FAMILY UPDATE NEWS # 13 -- January 17, 1994. DO
"Blessed are your eyes, for they behold that which the prophets have dreamed of!" (MOP 28:7.)
ARGENTINA
* HOW GOOD & HOW PLEASANT IT IS FOR THE BRETHREN TO DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY! The Family in Argentina reports: "On New Year's Eve we all had a beautiful time praising the Lord for bringing everyone home for Christmas! The next day, January 1st, all the Homes united for a victory celebration at the Heritage school Home. It was one of the most moving fellowships any of us had ever attended. With 200 Family Members & many friends present, it was the first time that everyone was able to meet--adults & children--since our release. Everyone was so inspired to be back together after 105 days in captivity (116 days for the kids). It was beautiful to see God's Saints gathered together to rejoice & praise His Name after this round of the battle was won. The Lord supplied abundantly for a delicious meat & chicken barbecue, & we ate outside under beautiful skies.--A true feast of the Prophets of the End!
"After a delicious meal, we gathered together for a beautiful inspiration led by the teens. One high point was when the 16 men who had been in prison sang `Amazing Grace' a cappella with harmonies & one of the songs from `Fear Not', which they had learned together in prison. It brought tears to everyone's eyes to see our precious members of `God's Hall of Fame' sing unto Him with all their hearts. Later, the men did a hilarious rendition of the `The Caceros Blues', a comic-relief blues number they wrote in jail, named after the prison where they were detained.
"The best part, of course, was to be together with the children. It had been so strange to be without the happy sound of children for four months. The `fast' was now broken with our beautiful children playing with their friends, eating with their parents, & enjoying the wonderful fellowship.
"The next day, Sunday, January 2nd, we had an open house at the School for all our friends who stood by us during the past four months of intense persecution. Once again there wasn't a dry eye in the house as we expressed our appreciation for them & their faithfulness under severe testing.
"All those who had been in prison sang & told testimonies. This was particularly touching for our friends as they got to hear the inside story of life in prison. Miguel told of the desperation & anguish they felt the day they were arrested, & how the Lord broke through & gave them perfect peace. He also recounted the last day in prison, when the guards forgot to call Miguel's name, & it looked like he would be the only one left in jail! He kept everyone on the edge of their seats, then had them rolling in the aisles with his colourful account. Isaias (Augustin) also told several humorous stories of prison life, then broke down in tears as he expressed his thanks for everyone's prayers. The women shared some beautiful testimonies of how not only their lives changed, but also the lives of their cellmates. These former hardened criminals broke down & wept the day our women were freed.
"When we offered the international `Family Outreach Video' (new in Spanish) & the 15-minute `Religious Persecution in Argentina?' video which was made for the press conference, they went like hotcakes! We hope this is an indicator of how well these will go out to the general public. We also passed out our two-page appeal letter, `Call to Solidarity,' requesting our friends' help as we try to get back on our feet after our Homes were ransacked by the police. Their reactions were beautiful. Some suggested that we write a book about our experiences which could be used as a handbook by other minority groups who experience persecution. Others encouraged our men who were in prison to sing & tell their testimonies as guest speakers in churches or wherever they might be received."
* CNN'S SPANISH COUNTERPART REPORTED THE CHILDREN'S RELEASE in its December 23rd broadcast. They gave a brief history of our case, explaining how we were incarcerated by order of Federal Judge Marquevich, & subsequently how the appeals court declared Marquevich incompetent & ordered our immediate release.
* PROTESTANT MINISTER WRITES SCATHING REVIEW OF BAAMONDE'S NEW BOOK ABOUT THE FAMILY. Shortly after the September 1st raids, Lisandro Orlov, director of the Lutheran church in Argentina, wrote an article denouncing the persecution. Recently Pastor Orlov had this to say about Baamonde's latest attack:
"The obvious hatred the author has for the protagonists of his book makes the objectivity of all his affirmations very questionable. The vocabulary he uses & the manner with which he treats the subject puts the reader in an asphyxiating atmosphere where Baamonde formally defends his own ideas in apologetic fashion with very little scientific discipline.
"The methodology used in his work makes it obvious that his objective is not to understand or explain a new religious phenomena & its place in society at large. It is absolutely incomprehensible for a study to be done of any type of religious group when the primary sources of information are the testimonies of the group's enemies or disenchanted ex-members.... The fact that there is no dialogue with the group, nor an attempt to understand the way their literature applies to their way of life, hinders the presentation of anything objective....
