A great story from email we got at The Jesus Film Project (Feb 2016):
It was the summer when we hosted an eight year-old Eastern European orphan through a summer hosting program. It was our job to show Liam (name changed) what American family life is like. Someone suggested we get The Story of Jesus for Children in his Russian language, so we did, placing it on the shelf and forgetting about it for some time.
Liam was with us for five weeks, admittedly some pretty difficult weeks toward the end. When his bio said he spoke Russian, I never dreamed we couldn't use Google Translate to communicate; all the training we'd received said Google Translate would be sufficient, but he couldn't read Russian yet, so he couldn't type back to us. Google was only a one-way translation (English to Russian). We couldn't find a program that could "listen" to Liam, then capture what he said and translate it to English for us. Thankfully, he was fairly easy to get along with, and patient with us.
As the weeks wore on, the lack of communication made our lives more difficult. He was crankier, and didn't want to interact with us as much. The newness of America had definitely worn off. It was painful to hear all the wonderful discussions other host families were having with their orphans who could speak a little English or read Google Translate. We were only getting yes or no questions or food requests like "peeza, cheeken, or gamburgers." We were unable to discover what life was like for him, what he was thinking, etc. Xbox was the only thing he wanted to do - an escape from a people with whom he couldn't communicate.
Finally, nearing the end of our hosting time, God broke through. Two nights before his departure, we finally watched The Story of Jesus for Children, with English subtitles for us. I worried he would balk at giving up an hour of Xbox. But once he heard the Russian language, he was completely taken in - never budging, throughout the movie.
Our entire family piled on our bed, watching this young boy learn about Jesus for the first time. He happily giggled when Jesus (speaking in Liam's mother tongue) performed miracles. He was visibly touched and wiped his eyes when Jesus was crucified.
At the end of the film, when the child actors explain what it means to ask for forgiveness, follow Jesus and receive eternal life, Liam enthusiastically nodded and responded. He wanted Jesus to forgive his sins. He wanted Jesus to be Lord of His life. Yes, yes, yes! Then he prayed to receive Christ.
Wanting to be sure he understood what he just did, we hit rewind, backing it up to the beginning of the salvation message, making sure he heard it again. Though limited by our language barrier (and my deep ache to tell him myself about Jesus' love), it was obvious the film made the incredible love and forgiveness of God clear to this little guy. I know God will honor Liam's childlike step of faith.
When he left us a few days later, we sent with him versions of this film and the original JESUS film. I'm sure he will share with others at his orphanage. We were told the hosted kids often bring home DVDs, and orphanage directors appreciate this because all the kids benefit from watching the movies. We also sent a Russian children's Bible, so one day, when he learns to read, he will have it.
It is humbling to watch God break through an impossible obstacle to reveal himself to someone for the first time.
A Thank You Note
From time to time, our ministry gives tablets to help overseas Christians share their faith. This is a story of one of those tablets.
Yantu*, a West African university student, began his fascinating story, "I heard about the JESUS film and the tablet, [and] I received one [myself]." He went on to say how he and five friends shared the tablet, taking turns to use it for evangelism by showing JESUS. Tragically, terrorists attacked his university and burned it down. As Yantu fled for his life, the only possession he had time to grab was the tablet. While hiding out in the bush, he continued to use it to show JESUS. Eventually he made his way to another city, still with tablet in hand.
As he reflected on what happened, he shared, "Despite how the terrorists did everything, the tablet is still here. Simply because that tablet is mobile. I find myself now, despite being homeless - privileged to share with the tablet. This tablet (provided by donors) has gone a long way in affecting souls."
*Name changed for security.
Maryama was born and raised in Somalia. When she was 5 years old, her mother died. She was terrified of death, feeling certain she could never enter paradise.
When Maryama immigrated to America as a young wife and mother, things did not improve. Sitting in a car and racked with grief, she cried out, "Allah, Allah, please help me!" When she looked up through her tears, she saw a cross on a building. She had been in the U.S. for 10 years, but had never intently looked at a cross. She went into the church and said, "I want to know about the cross." On a weekly basis, the pastor began showing her the JESUS film. She was mesmerized and shocked. Maryama received the help she had cried out for. She prayed to receive Christ.
Recently Maryama told JESUS Film staff members, "Twenty years ago, Jesus came to me through the JESUS film." Maryama now uses JESUS DVDs to help others receive Jesus' love.
Jon and Deborah met Sam while on a JESUS Film Mission Trips outreach on a campus in New Caledonia. Sam's friendliness prompted them to show him the short film Ctrl Z. Afterward they asked Sam what he would do if he was given a second chance. He answered that he would change some of the choices he had made. Jon took the opportunity to share his testimony and how Jesus had given him a second chance. Then he and Deborah shared the Four Spiritual Laws booklet with Sam, who listened intently and genuinely prayed to receive Christ as they finished. Jon and Deborah closed their time with Sam by giving him a DVD of JESUS in his language.
Two days later Sam introduced Jon and Deborah to his friends and sister and said they had watched JESUS with him. He asked Jon and Deborah to share the Four Spiritual Laws with them. Deborah did so, and three of them received Christ. They saw Sam one more time while on campus, and he told them he also had shown JESUS to his entire family. They believe God will use Sam in amazing ways at his university.
"Not Forgotten"
"Guyuk used to drink a lot. ...We were even separated for a while because of his drinking," said Noyan. Guyuk and Noyan live as nomads. They first heard the gospel in 2008 when a project team showed them the JESUS film. Since then they committed their lives to Christ and continue to grow in their faith. Today they lead worship services in their tent of animal skins every Sunday for six neighbors. Noyan shared how God changed their lives. "During that difficult time project teams didn't forget us and continued to pray for us. This greatly helped us understand God's love and about His character. I'm very happy for my husband, who's changed by God totally. Now we want to be close with the project team and reach out to our neighboring families."
