天曆11 December 2016 Article One

True Parents’ Message and News English Version No. 31

天一國 4年天曆11 December 2016 Article One

A Pivotal Moment in Providential History This is an edited excerpt of the author’s testimony in Cheon Jeong Gung at the December 11 Victory Celebration.

By Kim Dong-woo

n 1994, True Father called twelve young district pastors from Korea and sent them abroad to study at the Unification Theological Seminary in the US. I was one of them. Since then I have attended True Parents, the American providence and the world providence in America. Three years ago, True Mother called me back to IKorea. When I heard that Mother would hold an event in America to which a hundred US legislators promised to come, honestly, I thought to myself, can I believe this or not? In my heart was disbelief. I had been in America for twenty years. We had tried to do something like this for many years, and for us it seemed like a far off dream, an unreal- izable dream. The conclusion though is that after Father’s seonghwa, True Mother has spoken to us and led us forward. Mother gives us a message, but even though we hear it, we cannot understand or grasp the meaning of it. Therefore, Mother has to do God’s work directly, to show us. Two thousand years ago, Jesus said, “Even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” In a similar manner, for the last three and a half years, True Mother has spoken to us many times and tried to guide us on the right path. However, we still not only have not been able to unite in heart with Mother but because we have been unable to walk together with Mother’s providence, Mother had to come to the eldest son nation, America, and directly move the providence to show this to us. I saw this very clearly. I have American citizenship. Therefore, I spent time, through the American presidential campaign until the election, trying to see and approach America from a providential viewpoint. It was at that time that I listened to Mother’s speech, and I truly began to repent for many things. I had not understood Mother. We were close to Father but in heart, we had been so far from Mother. Mother stood up in the Senate. They met in the Kennedy Caucus Room, in which a number of politicians have announced their presidential candidacy. Even in America it is a place that has political power. It is in a central area; not just anyone can speak there, but True Mother stood and spoke there. As I was sitting there in that place, symbol- ic of America’s government and the people, because I am also an American, the experience moved me deeply. I thought, True Mother! Truly, whatever you say today will be a historic message and truly as we move forward will be a speech that influences America. True Mother’s trademark is speaking without a written speech. Honestly, I was worried. Even in a great place like that, Mother began speaking without a prepared script. As I was sitting there, I kept wondering to myself if this were real or a dream. Was it truly possible? Please think about it, everyone: When we had events in America, how much effort did it take to invite even one legislator? In truth, it did not go well. It was difficult. However, True Mother went to the Senate, gathered the legislators and made that proclamation. I concluded that this was True Parents’ proclamation of the starting point of the real construction of Cheon Il Guk. After the Coronation Ceremony for the Kingship of God, as I attended Father in America, Father focused on three things. The first was the Abel UN, to renew the UN. The second was removing borders. The third was intercultural exchange blessings. The conclusion of my message is that apart from what Mother is saying, who at this time is doing True Father’s work? The question is, Who is accomplishing the work that Father toiled to achieve? When we look at the three things above, True Mother has connected Korea, Japan and America, and has accom- plished with blood and tears, the things Father worked to accomplish. I was able to realize that Mother is working to accomplish these things now. That is why, as I listened to Mother’s message on Capitol Hill, I confessed that I had not understood and had not followed Mother. Mother, I am sorry. I repent. From now on, no matter what happens I will focus on this providence and follow it with everything I have. I have made this resolution and I have begun.

Rev. Kim is the district pastor of the special Cheongshim District Church. True Parents’ Message and News

www.ipeacetv.com 天一國 4年 (天曆) 11月 December 2016 CONTENTS

04 08 16

Article One T rue Parents’ Messages W est Africa / Nigeria 28 02 A Pivotal Moment in 04 View of the Cleanliness is a Virtue to Providential History Heaven Principle of the Providential Europe / Czech Republic T rue Children’s Messages 30 Moral Challenges and

16 Divine Health from Heaven History of Salvation Opportunities

Europe / Albania 07 True Mother 33 Words of Life Draw Us to Ri eg onal News Speaks to Young Eternal Blessing N orth America Unificationists 18 A Letter to True Mother L ife and faith N orth America / Canada 36 Witnessing to 22 People Twenty to Encouraging Social Picti or al Section Engagement and Loyal Thirty Years Old Citizenship 12 True Mother’s 2016 American Tour 40 Witnessing is Life and Joy Middle East / Syria 24 Evaluating Tragic Circumstances from T estimony True Parents’ Perspective 42 True Mother’s Visit to the African-American E ast Africa / Kenya Museum 26 Four Voices for Forgiveness, Love and Unity true Parents’ Messages 1

View of the Principle of the Providential History of Salvation

True Father delivered this address on April 16, 1996 in the US capital, Washington DC, at the inaugural banquet of the Washington Times Foundation.

4 True Peace or a son to be born on earth Tamar had married Er, Judah’s Zechariah, who was her relative and with this seed of God’s love and eldest son, but Er displeased God and was highly respected. Zechariah’s life, a mother must first exist. he died. According to the custom of wife Elizabeth, with the help of God, F Such a mother cannot give birth that time, Judah gave Tamar to his was pregnant with John the Baptist. to this child in a conventional way. second son, Onan, that they might Elizabeth said to Mary, “Blessed are Conception must happen in accor- bear a child for Er. Onan, knowing you among women, and blessed is the dance with the formula of restoration. that Tamar’s child would not be his fruit of your womb! Why is this All the cooperation between mothers own, spilled his semen on the granted to me that the mother of my and sons in the providence of resto- ground. This was a sin in the eyes of Lord should come to me?” (Luke ration is a preparation and a condition God, for which Onan died. Then 1:42–43) With these words, she testi- for the son of God to be born with the Tamar wanted Shelah, Judah’s third fied to the coming birth of Jesus. seed of new life, free from satanic son, for a husband, but Judah did not In this way, God let Mary, Zechari- accusation. By making conditions to give him to her. Judah thought that ah and Elizabeth know about the avoid Satan’s attacks, and by subordi- his two sons had died because of birth of the Messiah before anybody nating the firstborn son who rep- Tamar, so he was afraid that Shelah else. All of them had the crucial resents evil, mother and son restore would die and end the family line. mission of following God's will and the love, life and lineage that Satan Tamar had the conviction that she serving Jesus. Zechariah’s family let had taken over. was meant to carry on the chosen Mary stay in their house. Jesus was The Bible, which records the provi- people’s lineage. In order to do that, conceived in Zechariah’s house. dential work of God, contains many she disguised herself as a prostitute Elizabeth and Mary were cousins stories that are difficult to under- and slept with her father-in-law, on their mothers’ side. According to stand. For example, Rebekah deceived Judah, and became pregnant with God’s providence, they were consid- her husband Isaac and her first son twins. At the time of birth, one of the ered sisters, with Elizabeth as the Esau, and helped her second son twin sons, Zerah, stretched out his elder (Cain) and Mary as the younger Jacob receive the blessing. God took hand from the womb to be born first. (Abel). Mary received Elizabeth’s help the side of that mother and son, and When he was pulled back into the in the presence of Zechariah. although they used methods that at womb, the second son, Perez, was Through this cooperation, Zechariah’s first glance seem unjust, God still born first, taking the position of the family, on the national level, indemni- blessed them for their actions. elder brother. fied the lack of unity between Leah In Adam’s family, Cain and Abel Thus, within the womb of Tamar, and Rachel in Jacob’s family, and their fought and their struggle resulted in the first and second sons fought, and failure in mother–son cooperation. the death of Abel, the second son. their reversal of position was the This allowed Jesus to be conceived. Then came Jacob. On the merits of condition that separated them from For the first time in history, there many godly people who paid in- Satan. In other words, this became the could be generated on earth, free of demnity and sacrificed after the condition for restoration in the womb. satanic accusation and through a time of Abel, Jacob at last caught up Upon this condition, the Messiah prepared womb, the seed of God's to the level at which Satan first could be conceived within the chosen son, the seed of the True Father. In dominated humankind. Jacob had to people’s bloodline, on the foundation this way, God’s only begotten son, the deal with his twin brother, Esau. At of the nation of Israel, which would owner of the first love of God, was the ford of Jabbok, Jacob set up the be able to stand up to the Roman born for the first time in history. condition of spiritual victory over Empire two thousand years later. The Mary had to achieve something the angel, and through winning victorious foundation on the national that through common sense was over Esau, who was in the position level could then form in the womb of incomprehensible and was nearly of the archangel. Jacob consequently a mother free from satanic accusation, intolerable under the law of those was blessed as the first victor in prepared for the seed of God’s son. times. Mary, Elizabeth and Zechariah history, and was given the name On this foundation, Holy Mother had been spiritually moved. They “Israel.” (Gen. 32:28) Mary emerged in the mainstream of followed the revelation that came By then, however, Jacob was forty God’s providence. from God, and unconditionally be- years old. Satan had sown the seed of lieved that it was God’s will and false love within the womb of Eve, God’s first love desire. which gave birth to evil life. There- Mary, when she was engaged to Although it was possible for God's fore, God needed to purify a mother’s Joseph, received from the archangel son to be born on earth, he needed a womb from which the heavenly son Gabriel the surprising message that wall of protection to grow up safely in could be born. That purification the Messiah would be born through Satan’s world and to fulfill God’s will. period of separation from Satan had her (Luke 1:31). In those days, if an God had hoped that these three to begin at the time of conception and unmarried woman became pregnant people in Zechariah’s family would continue to the age of forty. Even she was killed. However, Mary ac- establish that protective foundation. though Jacob was victorious, he made cepted God's will with absolute faith, There are many points to consider only one step toward meeting that saying, “Here am I, the servant of the with regard to how seriously the criterion. The great mother who Lord; let it be to me according to your three had to dedicate themselves to assumed the responsibility to meet word.” (Luke 1:38) protecting and serving God's son, and this condition was Tamar. Mary consulted the high priest how long they were to have been

