FAMILY UPDATE NEWS #31 -- July 1995
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"We have such a wonder working work because of the wonderful work of the Word, which is Jesus! Thank You Lord! The Word is so wonderful and our people are so wonderful and they do such miracles with the Word -- Jesus! He is the Word. Thank You Jesus!" (ML# 2910:12).
July 1995, 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
NUMBERING CHANGE ON FAMILY IN ACTION MAGS!
By WS Staff
We hope you enjoy the Family in Action mags. FIAs have covered a variety of topics: exciting witnessing testimonies; statements in support of our work by friends, kings, and relatives; answers to detractors' accusations; outstanding life histories of Family members, etc. As mentioned in LNF #232, these mags are designed not only to encourage our young people, but also for use as a follow-up tool, to inspire our friends and help them get to know us better. They are numbered independently (Family in Action #1-10) and since they are a different series from Hope magazines, we are therefore changing the series abbreviation at the top of each Family in Action mag. Instead of "DFO Hope - Issue # such-and-such," it will now read "DFO - FIA such-and-such." We pray that these will be useful in giving friends, relatives and contacts a glimpse of some of the wonderful things the Lord has done through our Family.
SOUTH AMERICA
SUPREME COURT VICTORY IN ARGENTINA!
On the 29th of June, the Argentine Supreme Court rejected the appeal made by the federal prosecutor in our case! Six weeks earlier, the Argentine Attorney General had reviewed the Appeals Court ruling and recommended this course of action to the Supreme Court. Our case will now go to a provincial court, where Marquevich has no jurisdiction. Considering the Attorney General's and Supreme Court's decisions, our case is expected to be officially closed very soon! Meanwhile, impeachment proceedings against Marquevich continue to move forward.
Thank the Lord for His and Dad's help from Heaven! As Dad said nearly two years ago, when things looked darkest, "Just wait until you see the end!" (ML# 2889:40). The complete and final victory is yet to come, but it's just around the corner! Please keep praying and praising! "Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psa.107:8).
LATINS ANSWER THE LORD'S URGENT CALL TO RUSSIA!
The South American office reports that they have already received a number of clearance requests in response to the call for laborers for the vast, ripe harvest field of the former Soviet Union. (See "An Urgent Call to Our Latin American Family," ML# 2982.) Nearly all of those applying are young people between the ages of 15 and 25!
Family RECeives VIP TREATMENT at HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE!
From Spanish Maria: After prayer and counsel, we attended a recent international human rights conference held in Costa Rica. Most of the participants were members of parliament from various South American countries. We were not just the only representatives of a religious minority to attend this important conference, but we were given the same protocol as the government officials, seated with the VIPs with our own microphones, etc.
We had wonderful opportunities to meet and talk personally with dozens of delegates, and our Statement package caught everyone's interest. (Before passing out the Statement packages, the president of the Costa Rica congress had approved our cover letter and Statement for official distribution.) Here's how the Lord opened such a big door to make us a witness to all:
Prior to the conference, we had put together an introductory letter outlining our message and the Family Vindicated Statement. We had planned to give our envelopes to people as we met them, but once we were at the conference, we realized we would never reach everybody with that method. So after seeing the protocol officials passing out materials from other delegates, the Lord inspired us to try to do the same with our Statement packets. That meant, however, that we needed over 1,500 copies--far more than we had prepared or had funds to print. Matthew called some friends, and they helped with the printing.
We weren't sure that distributing our material so openly was the wisest thing to do, so we stopped to ask the Lord for a confirmation and He gave us a quote from ML# 2641 in DB 10, which was all about how the Lord blesses us when we boldly proclaim the truth and expose our enemies. We also received, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things" (Rom.10:15). We interpreted this to mean that the Lord was telling us to not be fearful. We asked the Lord to make His will plain by either opening or closing the door with the protocol officials, and we asked others to pray for us and those we would be approaching. Our request was granted, and the protocol staff passed out our Statements along with the other official documents. The first day's topic was "Defense of Human Rights," so our material matched the theme perfectly! We received excellent reactions and were very well received by the other delegates! Praise the Lord!
As observers at this conference, we did not feel led to address the assembly. Rather, we let our Statements speak for us, then we met and talked with the delegates individually and arranged for other Family members to follow up on the representatives after they returned to their respective countries. The Lord did it! Thank You Jesus!
PERU FAMILY ATTENDS CONFERENCE ON NATURAL DISASTERS!
