Worldwide Activity Report -- August 1996
FAR028 -- GP
August 1996, by The Family, Zurich, Switzerland

         Every day, in nearly 70 countries spanning the globe, full-time Family volunteers work to bring hope, happiness and God's love to others. Following are accounts of just a few of the many, many lives that have been changed recently, as reported by the Family members involved.

Vijay's story: healed of heroin addiction
From Mary , India:
         We met Vijay at a drug rehabilitation center where we do counseling and other volunteer work. At the age of 31, he had spent over half of his life on drugs -- the last ten addicted to heroin. About a year ago he was released from the drug center, and returned to his home in northern India. We have kept in touch by mail and phone, and arranged for Family members in northern India to visit him when they traveled to his city. Here are excerpts from Vijay's latest letter to us:

Dear Mary and all,
         Hi! Thanks a lot for your last letter, which was very encouraging. It came at a time when I was thinking about giving up the fight, and it gave me courage to start over again. Now I reread that letter whenever I'm feeling low.
         As I wrote some time ago, I kept clear of drugs for a while, but then started taking them again. I just couldn't find any motivation to carry on. Life again felt empty.
         About that time, I got a phone call from James and Rajesh, Family members from New Delhi. They explained that they were coming to visit some schools here and I invited them to stay with me and my parents.
         For four days, I drove them to many schools where they met the principals and presented The Family's inspirational videos for children and teenagers. We also visited some people whom Rajesh and James knew from previous visits. My mom and dad also enjoyed their company. It was as if two members of our own family, not strangers, had come to visit.
         Unbeknownst to James and Rajesh, I was using drugs at the time. The first couple of days I just barely managed to get dressed in the morning, take them around, and then come back in the evening and crash out. About the third day I started to feel that I wanted to quit using drugs, but I was afraid of the painful withdrawals.
         The fourth day, before driving them to the station to catch an evening train back to Delhi, we all had tea with my mother. Rajesh asked if they could pray for her, then turned to me and asked if there was anything I would like them to pray for. I said I wanted to get off of drugs again.
         Rajesh prayed for Mom, and then James prayed for me. Tears started flowing from my eyes, and soon I couldn't stop. James was also in tears. At that moment, I wished that time would stop. I was in a different world. I felt very relieved, and determined that I would quit taking drugs.
         For the next three days I stayed in bed. On the first day I got your letter. It was really great reading it in the middle of this experience. I also started reading Family publications and listening to the cassettes you had given me. I did not eat anything for three days, but had no withdrawal pains and felt great. Jesus was with me for the duration. I cried a lot, but they were tears of relief and gratitude. Everything was coming together! I felt Jesus' presence all around me and in everything. I won't forget those days as long as I live. Only God's love could have done that!
         I wanted to stay there with that experience forever, but life goes on. I picked up where I had left off, but this time with renewed faith and strength. I knew that God loved me and would look after me and guide me, if only I would follow His direction. He created me and has a purpose for my life.
         I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help. All this was only possible because I met you. I now understand what real love is. "God works in mysterious ways, His miracles to perform." He took me to the drug rehabilitation center to meet you. All this was a part of His grand scheme.
         It's really great what all you people are doing. Your visits to the center meant a lot to me, and I am sure the other inmates there all feel the same way.

With love and prayers,
Vijay
         PS: I've been clean [free from drugs] for a month now!

Clive's story: alcoholic no more
From Joy, England:
         Last summer my husband Paul and I and our children lived on a caravan site [campground] for four months while we were looking for new housing. There was a large pub on the site, which had a thriving business. Many of the other residents, some of whom lived there year-round, were heavy drinkers.
         Shortly after we moved in, a couple -- whom I will call Clive and Susan -- befriended us. It wasn't long, however, until we realized that Clive had a drinking problem and it was getting worse! Under the influence of alcohol, his entire character changed and he would become violent. His drunken rampages had already landed him in jail a couple of times, Susan told us.
         Then one night while drunk, Clive hit Susan's adult daughter so hard that she collapsed and was hospitalized. The whole campsite was in shock. Susan was distraught and didn't know what to do. Paul and I prayed with her and comforted her.
         When Clive sobered up, he didn't remember anything that had happened and could not believe he had done such a thing. When he realized that it was true, he was devastated!
         Paul had a long talk with Clive, and explained how Jesus had helped him over personal problems in the past. He offered to pray with Clive, but Clive said he would feel more comfortable praying privately. Paul gave him a Somebody Loves You tract, and left.
         When I saw Susan later, she told me that when she returned home she found Clive sitting silently with a tear-stained face, still gripping that tract.
         That was over seven months ago now, and Clive hasn't touched a drop of drink since. He and Susan are both elated!

Tammy's story: freed from fear
From David, USA:
         "I'm so worried about my daughter!" confided Marge, a waitress in a restaurant where we had just finished performing. She went on to explain that Tammy, her 14-year-old, was suffering depression after being sexually harassed by a young man. "Since that time, she doesn't talk much. She doesn't want to go to school, and stays in bed all day -- either sleeping or just lying there."
         When we offered to pray for Tammy, Marge eagerly accepted, and we did so on the spot. After returning home, we and the other Family members with whom we live prayed for Tammy again. Each of us also continued to pray for Tammy whenever she came to mind.
         Several weeks later we saw Marge again. She didn't have to say a word; it was written all over her face. "The Lord answered your prayers!" she said with a huge smile. "My daughter has changed drastically. She's happy and alive again, and even dresses differently! God couldn't have worked this out more wonderfully!"

Minnie's story: transformed by the Master's touch
From Leyland, South Africa:
         We struck up a conversation with Minnie on a bus. We told her we were Christian volunteers, and she told us she was a stripper. By the time we reached her stop, we had prayed with her to receive Jesus as her Savior and arranged to stay in touch.
         She has since come to our home for Bible studies, stopped stripping, found a better job, and has changed her lifestyle drastically. She's a completely different person now, and tells her friends that this change in her life is all thanks to Jesus!

Sonia's story: heartbreak and hope
From Flor, Brazil:
         Just one more round of medical tests, and then home at last! Things were looking up for Sonia, a 15-year-old we met in the children's ward at the hospital where we do volunteer work each week. Sonia had one leg amputated last year, and had been undergoing treatment at the cancer center for the last four months.
         Then, just hours before our last visit prior to her release, came the devastating news. Her test results revealed that the cancer had reappeared in both of her lungs. She would need another operation in five days, then chemotherapy would start all over again. Even if all went well, she probably didn't have long to live. When we arrived for our visit, she was understandably very depressed and had refused to eat or talk to anyone. How do you help a 15-year-old cope with the fact that she is dying?
         I spent an hour or more talking and praying with Sonia and her mother. Sonia's face lit up as I explained some of the wonders of Heaven from the Bible. "Jesus will take these dying bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like His own," I told her. (See Philippians 3:21.) "Your pain and suffering will be over, and you'll be able to run again -- or even fly!
         "You mean I'll get my leg back in Heaven?" she asked. I assured her that she would, and she was so happy.
         By the time we left, she was downstairs eating dinner with the other young patients, talking, laughing and speaking positively about her upcoming operation. Her mother and the hospital staff were all amazed at the change that had taken place. In life's darkest hour, the Prince of Peace had visited Sonia, giving her peace of mind in her present circumstance and faith that a beautiful new life awaits her in Heaven.

For more information:
         Visit The Family at our Internet Web site: http://www.thefamily.org/family
         E-mail: family@thefamily.org


Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family