Worldwide Activity Report -- May 1998
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Copyright 1998 by The Family

         Every day, in over 85 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] Family members with House Majority Leader Dick Armey after receiving the Freedom Works Award in a Capitol Hill ceremony. (Left to right) Sam Lloyd, Cindy Thompson, Armey, Lisa Salazar and Brian Edwards.

U.S. Congressional leader honors The Family for outstanding public service
         On March 5, House Majority Leader Dick Armey, presented his Freedom Works Award to The Family's Washington, D.C., community. The annual award recognizes individuals or organizations who, by personal initiative and without government funding, have done the most to better the lives of others.
         Prior to presenting the award in a ceremonial room of the Capitol, Rep. Armey gave a one-minute speech on the floor of the House of Representatives in honor of The Family. "Milk for Many," which for the past four years has collected two tons of milk each week from donor dairies and delivered it to Washington's needy via many homeless shelters and soup kitchens, led the list of Family projects which Rep. Armey cited.
         On hand to receive the award were D.C. Center Director Cindy Thompson and three of the young members involved in the day-to-day operation of "Milk for Many" and other D.C.-based projects. A press conference followed.
         "It warms my heart to see these young people doing all they can to help people in need," said Rep. Armey. "These young people exemplify the kind of genuine service and sacrifice I had in mind when I conceived of the Freedom Works Award."
         (More on the D.C. Family and the Freedom Works Award can be found on the D.C. Family's Web site: www.TheDCFamily.com, and Dick Armey's Web site: http://freedom.house.gov)

Support for the weary
From Gabriel and Ana, Brazil
         We have begun assisting at a center for undernourished children from newborn to three years old. We started by passing on provisions of milk and other food which local sponsors had donated to our work, but before long the director of the institute asked us to also help provide encouragement and spiritual counsel for the children's mothers, who are often physically and emotionally spent.
         We also offer comfort, companionship and counsel to patients and their families at one of the poorest hospitals in the city. Nearly all of the patients are in need of cheer and spiritual support, but for the moment we have been asked to give special attention to the many outpatients who come in for dialysis treatment. Not only are the three-hour treatments very painful, but barring a miracle or a kidney transplant (which is even less likely, considering their economic standing), these patients must endure these treatments three times a week for the rest of their lives. They are broken in spirit, and greatly appreciate and depend on our support.

Stand-in family
From Larissa (21), Thailand
         At an orphanage where we serve as volunteers, we have begun helping with a new program to prepare some of the children for adoption abroad. This is the first program of its kind in this country, and so far it's been very successful.
         We spend individual time with the children, who range in age from newborn to preteen, talking to them, holding them, teaching them a little English, and generally helping them get used to being with foreigners. The children, especially the babies, have an incredible vacuum for love and cuddles. We also take them on outings to the zoo, supermarkets, the airport, and other places that are fascinating and new to them. We even take them to our house, which more closely resembles a Western household than anything they have previously seen, so they can get used to that--anywhere to prepare them for the world they are about to enter.
         A couple of the children we have worked with have already been adopted. Their new parents were very thankful for the time we had spent with the kids, because it was clear that they were already adapting well.

International effort
From Michael, Catrina and Charity, Latvia
         Family members in Sweden secured a second truckload of hospital equipment for the very needy hospital in Latvia that we assist on an ongoing basis. When we delivered the equipment free of charge, the head of the hospital was overwhelmed.
         We also recently met the director of an association that assists 1,500 handicapped people. Since our co-workers in Sweden had also sent many crutches and walkers, we asked the director for a list of the most needy people, then visited them, delivering the crutches and walkers in person. We now hope to also start helping some of these people and their families with regular donations of food which others contribute to our work.

A reassuring voice of experience
From Paloma, Russia
         When a friend who is a gynecologist at a local hospital asked me to do seminars for first-time expectant mothers, I told him I didn't feel qualified. The good doctor offered a second opinion. "You're the mother of 11. Of course you're qualified!" he said. Still unsure, I told him I needed to think about it some more.
         Before I could decide, I got a call from Ewa, another Family member and close friend who was due to have a baby in another city. She asked me to be there for the delivery, and that was an invitation I couldn't pass up!
         At Ewa's request, the head doctor of her maternity ward agreed to let her have a natural childbirth--something that is almost unheard of in present-day Russia. He was, in fact, very interested in the natural childbirth methods most of us mothers in The Family use, and arranged for a class from the local medical institute and their teacher to follow the developments during Ewa's labor and delivery. It all went beautifully, and Ewa and baby went home five hours later.
         After that experience, I decided to accept the invitation to lead the childbirth seminars. Ewa moved to my city shortly thereafter, and she agreed to do the running translation into Russian. The first seminar was attended by nearly 50 women in varying stages of pregnancy. They were a great class, and of course all were very surprised to hear that I have such a large family.
         Most of our subsequent seminars (we do two a week now) have been for mothers who are due any day. Many of these women are woefully unprepared and quite fearful. So during the seminars, I explain what happens during labor and teach them the basic breathing techniques and how to relax. Most of all, I try to allay their fears and reassure them that they can come through this greatest of life's experiences with flying colors--and they'll be so happy!
         I couldn't imagine more rewarding work! Each baby is a miracle, another immortal soul from the hand of God, and I'm thrilled to play a part, however small, in these births!

Many helping hands
From Mary, Pakistan
         When our teenagers got the idea to paint and refurbish some of the run-down institutions where we do weekly volunteer work, many of our local friends and supporters got right behind them.
         The teens started at a school for 150 deaf children from impoverished families. The principal was thrilled at their offer of help, and quickly drew up a list of the most-needed classroom items: school benches and desks, books, art supplies, etc. One friend supplied all the paint, another sent a carpenter to make all the benches and desks, another donated all the needed art supplies, and yet another offered to join in on the painting and the list goes on!
         Needs are also beginning to come in for similar projects on behalf of other institutions: 150 bed sheets, 500 pairs of shoes, more school and art supplies
         It's exciting to see our friends get so involved, as it gives them a chance to experience firsthand the joy and fulfillment we receive from our work. And of course we couldn't do it without their help!
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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, including any of those mentioned in this issue, please contact us at one of the addresses below:



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family