December 2016 5 True Parents at the inauguration of the Washington Times Foundation at which True Father gave this landmark speech, which In Jin Moon interpreted into English.

united with one another. pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ three-year course In the Bible it is recorded, “And Mary’s pregnancy began to show, Jesus was aware of his path as the Mary remained with her [Elizabeth] and the people of the surrounding Messiah, and he lamented by himself about three months, and then re- area became aware of it. What would these lonely circumstances and the turned to her home.” (Luke 1:56) After have happened if Joseph had declared serious obstacle they presented to that, there is no biblical record of any that he did not know anything about fulfilling God’s will. The Messiah is further communication between it? However, Joseph was a righteous the True Parent. To fulfill that mission, Mary and Elizabeth and Zechariah. man. He believed in the revelation of however, he needed to receive his From the time Mary left Zechariah’s God and defended Mary, saying the substantial bride. Jesus had to reverse, house, difficulties began for Mary and pregnancy was his responsibility. at the very root, the false love by which Jesus. The family of Zechariah ought Mary may have been ridiculed for the archangel had caused the fall of to have been the wall of protection for becoming pregnant during her en- Eve, who was originally growing up as Jesus until the very end. gagement, yet she avoided being Adam’s sister. Consequently, Jesus, in A short time later, Joseph discov- stoned to death. the place of Adam as God's son, ought ered that Mary was pregnant. How Joseph, who loved Mary, protected to have received as his bride the great must have been his shock at her in this way in the beginning. younger sister of someone in an arch- that moment! Mary, his beloved However, there was a great deal of angelic position. That bride was to fiancée, without having had any anguish deep in his heart. Once Jesus have been none other than Zechariah’s conjugal relationship with him, had was born, Joseph’s suspicions about daughter, John the Baptist’s younger become pregnant after a three- Jesus’ father only increased and his sister. To fulfill this in a world where month stay in another place. It was heart ached. As Jesus grew older, the Satan plays the role of owner and lord, natural for Joseph to question Mary two became increasingly distant in Jesus needed a foundation of protec- about who the baby in her womb heart; because of this, family prob- tion formed by absolute faith. Tragical- belonged to. What would have lems frequently arose. Jesus was ly, the entire foundation ended up happened if at that time Mary had viewed as an illegitimate son, and collapsing around him. explained everything candidly? If lacking the protection of Zechariah’s she had exposed everything, it could family and the love of Joseph, he This edited excerpt is from Pyeong Hwa have been the end of a clan. So Mary grew up with an indescribable loneli- Gyeong, Book 1 Speech 8, which begins on simply responded that she was ness in his heart. page 105.

6 True Peace true Parents’ Messages 2

True Mother Speaks to Young Unificationists

East Garden, December 4, 2016

December 2016 7 1

re all of you in the second in blessed families, True Parents are even though Christianity could not or third generations? Who your essence. You cannot fulfill the fully explain God, Christians believed am I? I am God’s only purpose of your existence separated God was their Father. begotten daughter. Due to from True Parents. Do you understand A Preparing for Jesus Adam and Eve’s Fall, Heaven has had that? Having received blessings, you to endure a painful and difficult prov- have a responsibility; that responsibili- Originally, God’s purpose for creating idence. Heaven has led the history of ty entails that until you have reached was to become humankind’s parent. It the providence of restoration through perfection, you should listen to your is difficult to explain concretely, but indemnity; Heaven could not help but parents. More importantly, you must God is our Father. At the time of the follow this painful and difficult path. become absolutely one with True Creation, beginning with the smallest In the beginning, God created heaven Parents. Wherever you may be— microorganism all the way to the and earth, and lastly God created whether you are studying or develop- animal world, God created everything Adam and Eve to become the ances- ing your talents and abilities—you in pairs. God created humankind in tors of humankind and said, “This is should think always in this way: I am pairs too. If that is the case, God, our good. This is beautiful.” doing this, and I would like to offer Heavenly Parent, is not just male. Isn’t However, God especially gave this to True Parents. What do True that so? During the history of the Adam and Eve responsibility; that Parents wish for me? Is this what True providence of indemnity, for the sake responsibility consisted of them going Parents would like me to do? If True of restoration, God selected the chosen through a growth period and becom- Parents want this, I will take responsi- people, who in comparison to the rest ing absolutely one with God. Adam bility for this area and be triumphant of the fallen world were a good people and Eve should have grown in this and successful for True Parents. armed with the ideology of the chosen way. The point at which Adam and That kind of desire, that kind of people. God selected these people and Eve would have received the blessing ambition is good. However, allowing developed them. How difficult that would have been the point at which in self-centeredness will lead to anger. process must have been that it took God became the True Parents of Do you understand? The greatest four thousand years to develop the humankind, which was the purpose wish of fallen human beings is to foundation from the individual, the behind God’s creation of heaven and meet the True Parents, to be saved family, the tribe, the people and then earth—God’s dream. Adam and Eve, through True Parents; that is their to the nation. Four thousand years— who should have fulfilled their re- greatest wish, whether they are aware how difficult it must have been! It has sponsibilities as expressed in the of the providence, or not. They are been about two hundred and forty Bible, fell due to the Satan’s tempta- waiting for the absolute owner, an years since the founding of the United tion. They became greedy and absolute being who can preside over States. Isn’t that right? It took four self-centered; they began to look creation. We can see this in the four thousand years until God gave birth towards themselves. major religions, but this belief is most to his only begotten son in the fallen It is the same with you. As children prominent in Christianity, because world, a son that God could call “my

8 True Peace 2

1 A partial view of the large crowd of second-generation members that came to see True Mother and hear her speak at East Garden . 2 Spase and Catherine Kace, a blessed couple, offering a thousand origami cranes in a crystal bowl; the young people in the room had folded all of them. 3 CARP and Cranes Club sponsored the event in an effort to bring young people closer to True Mother. They seated the 2016 Aloha Winter 3 Workshop participants in the front row.

son.” How painful this must have er. They left Jesus hanging on the dence. From God’s point of view, the been for God! However, Mary, who cross for two thousand years. How is two-thousand-year history of Christi- gave birth to Jesus, did not under- it possible that God would prepare for anity in God’s providence has been stand the providence. She did not four thousand years to send the only the providence to find God’s only know all that had transpired in order begotten son and then have Jesus not begotten daughter. You need to un- for her to be able to give birth to Jesus. live for a hundred years but go derstand this point fully. As Jesus It was the same with Zechariah’s through crucifixion at the age of hung on the cross, he promised to family, Joseph’s family, Judaism and thirty-three? How can you consider come again. Why would he come the people of Israel: All of them waited this salvation? I believe that this is a again? To host the marriage supper of and yearned, asking God to send the testament to human ignorance. God the Lamb. To have a marriage, you Messiah, and Heaven kept that prom- has endured so much pain and suffer- need a bride, don’t you? Jesus gave the ise. Heaven sent the Messiah, but the ing, and yet he had to prepare for the message, the word, so that everyone people could not attend the Messiah future and try again. would fully understand. That is why properly. Their thinking was that a God’s only begotten daughter must strong power would come and con- Jesus and the Israelites appear in the Messiah’s presence. You quer everyone in the fallen world that Through two thousand years of are all looking at the person; it is I. did not belong to the chosen people of Christian history, God has worked to I would like to explain this to you Israel. This was what they hoped for, develop the providence. Unfortunate- using historical evidence. God has led but that was not what happened. The ly, Christianity still has yet to under- providential history, and throughout providence of restoration through stand God fully; they have a superfi- the providence, God has been ap- indemnity is difficult. Why did God, cial understanding of God. They see pointing central figures because who is almighty, omnipotent and can God as the Father and consider them- human beings, with their limited act as he wishes, let go of Adam and selves servants of the Lord. They understanding, cannot fully explain Eve? It would have been easier to erase consider themselves servants; they do God. Owing to the Fall, God has to Adam and Eve and make a fresh start. not understand the essence of their select—from among fallen people—a Why did God persist and save human relationship with God. Why is the central figure who is better than all beings? Because God cannot fail. returning Messiah so important? other people in the fallen world. If a God expressed a special love for Christians are ignorant of this truth. central figure were to fail in his or her human beings, and that expression of They believe that overnight the world responsibility, God would forgive the love was responsibility. That is why will change and a new world will person but God could not attempt to the people around Jesus were unable appear. This kind of fantasy-like fulfill the providence through that to create a protective environment for thinking is not rooted in logic. This person again. One who fails in one’s Jesus. Mary could not fulfill her does not agree with natural order. In responsibility must then pay indem- responsibility. However today, Catho- other words, Christians have been nity. The same is true for a nation. lics worships Mary as the holy moth- completely ignorant of God’s provi- The Israelites sent Jesus to the

