FAMILY UPDATE NEWS! -- FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS! -- AUGUST, 1994.
         "Go ye therefore and teach all nations ... to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19,20.)

DFO. Copyright August, 1994, The Family, Postfach 241, 8021 Zurich, Switzerland.

EUROPE

Mother's Dream for Daughter Realized
         From Adam, Russia: When the mother of one of our fulltime Russian missionaries visited our Home, she told us that she is thrilled that her daughter has found a goal in life.
         "I always taught my daughter to be loving and considerate, but when she went away to school she changed to the point that I couldn't believe she was my daughter. Then several months later she phoned and told me that she had met some wonderful people who not only talk about being loving to others, but actually do so.
         "Before I even met you, I knew that you must be good people because you brought my daughter back to me. Now meeting you personally gives me new hope that even in this troubled world it is possible to be loving, considerate and happy. I want to help you spread this Message that works wonders!"
         She now tells others about Jesus wherever she goes, and calls us her family.

"Now I Understand Why I Am Living!"
         Claudia, a 14-year-old in Romania, wrote the following letter to the Family:
         "Your literature has helped me to understand why I am living, and to believe that God can offer life, even after the gates of death. It helped me to understand why everything is beautiful, to see that which is good, and to want to give up that which is evil. It helped me to pray and to know that Jesus will always be in my heart, even if I stray from Him. Through a simple prayer from an open heart, my sins have been forgiven. It helped me understand that God loves me and protects me, even when I don't expect it. It helped me to understand that only through Him can I truly be happy; only with Him will I succeed. It showed me to remember Him in good times, as I remember Him when I am in trouble. It helped me to discover that every joy is ten times greater with Him. It helped me to see others as God sees them. It taught me to be more concerned for people around me, and to help them as much as I can. I also discovered that He has a solution for every problem, and that any pleasure is small when compared with that of knowing Him in my heart, feeling Him close to me."

NORTH AMERICA

Lives Healed and Mended
         From James Newheart, U.S.A.: Maria is a Spanish seamstress whom we met a year ago when she received one of our Family cassette Tapes, "How to Be Happy Anyhow." A short while later her husband was in a very serious accident which left him partially paralysed. The next time we visited her, she said that Tape had prevented her from going crazy. She was so thankful!
         Some time later she asked us to visit her son in the hospital, as he had also been in a car accident. As we talked with him, he confessed that it hadn't been an accident; he had tried to kill himself! We counselled, encouraged him and pointed him to the Lord, and this has had a big impact on his life. He rose from being a defeated man in the depths of discouragement to a completely new man! He was promoted to assistant manager of the auto parts store where he works, and then promoted to manager just one month later.
         We also prayed with Maria for her husband's healing. He has recovered completely and is working again. Even his doctors told them his healing was a miracle!

Young Mother Saved from Brink of Death
         From James and Dove Evermore, U.S.A.: We recently received the following letter from Valerie, a 24-year-old mother of three:

Dear Christians,
         About a month ago, two children walked up to me at a shopping mall, talked about Jesus and gave me a beautiful poster. At the time I only read part of it, then put it away. A short while later, I overdosed on crack cocaine. I asked Jesus to give me a second chance, and told Him I would live for Him. So here I am, writing this letter. I also keep remembering those two children and how much love I could see coming from them. I want to find that same love for myself and my family. Please send me to your nearest church or meetings soon!
         Love,
         Valerie

         When we visited her, she received the Lord and told us, "I'm so glad you came! I know the Lord sent you to help me at this time in my life!" She is fascinated by the Bible classes and Family literature we give her, and is radiant now! She also says she is totally and permanently off drugs now, with no more desire for them.--And three little girls have their mother back!

