FAMILY UPDATE NEWS #21 -- JUNE, 1994. DO
"The biggest job we all have in these Last Days is to show Jesus to the World! "Greater works than these shall ye do!"--Jn.14:12. What greater work can you do than that, than to show Jesus to others & let them hear Jesus through you & let them find Jesus through you!" (ML #2074:74,77.)
June, 1994, Home Services, Zurich, Switzerland.
(Required reading for JETTs & up. Selected portions may be shared with children younger than JETTs at the discretion of their teachers, parents or Shepherds.)
Thank You for Your Videos & Tapes.
Dad & Mama wish to thank all of you who have made videos or tapes for them. They & their staff watch or listen to each one, & appreciate your sharing your work & lives with them. They love & pray for each of you. God bless you!
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AUSTRALIA
LAWYER APPRECIATION NIGHT: The Melbourne Homes held a special dinner to honour our lawyers. The after-dinner program included a show by the children, & a "dance night" which was organized by the teens.--Great fun for all! The high point of the evening was the reading of a letter of appreciation from Dad & Mama. Some of our lawyers were touched to tears. "That was the best MO Letter I've ever heard!" said one.--Ha!
FAMILY HOMES LISTED AS "PLACES OF WORSHIP." From the Melbourne Family: "Our local mayor's office phoned to let us know they are including us in the information pamphlet they are preparing about our community, under the heading `Places of Worship.' We are encouraged that they are so interested in integrating us into their community! One of our teens also met the mayor during a picnic in a local park, at which time the mayor encouraged us to take a more active part in civic activities."
MEDIA QUESTIONS H&CS' ABOUT-FACE IN MEDIATION. An article in The Age, one of Australia's most respected newspapers, reported that "a secret [Victoria] Cabinet decision made to end litigation involving the religious group the Family overruled the Secretary of Health & Community Services, Dr. John Patterson."
The article continued: "Sources said the deal was widely considered a total capitulation within the Department. Once the deal was struck, Dr. Patterson was gagged by the Minister for Community Services, Mr. John. ... The deal involves no more than was achievable in October 1992, when New South Wales reached a similar settlement with members of the Family.
"[Psychologist] Tim Watson-Munroe yesterday called for the resignation of Dr. Patterson. He said it was known from an earlier case involving a single family from The Family that the allegations could not be substantiated. Mr. Watson-Munroe has done extensive clinical interviews with children from The Family. He was to give evidence in the child-protection case for The Family. He said the children he interviewed showed no evidence of disturbance or abuse & were delightful & well adjusted."
"CULT" LABEL BANNED FROM AUSTRALIAN COURT. An article in the National Alliance, a New York paper, ran an article on the Melbourne case before it was settled. They reported: "Magistrate John Myers of the Children's Count of Victoria, Australia, ruled in March that attorneys for the Child Services Victoria (CSV) could not use the term `cult' in court proceedings against the Family.
"The ruling was issued following a preliminary motion by Lillian Lieder, the court-appointed lawyer for The Family; she argued that `cult' is a pejorative word which, if used, would both stigmatize the children in The Family & negatively influence public opinion. (A similar pre-trial motion was filed by defense attorneys representing the Branch Davidians during their recent trial in Waco, Texas; in that case it was denied.)
"`I am not religious but I am a civil libertarian,' Lieder told the National Alliance. `Nobody likes to see the [freedom of conscience implicit in] Common Law threatened. This case threatens the liberty of people to practice religion as they please. If it is The Family today, it will be orthodox Jews & traditional Muslims the day after--where does it stop?'
"`[This] is a real victory. The word `cult' creates a climate of religious intolerance that is aimed particularly against new religious movements,' commented Paul Stevens, a spokesperson in the U.S. for The Family.
"Deborah Green, a partner in the Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm of Ross & Green, agrees.
`The ruling by the Australian court is a very positive decision,' she told the Alliance. `The word "cult" has no place in law enforcement terminology or the jurisprudence of a democracy.'"