Four Family members joined international experts at a June conference on natural disasters, which was held in Huaraz, Peru, the site of a 1972 earthquake which claimed 20,000 lives. The Family was invited to take part by Civil Defense, a government-sponsored disaster relief organization. The team witnessed to a lot of the attendees from 50 countries, including representatives from the Red Cross, WHO (World Health Organization), and other such groups. They also sang at one of the meetings, explained the Family's participation in various relief efforts worldwide, and distributed copies of the Family Activity Reports about our work with the victims of the Kobe earthquake. YA Claire even had a chance to greet President Fujimori of Peru when he attended a conference-related activity, and she gave him a copy of the tape "Peace in the Midst of Storm."
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE FAMILY!
From Tommy, Brazil: We participated in the three-day UN-sponsored Day of the Family celebration. In addition to having our own booth where we displayed photos of our worldwide work, we did a one-hour presentation of our kiddy and teen shows on the theme of family unity. As soon as we began to play, the Lord brought people from every direction, until over 1,000 people had gathered. Children lined up in front of the kiddy show puppet stage and loved the show. Then the teens, Paulo and Nina, came on with a powerful half-hour of songs that moved many in the crowd to tears. The organizers said that our shows were the turning point of the day.
On opening day, our brightly decorated stand was visited by all the attending authorities, including the Secretary of Welfare and Family. He was even interviewed for TV while getting the tour of our stand, with our huge "A Familia" (The Family) logo in the background. "Let me get under your sign," he told us before the filming. "This will be good publicity for both of us!" The top coordinators of different social services agencies unanimously praised our work!
At the Argentina stand, there was a man who had worked right under Atilio Alvarez, the head of the Argentine Social Services in charge of the institutes where Family members were incarcerated during the '93 persecution. He was very surprised to discover how differently we are treated in Brazil! Not only were we given a stand and asked to make a one-hour presentation, but we were members of the organizing committee!
SHOW AT FAMOUS ORPHANAGE AND VISIT TO GOVERNOR'S PALACE!
From Tommy, Brazil: Our kiddy and teen show groups were invited to sing at a very well-known orphanage in our city. The nun in charge had already received a set of sponsored Kiddie Viddies, which she says the children absolutely love. We performed for the 500 children there and the 200 guests who came for visiting day. Many cried, and they all received Jesus into their hearts.
The next day, two of us went to the governor's palace, where he and his wife were launching a four-year social program for the poor. All the mayors and their wives from all over the state were in attendance, as well as representatives of 150 major companies who will be sponsoring the new program. To our surprise, at the end of the speeches, some of the children from the orphanage where we had performed the day before sang a song which deeply moved everyone. Afterwards we spoke briefly with the governor and his wife, and gave them a copy of our "consider the poor" (CTP) brochure. It was exciting to see the Lord once again lead us to people who can help us in our CTP ministry, as we really didn't know where to start in this huge city!
EUROPE
RUSSIA PIONEER PROGRESS!
From a team in Moscow: We made a road trip to Yaroslav, a city not far from Moscow which has so far received little of the Family's witness. Many people we witnessed to returned to ask for more posters for their relatives or neighbors. Others who hadn't received posters yet came to ask us for "a picture of Jesus."--They had seen other people reading "Final Signs of the End." A director from the local juvenile center asked for enough posters to give one to each of the delinquents. Some policemen stopped to talk, got saved and gladly received copies of the "Endtime News." Some evangelical Christians were inspired to see us street witnessing, and invited us to tea in their home. During this trip, we gave out 10,000 posters--most about the Endtime--and 60 souls got saved.
From Nat, St. Petersburg: After our last show at a juvenile prison here, the director was so impressed that she invited us to visit every week. We plan to go from cell block to cell block, counseling the inmates, all of whom are teens. We also spend one day each week working with the "street children." The other days we focus on disciple winning among the many university students, and following up on our contacts. Time is short!
UPDATE FROM FERTILE SLOVENIA!
From Enoch, Lily and Ruth, Slovenia: It has been very exciting to go on outreach trips into Croatia to get out the message. This time, we concentrated on street litnessing, but there is also much more to do in the refugee camps, as well as a real need in the universities and high schools. There's a tremendous vacuum for the posters and other lit, and the Message is very well received. Some people stop and read the whole poster right on the spot. Others come back to us with sincere questions. Many get saved! When we give posters to a group of young people, a minute later they are all back asking for copies of the ones their friends received. Mothers ask for posters for their children. Businessmen and workers ask for more copies for their employees and co-workers, relatives and friends. Two students read the Salvation verses in Croatian and prayed with us to get saved, then shouted, "Super!" and kissed the lit.
