read about was made possible through donations from businesses, associations and concerned individuals. If you would like more information about The Family, or if you would like to help sponsor Family volunteers or projects, including any of those mentioned in this issue, please contact us at one of the addresses below:



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family