EUROPE
SWEDISH SOCIAL SERVICES INVESTIGATION ENDS WITH FAVOURABLE REPORTS. From the Swedish Family: "We have just received the results of the social services investigation, & the conclusion is that there is no need for them to intervene in any area of our lives. They made many very positive statements about us."
HOME-SCHOOLING BATTLE DRAWS PRESS COVERAGE. The Swedish Family's demonstration to gain public support for their right to home school their children according to their religious conviction was reported by two local newspapers. Both did very favourable articles with good photos.
ACM SEEKS ABOLUTION OF THE FAMILY & OTHER NRMs IN RUSSIA. At a recent conference in Moscow, international anti-"cult" organizers drafted a document which calls for the banning of NRMs--including the Family--by the government. The proposal is intended to be sent to Yeltsin, Alexis II (Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church) & all top government & church officials.
FAMILY APPEARS ON POPULAR ITALIAN TV PROGRAM. Samuele & Lilly's baby, Valentina, was born with a serious heart problem. Oxygen-depleted blood, returning to her heart through veins, mixes with the "fresh" oxygen-restored blood leaving her heart through arteries.
Valentina's condition brought Samuele & Lilly in contact with a support group in Rome, comprised of parents of children with similar handicaps. Recently, a popular TV program invited this organization, & particularly Samuele & Lilly, to take part in a show featuring families who have successfully dealt with such problems. During a pre-broadcast interview, the host of the show was very interested in Samuele & Lilly's explanation of The Family, & so Lilly was given time to testify of her faith on the show.
"If we may say so," Lilly told the host & viewing audience, "Valentina is a miracle baby! She is also a blessing in our lives. We are a missionary family dedicated to helping our fellowman, & live in a Christian community called The Family. We were missionaries to India for a few years. This [situation with Valentina], like other difficult times in our lives, has helped us by forcing us to look to the Lord. Valentina's condition has also put us in a position where we can help other parents who face similar problems & need comfort & love.
"Each one of us has our own problems, & we all need help at some time. If we can all help each other to look a bit more to the Lord, we believe that the Lord can change things for us. In fact, our own & others' prayers are what have helped Valentina to live & grow the way she has. Even her doctor says that hers is an amazing case history. Valentina has needed no therapy, & is growing very well--contrary to what is normally the case among children with heart disorders.--But her doctor also knows that half of Italy & friends around the World are praying for her."
The program, which is broadcast live, is Italy's highest-rated afternoon program, with about two & one half million viewers.
FAMILY ATTENDS INFORM* CONFERENCE IN LONDON. A Family delegation of three adults & three YAs recently participated in a conference on "New Religions & the Law," sponsored by INFORM at the London School of Economics. They renewed contact with a number of academics whom they had met previously, made new friends, & provided those attending with literature on the topics covered in the lectures. (* INFORM is a government-financed group that disseminates factual & unbiased information about New Religious Movements [NRMs].)
FAMILY PRAISED BY REFUGEE CAMP OFFICIAL. The Family received the following thank-you note from the director of a refugee camp in Eastern Europe, where they minister:
"We'd like to thank you in the name of the residents of the receiving station for your enthusiastic work here. It's a big help for us that you are bringing spiritual help to the refugees. With your programs & donations, you are making their everyday life more colourful--bringing unforgettable experiences to adults & children alike. Your heart-touching programs bring tears of happiness to the people's eyes, & with donated goods you are also helping us to supply their needs. We count on your continued unselfish & helpful work."
NRM-RESEARCH GROUP VISITS A HOME IN DENMARK. Four members of IKON, a Danish organization which monitors NRMs, paid a two-day visit to one of our Homes. They met our YA visitation team, & saw the fire & conviction of some real "professional missionaries," as they call us. The IKON members joined in with classes, Sunday fellowship & inspiration, & one of them even went out witnessing with the Home.
IKON just published our reply to a recent article about us in their magazine. We are now in the process of preparing answers to more of their questions about our beliefs, which they plan to include in their next issue.