Hoping to reach people from southern Croatia and Bosnia which are most affected by the war, we witnessed at a station where buses to those areas leave from. One young soldier we met looked very hardened, but as we talked with him he really opened up. He was touched that we took the time to encourage him. He was headed for a town near the front lines, and took a stack of posters to distribute to his friends and others there.
During our second trip to Rijeka, the Lord led us to try different methods to get out the lit. For example, one morning instead of taking the bus, we decided to walk to Rijeka from the neighboring town where we were staying. We distributed lit to everyone we passed. Along the way we found three large former hotels that now house refugees from cities that were destroyed in the war. There we witnessed and distributed the posters and other literature to about 500 men, women and children. "I can see that God has sent you," a very sweet handicapped woman told us. "Before you came, I thought God had forgotten us. Four years ago when we first came, we got a lot of attention. Now no one visits us--no one, that is, until you came."
We also met one of the soldiers that we had sung for and witnessed to at the General Hospital in Zagreb last summer. He was so happy to see us again. He said another soldier had received a Croatian song tape, and he asked if he could have one also. We had forgotten to take tapes with us that day, so I asked for his address. Then the next day while in the post office, we turned around, saw this same young man and gave him his tape "special delivery!"
RELIEF TO SURVIVORS OF SAKHALIN EARTHQUAKE!
On May 28th, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake killed 2,000 of the 3,000 residents of Neftegorsk, a small oil-drilling town on Russia's Sakhalin Island. Four days later, the Family in Japan reported that they and Family members in Siberia had begun working together to take relief materials and comfort to the survivors. God bless them! (We'll report further details of the Family's relief effort when they come in, D.V.)
"MASS" WITNESS!
From Arnie, Stephen and Peace, Italy: We asked the local Catholic priest if Stephen could give his testimony and tell a bit about our work at a Sunday mass, and he agreed. About 500 people were present. After the mass, the priest announced that our children would be singing in the square outside the church. Nuns put the church collection baskets around our kids' singing group, and people gave generously to our work. We were also able to collect addresses and gave out the tools! Praise the Lord!
PRESENTATION AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN ROME
From John Simple, Italy: At a university professor's invitation, six of us spoke for two hours to a group of nearly one hundred students, priests and nuns at a Catholic university in Rome. The professor opened the session with his comments on an introductory letter which we distributed at a recent CESNUR (Center for the Study of New Religions) conference. For the rest of the first hour, we gave a brief history of the Family and a summary of our doctrines, followed by a short personal testimony from each of us. The second hour was a question-and-answer period. All the questions and the general response were very positive. There was a keen interest to know more about us, and everybody left with armloads of Statements and other lit.
GORBACHEV GETS LIT, TREASURE ATTIC, AND A KISS!
From Sharon and Aaron, Russia: When we heard that Mikhail Gorbachev was coming to our city, we went to try to meet him and give him a package of our lit and a Treasure Attic video for his grandchildren. At first the situation seemed impossible, as so many people had come to see him. At one point, a bodyguard grabbed our package and refused to pass it on to the ex-president of the former USSR. (He later gave it back to us.)
It would have been easy for us to get discouraged and quit, but after prayer we decided to try one more time. We went to the cloak room where Gorbachev and his associates had left their coats, and talked with KGB agents and one of Gorbachev's friends, a philosopher, who had come with him. When the meeting he was attending ended, Mr. Gorbachev came for his coat and we were right there to meet him! One of our girls got to talk with him for a little while, explained a bit about our work, took a picture with him and gave him a kiss on the cheek as they said good-bye. Mr. Gorbachev was very sweet and friendly, and promised to read our material and watch the Treasure Attic.
RADIO SHOW REACHES SOUTHERN POLAND!
In early June, a radio station in Wroclaw broadcast a very positive 50-minute interview with Family members Philip, Michael and Aaron. It happened that the host of the show had recently lost her only son, who was just 19 years old, after a very short sickness. Before our interview we were able to give her the Salvation message and comfort her about life in Heaven. She was very thankful and touched.
During the interview, the Family members shared their personal testimonies, explained the Family's CTP ministries and our everyday life of helping others. The interview was intertwined with songs like "Mother Let Me Live" and a few others in Polish. They also refuted some of the allegations which have been made about the Family in the Polish media.
"STEP OUT BY FAITH, AND GOD WILL MEET YOU!"