"The phenomenon of the new religious movements--in this case, The Family/Children of God--deserves a truly scientific study that will help society to hear the legitimate cry of the people who aren't satisfied with the answers offered by traditional religions. This is an obligation which requires open-mindedness & more scientific methodology. The author is obviously fearful that his society is under siege...."
* LEADING ARGENTINE REPORTER WON. The Family in Argentina reports that on a trip to the U.S., a formerly antagonistic reporter was won by the Los Angeles Family's sample (he lived with them for three days) & has since written three very favourable articles about the Family for a prominent national magazine.
Once back in Argentina, he visited one of our Homes, & has slowly become a friend. The Argentine media team previously considered this reporter & the magazine that he writes for to be quite antagonistic. They were very encouraged to see how the Lord can change hearts in the press.
"The best thing you can do," this reporter told us, "is to come right out in the open & let the press get to know you." He also said that the Argentine press really admires us now because we came out on top despite incredible odds, & because we don't have a vendetta against the press, even though both we & they know that they contributed to the persecution in the beginning. Our fighting spirit combined with our willingness to forgive, he said, did something which is nearly impossible to do in Argentina--turn the press around!
* CORRECTION: Former Buenos Aires Police Chief Rebollo was never sent to jail, as reported in FUN #10 & #12. We apologize for publishing this unverified report. The Family has, however, filed a lawsuit against Rebollo for irregularities which occurred during the raids, & he is presently under investigation.
Please also discontinue distribution of the two press releases which make reference to Rebollo being jailed. These are: "Court of Appeals Frees Church Members, Declares Judge Incompetent" & "Released Family Members Denounce Smear Campaign." Please destroy all remaining copies of these two press releases immediately! Thanks!
ELSEWHERE IN SOUTH AMERICA
* "GO TO THE CHURCHES" MINISTRY TAKES OFF. The Family in Brazil reports that Sam Newman (Singin' Sam) & the Rio teens have been spearheading this exciting new ministry in their area, & that many church leaders are receiving us well. One preacher likened our teens to new wine & told his flock that in order to receive what the Lord had for them in us, they needed to become new bottles. He also said that we were God's stars, sent to lead the Church to the Lord, like the Christmas star led the three wise men to His birthplace! Following a visit to another church, the pastor phoned & begged our teens to return. He had received a number of calls from young church members, he explained, & they all said they would only attend church if the Family was going to be there!
* SAO PAULO VICTORY CELEBRATION MAKES NEWS. The liberation of our Argentine Family was marked by a victory celebration in one of South America's largest parks. A clip of the event appeared on one of the most viewed TV news programs in Brazil. In his spirited account of our release & vindication, the commentator mistakenly announced that Judge Marquevich had been jailed.--Ha!
* RIO FAMILY STAGE VICTORY MARCH & DEMONSTRATION. The Family in Rio de Janeiro commemorated the Argentine appeals court ruling with a victory march through down-town Rio. Along the way, they met an important judge & lawyer, & distributed hundreds of press releases.
* OTHER BRAZIL MEDIA VICTORIES: A positive TV program also showed the Family dancing & singing at the park. There was an interview with Martin, recently arrived from Argentina, who exposed our enemies & explained that our problems in Argentina amounted to religious persecution. Articles appeared in two of Rio's most prominent newspapers.
* BRAZIL FAMILY RECEIVES FREE ADVERTISING FOR CHRISTMAS. The Family in a large Brazilian city reports: "On December 19th, about half of the Sunday magazine supplement of the main newspaper was dedicated to the Family! The colour cover of the magazine featured beautiful blonde five-year-old Celeste, & bore the title, `Music of the Angels'. The article declared, `They [The Family] are the personification of Christmas throughout the entire year!' Mention was also given to how we provide our children with a harmonious atmosphere of love & consideration in which they grow & flourish, come to grips with the problematic World around them, & then become a positive force within society. The article concluded with our GP phone number & an invitation for interested parties to contact us."
* ARGENTINE PERSECUTION EXPOSED. The Family in Mexico reported that in late December, a cable TV station broadcast our 15-minute Family Video, "Religious Persecution in Argentina?" video (which was first presented in Argentina at the press conference following the appeals court ruling) to several large Mexican cities.
* CHRISTMAS SHOW AT LIMA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE CREATES A STIR. When some of the workers from the District Attorney's office found out that the Family's YA/teen/children singing group were to be the main attraction at their Christmas celebration, they complained to the Attorney General. This dear man took a very positive stand in our favour, declaring that we had been proven innocent of all wrongdoing & the "show will go on"! He also said that all investigations proved that "we were law-abiding people who loved the Lord & were trying to bring love, happiness & joy to a broken-hearted nation."