NORTH AMERICA
MEXICO FAMILY PERFORMS AT FAIR & ON TV. Twenty-five Family Members performed at a fair which is visited by one million people.
They also performed three songs on the largest TV station in the area. Afterwards, the executive director of the studio sent his aide to tell them, "The director doesn't want to lose touch! Your show was terrific!" The aide then arranged to buy a set of our Videos, which they would like to broadcast. The Family agreed on the condition that they close each broadcast with the local Family's address so that interested people can write for more information & establish direct contact. This would be a terrific witness, as well as lots of free advertising! PTL!
U.S. MINISTRY TO THE CHURCHES CONTINUES TO GROW. The Family in the Northeast U.S. gave a presentation about The Family at a breakfast meeting of about a dozen black Baptist & Methodist ministers from predominantly black neighbourhoods of their city. The theme of the Family's talk was how they can help the church's youth reach other young people in their communities.
One minister invited our YAs & teens to sing at a meeting his church held the following Sunday to raise funds for their youth program. The audience of about 300 church members--adults & young people alike--got up out of their seats to clap & sing along with "This Little Light of Mine" & "Jesus, The Light!" At the end of the meeting, the pastor gave a public endorsement of the Family's local work, & the audience gave them a standing ovation.
Several teens from the same Home also attended a conference to address the problems facing urban youth. The purpose of the meeting was to give teens a chance to express their opinions, & our teens rose to the occasion! They spoke out about bridging the generation gap, actively helping others overcome their problems & infusing moral values back into society.
Family Members in the U.S. also performed at a Salvation Army meeting. They were a hit with the Salvation Army officers, who invited them to participate in their summer Bible school program which ministers to about 60 kids, from small children to teens.
A team that has been working with churches in the U.S. Southwest also reported: "We've been amazed to see the good reception we've received from the churches! In most cases, the youth pastors have a completely separate program from the main church. Many of them sweetly admit that they need & want what we have. Overall, we've been pleasantly surprised to see that the churches don't want something namby-pamby, but something that will motivate & convict their young people. Through our church ministry we've also met city officials who are eager for us to help with juvenile programs."
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS INTRIGUED BY FAMILY SHOW TROUPE. From a U.S. Home: "Through a professor whom we met briefly at a sociologists' conference, we made an appointment to perform at her university.
"About 100 students from her comparative religions class came on their own time (not a scheduled class) to try to `unravel' our YAs. Of course they were unable to do so! On the contrary, our YAs easily maintained the `instructor' role. These college students seemed especially impressed that our YAs answered continually with Scripture, & thereby gained the advantage over this supposedly knowledgeable crowd.
"We had sent the professor packets of our literature ahead of time, so by the time we arrived, the students had already read selected Statements, the `Dirty War' & the `Family Vindicated' tracts, as well as other material.
"The program began with several song & dance numbers, & video clips. Then the question & answer period opened & the questions started coming hot & heavy! `Your sexual doctrines are different from the mainstream church. Why is that & where do you find justification for such beliefs & practices in the Bible?' Our teens did very well answering these & many other questions.
"A number of students got saved during personal witnessing which followed, & several asked how they could participate in our work or join us. The following day we were the talk of the campus. The professor said she had never given a class that held her students' interest for so long. She was quite impressed."
CHILD PROTECTION AGENCY SEEKS FAMILY'S HELP. A U.S. Home met members of a local child protection agency who would like to use the Family's singing group & volunteer services in their abused children's program.
At a later meeting with the agency's managers, two of our YA girls explained their current work in childcare. The managers remarked at the enthusiasm & experience of our young women. The next day the program manager phoned to invite them to speak at the agency's next monthly staff meeting. One week later she called again to invite them to sing & do skits at their tutoring program graduation ceremony.
SOUTH AMERICA
RENOWNED SCHOLARS OF RELIGION DEFEND FAMILY AT A CESNUR CONFERENCE. Recife, Brazil--At an international gathering held by the Center for Studies of New Religions (CESNUR), Gordon Melton, Susan Palmer, Eileen Barker & Massimo Introvigne spoke very positively of their firsthand experiences with the Family. All of them are considered tops in their field by the international academic community.