From Peter, Beth and Willing, Belgium: As we pioneered a new Home, we found the Lord doing mighty miracles for our encouragement. After house hunting for three weeks without success, the deadline for moving out of our mother Home was drawing close. We heard about one house that sounded promising, so we went to take a look and possibly present our offer. After explaining our work to the landlord, he immediately agreed to our terms, dropped half of the deposit and spread out the other half over the next four months in order to make it easy for us to move in. He even gave us the keys to the house on the spot. We didn't pay a cent or sign the contract until two weeks later--a week after we moved in!
We spent the first day setting up the Home, and went out DTD the next afternoon. The third door we knocked on was opened by a Christian lady who bought a video for her grandchildren. She invited us in, and explained that she and her husband had received the Lord five years earlier. Recently they had been praying for a way to do more witnessing, or to be able to help someone with that burden--and there we were! Hallelujah! They immediately offered to help us set up our Home and fix the car we were borrowing from our mother Home. God bless them! The next day they came over with a mechanic to fix the car, and while that was going on, the husband measured every window in the house. The next day the couple returned with curtains for the whole house. They also let us use their truck to pick up a freezer from another Home, and gave us toys, shoes and a tricycle for our toddler. Next, they brought over enough frozen food to feed us for a week. That was followed by two truckloads of furniture, including beds, mattresses, cupboards, Persian rugs, paintings, a lamp, a clock, a small marble table, a dinner set, and an oak dining table that is big enough for all ten of us to eat at. Praise the Lord!
We have been going to the little Christian fellowship they attend, which is held at a restaurant/sauna compound. After the fellowship, our kids swim in the indoor pool. This couple also recommended us to a local pastor who does a lot of youth work and may need our help.
SAMANTHA FOX RECEIVES WITNESS!
From Eman, Julia, Marek and Job, Russia: We met and witnessed to popular British singer and topless model Samantha Fox when she was a guest star at an international kick-boxing championship that was held here. We asked the Lord to make a way for us to meet her, and He did. Security was extremely tight and the guards were quite unhelpful, but as we contemplated what to do next, a man walked up and handed us some tickets! What a miraculous answer to prayer!
Once inside, we found our way to her dressing room and spent about 15 minutes with her. She was very sweet, and reminded us of the Letter "The Dancer" (ML# 323). She looked intently into our eyes as we talked, took in everything we said, and seemed very impressed by what we are doing. "Keep up your work and spread the Word," she told us. She also asked us to pray for her. We gave her a package of lit and a personal note. It really touched her heart when she realized that we hadn't come for autographs or photos, but only to encourage her. Praise the Lord!
NEW BOOK INCLUDES ARTICLE ON THE FAMILY!
There is a lengthy entry on the Family in the latest edition of Eileen Barker's book on NRMs, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) in England. HMSO publications are used by students and professionals as official reference and resource material. The article begins with classic quotes from Dad on the subjects of our relationship to the System and sex, and then gives a fair and factual summary of the Family's history and beliefs.
ASIA
CTP HAS UNEXPECTED PAYOFF!
From John YA, India: We live in a rural area where it is very difficult to get bottled gas. Often it's only available at black market prices, which are double the official rate. This posed a constant problem for us, so we decided to go to the top officer of the gas company in the nearest city to see if we could arrange for a regular supply of gas. After we explained our need, he asked me, "Haven't I met you somewhere before?" Although we hadn't met personally, he had seen me perform at a large hospital in that city, where we have a "consider the poor" ministry. He really liked our program, and said he would be happy to help us. Within 10 minutes he had arranged for us to have as much gas as we need as often as we need it, and for the normal price! Praise the Lord! We were so thrilled!
BUFFER TO THE RESCUE!
From Gideon, Sam, Mary, Heidi, Pakistan: Rents in our city have more than doubled in the past year, so our landlord asked to increase our rent by 50%! From one point of view, this was actually quite reasonable, as even with that increase we would have been paying less than half of the market value. Our landlord wanted us to stay because we are good tenants, but explained that he was under pressure from his relatives to get more money from the property. Several embassies and multinational companies had already offered far more than we could pay. We realized that if he insisted on raising the rent this much, we would have to move to a smaller house.
Then at the last minute, the Lord inspired us with an idea. For the past 15 months we have been operating on a cash buffer, always managing (albeit sometimes very tightly) to stay one month ahead. We had also managed to begin building an extra cushion. From our savings, we offered our landlord five months advance rent, in addition to the six-month advance that is standard for contract renewals. This helped him by giving him a larger amount of cash at one time, and also made it possible for him to save face. He accepted our offer, and we agreed to a nominal raise in our rent. Praise the Lord!