December 2016 9 cross. From that moment, the value of Between 800 and 400 BC, the over the world would end completely. their existence as a nation was lost. Dongi tribe prospered in what is That is why Satan resolved to kill me. You need to understand that. Even today China. Those people revered From Heaven’s point of view, this was today, in America are Jewish people, Heaven, and they developed extraor- unacceptable. I fought with Satan and who for two thousand years lived as a dinarily advanced astronomy. They was victorious, allowing me to stand people without a nation. were not a nomadic people; they here today. developed agriculture. They became Following the downfall of the Responsibility in Jesus' time the chosen people. The Han people Joseon kingdom, Korea was liberated. According to the Bible, the God of also loved white clothes. Every time Why, though, is Korea called “Dae humanity has worked for four thou- they made devotions, they would Han Min Guk” [대한민국—the Repub- sand years, going through so much dress in white and yield to Heaven in lic of Korea] literally the “Great Han pain in order to send the only begot- reverence. Those people existed Kingdom”? My family name happens ten son, Jesus, so that Jesus could during the same time as other king- to be Han. The Chinese character for meet God’s only begotten daughter. doms in China. Eventually, since “han” within Dae Han Min Guk is They would have become the True people in the Han Empire did not like the same as for my family name. Isn't Parents, and God would have be- fighting and always tried to avoid that interesting? Because of God’s come the True Parents of humanity, war, they fled from place to place protection for the Great Han Republic, but the Israelites were unable to until they reached the Korean Penin- people say, “Republic of Korea, Man- understand this providence. There- sula. They eventually came to be sei!” With the liberation from Japan, fore, they allowed Jesus, who was to known as the nation of Korea. When Korea divided into the communist have been the True Parent, to go to you look at the history of Korea, you North and the democratic South. the cross. This was a great sin. Do will learn that people say Korea has a Communism and democracy have you understand? Heaven waited for five-thousand-year history. been in conflict ever since. The culture this particular moment and endured If you look at Korea’s history, you was Christian; nevertheless, commu- many unimaginable difficulties. can see that a kingdom called Gogu- nism, which claims that God is dead, During the time of Jesus, the Roman ryeo (고구려) vanquished many Chi- was introduced into the Christian Empire was such a powerful empire nese kingdoms. That kingdom of sphere. that people said that all roads lead Goguryeo endured for about a thou- I was born in North Korea, far to Rome. The situation in Rome at sand years. However, after the Gogu- north of the Thirty-Eighth Parallel. that time was that if Jesus had re- ryeo kingdom, the next kingdom to As a child, I lived in North Korea. ceived recognition as the True Par- rise was Goryeo (고려). They used the However, God saw that if I had ent, he would have absorbed Rome’s “go” (고) character from Goguryeo stayed in North Korea, I would have foundation. Rome would have had and named themselves Goryeo. After been in danger; I could have even no choice but to accept Jesus as the the downfall of the Goryeo kingdom, died. If that were to happen, God’s True Parent. If that had happened King Yi raised a new kingdom called providence, which had been expect- two thousand years ago, in Jesus’ Joseon (조선), meaning “new king- ing God’s only begotten daughters time, the realization of one world dom.” In Korea’s past, from among for six thousand years, would not centered on God, the kingdom of one of the earliest kingdoms, we had have been able to create True Par- heaven on earth, would have fol- Gojoseon (고조선), and King Yi used ents. That is why God worked to lowed. However, the people of Israel “Joseon” from “Gojoseon,” to name help me escape. were responsible for this being his new kingdom. My maternal uncle was studying unable to happen. You can imagine Unfortunately, Japan occupied the pharmacology at [Japan’s] Waseda that the indemnity they had to pay kingdom of Joseon for forty years. University. After he finished his was extreme. Liberation from Japan came in 1945. I studies, he should have returned to As I mentioned before, central was born in 1943. It was only a few his hometown, but we received a figures have responsibilities, and if centuries since Christian culture had telegram saying he chose to go to the they fail in their responsibilities, the come to Korea. Among Christian South and join the South Korean indemnity to be paid will be great. It believers were many who did not Army. At that time, many Holy Spirit is the same for a nation. God’s only believe that the Messiah would come phenomena were occurring in Pyong- begotten daughter could not be found from the clouds. Many believed that yang, and my family did not want to at the time of Jesus, so Heaven had to the Messiah would be born through a flee, to leave, because they believed restore the foundation to give birth to woman, born in the flesh. Many Pyongyang would become the Palace God’s only begotten daughter. God spiritual groups held the belief that of Eden. Nevertheless, because my could no longer work through the the Messiah would be born on earth. maternal uncle joined the South people of Israel and had to select a Among these spiritual groups, were Korean Army, three women alone— different people. Around that time, formation-level groups, growth-level my grandmother, my mother and I, the Dongi tribe was in Asia. When groups and completion-level groups. only the three of us— left North selecting the chosen people, God The leader of one of these groups Korea and went to South Korea. God must find righteous people among testified about me, revealing who I worked to help us leave North Korea fallen human beings and give them was. When I was born, Satan knew and come to South Korea. Two years responsibility. This was during the who I was and tried to kill me. Why? after we left North Korea, the Korean Han Clan Empire. Through my birth, Satan’s dominion War suddenly broke out.

10 True Peace True Mother, after delivering this speech at East Garden, amidst a sea of young people that represent the future of the unification movement

Listening to the story of my life accept this burden? Truly, Heaven has some nations are going in a direction and looking at this background, I am blessed all of you with support; you contrary to God’s will. Superpowers the only person ever born like this. need not be afraid of anything. In the like the United States, Russia, Chi- Do you understand? How great the course of providential history, you na—as well as the European na- value of God’s only begotten daughter know the truth, and it’s now time for tions—exude self-centered individu- is! Some blessed families still do not you to reveal the truth. Do not keep alism. You cannot find God amid understand the value of God’s only the truth to yourselves. There are 7.3 self-centeredness. Do you under- begotten daughter, which is regretta- billion people in the world. I hear stand? ble. Furthermore, you who are here there are now 7.4 billion people; the Your pride is your relationship to today, you in particular, need to know human population is increasing True Parents and that you received the truth. I hope that you can arise exponentially. Telling every one of the blessing from them. That is your and become central figures. In order them that True Parents are on earth is pride. I told you during the Aloha for you to fulfill your responsibilities, important. If they do not know this, Workshop that you are all pure water, you need to unite completely with when those people ascend to the which requires growing up properly. True Parents; unite with me. Do you spirit world and realize that the True You are pure water, truly pure, unpol- understand? You have such a beauti- Parents were on earth, how sorrowful luted water. You should grow as this ful future ahead of you. You have the and regretful they will feel and how pure water. Do you understand? potential to contribute to the provi- resentful against you. Please take this Through you, we need to purify the dence greatly as outstanding leaders point seriously. I hope salvation can world, so please arise in the proud and outstanding, talented people. We come to many people through you. position of an owner, as the person in have more time than we did with the Because you are not sharing the good charge. first generation. Is that right, or not? news, many people do not realize that For the first time in six thousand Therefore, I hope that you can grow the True Parents are on earth. They years, God’s only begotten daughter, properly. What happens if you get can’t see True Parents or come to True the True Parents, are on earth. You caught in Satan’s sweet and tempting Parents. have met True Parents in person. You seduction as Adam and Eve did? Have you thought about this? have heard their message and have History changed because of Adam Looking at today’s world inspires received love directly from them. and Eve. We still have not restored little hope. Even in America, so many Please do not keep that to yourselves. this nation. I hope that you can stand challenges lie ahead. In particular, Do you understand? The more you in the center and become central filled with individualism and selfish- share your blessings, the more you figures who can expand this environ- ness, the world’s superpowers place extend your blessings, the better. Do ment, so that it can return to Heaven their national interests first, but God you see? Young people, I would like and receive the blessings of Heaven as does not want that. God wishes to to hear a louder response. Do you a blessed nation. have one family under God. He understand that that is why you are You can create that nation. Will you wishes to have one united family, but alive? Will you do that?