Gordon Melton's flight arrived at 2:30 a.m.--barely eight hours before he was scheduled to speak about the Family. On top of that, his speech was in a suitcase which did not arrive on his plane! "No problem!" he said. "I could talk about the Family for hours without a script!" His 30-minute speech was very clear, thorough & enthusiastic. God bless him!
During a panel discussion on the Family, Gordon Melton, Massimo Introvigne, Eileen Barker & Ahlai were able to dispel myths about the Family. At the same time, they provided the assembled scholars with accurate information about us.
Baamonde & Andrade, two of our most active & outspoken opponents in Latin America, also attended the conference. Both were present for the panel discussion on the Family, but at the last minute decided not to participate. PTL!
Gordon Melton & Susan Palmer later visited a Home in Rio, & met more of the Family.
ARGENTINA UPDATE: Nearly all Family Members have now left Argentina for other more deserving & receptive fields. A small rearguard has stayed behind temporarily to minister to our dear friends, including many who were met & won through the persecution.
FRIENDS WON AT SOCIOLOGIST CONFERENCE. Family Members attended a four-day conference of sociologists. Although the Family wasn't on the official program, we were referred to several times. The sociologists were well aware of the fact that elements within the Catholic Church were behind the Argentine persecution, & that gave us a certain "status" in their eyes. They were eager to get the inside story, & most of them expressed their solidarity with us. Key people enthusiastically received the Statement books the Family representatives offered them.
NEWS ARTICLE DEBUNKS OUR DETRACTORS. La Maga, a small weekly newspaper which reaches Argentina's "intellectual elite," recounted in detail the recent judicial fiasco involving the Family. In addition, the article decried prejudice against socially divergent groups, questioned the supposed danger which NRMs pose to society, & debunked the accusation of "brainwashing" from a scientific viewpoint.
ASIA
FOLLOW-UP FRIENDS PUT THE WORDS TO WORK. From a Home in Thailand: "`This is the answer to your problems!' a friend of ours told one of his employees who had a bad habit of negative thinking & continually complained to him. Then he handed her the Reflections-style quote sheet we had just sent him on the subject of happiness. `Memorize five of these quotes & you'll feel better,' he told her. It's wonderful to see our friends turn around & help others with the Word we share with them."
A Home in the Mideast had this similar report: "A bank executive whom we had just met & witnessed to lit up when we gave him a quote sheet on the subject of administration & organization. On our next visit, he said that he had shared points from that quote sheet with an under-officer in the company who was having problems relating to his staff. Our new friend wants more of our materials."
FRIEND LEARNS TO TREASURE THE WORD. Another Home in Thailand reports: "We followed up on an old friend who is a staunch Buddhist. Previously he told us that he could only read Buddhist literature, but we mailed him selected Reflections & Mountain Streams anyway. When we saw him, he told us he enjoys reading our materials very much now. After sharing more about our work & how it is financed largely by those to whom we minister, he sent us a gift roughly equal to our monthly budget."
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS OFFER ASSISTANCE. From an Indian Training Centre: "A sweet local optometrist did very thorough examinations of our children's eyes free of charge, & another man, an optician, donated new glasses for all the children who needed them. We also met a very sweet Christian dentist who took care of all the children's dental needs free of charge."
THINK BIG! An Indian Home reported that a man they met going office-to-office helped increase their vision for getting out our tools. After hearing a brief explanation of the Family & flipping through the India Family's activity brochure, he asked, "What's your target for Video sponsorship for this season?" Taken by surprise, the outreach team answered with their Home's total goal for the month--40 sets of Video & audio Tapes. "Okay," he said, "I can help with most of that." Somewhat startled, the outreachers began thanking him profusely. "Don't be so surprised," the man said. "And if you ever need my help again, please don't hesitate to come & see me." During that first meeting, this very dear man sponsored 168 Videos & 120 audio Tapes. PTL!