NORTH AMERICA
KIDDIE VIDDIES SPEAK LOUDER THAN DETRACTORS' LIES!
From Michael, Rose, Peter and Pearl, Canada: When we followed up on four public libraries which bought our videos last month, we found out that none of the videos were still on the shelves. At first we thought they had been withdrawn due to the recent wave of negative publicity originating in our area, but when we phoned the libraries they told us that the videos are in such demand that they never get back on the shelves! The libraries also use the videos in a special program for pre-schoolers.
FAMILY PERFORMS AT CHILDREN'S DAY EVENT!
From Ben and Maria, Mexico: The PRI, Mexico's ruling political party which has been in power for the last 60 years, invited us to participate in the Children's Day activities which they organized for the families who work for PRI. The official program described us as follows: "The Family is a Christian group who have been assisting us since '93. They participate in humanitarian aid programs and perform seminars in our communities." After the teens and children performed beautifully, we were all called back on stage to receive a plaque, words of praise from the MC, and a thank-you letter from the PRI-president.
WITNESSING EXPLOSION AT FAIR IN AGUASCALIENTES!
From Steven and Katrina, Mexico: We went with a team of YAs and teens to witness at the large fair in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The organizers provided nice hotel rooms, meals and local transportation. Our show team performed three main shows. About 1,000 people attended each of the first two shows, which were held at the fair ground and at the site of the government's welfare project. About 9,000 people saw our last show, held at the People's Theater. The Lord also opened the doors for a TV station to film six songs which were then broadcast over a space of three or four hours on Children's Day, reaching several hundred thousand people. Throughout our 10-day stay, we made many precious new friends, got out quite a few tapes and won lots of souls. It was thrilling to see how well we were received!
FAMILY FEATURED ON CHILDREN'S TV SHOW!
From John and Ana (TS), Puerto Rico: We have been regulars on the local television show "Pequeos in Accion" ("Little Ones in Action") for several months now. At each taping session we record between 10 and 20 three- to five-minute segments which are later broadcast over and over. The children sang about a dozen Family songs. We dressed as clowns to sing songs like "It Must Be a Miracle" and "The Clown." We also clown around, teach magic tricks, etc. We are not able to make everything we do on the show a witness, but sometimes we can. The director is sheepy and likes our Christian message.
EAST COAST TS FELLOWSHIP
From Ahlai, USA: At the end of May we attended a big TS fellowship, which TSers in our area organized. About 75 people came, including TSers from as far away as Colorado and Florida. Some of us hadn't seen each other for as long as 20 years!
After a teen get-out and a nice dinner, the TSers presented their puppet show and the show troupe performed parts of their kiddie show, lots of teen numbers and inspirational songs. Everyone was melted together, and there were many tears as we watched the Lord heal and restore some folks that had felt distant for years. We stayed until midnight, sharing our hearts with one another. One TSer called it "a healing hearts meeting."
FRIENDS NEW AND OLD MEET!
From Ahlai, USA: One of our academic friends had an interesting experience while trying to "provision" the use of a church assembly hall for a conference to be held in Florida. When he explained to one Methodist minister that different communal organizations such as the Family--the former Children of God--would be attending and speaking, he went to great lengths to explain that we are in many respects traditional Christians. "Oh, of course, I know that," the pastor said, "I knew David Berg in a Christian community in Mendocino, California, many years ago. He's a wonderful man!" Unfortunately, our friend was not able to get the use of this or any other church in the area, because, as this pastor put it, "The church committees are run by stodgy old men, as David well knows!"--Ha!
DIRECTORY OF INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES INCLUDES THE FAMILY!
From Joy Rose, USA: The Family is listed in the latest edition of the Directory of Intentional Communities, a publication of two communal living organizations (initial printing 9,000 copies). The two-paragraph article explains in brief our origins, basic beliefs, practices, goals and the Law of Love. It also gives the Los Angeles Family's address and phone number, as well as the toll-free 800 number. They have already received some calls in response to the listing. Due to a slight typographical error (which will be corrected in the next printing), the publishers will include a correction notice in the next issue of their quarterly magazine, giving the Family more free advertising.
PACIFIC
RESTAURANT SINGING REACHES MILLIONS!