December 2016 11 Pictorial Section

True Mother’s 2016 American Tour

Future historians are likely to record that 2016 was indeed a year of great significance in True Parents’ salvific mission. They may say that the year culminated in the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building, in Washington DC, where True Mother proclaimed, “Someone has to achieve God’s providence and God’s dream, which is why fallen humankind absolutely needs True Parents, the Savior and Messiah. True Parents are the True Parents, the Messiah, the Savior.... Because they are the True Parents, they worked to save this great nation of America.” Yet, True Mother did not stop at enlightening political leaders. She spoke to more than five hundred pastors on December 3, for some of whom it was a moment of great transformation. That same night she spoke to thousands of Unificationists who had come to the Manhattan Center to be with her. On December 4, she spoke to blessed children—some now parents themselves— but many that have not yet reached the fullness of youth. It is fitting that before departing from the United States she consecrated a new museum at East Garden, a permanent reminder of True Parents’ efforts to save the nation so that the nation might fully respond to God’s call.

T rue Mother with True Family Values Award recipients and key leaders of the American Clergy Leadership Conference

12 True Peace True Family Value Awards (ACLC) True Mother’s 2016 American Tour

1 2

1 True Mother speaking at the True Family Values Awards presentations 2 Dr. Hollie-Thibodeaux and her husband David Thibodeaux, pastors and police chaplains in Dallas, Texas, greeting True Mother 3 Five hundred religious leaders were on hand to receive True Mother's message 4 5 4 Bishop Michael Sykes and his wife, Minister Zena Sykes, pastors of the United Missionary Baptist Church in East Orange, New Jersey 5 Senior Pastor of the Manhattan Family Church in New York, Tanya Edwards, and her husband Bishop Jesse Edwards, ACLC national evangelist 6 Famous professional musicians are aware of an album Chicago pastor, T. L. Barrett made with the Youth for Christ Choir decades ago that was re-released in 2010. Here, he plays for True Mother and his fellow members of ACLC. 7 Two young musicians playing traditional Korean drums 8 True Mother at the head table with Jesse and Tanya Edwards, Archbishop 6 7 George Stallings and Sun Jin nim

December 2016 13 Washington D.C. Victory Celebration

1 East Garden Museum Dedication

1 True Mother speaking at the December 1 Washington DC victory celebration 2 True Mother flanked by her daughter Ye Jin Moon and daughter-in-law Yeon Ah Moon praying at the dedication of the East Garden museum 3 From left: Dr. Kim Ki-hoon, Ye Jin Moon, True Mother and Song Yong-cheon, at East Garden 4 True Mother speaking during the January 1 Victory Luncheon in Washington DC 5 Branch and Naria Gaarder, a blessed couple and leaders of the Ocean Church providence in America, offered flowers to True Father and True Mother. 6 In introducing True Mother at the victory celebration in New York City, Sun Jin nim said, "She is my hero, my guru, my light! She is our liberator! Our Savior!" 7 Kim Ki-hoon, president of the North America region speaking during the victory celebration 8 True Mother encouraged the crowd by saying, "I would like to hear 'this person 2 from this state restored the whole state.'”

14 True Peace Manhattan Center Celebration

5 6 7

December 2016 15 True Children’s Messages

Divine Health from Heaven On December 19, Sun Jin Moon, the FFWPU international president, spoke to Japanese members staying at the Hannam-dong International Train- ing Center and Guesthouse, where True Parents had lived in Seoul for many years. She led hoondokhae, a meditation and a Q and A session. Two people asked a question. The following is her greeting before hoondokhae and her answer to a question about True Mother's health.

t is an honor to have you all here as guest of Hannam-dong. We are grateful you could all come. We wanted to do a small hoondokhae and medita- Ition to welcome you and to bring your heart, your mind and your soul in oneness with this holy place. This is True Parents’ home; Korea is True Parents’ homeland. Here, we hope you can grow deep roots of joy to become a beautiful tree and son or daughter of True Parents…. Welcome to this sacred holy ground. This is where True Parents have secured the foundation for unity in all realms, between heaven and earth (as we see at Cheongpyeong) and in each person, between mind and body and between man and woman, parent and child and amongst all tribes and all nations, in order to fulfill 1 Heavenly Parents’ original eternal ideal of creating one harmonious, peace-loving global family. To begin, I would like to offer my deepest respect and most humble gratitude to all of you for your being filial sons and daughters to True Parents. I hope to hear from you and share after the

1 Sun Jin Moon speaking to the tour group at the Hannam-dong International Training Center and Guesthouse 2 This gentleman asked about True Mother's health; here, he is responding to having won, in a raffle, a personal item Sun Jin nim had received from True Parents. His wife, 2 seated beside him, later also won something in a raffle.

16 True Peace 1

1 Sun Jin Moon and In Sup Park with a group from Japan staying a the Hannam-dong International Guesthouse. The banner indicates they are from West Tokyo and are on a tour that includes going to the Cheongpyeong Heaven and Earth Training Center 2 The essence of unification is a heart-to-heart experience 3 Sun Jin nim had personally baked organic banana cake and handed it out to some of the guest. The gentleman in the foreground spoke with her in 2 3 English.

hoondokhae, so that we can come I feel cold. I asked Mother, What is ment of Heavenly Parent were alive, together as a family and learn to your secret? How do you survive this what would his heart be like? What support and love and give each other amazing mission? would that feel like? It would feel like more strength. My hope is that you She said, the way I can overcome the sun, almost—very loving warmth. listen to today’s hoondokhae and everything… (Because I didn’t get to In that way, when I think of True center your heart and your mind and ask True Father when he was alive Parents, how they stayed healthy— open your heart and your mind to how he stayed so healthy and strong young and so powerful, I think that accept Father’s words and to connect but I imagine it’s the same.) True Father is vertical, like Heaven— with his path, which will show you Mother said, no matter what difficul- straight down….like lightning, how to overcome any difficulty on ty you go through, know that Heav- Pshshsht! Wake up!... OK I’m awake your path. enly Parent loves you and if you now! I have energy. devote your life to Heavenly Parent But True Mother’s love is the You are always attending completely, no difficulty can sway complete horizontal-vertical, like True Mother. True Mother this physical body or the spiritual arms embracing you. When you and I are in the same genera- body. It can be very difficult to re- have vertical and horizontal com- tion. I worry about her health. The member to love Heavenly Parent as bined in True Parents, you have this pressure and situations she goes much as he loves you. whole sphere of love, all around. So, through are beyond my imagination. I That’s True Mother’s wisdom, but it really is because of Heavenly wonder how she is overcoming that. I every day, physically, she does do Parent. When you look at them, think about that every day. bouncing—exercising, walking. She that’s why they are so young and One thing I notice about True Mother takes very good care of her health and energetic beyond all suffering. To is that she overcomes everything. To diet. Something she uses in Korea is have hope, to have vision, to contin- many degrees, before I started taking called seobseng [Asian homeopathy]— ue on the path... They can, because care of True Mother, since True Fa- it’s like Korean hanyak [traditional they embody Heavenly Parent’s love ther’s passing, I had no idea the level medicine] plus saju [fortune], plus har- the vertical and horizontal, all en- of burden and responsibility our True mony with blood type. So she is compassing. But they still do what is Parents have. One thing I noticed eating food that is like medicine, very their responsibility. They take care about True Mother, as well as True good for you. of their health; they eat well and Father, is that nothing can explain Also, every time she is riding in the they exercise. We are not just spiritu- their physical constitution or their car, she listens to joyful music— al bodies, here. We have to take care health other than the word “divine.” bounce music, love music, joyful of our physical bodies, so we can all Because even at their age, for some- music. She surrounds herself with live long and create more victory. I one like me to follow them around love, warmth and beauty. When I learn everything from True Mother. and tour, my body is breaking down, think of True Mother… If the embodi- I am still learning….

December 2016 17 Regional News / North America A Letter to True Mother

True Mother received the following end-of-year reflection from Dr. Thomas Walsh, president of the Universal Peace Fed- eration. True Mother later released the letter to members. Ko- rean members heard it read aloud as the narration of a video on the first Sunday of 2017.