ANSWERED PRAYER
THAI ABE IS MAKING A MIRACULOUS RECOVERY! From the Family in Thailand: "We want to thank everyone for your prayers for Thai Abe. (PL 18:65; FUN 20:1.) It has been thrilling to see how the Lord has answered our prayers! Following his operation to remove a life-threatening brain tumour & a second emergency operation to remove an infection which set in a few hours later, the doctors did not expect Abe to live. Miraculously, Abe regained consciousness & has been recovering little by little. He's now back home! Though he must use a wheelchair & needs help doing certain things, he's able to function remarkably well considering what he's just been through. This experience has brought out a special sweetness in dear Abe, who has really trusted the Lord "through it all".
MIRACLES OF HEALING IN MEXICO. All of the doctors Mexican Fe consulted were 95% certain that the tumour in one of her breasts was cancerous. When it came time to operate, however, the growth--which had grown to the size of a small orange in a very short time--had shrunk to the size of a grape. The doctor was able to easily remove the tumour. Previously he had `confirmed' it was breast cancer, but he now says it was a cyst & that she's fine.
When Fe first visited this doctor, she told him that she believed in the power of prayer. "Well, you should pray for that man across the room. He has cancer & only about one week to live." Fe & her Home did just that, & when Fe visited a week or so later, the doctor excitedly told her that the man had had a complete recovery & was released from the hospital! What a miracle! After seeing the large tumour on Fe's breast shrink to the size of a grape, & after seeing our prayers work wonders on the dying man, the doctor asked the Family to pray that he would be healed of his back problems!
FRIEND'S DAUGHTER HEALED OF ANOREXIA. One of our academic friends told us that his college-age daughter, who previously suffered from the eating disorder anorexia, has gained 25 pounds (12 kg.) since last Christmas! (See PL 14:162.) Our friend is thrilled!
MOTION AGAINST NRMs DEFEATED. A motion put to the Swedish parliament's social committee, aimed at limiting the activities of all NRMs in that country, was defeated in committee. It is now very unlikely that it will go to the full parliament to vote on.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Dad & Mama:
1. For Dad's health: Against a very severe cough which he has been battling for days now, & which not only causes him extreme discomfort, but also affects his eating, sleeping & work.
2. For the health, safety & security of Dad, Mama, & their staff.
Court cases:
3. Pearl's case: Your prayers have changed things & made a big difference, but we need your continued prayers to win the final victory. Our witnesses have now finished testifying, & the lawyers will make their final presentation in July. It's a very crucial time, & your prayers before the Throne of Grace could be the deciding factor. So please continue to pray for a favourable outcome in this case.
The decision the judge makes will affect us all, because the ruling is not only in regards to Sammy, but an evaluation of the entire Family & our child-raising practices, & could therefore have serious repercussions around the World. In upholding Pearl in prayer, you're praying for our entire Family & all of our little ones. Thanks so much! We're counting on you!
Pray earnestly for the judge, that he will see that the Family is indeed a safe & wholesome environment for little Sammy to be raised in, & that his final ruling will be favourable, allowing Sammy to stay with Pearl & in the Family.
4. French criminal case: For a speedy dismissal of the case. The proceedings have come to a virtual standstill, thus prolonging the hardship for several families who have already been separated for one year. (Wives & children have moved to other countries, but the husbands are unable to join them until the case is closed.) As we learned last year, it is very difficult to get anything done in France during the Summer holiday season when, for all practical purposes, the legal system shuts down for a few months.
5. Barcelona case: The prosecution has appealed both the civil & the criminal cases against the Family. In both cases, lower courts have already ruled in our favour.
The civil case appeal, in which Social Services is contesting the legal custody of our children & our right to home school them, will be reviewed by the Constitutional Court in Madrid. The verdict of that case is expected to be announced during July. The outcome of this case could set an international precedent regarding our home schooling. Please pray earnestly that the court rules in our favour!