* FAMILY TAKES CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO NOTABLES. The Family in one South American country reported that during the Christmas season they performed for officers of their country's military & their families, as well as for the Office of the First Lady, for the mayor of their capital, & in front of the presidential mansion. In another country, the Family also performed for the First Lady & 300 other important guests. The First Lady was so touched by the children's performance that she stood up, personally greeted each of them with a kiss, & publicly thanked them for helping to spread the real meaning of Christmas.
EUROPE
* FAMILY IN BELGIUM PROCLAIMS VICTORY. Shortly after the release of our Members in Argentina, the Family held victory demonstrations in front of the Palais de Justice (Ministry of Justice) & the EEC headquarters in Brussels. About 40 adults, YAs, teens & JETTs participated with guitars & banners. Five thousand press releases were passed out to lawyers, government officials & business people. The Family also used this opportunity to establish friendly relations with members of several law-enforcement agencies.
* MEETING WITH POPE JOHN PAUL II. At a late-December audience attended by 10,000 people, the Family in Italy was able to meet & have a few words with the Pope. Polish Andrew got his attention by calling out to him in Polish. Andrew then wished him a happy new year from the Family, & gave him a package containing a Christmas Video, press releases, the "The Family Vindicated" article, & a book of our Statements. The Pope blessed the package before passing it to his secretary. The team reported that the Pope talked with them longer than anyone else present at that large gathering, & that he seemed very tired & weak.
ASIA
* THAI PAPERS ANNOUNCE ARGENTINE VICTORY. Both of Bangkok's English language dailies & several Thai language newspapers published our press releases reporting the Argentine appeals court decision. One paper also published the translation of a very favourable article from Argentina.
* FAMILY'S MOTIVES "PURELY EVANGELICAL." That is how General Ileto, former Minister of Defense & former National Security Advisor, described the Family's past ministry to the Philippine military. In an extremely positive statement which he recently issued in response to the charge that the Family posed a threat to national security, he stated:
"I am aware of the work that the Family is involved in, & am convinced that it [is] purely evangelical in nature....Their whole purpose & goal [is] to preach the Gospel. There was nothing sinister about, nor were there any hidden agendas behind, their efforts to encourage & minister to members of the [Philippine] Armed Forces."
AUSTRALIA
* "HARD COPY" AIRS INTERVIEW WITH SYDNEY HOME. On December 30th, TV Australia broadcast a largely favourable feature about the Family on its prime time "Hard Copy" program. Typically, the narration included enough sensational references to past & present practices to make us appear controversial & newsworthy. Each of the Family Members who were interviewed seized every opportunity to give clear, winsome answers.
"A lot of teenagers are into drugs & alcohol & all sorts of things, but we found that we can just be happy through Jesus & living together the way we do. We don't have to look for alternative ways to be happy," testified 16-year-old Rachel.
NORTH AMERICA
* A TIME FOR DIPLOMACY: In late December the Family in Washington, D.C., met with the Argentine Consul. The encounter was cordial, & the Consul heard them out & received the media advisory, "An Interview with John Francis," the article, "The Family Vindicated!" & three news reprints. This meeting established better relations with the Argentine embassy in the wake of the dramatic sackcloth vigils which the Washington Family had previously staged during the incarceration of our Family in Argentina.
* U.S. CONGRESSMAN ASSISTS FAMILY. A U.S. Home reports, "Our district's national congressman attended a local community function where we had volunteered to help. We met him & his aide, & after we gave him a packet of press releases & told him briefly about the situation in Argentina, he asked his aide to take action. This aide later visited our Home & called several times to personally update us on the case. When our brethren were released, we called to tell him the good news & thank him for his help. He was very proud of the fact that they had helped justice to prevail."
* FAMILY SINGS FOR LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. The Family in one of the U.S.'s "crime capitals" gave a brief introduction of their Work & performed a 45-minute show for 30 law- enforcement officers. After the show they distributed Christmas Posters & business cards. They then met the head of the agency, showed him their outreach album & explained their Work in depth. He said he would love to visit the Home for dinner in the new year, to get to know them & see their work firsthand. He works with troubled youth, & is looking for a place to send them. Some of them have spiritual problems, he explained, & he could see at our first meeting that the Family has the answer they need.