Beloved True Mother, December 9, 2016, Tarrytown, NY hat an amazing year, 2016! What an amazing True Mother! What an amazing victory True Mother, through your visit to the US, the elder son nation. A year ago, I was with you in Las Vegas, and at that time, you met with Dr. Kim and several leaders who had gathered, sitting on the living room floor. At one point, you spoke to us about the importanceW of America, and you even said to me that although it was important to travel the world for UPF International, it was necessary to support and help America fulfill its mission, because America’s role is so very important. I could feel your love for this nation and your keen sense of its providential importance. It is clear that your love for this nation is not based on any horizontal feel- ing, but it is based on your deep understanding of God’s providence. Beginning in February 2016, when you guided us to launch the IAPP, we could feel an awakening beginning, as though we were arising together out of the three-year period of mourning following True Father’s passing. As we came to know you gradually at a deeper level than ever before, we began moving forward—just as you had pledged to True Father, saying, “Do not worry. Please rest with Heavenly Parent. We will fulfill everything.” You are indeed leading us forward. Following the amazing victory during the 2016 ILC at the time of True Parents’ birthday and the inaugural meeting of the IAPP at the Korean National Assembly, you did not hesitate or stop to relax. You called us to carry out a series of Regional level ILCs, centering on UPF, with the focus on several key objectives: 1) Teach about True Parents and their vision of peace and their teachings 2) Convene parliamentarians and launch the IAPP at the regional level 3) Work to solve the critical problems facing humanity, such as climate change, extreme poverty, violent conflict, the refugee problem, and rising extremism 4) Promote True Parents’ international peace highway project and Peace Road 5) Build a global network for peace and human development in order to establish one family under God and to establish the Abel UN. Based on your wisdom, guidance and leadership, True Mother, we gained inspiration, energy and determination. In Nepal, we gathered the Asia, Oceania and Greater China regions for an Asia Pacific Level ILC, with hundreds of parliamentarians, the prime minister, the president and co-sponsorship by the Nepalese parliamentarians. Yeon Ah nim delivered True Mother’s message. Hoon Sook nim and the Little Angels touched everyone’s hearts. The sparks were catching fire. The sparks then ignited Africa. In Burkina Faso, with full support of the government as co-spon- sor, we gathered as the West Africa region, parliamentarians from twenty-four nations. Then, at Westminster Palace, birthplace of modern parliaments, Sun Jin nim delivered True Moth- er’s message to members of both houses, the House of Lords and House of Commons, as well as to current parliamentarians from throughout the Europe, Eurasia and the Middle East regions. On to Central America and the Caribbean, where the parliament of Costa Rica assembled to for-

18 True Peace Dr. Thomas Walsh, a Supreme Council member and president of UPF International wrote this letter to True Mother.

mally, officially receive our ILC participants, led by Kwon Jin nim, who delivered True Mother’s message. The president of the parliament and even the vice-president of the country welcomed us and offered their support. Then to Paraguay, and the heart of South America, where True Parents had invested their blood, their sweat, their tears, their treasure, we assembled in the Parliament Building with the speaker of the parliament and parliamentarians from all over South America. Kwon Jin nim again delivered True Mother’s message. The fire was lit in South America. Then, back to the East Africa region, in Zambia, and a miraculous gathering of three hundred in the parliament house to receive True Mother’s message, which Kwon Jin nim delivered. On to Japan, following your visit to Kyushu and the site of the Korea–Japan undersea tunnel, for an unprecedented ILC victory, held at the Japanese parliament with around seventy parliamentarians lending their support, signing the IAPP declaration and listening to Sun Jin nim deliver True Mother’s message. The fire was burning brighter and brighter. It was True Mother’s direction that we conclude the 2016 ILC series in Washington D.C., capital of the elder son nation. True Mother herself agreed to come to speak directly to the members of Con- gress. What a challenge! What an opportunity! What a victory. The members of the elder son nation, guided by Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, and the many leaders who had been personally raised and trained by True Parents over so many decades, inspired by their love and respect for True Mother, worked from absolute determination to bring victory. And what a victory it was, an unprecedented victory. Never before had we achieved such an outpouring of support from all sectors and from all political parties. The present day is different from the past. We are on a new level. We stood not as beggars or servants or as apprentices but as the fruit of True Parents’ ministry, and as men and women with a vision and message that America needs. Eighty members of the US Congress, Republicans and Democrats, rose to welcome the ILC, the IAPP and to receive True Moth- er’s message, delivered in the Kennedy Caucus Room of the US Senate. UPF and the Washington Times Foundation worked together in unity, along with all brothers and sisters. The night of your speech at the Senate, True Mother, was truly magical. It felt like Christmas Day… not any ordinary day. Miracles were happening. Senators and congressmen were coming in one after the other, as if they were movie stars coming to the Academy Awards. They spoke to our ILC. They were inspired to be with us. They greeted the international parliamentarians with so much appreciation and respect. And, then the moment everyone was waiting for came. Sen Orin Hatch greeted True Mother with deep respect and in the most dignified and warmhearted way imaginable. His love and respect for True Parents was evident in every word and gesture. The Little Angels profoundly moved him. Only heaven could have scripted that day. This was a different America, an America awakened and shed-

December 2016 19 "You spoke personally, lovingly and seriously to each one individually, underscoring each one’s importance in the eyes of Heavenly Parent." —Dr. Walsh

ding its history of mistreatment of True Parents and ignorance of their value. We were at the turning point, and the tipping point. True Mother, your message on that day, your message to America, flowed without your having any notes and without even one pause. It flowed flawlessly, gracefully and powerfully and delivered heavenly content that was strong and truthful; it was medicine for the soul of the nation, medicine for a nation that was searching for its soul, a nation that was seeking to recover its true identity after having gone astray. True Mother you summarized providential history brilliantly and truthfully. It was as though you were showing us the map of providential history—from Adam, through Jesus, to the present day— and pointing to our current location on that providential map, and showing us where we needed to go. You called each member of Congress, both the US members of Congress and the seventy parliamentarians from fifty-six other nations, to take responsibility. You spoke personally, lovingly and seriously to each one individually, underscoring each one’s importance in the eyes of Heavenly Parent. You said, “The world needs you. Heaven needs you.” It was as the Sermon on the Mount might have been. One could hear a pin drop during the speech, as everyone listened intently. True Mother brought the flame to America, and the fire is now burning. A twenty-first century Great Awakening has begun. You continued to guide us at the Washington Times Building, at the Manhattan Center, and at East Garden. You are our True Teacher, True Parent, True Owner. Imagine if Jesus had been able to go to Rome, to meet Tiberius, the Emperor (Caesar), and to speak before the Roman Senate (from Latin senatus or senex meaning elder or council of elders) which consisted of as many as six hundred senators at that time, as a council of advisors, but with power to install the emperor. The only begotten son and even his bride as well would have spoken directly to the senators. But, alas, this did not happen due to the providential failures of that time. True Parents, however, did come to America, and spoke to presidents and before members of Congress. Despite much opposition, persecution and tragic imprisonment, True Parents prevailed and were victorious. True Mother’s appearance at the Senate of the United States on November 30, 2016 is a transformative day for America and the world. This moment was different from past ap- pearances. We had experienced nothing quite like this in the past. Many of us had deep concern about the direction America has been going, not to mention Korea and Japan. Would the three central providential nations be able to fulfill their responsibilities, united together as one, centered on Heavenly Parent’s will and True Parents? True Mother, after your victorious visit to America, to the Senate, to the African American Muse- um, to the National Theatre, to the Washington Times Building, to East Garden, to the Manhattan Center, to the ACLC gathering, to the opening of the museum at East Garden, and on to Las Vegas, we have woken up. We are waking up from slumber. The fire is burning.

20 True Peace "True Mother brought the flame to America and the fire is now burning. A twenty-first-century Great Awakening has begun."—Dr. Walsh

Sun Jin nim delivered your message to the ILC with much grace and passion, supported by In Sup nim, along with Ye Jin nim, Kwon Jin nim, Hwa Yun nim and Yeon Ah nim. Their unity and support for True Mother were extremely important components of this victory. The Little Angels are irreplaceable and the Sunhak Peace Prize announcement won everyone’s respect and appreciation. The focus on refugees was right on target. This victory came through the great unity and hard work of both brothers and sisters in America, but also the world over. For the US victory was a global victory, a victory that came through the unity among Korea, Japan and America, along with the entire world, the entire global family—every region, every nation, every blessed central family. Each ILC throughout 2016 was building toward Washington D.C. This was a global effort. America cannot go to God or True Parents alone, but must go together with the entire world. That is what happened in Washington D.C. There was a foundation of faith and of substance to receive the Messiah, the only begotten daughter, the True Parents. Korea, Japan and America united. All regions united. Internal and external united. Young and old united. Cain and Abel united. True Mother, we have only just begun. Like you, we are not stopping. We are not resting. God is not resting. At the Washington Times Building, you said that we should fulfill our responsibilities “Right Now.” We will do that. As you have said to us, God is busily preparing people the world over who are ready to receive True Parents’ message. We are now moving forward to True Parents’ birthday and an even greater victory, and onward throughout 2017, and 2018, and 2019 to victory in Vision 2020. The providence has come alive! Heavenly Parent is alive, and conducting the central providence through our movement centered on True Mother. At the same time, Heavenly Parent is alive through our movement, brothers and sisters united with True Mother. But, although God is working directly with True Mother and our movement, God is also a very big God who exceeds our comprehension, and God is clearly working twenty-four hours a day to shape history and to prepare people in every nation, in every position and sector of power—in government, religion, academia, civil society, business, the arts…everywhere. The hearts and minds of all human beings are awakening. The original mind is coming alive. True Mother, we each pledge to attend and support you and bring victory on a global level. In 2016 we have witnessed a heavenly awakening. But, we are only getting started. Wait until next year. True Mother, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Hallelujah! Victory is near. God’s nation is near. Cheon Il Guk is near. Thank you, True Mother. We love you True Mother.

