Worldwide Family Activity Report - January1995
FAR010 - GP
January1995 by The Family, Zurich, Switzerland
The Family
Making a Difference!
Every day, in over 50 countries scattered over six continents, full-time Family volunteers work to bring hope, happiness and God's love to others. Following are highlights of their many recent activities and experiences, as reported by Family missionaries themselves:
Lives changed and healed
From David and Ester, Peru
Nine-year-old Clarita and four-year-old Tommy gave a "Somebody Loves You!" tract to a lady sitting on a park bench. She was still holding the tract when we passed by again a few minutes later, and we could see that she was crying. We sat down near her, and when she looked our way, we asked if there was anything we could do to help.
"I was reading here about the soon coming of Jesus and His reign of peace, love and justice over the whole world," she said, referring to the tract. "Suddenly I couldn't hold back the tears." She went on to tell us all of her problems, as though we were her most trusted friends. "A few days ago, my husband left me for another woman. I'm all alone with our three children and have no means of support. Until your children handed me this leaflet, I didn't see how I could carry on. I've been sitting here for hours, contemplating suicide."
We talked and talked, and gradually her outlook brightened. She prayed with us to receive Jesus as her Savior, and we prayed with her that the Lord would straighten out her problems in the way He knows is best. "You were Heaven-sent!" she told us as she finally excused herself. "I must go and tell my children that God does love us; and because He does, surely He will take care of us."
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From Timothy, Dove, Cristian and Shawn, Chile
When we went to perform at an institution for handicapped children, we learned that they already had a complete set of The Family's videos for children. One of the social workers explained that they had been donated to the institution, anonymously. This brief note had accompanied the videos:
I am donating these videos in thankfulness to God. Several months ago, my daughter was in a car accident and completely lost her memory. For weeks she isolated herself in her own world. I bought a set of these videos and played them for her every day. Little by little, as she watched the happy children in these shows, she came back to life. Now she is perfectly normal again. I bought another set of these videos for you because I believe they can also work miracles in the lives of the children you care for.
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From Abel, Claire and Matthew, Taiwan
Carol attends a college for medical technicians near our home. Following are excerpts from a letter we received from her a few weeks after we prayed with her to receive the Lord:
I used to be fearful of life's problems. They just seemed too big to face. Then Jesus came into my life, and His Word replaced my fear and disappointment with hope. Now when I am faced with difficulties, I pray instead of complaining or trying to run away from them.
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From Ruth, England
I recently received the following letter from a Hindu man who prayed with me to accept Jesus as his Savior:
Every once in a while a person comes along who makes a difference in one's life. You certainly have made that difference to me. I pray to God that He may bless you and your organization for all the wonderful work that you do. By teaching me to see God at work in my everyday life, you have shown a way to me. Now I understand that in all my troubles, failures and sorrow, I can turn to the Lord to see me through. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
May love and happiness always surround you. With love, respect and best wishes, Rajeeb
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Family members in Hungary received the following note from a young man who is in prison:
Dear Friends, I think about you often. Thank you so much for the spiritual "food" you send me. Your publications present lessons on faith and Christian living in such a way that anyone can put them into practice, not only in everyday situations, but even in abnormal circumstances like mine. I have been in prison for the past six years. Finally I am being transformed. I feel that I have found the right path, and I have made a commitment to stay on it. Thank God for His love and salvation! God be with you!--Zoltan.
Everyday relief for everyday problems and pressures
From Lydia and Shelley, Thailand
A number of our friends live in the provinces, far from our base in Bangkok. We aren't able to visit them very often, but keep in touch by mail.
Mr. Somchai recently wrote, "The publications that you send me give me a peace in my heart. Nothing else I read does that to me. I am learning to take time to read these every day, and I find that this gives me strength."
Mr. Tavorn in another province wrote, "Since I have known you, things just seem to work out. There are still problems and the pressures of work, but somehow it seems to be much easier to work things out now and the problems are getting solved. I feel good when I talk to you or read your letters. It helps me relax and relieves the pressure in my life."
Mr. Anuparb wrote, "The leaflets you send me each week are a breath of fresh air! It's like recharging my batteries every time I read them."
