Worldwide Activity Report -- June 1996
FAR026 -- GP
June 1996, by The Family, Zurich, Switzerland

Every day, in nearly 70 countries spanning six continents, full-time Family volunteers work to bring hope, happiness and God's Love to others. Following are some highlights of their recent activities and experiences, as reported by Family missionaries.

Wheelchairs, sunshine and hope
From David, Slovakia:
         The director and staff of a center for mentally and physically handicapped children struggled to hold back tears when we presented them with 10 new wheelchairs and other assorted walking aids. Until that day, 24 of the institution's 70 children and teenagers had been bedridden most of their lives; the short-handed staff rarely had the time or strength to carry them from room to room, or outside for fresh air and sunshine.
         The wheelchairs and other equipment were made possible by the efforts of one of our sponsors in Western Europe, a doctor whom we had written about the center's need. He and his colleagues contacted a company which makes wheelchairs and orthopedic equipment, and the company generously agreed to help with more than we had requested!
         We gave three of the extra wheelchairs to a home for the elderly, which was also in dire need. Walking through this state-run institution was quite a shock. Up to eight people shared some of the cramped rooms; the roof leaked; moldy plaster fell from the walls, and the ancient coal-burning furnace strained against the spring chill and dampness. Imagining what the place would be like in winter sent shivers down our spines. The director could hardly believe that we had come to deliver the much-needed but unsolicited equipment. "God must have sent you!" he said.
         We had one more wheelchair, and felt the Lord had someone special that He wanted to receive it. Two days later Sophie met him on a bus. For three years, 25-year-old Tom had been carried everywhere by his brother. Bitter and discouraged, Tom had lost both legs when a gang threw him in front of a train. "This is too good to be true!" the two brothers exclaimed when we delivered the wheelchair to the tiny room they shared in a shabby part of town.

Social welfare program adopts Family children's videos
From Angel, Pablo and Lynn, Bolivia:
         A governmental body responsible for the developmental needs of Bolivia's children has added selections from three series of Family-produced educational videos to their 1996 social welfare program. Kiddie Viddie, Treasure Attic and Fantastic Friends all teach social skills and moral values through the mediums of music and drama.

Slum children receive a helping hand
From Leah, Lily and Marcus, Thailand:
         At three schools in the slums of Bangkok, members of the Family provide free English tutoring to over 200 elementary and secondary school children. English is the international language of the computer age, so becoming proficient in English may very well open opportunities for these children to advance socially and economically.
         Many of the children can barely afford the three Baht (about 12 cents US) cost of their school lunches, so through donations from local sponsors we supply the school kitchens with additional rice and canned fish.
         We also conduct weekly activities at a community center for underprivileged children. The children jump for joy when they see our team arrive, as they know it's time for fun and games, songs and stories, and a little personal attention. This past month we were able to provide the center with some very needed furniture, and many of the children and their parents with clothing and other personal items.

Kindness begets kindness
From Enoch, Slovenia:
         We filled our van with donated shoes, boots and other relief supplies, and headed off for a Bosnian refugee camp nearly a day's drive from our home. Once in the general area, we wound our way along small country roads looking for the camp, and eventually pulled over at a little farmhouse to ask for directions. We explained our mission to the friendly farmer, who confirmed that we were headed in the right direction and that the refugee camp was not far away. As we thanked him, he asked sheepishly, "Do you have an extra pair of boots for me?"
         Happy to oblige, we pulled several boxes of shoes and rubber boots from the back of the van and motioned for him to choose a pair. It was only then that we noticed he was missing one hand. "Lost in an accident," he explained.
         He found a pair of rubber boots that fit, then ventured, "These boots will be for work. Can I take another pair for church?"
         "Of course," we replied.
         After the selection was made we took photos together, said good-bye, and parted like longtime friends.
         At the refugee camp we distributed the relief supplies and presented a simple Gospel message in song to the crowd that gathered. Then, to our surprise, our farmer friend entered the meeting hall. He had come to get us.
         "You will have dinner at my house tonight," he proudly announced with a grand smile, "and if you need a place to stay, you can spend the night with me and my family!"
         We were too far from home to make the long drive that evening, so we did indeed need a place to sleep that night. We accepted his kind offer, and marveled at God's faithfulness to supply our every need as we go about His work of sharing His Love with others.

Peace to a troubled soul
From Jonathan, USA:
         "God used that cassette tape you gave me to rescue at least one life," John told us. John is a friend of ours who lives in Los Angeles, and the tape he was referring to is Peace in the Midst of Storm. It was produced by the Family, and contains comforting and faith-building anecdotes and songs.
         "I passed the tape on to my mother," John continued. "One evening she had a friend of hers over for dinner, but he was completely distraught. Normal dinner conversation was impossible. She wished she could encourage him, but was at a loss for words. Then she remembered the tape and played it for him. The man listened to the entire tape, ate dinner, and left.
         "Several months later, he explained to my mother what had transpired during his previous visit. 'Someone had just cheated me out of a large sum of money, and I was determined to get revenge. Then while listening to that tape, something clicked. I felt God's Love and reassurance, and things came back into perspective. I could hardly believe what I had intended to do! It would have ruined both of our lives.'"
         Sometimes God lets us get to the end of our rope, but He is always there to catch and keep us if we'll just reach out for Him, as did that dear man that night.

Miracles of healing
From James and Christina, Russia:
         Four young leukemia patients at a clinic we visit regularly have experienced miraculous healing. A couple of months ago we circulated prayer requests for these children to many Family communities throughout Europe. Eleven-year-old Lena, nine-year-olds Ola and Katia, and four-year-old Paulik are all now healthy, happy and home. Parents and doctors alike are elated at how quickly and completely the children's conditions changed.
         The first time we saw Lena, she was being rushed into the intensive care unit. We returned the next day to visit and pray with her and her mother. Lena's condition was indeed grave; weeks earlier she had had one leg amputated in a desperate attempt to keep the cancer from spreading, but now she had taken another turn for the worse. Immediately after we prayed, a spirit of peace and calm came over both Lena and her mother. Before we left we gave them a Russian translation of the Family's book of devotional readings, Daily Might, and pointed them to the index listings on divine healing.
         When we returned to the clinic the following day, Lena was out of intensive care. The moment she saw us, her mother exclaimed, "It's a miracle! She's getting better by the hour!" Later she explained that Lena was about to be X-rayed to determine how much damage the chemotherapy had done to her vital organs, and tested to see how far the cancer had spread. She was also concerned about a bump that had developed on Lena's head, and asked us to pray for Lena again.
         On our next visit Lena's mother was bubbling over with excitement. "The X-ray was completely clear, all of Lena's latest tests came out negative, and the bump on her head is completely gone! It's another miracle!" she exclaimed. Lena went home just one week after she was put in intensive care, something which her doctors said was totally unheard of.
         On another visit we took a guitar, as one of the boys had asked us to teach him how to play. We taught him a couple of chords and left the guitar with him. When we returned a few days later, we learned that many of the patients and staff members had taken turns on the guitar. Surprisingly, even one of the doctors whom everybody considered rather dour and businesslike was heard playing the guitar for the children. "Whenever he came to see us before, he had his stethoscope in his ears and didn't say a word," one of the parents commented. "It's so nice to see his human side!"
         "The children and their parents all love you so much," the head doctor told us. "You have given these children hope and a reason to live. You have spread so much happiness and joy here that the whole clinic is changed. We've all been changed. Our whole outlook on life and our work has changed!"

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