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making a difference
A Heart of Thanks
by Vonette Zachary Bright
Just two words: thank you. Its one of the rst things we teach our children to say because its something theyll express throughout their lifetime.
We love to hear children spontaneously say, Thank you. It is refreshing to be around people who demonstrate an attitude of gratefulness. The opposite is true, as well. Its difcult to be around someone who is ungrateful. It is a rude person who takes advantage of anothers generosity. It is difcult to comprehend how anyone could be ungrateful for the touch of Jesus. In Luke 17, Jesus was on His way to Galilee when He passed through a village. Ten men had leprosy and knew of His reputation to heal, so they began to cry out, Jesus, Master, have pity on us! (verse 13). These men were being devastated by one of the most unbearable, incurable diseases. No one dared to come near a leper. Jesus took compassion on these men, and they were instantly healed. Completely renewed! No process! No waiting period! No performance necessary. No payment. Just complete restoration! They were 100 percent healed. Then the passage describes how all the men left, but only one returned to thank Jesus. This man fell on his face at our Lords feetglorifying God and giving thanks. This is what Jesus said at that moment, Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? (verse 17). Dear friend, if youre like I am, you feel a bit embarrassed for those men. We cant believe they had the audacity to ee the scene without a simple word of gratitude. Then I realize that I often make the same mistake. I dont always go running back to glorify the Lord and give Him thanks for His blessings. But we can change that. Give glory and thanks to God for all that He does for you and all that He is. Before I knew the Lord personally, my life and future held no more hope than those ten lepers lives did. My sin-sick heart looked just like theirs. Each time I read this passage, Im reminded of how important it is to be grateful. Pray with me, Thank You, Lord, for all Youve done for me.
This article was used by permission from Autumn: I Delight Greatly in His Hands (My Heart in His Hands devotional series) by Vonette Bright, September 2001

Issue 8

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MAGDaLENa in Action
Were All Aglow
More than 2,200 DVDs of Magdalena...thats how many copies of this amazing movie we distributed during Septembers 2013 Aglow International Global Conference in Orlando! We can only imagine how God will use this tool in the hands of these energized Aglow women (who represented more than 100 countries). Pray with us that this beautiful video story of Gods love for women will be used in mighty ways as Aglow women incorporate Magdalena into their personal ministries.
Nancy (right) gives a DVD to a conference attendee.

A New Way to Share Magdalena

There is a new way to share Magdalena with your friends, family, neighbors

and others who need to hear its life-afrming message through using the free Jesus Film Media app for smartphones and tablets. We couldnt be more excited about how the gospel is being sown in North America and around the world! Recently, Mike was on a brief ight and struck up a conversation with a ight attendant. She expressed great interest when he told her about Magdalena being available in the language of her home country in Asia. Mike emailed her the link to watch Magdalena on the Jesus Film Media app. After the ight, Mike received her reply: I cant wait to nish it and tell you about what I think.
Jacqueline shows the Jesus Film Media app to women at the Aglow conference.

Please pray for this ight attendant and other people who have the opportunity to watch Magdalena via technological advances like the Jesus Film Media app. Also, please take a few minutes, download the app on your phone or tablet, and watch the short intro video on some practical ways you can share this incredibly powerful tool with those you encounter as you shop, travel, work or play. To download the free Jesus Film Media app, visit www.jesuslmmedia.org

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T each Us Everything!
refugee community in their city. Here is the exciting letter, which explains the life-changing results:

A local church responded to the growing Bhutanese

Thanks so much for allowing us to show the Magdalena l in the Nepali language to a group of Bhutanese refugees who live in our area here in Pittsburgh. These are Hindu people who started arriving in our area about three years ago. There are now about 6,000 in Pittsburgh, and more arrive each week. We planned a special dinner around Thanksgiving time for the Bhutanese community, and it was wonderful. Around 120 people came. We explained how at the rst Thanksgiving the people already in the land sat down and ate with the new people whom they were helping learn to live in the land, and together they gave thanks to God. After dinner, we invited them to watch Magdalena, which was available in the Nepali language. About 30 people came to watch. I believe that for many it was the rst actual explanation of Christian beliefs they had ever heard. At the end, they applauded for a while. An older woman just kept shaking my hand saying, Thank you repeatedly. After watching Magdalena, one of the men said, Teach us everything. Start from the beginning, because we do not know anything. So that is what we will attempt to do, by the Grace of God. Thanks so much for making such an excellent presentation of the gospel and Christian truth. Blessings, Pastor Dan Cramer

Furniture is provided for Bhutanese families.

Since the time of Pastor Dans letter, the church has continued to reach out to the Bhutanese community, in both physical and spiritual ways. It has provided furniture, new school clothing for children, food to more than 40 families each month and basic job training. In addition, Bible studies have started in some of the refugees homes, and a weekly Bhutanese Bible class at the church. Concludes Pastor Dan, They are a community of wonderful people, whom we have come to love, and we are glad to be a major player on a local level in helping their adjustment to life in the United States.

The Journey
Door of Hope Ministries
Women saw the Bible come to life as they watched Magdalena: Through Her Eyes at a small
showing earlier this year, recounted Door of Hope Ministries founder Rev. Nancy Tucker. They felt like they were there, and could see Jesus compassion and love as portrayed in the lm. As a result of the showing, several women desired to learn more by participating in the Magdalena follow-up study, Reections of Hope. In addition, $60 was raised to support teenagers going on a mission trip. These events have been so powerful and I have seen the power of God manifested in each event we have hosted, shared Rev. Tucker. She is planning another Magdalena event in the future.

Food for Thought

I

nspired by a video clip on www.MagdalenaToday.com, I felt led to invite the women in our Bible study group at church to watch Magdalena: Through Her Eyes. As a result, we started two Reections of Hope Bible study groups. One woman commented, It is great to talk about God and share with women in all walks of life. I have grown in my faith and really enjoy everyone! For our nal session, we hosted a potluck dinner. A place card and a pocket mirror were set at each place to remind each woman she is a reection of Godmade in His image and deeply loved. It was a delight to lead this study and to see how God will continue to use it in the lives of the women, their families and friends. ~Helen, MN

Lindas Story

Greatly moved after watching Magdalena: Through Her Eyes, Linda felt God prompting

her to share it with others. She loaned it to a friend of a friend, who was in the midst of planning a memorial service. This woman said that Magdalena was a God send. She showed the movie three times. Fifty-three people viewed it, and three trusted in Christ for their salvation. Through Lindas small step of obedience, Gods family increased. Linda felt so blessed that He had used her in this way.

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