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From Maria and Cassandra, Australia
Robert is a sailor whom we met on board his ship when it was docked in port here. We've been corresponding with him for the past few months. In his latest letter he wrote, "Reading your letters and publications makes me feel very close to God. I often encounter problems with my work, and frankly, I don't always cope well. Today was one of those days. At the height of my frustration, strangely enough, I received another inspiring letter from you. As I reflected on the Bible verses you sent, the Lord set my troubled mind at ease."
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From Magdalene, Thailand
When Joy and I visited a dear friend recently, we read with him some compiled material on the theme, "You Can Have Freedom from Fear." Due to major financial difficulties, he had been worrying so much and under such pressure that he had been taking medication to relieve the stress. After we finished reading he said, "This could have been written just for me!" The next time we talked to him he commented again about how much those two pages of simple, straightforward counsel have helped him. "The stress and worry are gone!" he said.
"Many people struggle through life needlessly, when only a little more time spent with God's Word would bring the peace, faith and happiness they seek." (David Brandt Berg [1919-1994], founder of The Family)
Other active Christians using Family publications
From Kristina, Albania
One university student we have talked with at length now wants to become a missionary doctor. She is very thankful for our publications and said, "In your publications there are answers to every problem in life. I'm especially thankful for the Daily Might that I just received. When I need to know something about a problem or question I might have, I open that book and I read a few pages and my whole outlook on life gets brighter. University is preparing me to help others physically. Your publications are preparing me to help them spiritually. Thank you so much for all you are doing for me!"
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From Mark, Belgium
For the past three years, we have sent Jocelyne monthly mailings of Family literature. When we visited her last month, she explained how she applies the counsel in our publications in her work with mentally handicapped children. The Lord has given Jocelyne a very special love for these special children, most of whom have Down's syndrome, and she glows each time she talks about them. Whenever she writes or when we visit, she thanks The Family on behalf of the children she teaches and their parents.
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From Michelle, Finland
Some months ago, a Finnish women's weekly magazine published an article about home schooling, which featured our Family home here. Later, we received a letter from a missionary couple in Nigeria. They had received a copy of that article from a friend. These missionaries have three school-age children and run a Christian school in the "bush", three hours from the nearest grocery store. We have corresponded with them several times since, and will be supplying them with Family children's videos and other Family materials for their school.
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Each month, Family members correspond with thousands of people in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, most of whom write us initially in response to literature distributed in those countries. Following is an excerpt from a letter received from Ania in Poland, who leads a Catholic youth group in her church.
I have been reading and discussing the Scriptures with my group for many months, but now that we have your brochures it's much easier to understand the Bible. We all feel that we are getting to know God and Jesus better. In your literature we can find answers to every question that comes up in our meetings. Most of all we want to preach the Gospel, and therefore we thank you for your help and literature. God bless you for your good mission!--Ania, Poland.
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From Faith, Philippines
A local Protestant bishop, whom we have known for a few years, has requested our help in training his deacons in the Word. He is sold on The Family's publications--Word Basics, Treasures, Daily Might, etc.
"Your books and publications will do my deacons more good than years of seminary training," he told us. "David Berg's writings make the Bible so alive, easy to understand and relatable."
"I will bless those who bless you" (Genesis 12:3).
From Sara and Crystal, USA
While on an outreach trip to Corpus Christi, Texas, we needed a place to stay, so we went to a hotel which had previously provided other Family members with free accommodations. The owner wasn't there, so we began looking elsewhere. After trying several other hotels, we met a man who made a phone call and arranged for us to stay at a hotel which is owned by a friend of his. "My friend's policy is to always help The Family, so I went ahead and worked it out for you," he said matter-of-factly. That hotel turned out to be the first one we had gone to.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't understand you were The Family," the desk clerk apologized when we returned. "We always help The Family. I could have saved you all that time and effort!" Then she promptly gave us three rooms for our entire stay in Corpus Christi.
When we met the owner later, he told us that he has been helping Family members for the past five years. "You've really helped my business," he said. "Whenever business is down, a group from The Family always seems to show up right when I need them, and things take a turn for the better!"
Many others who help sponsor our projects have told us the same thing. As the Bible promises, the more they help God's work, the more God blesses them, materially and in every way!
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family