With love, respect and appreciation, Tom Walsh

December 2016 21 Regional News / North America _ Canada Encouraging Social Engagement and Loyal Citizenship

Radicalism’s beginnings The first panel entitled “Exploring the Root Causes of Youth Radicalization” was moderated by Mr. Franco Famu- laro, UPF Canada’s secretary general, and included four panelists. Mr. Paul Tamale, who had assisted two former attorney generals of Ontario with a report on the Roots of Youth Violence, reported that, poverty, attitudes of people in authority such as teachers and law enforcement officials were all factors, but that family instability is at the root of much of the disillusion- ment leading to violence in Canadian society. Meriem Rebbani-Gosselin of the Center for Prevention of Radicaliza- Rev. Moonshik Kim, national leader of Canada and chairman of UPF-Canada, with Islamic educator, Mufti Aasim tion leading to Violence, which is in Rashid, the leader of a mosque, in Burnaby, Canada, who naturally is deeply concerned about radicalization. Montreal, was the next speaker. In 2015, Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the United Nations visited their ncouraging Social Engagement Land conducted by two Indigenous center and recognized the organiza- and Loyal Citizenship among advocates and mothers—both leading tion’s efforts as a model for other Disaffected Youth was the representatives of their communities nations to follow. Ms. Rebbani-Goss- E theme of the joint annual in Ottawa and panelists for this elin provided insightful research that conference of Universal Peace Federa- conference. Well-known Juno Award clearly shows that youth radicalization and the Women’s Federation for winning singer, Ms. Liberty Silver, tion is not limited to a certain eco- World Peace held in the Ontario sang a stirring rendition of the nation- nomic class or gender. She provided Legislature Building at Queen’s Park al anthem. concrete examples of one particular in Toronto, Canada, on October 27, In his welcoming remarks Dr. cell uncovered in Montreal that com- 2016. Ontario is Canada’s largest prov- Moonshik Kim, UPF-Canada chair, mitted themselves to travel to Syria to ince and Toronto the country’s largest shared about the founders’ vision and join the organization known various- metropolis. efforts for peace and succinctly clari- ly as ISIL, ISIS and Islamic State. The gathering began with intro- fied the guiding principles of the ductory remarks by the master of Universal Peace Federation. A brief Diverse representation ceremonies, Mr. Daniel Stringer, and video presentation of UPF’s global Each panel consisted of representa- an Indigenous Welcome to Sacred activities followed. tives from the Black, Indigenous and

22 True Peace Left to right: Paul Tamale, who spoke about a five-volume study done on the roots of violence following the murder of a black teenager; Franco Famularo, UPF-Canada’s secretary general; Meriem Rebbani-Gosselin of the Center for Prevention of Radicalization leading to Violence; Ms. Jocelyn Wabano-Iahtail, who spoke as one of Canada's indigenous people; Dr. Jooyoung Lee of the University of Toronto, who spoke on gang violence n the US city of Los Angeles

Muslim communities. The Indige- sion started with an insightful presen- dealing with youth radicalization. nous perspective in the first panel tation by Ms. Sameen Affaf a teacher Both Mr. Halina and Ms. Poscente was presented by Ms. Jocelyn Waba- with a graduate specialization in explained that the police are willing no-Iahtail, a PhD. Candidate at social exclusion and marginalization. to collaborate with every community Carleton University who has person- Affaf referred to six areas that moth- in preventing youth violence and al experience on First Nation territo- ers help prevent radicalization by radicalization. ry with the abuse of her people. Her giving recognition through providing mother recently received an apology a sense of identity; connection Islamic concerns from the Canadian Parliament due through a sense of belonging; inter- Mufti Aasim Rashid, a distin- to systemic abuse experienced vention by nurturing their child; guished Islamic scholar and educa- through the residential school sys- creating a culture of love through tor from Vancouver, explained the tem. She shared how indigenous education; supplying validation by challenges of radicalization for the spirituality contributes to the heal- giving voice to disaffection and final- Canadian Muslim community. ing process and through an interac- ly by providing a sense of awareness Rashid is also founder of Al-Ihsan tive exercise with the audience put through taking notice. Educational Foundation and just emphasis on the sacredness of each launched “Islam Unraveled,” which person. Dealing with hardships is committed to educating Canadian Dr. Jooyoung Lee of the University Rev. Sky Starr, a trauma specialist and institutions about Islam. He declared of Toronto, an expert on youth gangs grief counselor shared about her that radicalization can only be de- and gun violence emphasized the role experience with victims of youth feated from within the Muslim of the promotion of the arts, music violence and with their mothers. community. He said Muslims must and culture as a way for prevention of Mothers have the added burden of find their place within Canadian youth engaging in violence. He ex- continuing to nurture their families in society while retaining their identi- plained the pitfalls of punitive polic- spite of their grief. ty. Rashid expressed his frustration ing and suggested a public health Deniseanne Boissoneau, a repre- with the media for reporting from a approach to gang violence. sentative of the Indigenous Anishi- limited perspective. He explained naabe and Ojibway community and a that devoted Muslims are not ex- Key maternal input practicing lawyer explained that in tremists and that through education The second panel on the pivotal role her view a mother builds a child and stereotypes and misunderstandings of mothers in the prevention of youth that the criminal justice system re- can be dispelled. radicalization consisted of a teacher, quires reform to incorporate restor- Each panel included a lively ques- minister, indigenous lawyer and ative justice. tion and answer session and the representatives of the Royal Canadian Sergeant Mia Poscente and Inspec- meeting concluded with an explana- Mounted Police’s Integrated National tor Don Halina of the Royal Canadian tion and commissioning of ambassa- Security Enforcement. Mounted Police Integrated National dors for peace. Moderated by Mrs. Lilly Tadin, Security Enforcement Team provided president of the Women’s Federation the perspective of the National Police UPF-Canada and WFWP-Canada contribut- for World Peace in Canada, the ses- force through being proactive in ed this article.

December 2016 23 Regional News / Middle East Evaluating Tragic Circumstances from True Parents’ Perspective A UPF Middle East Conference on Syria

Syria has gone through various greater strength in the form of a Communication and Soft Power stages of difficulty since the December 17–19 UPF Middle Approaches to Peace. dissolution of the Ottoman Em- East Conference on Syria. The key element that made this pire, of which it was a province, conference stand out was the partici- but none as horrific as at pres- his was one of the most pation of both sides in a conference ent. Since 2011, Syria has been a fruitful conferences I have where real, respectful dialogue took cauldron of warring factions attended in my lifetime.” place. Official dialogue in Geneva has fighting among trapped civil- These were the words of made no progress; while other, small- ians. In August 2015, the UN “T Austria’s former minister of defense er conferences have brought together Human Rights Council reported, during the final conference session. different opposition groups but no “Civilians are suffering the un- At a time when the world had given representative of the government imaginable, as the world stands up all hope for Syria, with repeated position. At this conference, partici- witness. Without stronger efforts failures in UN negotiations and an pants from inside Syria included a to bring parties to the peace intensified war leading to the destruc- Shia member of the Majlis al-Shaab table, ready to compromise, tion of Aleppo, UPF Middle East (People's Assembly, the Syrian legisla- current trends suggest that the proposed a conference on Syria with tive branch) and a representative of Syrian conflict—and the killing the objective, “To bring True Parents’ the government’s State Ministry for and destruction it wreaks—will perspective to assist local and interna- National Reconciliation Affairs. By continue for the foreseeable tional efforts to find a peaceful solu- the end of the conference, not only future.” We are pleased to bring tion to the Syrian crisis.” The confer- had UPF received two invitations to you news of an effort to gather ence title was Opening Lines of come to Syria to further the process of dialogue but three other groups in Europe were preparing separate visits to Syria in the coming month.