* SCHOOL BOARD PRONOUNCES FAMILY HOME AN "IDEAL ENVIRONMENT". A Home in North America reports that a mid-December visit by the local school board went extremely well. The officials went from class to class, & were quite impressed with the children. They commented on the happy & peaceful spirit of the Home, & seemed very pleased by our whole way of life. "This is an ideal environment for children to be brought up in," they said. A few days later, the supervisor phoned back to tell them that he would like to continue to study the Family in order to write a paper for the government about our Home Schooling.
* TEENS SING AT THE WHITE HOUSE. The Washington, D.C. Home reports that Family teens performed at the White House for the second year in a row!
"We sang for over an hour at the main entrance where about 1500 members of the public entered for a `Candle Light Tour.' Normally people aren't supposed to stop, but very often crowds built up as people paused to listen, wave & express their appreciation for us & the songs that we were singing. Some even joined in with us on songs that they knew.
"Then we moved upstairs to the state dining room, where we sang our 14 songs several times over. `Come & See Jesus!' was a hit with some, but drew protests from others for its clear Christian message. Nevertheless, the Lord kept us. We were able to talk to many people, introduced ourselves as the Family & told them about our missionary Work. We also passed out our business cards & Christmas Posters to everyone. That was a miracle in itself, as they usually don't allow anything like that!
"Some of the interesting people we met this year included Secret Service agents (some of whom we already knew from picketing in front of the French & Argentine Embassies--ha!); a former professor who has a school for the handicapped & invited us to visit; local teachers who invited us to their school; two Muscovites who recognized our Posters & know of our Work in Russia, & many more."
* ACADEMIC SPENDS CHRISTMAS WITH THE FAMILY. One of our dear academic friends enjoyed all the excitement of our Christmas push when she & her two preteen children spent their Christmas holidays with the Washington, D.C. Home. She became involved in it all--the White House show, the media carolling, provisioning meals, etc. She also fit right into the home activities--Word time, JJT, get-out, roller skating, museum excursions, etc. She was thrilled to participate in the New Year candlelight service which the YAs prepared, & was impressed by changes she saw in her own kids during their five-day stay. Both of her children got saved!
* HOUSTON FAMILY CAROLS FOR THE BUSHES. While Christmas carolling in downtown Houston on Christmas Eve, the YAs & team had a sudden inspiration to go to a wealthy suburb & "happened" to end up at a large, beautiful home, which they soon found out belonged to George & Barbara Bush! "This is worth interrupting our Christmas dinner for," George said as he invited them in to sing for the rest of their family who were gathered for the occasion. Everyone was quite touched by the experience & George happily received a "Christmas Joy" Video.
* THE U.S. FAMILY OPERATES TOLL-FREE GP PHONE. The Los Angeles Media Home has a toll-free GP phone number (known as an 800 number). Interested parties may phone toll-free from anywhere in the U.S. & parts of Canada for more information about the Family. This number is listed on their press releases & some GP lit, & has been aired on a number of favourable TV broadcasts. As a result, they have received many calls from just about every sort of person imaginable.
This Home has also graciously made their 800 number available to the worldwide Family, God bless them! It may be given to favourable relatives & friends in North America, sheep returning to the U.S., etc., but please do so with discretion. The number is: 1-800-4-A-FAMILY.
* THE LORD RATTLES DEB & BILL'S CAGE. As reported in FUN #9, several months ago Bithia Sherman, a former avowed enemy & close associate of Deb & Bill Davis, contacted the Family in California asking for a "truce." The Family has since met with Bithia a number of times. In the first meetings, she explained her grievances & asked for the Family's forgiveness for the harm that has resulted from her attacks. Over the months, a truly remarkable reconciliation has taken place, & dear Bithia--now renamed Paula, after Paul's conversion in Acts Chapter 9--is now doing all that she can to undo the damage she caused, GBH! This turn of events has, of course, greatly shaken Deb & Bill, who for years considered Paula to be one of their staunchest allies.
From reports we have received, it seems that Paula's change of heart is also having an effect on other members of Deb & Bill's camp, as it is forcing them all to a decision. The truly reprobate are becoming even more spiteful & virulent. Deb, Bill, Dupuy (Watchman), Priebe, Happy (Joab), & others have been haranguing Paula in long daily phone calls & personal visits (Paula lives just one mile from Deb & Bill), & are seeking to tighten their grip on Paula's YA & teen children. Deb & Bill & their fairly large household are now praying against Paula & the Family in daily "prayer vigils." How deluded can they get?