Standing Up for Jesus
         From Matt and Samaria (associate members), U.S.A.: Our 14-year-old son, Miguel, is becoming a fighter for his faith at school, even standing up to his teachers on occasion. In spite of differing views, his teachers have all commented that they are very impressed with him. He is a straight `A' student, and won a first place medal at a district English language contest.
         The school board has asked me to organise and lead parenting seminars in the local schools, based on counsel similar to that offered in the Family-produced "Raise 'em Right" book. When they explained that their goals include higher discipline standards and better counsel between parents, I told them that it won't work without God. They agreed and asked me to include that aspect in the seminars.

SOUTH AMERICA

Family Seminar Inspires Teachers
         From Peter, Cielo, Felipe and Gabriel, Colombia: A high school whose faculty couldn't get along with one another arranged for their 40 teachers to attend one of our seminars on "Changing Personal Attitudes." By the end of the session the teachers said they felt much closer to one another. As they reconciled their differences, some even had tears in their eyes!

ASIA

Family Literature Strengthens
Native Burmese Missionary
         Jonas, Lisa and Steven in Sweden report that a friend of theirs recently received a very inspiring letter from her "pen pal" in Burma. The two first "met" through an ad in a magazine, and their friend has been sending Family literature to the Burmese girl. Here are excerpts from that letter:
         "Recently I received the following materials from you: Christian Digest, Mountain Streams and `The Story of Love.' Through reading these I have received spiritual strength. I am witnessing among our tribe, and my faith has become strong. I do believe that Jesus Christ is coming back soon, so I have no time to stay at home. I need to be busy with God's Work around the country. In the portions of my country bordering China, there are many hill tribes who have never heard about Jesus. I think it's my duty to spread the Gospel to them. This country of mine is so backward, I need you to send me more literature. May God bless you! Your co-worker in Christ." (end of letter)
         (Editor's note: Less than 7% of the population of Burma is Christian. For the past 32 years, the country's military junta has virtually closed Burma to the Gospel, and made it extremely difficult for foreigners to enter the country. Tightening regulations forced the Family to halt missionary trips into Burma in the late '80s.)

Thai Deaf Ministry Update
         From Anne, Thailand: Recently our singing group was invited to perform at a local deaf school, for about 400 students, ages six to 20. The only way we could communicate our message was in sign language, and we had only three days to learn to perform nine songs in sign language. Although we have all learned some sign language from the deaf teen in our Home, this was quite a challenge as we needed to sign in Thai, not English. We prayed and went to work, and the Lord helped us do it!
         After the show we divided the students into three groups and taught them the dance routine to one of our songs. We were amazed at how quickly they caught on. Next, we got all the students together and they did it together. Their teachers were astounded and said, "This is the first time all the classes have done something like this together."
         Before we had finished teaching them the dance, some of their parents came to take them home, but the kids didn't want to go. They wanted to finish the dance first!
         The fact that we had learned sign language touched many hearts that day, because so few in this country learn sign language. Many of the kids' parents don't even know sign language. The teachers chided those parents, "Look at these people! They can all sign, and they don't even have deaf relatives. You should come to the school and learn sign language."
         We were also happy to accept the school's invitation to return for similar activities once a month.

Family's Initiative Inspires
Community Involvement
         From the Home in Manila, the Philippines: Recently we have been assisting a woman who runs a day-care centre in a ghetto area. Previously, she had been coping single-handedly with 40 children (the oldest is six) in a six-metre-by-six-metre enclosure. The place was in total disrepair, and didn't even have proper toilet facilities.
         Four of our associate members joined us in a major cleanup and renovation, which included painting the place top to bottom. Using characters and themes from some of the Family's most colourful and catchy children's art, a Family artist sketched a beautiful mural the full length of one wall, for others to paint.
         All morning, the neighbourhood folks observed from a distance, not sure what to make of us newcomers. But by the afternoon a dozen men had stepped in to help paint, and it turned into a community project. Everyone lent a hand and did what they could. By evening, the place had been transformed!
         This was a very fulfilling experience for us, and 40 children will enjoy the benefits for months to come. But perhaps best of all, this project helped an impoverished community see how quickly and dramatically their situation can change if they will just set simple goals and work together to attain them.

Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family