Our source of strength That True Parents’ foundation made this surprising progress possible is without doubt. UPF Middle East and the Syrian Peace Initiative, launched five years ago by Dr. Mohammed Habash, an ambassador for peace who then was a member of the Syrian People’s Assembly, co-hosted the E xperts, concerned about the fate of Syria and the Middle East conference. Dr. Habash had attended

24 True Peace Staff members, participants and panelists at a conference that sought a realistic avenue toward the end of warfare in Syria

the special forty-day workshop at the In their reflections, participants al secretary-general and the regional New Yorker Hotel in 1991, together noted the conference’s calm atmo- president. Then, in the middle of his with his future wife and her grandfa- sphere and the quality of the partici- final remarks, after indicating his ther, the Grand Mufti of Syria. pants and contributions. Participants readiness to accept the invitation This was designed as a small made at least five different substantial coming from those in Syria, co-host conference that would gather interna- proposals, each of which will require Mohammed Habash came up with a tional experts and sons of Syria, from study and follow up. Carsten surprise proposal: Calling out one of both inside the country and out. In Wieland, the UN expert [ www. the two translators, Heather Fraser all, forty-three of us partook, includ- carsten-wieland.de] pointed out that Harris, from the translation booth, he ing staff members (mainly from our at this conference—and indeed else- proposed that she lead a delegation of second generation, from five nations where—many diverse groups have Syrian girls to visit Damascus and in the region, but also one young called for a national conference on pave the way for future negotiations translator from London whose father Syria and that the ideas presented are (specifically related to bringing large is a peace ambassador in Germany). not very far apart from one another. numbers of Syrians back to live in We met in a relatively empty seaside He thought it might be helpful to get newly safe areas in the country) and a hotel in Cyprus for just two days to the proponents together and work on possible conference. As Heather take a first step in the direction of a common concept “in the spirit of a spoke of her desire to return to the peace. Participants included a UN conference like this, where different Damascus she loves, a conference expert from Germany who has writ- opinions are present.” made up almost entirely of men was ten four books on Syria; former am- moved to tears. Later, in addition to bassadors from Belgium, Syria and Breaking bread together reflections from two participants, a Lebanon; a representative from Cy- A Syrian businessman living in conference statement was read out, prus’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Cyprus generously hosted the entire proposing to develop the Syria Peace and Syrians including the former conference in his restaurant in Nicosia Initiative and pursue dialogue with president of Damascus University, for a wonderful Syrian dinner one all sides. We closed with a sung businessmen, journalists, activists evening. Four years ago, when he recitation of the Koran and a prayer and a former economic advisor to the opened the restaurant, he put a sign from a Catholic participant. There is prime minister. In addition to the outside, “No-one who supports the no doubt in my mind that this confer- representative from the ministry and Syrian regime is allowed in.” This ence was God’s way of giving some the legislator, another member of time two from the government side hope to the people of Syria and in- Syria’s People's Assembly, who was joined us for dinner. deed all of us. Now we have to move unable to get his visa in time, sent a The climax of the conference came quickly to build on this first step. speech to be read out on his behalf. in the closing session. A sense of deep Christian, Sunni and Shia were pres- commitment to peace was present in The UPF-Middle East chapter contributed ent. presentations by both the UPF region- this article.

December 2016 25 Regional News / East Africa Four Voices for Forgiveness, Love and Unity

A WFWP-Kenya Initiative

Dr Hak Ja Han with her Mother’s heart, which is overwhelmingly loving and kind toward humanity is our model of how to nurture and to love our communities. I believe the saying, “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” There- fore, we need to unite as women with positive thinking and a positive mind-set and alongside our partners, families and communities to create Chairwoman Kone, who provided the material below and whose "voice" begins the article, is in the green and and nurture a world of peace. wearing a traditional headdress. I welcome all women and men of goodwill to join forces with us in this wonderful project for the victory of n the twenty-fourth anni- 2017 General Elections. As mothers, Vision 2020. God bless you all. versary of the founding of we do not want a repeat of the the Women’s Federation post-election violence, which oc- First chairwoman of WFWP-Kenya O for World Peace, the Ken- curred in 2007–2008, when more than The first woman to head WFWP, in yan chapter launched a new project, a thousand people lost their lives, Kenya, Mrs. Felister Kililo, also ad- which the chairwoman of WF- rapists attacked women and children dressed the audience, which included WP-Kenya, Mrs. Susan Kone, de- became separated from their families. ambassadors for peace, woman lead- scribed in the following paragraphs. We need to create a conducive envi- ers from various non-governmental Today is a special day for Kenyan ronment for peaceful elections and organizations, community-based women as we launch the Mothers continuous peaceful coexistence and organizations, religious organiza- Heart Peace Network Kenya Project, prosperity after the elections. tions, civil society and the county which is the vehicle to accomplish The time has come for all women government. This is the bulk of what Vision 2020. The goal is to “uproot to use their God-given motherly she said that day. and eradicate ethnic and cultural hearts to nurture not only their fami- I am happy to be part of this organi- divisions, gender inequality and lies but also their communities and zation and I sincerely thank our found- poverty and create a conducive envi- indeed their nations. Women are ers for their vision in establishing ronment for peace, love and prosperi- nurturers by nature and they have world peace through encouraging ty in the spirit of ‘Forgive Love and unconditional love in their DNA, so women to play their motherly role as Unite.’” This project includes educa- they need to believe in themselves nurturers and peace builders. Beloved tional, social and service programs in and go to the front line. They need to women leaders from all over Kenya, all the counties and sub-counties take their rightful positions. They we now carry the heavy responsibility within Kenya. We will collaborate need to make their voices heard and to fulfill this vision and establish peace- with all partners of goodwill to make use their God-given talents and skills ful families, communities and nation. Kenya number one as God’s nation. to nurture and build peace in all As our founder, Dr Hak Ja Han Kenya is now preparing for the levels of human existence. said, “The goal of WFWP is not to

26 True Peace become another secular women’s of the culture that we all seek. and have been awarded as an ambas- organization; it does not aim to be an Women and their empowerment sador for peace. external, political or combative wom- are crucial in advancing the culture of I run a small organization that en’s rights movement targeting the peace in all its vectors: education, evolved through my personal experi- misdeeds of men. Nor does it exist economic and social development, ences called “It’s my Right, No forced just to advocate the expansion of human rights and equality, democrat- Marriages” that campaigns against women’s rights, gender equality and ic participation, advocacy based on and trains against forced marriages the women’s labor movement. Rather, true knowledge but also wisdom, and “honor” crimes. Recently a book it is a global peace movement on an tolerance and understanding at all about my experience has been pub- entirely new level with the providen- levels in the family, community, lished, it’s called Wed Locked. tial significance of realizing the ideal nation, region and the world. I would like start with a quote world that was God’s vision at the We must all work to increase from the Sikh scriptures that has time of the Creation.” investment in building the capacity of inspired me endlessly as a woman, WFWP inauguration came at a women’s organizations and local civil “From woman, man is born; Within historic moment of providential signif- society networks working in conflict woman, man is conceived; to a wom- icance. WFWP has engaged in diverse and post-conflict settings in line with an he is engaged and married. Wom- activities over the last twenty years, the Security Council Resolution 2122. an becomes his friend, through a geared to realizing the vision and There is the issue that a culture of woman the future generation comes. ideals of pure love, happy families and peace requires the participation of When his woman dies, he seeks a peaceful world that transcends the women and especially young girls another woman; to woman he is barriers of race, religion, language and and this project, Mother’s Heart Peace bound. So why call her bad? From her national boundaries. This we have Network Kenya, will play a crucial kings are born. Without woman, carried out in the spirit of Rev. Moon’s role in creating empowerment forums there will be no one at all.” founding message, which urged us to in which women can receive empow- This shows that the women are the expand a model movement of true erment so as to play this crucial role backbone of the society. A woman’s love to the whole world based on as peace builders and nurturers in all role is never-ending and we have living for sake of others. levels in our society. important roles to play, whether it is As women and as mothers, we are I also ask the international commu- nurturing families or working in the called upon to unite and join with all nity and the culture of peace constitu- society. All our endeavors are to other partners to ensure sustainable ency to continue playing its leading promote a better society that lives in peace in our nation Kenya. I am role in fostering an international harmony, peace and love. As women, grateful to you for listening closely to environment which recognizes and we have come a very long way, espe- me today. I pray that God’s blessing promotes women’s and girls’ rights cially in a very patriarchal society. We will be with you, your families and by engaging women as well as men— have, we are and will continue to with your work. girls as well as boys—in a quest for break the barriers through intergener- peaceful and non-violent societies. Let ational cycles of abuse and strive for A male voice in praise of WFWP us work together to fulfill this vision gender equality. We need to create Professor Jared Onyari, a professor of a peaceful and prosperous world. support networks for the more im- and university lecture, and an ambas- May God bless you all. poverished, through education and sador for peace, also spoke. The fol- empowerment for example by ad- lowing paragraphs are excepted from A victim turned rescuer dressing serious issues like female his message that day. By Mrs. Preet Kaur, an ambassador genital mutilation, child marriages I consider this event as an import- for peace from United Kingdom, was and gender based violence, which are ant opportunity to strengthen the the guest of honor at the event. Mrs. perceived as traditions but in reality national movement and implementa- Preet Kaur has taken a strong stance are harmful malpractices. Therefore, tion of the program of action on the as a former victim of forced marriage. awareness and education are very culture of peace. “A Culture of peace She suffered through difficulty and important. Also commercialism and needs the participation of women,” now aids others and advocates aboli- the media, promote sex in all forms said Lakshmi Puri, assistant secre- tion of this terrible practice. The that exposes and encourages abuse, tary-general of the United Nations following paragraphs are from her which needs to be tackled. The developing world has six speech that day. As a part of a collective society, hundred million young girls, and the My initial meeting with the WFWP men too need to be involved in ad- global population is experiencing a was in 2012 in the United Kingdom, dressing relevant issues. More impor- youth bulge. Yet, the role and contri- where I live, through the Home Office tantly, we need to impart knowledge bution of women and youth to the and Mrs. Mitty Tohma the WF- to our future generations, our children culture of peace is not only important WP-UK president. She requested that through education, raising awareness because women and youth represent I speak about my experience as a and empowerment in order for our majority of the global population but victim and survivor of a forced mar- peace building roles to evolve. I thank because the women and young peo- riage and honor crime at the Houses you all once again and congratulations ple are key drivers of the radical of Parliament. Since then, I have on the launch of the Mother’s Heart change of mindset, of institutions and heavily affiliated myself with WFWP Peace Network Project.

