Worldwide Activity Report -- October 1997
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Copyright 1997 by The Family

         Every day, in nearly 80 countries spanning the globe, 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 the Family members involved.

         [Picture caption:] Dream shoes. Franz and Lily distributing donated shoes at Brother Enos' shelter for street children.

"Somebody loves us!"
From Franz and Lily, Kenya
         At a makeshift shelter for 200 street children in one of the worst slums in Nairobi, up to four children share one bed. They often have to go with one meal a day. Shoes are a dream, clean clothes are unheard of, and parents are long forgotten. It's a daily struggle for survival, but it's far better than what the children would have otherwise.
         "Your response to our plea for help shows that Somebody loves us," said Brother Enos, a pastor who has given his life to care for these children. For the past two years we have helped Brother Enos's shelter. We set up a basic school with study areas, books and writing materials, and we established a food program to which local merchants donate fish, bread, vegetables and cereal weekly. Supplies are far from adequate, but it's a start. We often meet and sign on new sponsors in the course of our other activities. For example, last month we met a number of businessmen who donated a total of 100 pairs of shoes and hundreds of pieces of clothing--all of which were received by the orphans with great joy!
         During one of our recent visits, the head teacher echoed what Brother Enos had told us earlier: "We know that we can count on The Family. You have stuck with us through our most desperate times. It shows us that God cares."

Prison shows give hope and challenge to change
From James, Ruth, Ruthie and Joan, Ukraine
         We recently performed musical programs in three prisons in Odessa: one in a men's prison for first-time offenders, one in a women's prison, and one in a maximum-security prison. Our trip to Odessa was not without its trying moments, however, as one of our vans broke down outside the city, and we were forced to go on without it.
         At the first prison we sang for 1,500 men, at the second for 600 women. Many of them had tears in their eyes as they listened to our songs about God's love, forgiveness and transforming power. We also visited some of the babies and children who live with their mothers in the women's prison, and gave them toys that we had brought for them.
         The high-security prison was like no other we have performed at. A dark, heavy spirit hung over the place. To enter, we had to drive through a series of five gates. Barbed wire, dogs, and land mines secured the areas between the high fences and walls that ringed the prison. To the surprise of prison officials, all the 1,200 men we sang for listened intently, and none made their usual crude and derisive comments.
         The top officials were so appreciative of what we had done for the inmates that the day before we left they scoured Odessa until they found the part needed to fix our broken van, and brought it to us personally.

Life begins at 82 for Sakoda-san
From Susi, 20, Japan
         Sakoda-san is an elderly Japanese man who, due to ill health, doesn't leave his home other than to go on regular trips to the hospital. When he first contacted us about a year and a half ago, he was 82 and very lonely. His health was deteriorating, and he had little to live for. Then he found God's love!
         I was in Japan on furlough from Russia, where I had been helping with one of The Family's humanitarian aid projects. Sakoda-san first heard about us through a newspaper article which appealed for help for these projects. He was one of many people who responded heartily with donations of used clothing and other items. Sakoda-san also wrote a sweet letter to me, as I was featured in the article and would be the one to take the aid back to Russia. He wanted to meet me, but he was so sick at the time that he was too embarrassed to meet face to face. Instead we communicated a few times by letter and phone. He was very grateful to have someone that sincerely cared about him and took the time to listen to him, and he prayed with me over the phone to receive God's love in Jesus.
         Recently I returned to Japan. Sakoda-san was healthier and stronger, so we were finally able to meet in person. He gratefully recalled the prayer we had prayed, and he thanked me over and over, saying, "You have taught me about God's true love. You have given me something to live for."

Stars are born!
From Dolly, 20, Turkey
         Our visits to a school for handicapped children include sessions where we employ music therapy and simple dramas. We started out by performing for them, but a few months ago we undertook to cast 25 of these special kids in their own double-feature musical production in Turkish. This was a first for their school--and for us!
         Fifteen of the older children (ages 12-17) acted out and sang the story of "The Rock in the Road," which teaches lessons of consideration and unselfishness. Ten of the younger ones did "The Gardener" skit, about finding contentment in doing their best with the gifts God has given them. All of them really put their heart into their performances and did very well, God bless them! Their parents were overjoyed, as most of them never suspected that their kids could learn to act and sing. Shine on, little stars!

Why sacrifice?
From Lynn Clear, Bolivia
         "Wouldn't you prefer to be doing something else?" That's a question that people sometimes ask (and more often think) when they see 16-year-old Andrea performing with her dad and sisters in the popular clown show, "Los Popets"--especially when it's Andrea's turn to act out the song "What Kind of Animal Can You Pretend to Be?" and the three-year-old birthday boy they are performing for has a handsome teenage brother who has invited all his friends from his exclusive high school! Why does Andrea do it? Ask her, and she'll tell you it's because she wants to help others.
         In this country, most of the population works for an average take-home pay of about $50 per month. People are so poor that nearly every time heavy rains come, families are buried alive as their mud houses collapse on top of them. Hundreds of children live on the streets or in orphanages in every city, simply because their parents don't have money to feed them. If you lived here, wouldn't you want to find ways to help such people if you could?
         "Los Popets" provides Andrea, her dad and other Family members a perfect opportunity to get to know and be known by the sector of society that has the money and influence needed to help the poor in a big way. It also brings in enough income that members of the local Family community can dedicate a good deal of their time and energy to directly improving the quality of life for the poor, especially abandoned children. Plus, Andrea will tell you, the shows are fun and really challenge the creativity of the show team!
         Showtime is a real family affair for "Los Popets." Nearly every day they all pile into the jeep; travel to their venue; set up the puppet stage, lights, and sound system; paint the faces of the clowns; get games ready; and conduct a two- to three-hour show. Mama stays home with the little one, schedules upcoming shows, and works on current projects for the poor.
         Doesn't Andrea want to do more of the things "normal" teenagers do? Sure, that would be nice. But she doesn't consider the loss a sacrifice. She has a purpose and fulfillment that few other teenagers experience. She's making a difference!
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         The Family is a nonprofit, volunteer organization. Each of the activities you have just read about was made possible through donations from businesses, associations and concerned individuals. If you would like more information about The Family, or if you would like to help sponsor Family volunteers or projects, please contact us at one of the addresses below:



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family