The criminal case appeal is before the Supreme Court, also in Madrid. In this case, ten Family Members were charged with running an illegal school, causing psychological damage to their children & being an illegal association. The charges were disproved. Please pray that the panel of six judges will grant our lawyers a hearing & speedily dismiss this appeal.
Europe:
6. Against the ACM in Russia: That the Lord will confound attempts by the Anti-"Cult" Movement to smear the Family & other missionary groups, & goad the government into banning all small Christian groups, including ourselves. Also that the Family will be led of the Lord in their preparations for a possible media storm or government crackdown on NRMs & foreign missionaries.
7. Refugee-camp ministries in a number of European countries: For the safety of our Family witnessing at refugee camps, & that they will be able to comfort these weary & destitute people & lead many of them to the Lord.
8. Sweden home schooling: That the Family in Sweden will be allowed to continue to home school their children. (Despite the favourable report from social services, the final decision about schooling is up to the school board.)
9. Humanitarian relief project in Russia: The shipment of the 600 tons of humanitarian aid which was reported in FUN #18 has hit another major snag & is in danger of not being able to reach its destination. This project is very complicated with many steps which must be completed. For example, the Family now faces an unexpected $25,000 in warehouse fees for storing part of the 600-ton shipment in a port city until the rest of the promised goods arrive from the U.S. The town that this shipment is destined for is desprately in need of this food, & it is a commitment by the Family & part of their testimony to get it to them. This looks like an "impossible" situation, but there have already been a number of such situations & every time the Lord has done the needed miracle. Please pray!
North America:
10. Protection for the Family in Mexico, following several recent serious brushes with danger. In one incident, a taxi driver attempted to kidnap two YA girls who had provisioned a ride from him. They escaped by climbing out of a window when he stopped at a traffic light. When a bystander came to the girls' rescue, the taxi driver punched him in the face. (This happened in broad daylight in a busy part of Mexico City!)
In a second incident, several Family Members were on a first-class inter-city bus when another bus blocked their path. Four men from the other bus beat on their bus with bats, & taunted the bus driver & his helper. The Family Members persuaded the two to stay on the bus rather than confront the four attackers. After smashing the windshield, headlights & CB radio, the assailants left. No one was harmed.
In a third incident, also on a first-class bus, two Family Members & all the other passengers were held at gunpoint by bandits who went from passenger to passenger stealing their money, jewelry & valuables. They searched one Family Member twice but miraculously failed to find the several hundred Dollars that was right there in his pocket! TTL, no one was hurt, & they took nothing of value from the Family Members.
11. Teen Rachel (of Titus & Charity), who recently arrived in the U.S. from Argentina, has been diagnosed to have Bell's palsy, which causes a temporary paralysis of the facial muscles & numbness in the tongue. These symptoms usually disappear naturally within one to four weeks, especially in young people, but a small percentage of cases result in long-term or permanent facial disfigurement. There is no known treatment for this disease, so please pray earnestly for Rachel's complete & speedy healing.
12. Paula (Bithia): That she will stand strong in the face of relentless attacks against her by her former anti-Family associates, as well as most of her children.
13. Brother Thomas: For his health, encouragement & continued protection against any attacks of the Enemy.
14. For an academic friend with severe allergies & a diseased thyroid: Her condition improved greatly after the Family prayed for her (PL 17:114), but she is again having serious allergy- & thyroid-related problems, including dizzy spells, weight gain & poor circulation. She has personally requested that the Family pray again as she has seen the power of the Lord through our prayers.
Asia:
15. Thai Abe: Continued recovery from recent operations.
16. Political stability in Pakistan: Recently there have been lots of riots, which add to the suffering in that country & disrupt the Family's ministry.
Pacific:
17. Gabe Teacher (of Spanish Sunshine): For healing of a lump in his chest which causes discomfort in his abdomen. Also that he will have a closer walk with the Lord, & against fear & worry.
18. Christine (16, of Willing & Anna) has been diagnosed as having myopia (severe nearsightedness): For complete healing & more faith & trust.
(--AMEN! GBY ALL! TYJ! WLY!--D.)
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Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family