But several others are re-evaluating their relationships with Deb & Bill & with us. The most notable example is one of Happy's boys, Noah, now 20, who had been living with Deb & Bill. After spending several days at the Los Angeles Home, Noah got into a shouting match with Deb & Bill & moved in with Paula. He's very confused & troubled at the moment, & has asked for the Family's prayers.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
WORLDWIDE:
1. Continued prayer for Peter's health.
COURT CASES:
2. For Pearl's Court Case in London. (Editor's note: Although you should have already received much of this background via an earlier prayer request for Pearl's court case, Dad & Mama ask that we include this as a timely reminder to pray daily for this very important & pivotal case, which is now underway!)
On January 11th, Pearl went to court for her hearing. The judge indicated that he didn't want any more delays & wanted to get on with the running of the case. Thank the Lord, just days before the Lord had supplied the financial means to pay for legal representation. PTL!
Please pray that the Lord will do great miracles to overcome the many obstacles that presently stand in the way of a victory, amongst them: Lack of time to prepare the case & Pearl's legal representation; bitter backsliders (Dupuy, Mene, Abigail Berry, Jono, the Padillas, etc.) now in London to testify.
Whether this case is won or lost depends on God moving through your prayers. God can do the impossible, but He needs your help. The outcome of this case will affect each of you either positively or negatively. This is not Pearl's battle, nor England's battle, but the Family's battle. When fighting in prayer for Pearl & her son, you are fighting for yourselves & each of our dear children. Don't fail them or the Lord by failing to pray. Do it now!--Don't delay!--At devotions, meal times, prayer vigil, bedtime!--And expect God to win the victory!--And He will!
3. For the Melbourne case. The mediation hearing has been rescheduled to start on February 14th. If a mediation agreement is not reached, the case will begin two or three days later. Our lawyers are not overly optimistic about these mediation talks as H&CS (formerly CSV) continue to hold tight on wanting to run the case. However, as a result of the Family's prayers, protests, demonstrations & appeals, H&CS is under pressure from different governmental departments, including the premier of the state, to mediate. We would like to ask for prayer for the following:
>>That the Lord will give our new lawyers wisdom & guidance on how to attack H&CS; that they will be able to expose H&CS's abuse of our children & confound their attempts to justify their actions.
>>That the Lord will continue to raise up voices in the government to put pressure on H&CS to mediate, similar to what happened in Sydney.
>>For the Family in Melbourne; specifically for their strength, provision & continued attacking initiative as they seek to bring to the public's attention the enormous sums of public funds being wasted on our case.
ARGENTINA:
4. For all those involved with the media; for more openings to continue to proclaim the Truth.
5. Continued prayer for those who were in prisons & institutions, particularly the parents & children who were separated during months of incarceration; that everyone will get the Word & rest they need in order to quickly overcome the trauma they experienced.
6. For those shepherding & caring for the children & adults who were incarcerated.
7. For supply; for their provisioning team.
8. For many Family Members to be able to leave Argentina soon.
9. For those involved in the pending case with the provincial court.
10. For the Argentine Supreme Court to reject the D.A.'s appeal of the appeals court ruling; for a clear vindication of the Family & speedy resolution of the case.
11. That Pastor Orlov's critical review of Baamonde's new book will be published extensively & effectively discredit Baamonde & his cohorts.
12. Against attacks by the Catholic church in Argentina which are spreading to other S.A. countries; for the Lord's wisdom in knowing how to counter these attacks.
EUROPE:
13. For an upcoming meeting with authorities in one European country, where Family representatives will have an opportunity to inform them of the good work we are doing in their country.
14. Against the Polish affiliate of ADFI, & against one woman, Mrs. Wieruszewska, in particular (she thinks her missing daughter is hiding with the Family. This is not the case & we do not know of her daughter's whereabouts); that through related meetings with officials we will be able to clearly expose our enemies in Poland. (Answer: The initial meetings have gone well, but please keep praying.)
PACIFIC:
15. For the Lord to open doors for stable visas for all those wanting & needing to remain in Japan.
NORTH AMERICA:
16. Against Deb & Bill, Dupuy, Priebe, Ajemian & others who are attempting to muster forces, both spiritual & physical, against the Family.
17. For Paula (Bithia) to be able to stand strong in the face of daily assaults by our bitterest enemies.
18. For Happy's son, Noah.
19. For a prominent professor to decide to study the Family & help us document how advanced our children are compared to System children.
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family