From Giddel, Kumiko and Joan, Taiwan: A reporter from one of the main daily newspapers saw one of our children's singing groups out restaurant singing, and was so impressed he wanted to do a story. During the interview, Luke and Crystal explained all about our work, and the following Sunday a beautiful article came out in this popular Chinese daily which reaches all of Taiwan. Also, we received a touching personal letter and some good photos from this same reporter. He called us "fighters for the truth" and said he admires us for preaching the Gospel. Thank You Lord!
WANT ADS
MATE/DADDY WANTED
My name is Serena (formerly Ellie). I am 46 years old, a Libra. I've been in the Family for 22 years, and have five of my nine children with me now--three girls ages four, nine, and twelve; and two boys, ages six months and ten-and-a-half. We have been praying for a sweet, loving daddy and husband. If you feel that the Lord is speaking to you about us, please contact us via NACRO. It all has to be the Lord. God bless you! We really love you!
MATE WANTED
Hi! my name is Sapphire Shiner. I am British, 38 years old, and a Virgo. I have been in the Family 20 years. I have two teens, Paul (17) and Ruth (16). They are both living with me at the moment, but Paul will be leaving shortly for the EE. I have been praying for a sweet mate and companion. If you have children, please also feel free to write. My main ministry is childcare and teaching, but I also really enjoy outreach and have done some provisioning. Right now I am in the BI, but plan to leave for a more fertile field in a few months. If you are interested, please write care of EURCRO. I am looking forward to hearing from you! Love, Sapphire.
MATE/MOMMY WANTED
Hello! My name is Steven Martyr (formerly Etienne). I'm 42 and have been in the Family for 18 years. I have two sweet boys with me, Alain (10) and Josiah (7). We are looking for a sweet mommy to help us to serve Jesus better and to make us a strong team together. We'd love to have other children join our family. We really love you and wait to hear from you. At present we are in Belgium, but need to move to France soon. Please write via EURCRO. We love you! Love, Steven, Alain and Josiah.
MATE/DADDY WANTED
Hi! My name is Rebeca. I'm 45 years old, Colombian and a Pisces. I've been in the Family for 18 years. My main talents are childcare, cooking and provisioning. I'm looking for a friend, husband and a loving father for my children. One of my sons, Solomon (16), is with his father, and the others, Joel (11) and Sebastian (6), are with me. If you would like to come to Colombia, please write me through the SACRO Office.
MATE/DADDY WANTED
My name is Claire Happy (formerly Gypsy). I am Australian, 48 years young, and a Libra. My ministries are childcare, kitchen and follow-up. I have been in the Family for 16 years. I have two children, Annabelle Rose (10) and Nicolas James (7). We have been praying for a loving companion and daddy to share our exciting lives serving the Lord in whatever way He leads. We are presently in Australia. When the Lord inspires you to respond to this ad, we would dearly love to hear from you! Please contact me via your Continental Office.
ANSWERED PRAYER!
Brazilian Joo and Pandita (formerly Aurora): As reported in PL 26:146, Joo and Pandita suffered major injuries in a highway traffic accident. Pandita's thighbone is already in its proper place, and an operation to put a platinum plate in her pelvis was successful. Her ribs are already healed and her pain has subsided quite a bit. Joo's stitches have been removed from his face, and there will be no permanent scars. Thank You Jesus for Your wonderful healing touch! Please keep praying for Pandita and Joo's complete healing.
PRAYER REQUESTS
(Editor's note: Because Prayer List 26 will reach you very soon, if it hasn't already, we are including here only major prayer requests which we received after that Prayer List was finalized.)
SOUTH AMERICA:
1. That the Family's press release announcing the Argentine Supreme Court ruling will be published worldwide by as many news outlets as possible; that it will be a powerful witness and have a positive effect on the general public in Argentina and elsewhere.
2. For continued progress in our lawsuits against false witnesses and improper psychological tests during the Argentina persecution.
NORTH AMERICA
3. Recent traffic accident in Texas:
-- For the physical, spiritual, and emotional recovery of Family members in the hospital in Austin, Texas, who were badly hurt in this accident.
-- For the parents and other family members of the teens who went to be with the Lord in this accident.
-- For the husband and relatives of the woman who died in the other vehicle. That the Family will be able to comfort this poor man who lost his wife.
-- That there will not be any legal repercussions or legal suits against the Family as a result.
-- For the prayerfulness and diligence of all Family members with others in their care.
-- That both you young people, as well as you adults, will be awakened to how short time is, how the Devil is trying to destroy our usefulness, and how serious any unguarded moments are.
* * *
Something happens when we pray:
Powers of evil lose their sway,
Sin, disease, and fear give way;
Therefore, let us pray.
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family