December 2016 27 Regional News / West Africa Cleanliness is a Virtue to Heaven A CARP Nigeria project

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and more than 60 percent of Nigerians are twenty-four-years-old or younger. Thus, Nigeria has youth- ful dynamism as a national asset. Having active CARP members bodes well for the nations’ future, as this article indicates. By Bok Jin Lee

After a job well done, the students can breathe easier in the cleaner environment they have helped create on their university campus.

28 True Peace 1 2

1 Staff members of the University of Abuja Environ- mental Department accept a donation of trash receptacle from Bok Jin Lee, a youth special envoy to Nigeria, who worked with CARP to develop this service project. 2 The efforts of the CARP members did indeed encourage the participant of non-CARP students. 3 Desmond Edams, University of Abuja CARP president speaks the assembled members before they begin their service project. 3

ARP Nigeria organized started cleaning around the campus After cleaning, we donated five their second Peace Clean- first, the students would look at trash bins to the university’s Environ- ing Project at the Universi- themselves and follow our example. mental Department. The staff mem- C ty of Abuja, mini-campus That was our motivation for starting bers appeared genuinely touched by on Friday, December 2, from 8 AM to this project. our efforts. They seemed so happy 12 PM. Twenty-four CARP members On the day of the project, we met. because there had been no public participated in this program. We Desmond Edams, president of CARP trash receptacles before. We placed made efforts to show our sincere at the University of Abuja, opened those trash containers in the public attitude toward improving the cam- our meeting with a prayer and then areas on the campus. pus environment. The aim of this spoke about the nature of the pro- As the project came to an end, project was to show how to become gram (which had the slogan, “Young Kabir Ibrahim, the vice-president an initiator, to feel a sense of personal people! Build your Ownership”) and of CARP at the University of Abu- agency over the resolution of social how we would carry it out. ja, offered a closing prayer. We issues and over the creation of a good Before we proceed with this then enjoyed some refreshments learning environment for university program, we did publicity activities together. students. Naturally, we also wanted for the project around the campus. Through this project, we made a to help raise the students’ awareness We handed out a hundred pens to deep impact on the campus that of CARP and attract them to our students and a hundred flyers, remains today. Many students recog- programs. which introduced how students nized us and made an appointment to For a long time, students have been might take the initiative in order to participate in our one-day Divine facing issues related to the environ- attract their voluntary participation Principle workshop. We will continue ment around the campus. We ana- in the project. doing this project regularly and lyzed the main reason for those issues After the publicity efforts, we extending the cleaning areas to out- and concluded that a sense of owner- divided into three groups and started side the campus, so that our sincere ship did not prevail among the stu- cleaning the campus grounds. While efforts will bring peace to the society dent body. After analysis, we began we were doing the cleaning, some of and contribute to making a strong considering how to persuade young the students felt inspired by our foundation for the settlement of the people to take personal initiative. We project and they participated in it substantial Cheon Il Guk. We will try then decided to demonstrate our with us. Additionally, staff members our best. sincere attitude to improve the envi- of the Environmental Department ronment on the campus through this came to us and supported our clean- project. We believed that once we ing efforts. Mr. Lee is a special youth envoy to Nigeria.

December 2016 29 Regional News / Europe Moral Challenges and Opportunities A Central European Initiative

This article covers a conference in the Parliament Building of the Czech Republic. Indirectly, it highlights the success at collaboration of UPF in the Czech Republic. To explain other European organizations mentioned in the article (where possible) to our non-European readers, some material, either quoted or paraphrased, has been added between square brackets (with links). By Juraj Lajda

nder the auspices of Nina Nováková, a member of the Czech Parliament, an international conference on the topic “Challenges and Op- U portunities of Our Time” convened at the Parliament of the Czech Republic on November 25. More than fifty people attended the event, including historians, lawyers, political scientists, social activist and several students. This was the final program of a series of that included two round table discussions in Vienna and Budapest, in July and October 2016, respec- tively. The conference was supported by the Universal Peace Federation‘s Czech chapter, the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the European Union of Women. [The Hanns Seidel Foundation (www.hss.de/en) is a German NGO. “Political education, promoting research, policy advice and policy analysis, scholarship programs, development cooperation and international networking are what their work focuses on, in a nutshell.”] [The European Union of Women (www.europeanunionof- women.com) which has branches in seventeen countries and “works for the strengthening of peace on the basis of justice and the free cooperation of peoples… stands for the safeguarding of human dignity and freedom, the maintenance of Europe’s outstanding cultural heritage, and for social and economic progress while protecting the rights of individuals. The EUW maintains that these aims will only be realized by increasing the influence of women.”]

30 True Peace Dr. Lenka Šulová (yellow jacket) a specialist in clinical and social psychology led the panel that discussed the role of the family.

Jaromír Štětina, a Czech member of the European Parliament, in the bow tie, moderated the second panel, which focused on living without fear in a safe society being a human right. The author of this article is seated next to him.

Some background family, describing current factors campaign, which Christian activists Several steps led up to the confer- contributing to family breakdown— launched to prevent same-sex mar- ence—finding common ground unstable relationships, easy divorce, riage in the EU. She spoke about between experts, politicians and civil the high employment among women parents’ rights and responsibilities society representatives; setting up a and an emphasis on individualism or for their children’s education. The working group on issues of religious on increasing wealth. state cannot be a substitute for par- freedom in the Czech Parliament Dr. Ludmila Trapková, a clinical ents, she insisted, because the family and expanding the initiative to and family psychologist, spoke of the is based on bloodline. neighboring Central European coun- family as a psychosocial organism. tries. At the round table in Vienna, a Absence of complementarity between Threats and developments memorandum was framed that a masculine and a feminine pole The second panel, on the theme specified three topics of concern for causes problems for children. Divorc- “Living Safely, A Basic Human Ne- Europe: protecting the natural fami- ing breaks a husband–wife partner- cessity,” was moderated by Mr. Radko ly, re-affirming European cultural ship but not the parent–child rela- Hokovský, executive director of a identity, and upholding the freedom tionship, she concluded. Mr. Jan think tank on European values. of conscience, thought and convic- Gregor, vice-president of Young Jaromír Štětina, a Czech member of tion, with an emphasis on religious Christian Democrats [the youth wing the European Parliament, spoke about freedom. These three themes became of the Christian and Democratic security perils in Europe, mentioning the basis of the Prague event. Union—Czechoslovak People's Party] among others aspects the hybrid underlined the reproductive purpose warfare with a disinformation com- The fate of families of the family, saying that society ponent led by Russia in the region, The theme of the first panel was, The should recognize the family as a the goal of which he said was to Family: Obvious foundation or a biological construct, not just as a destabilize the European Union. He controversial issue? Professor Lenka social one. The last speaker on the then showed participants a documen- Šulová from Charles University’s panel was Mrs. Jana Jochová, director tary on the war in Chechnya. Faculty of Philosophy in Prague said of the Committee for the Defense of Dr. Alyn Ware, a global coordina- that we need to create a society and Parents‘ Rights and an active sup- tor of the Parliamentarians for policies that are supportive of the porter of the “Mom, Dad and Kids” Nuclear Non-Proliferation and

December 2016 31 Having turned the communist-era Parliament Building (appropriately) into a museum, Czech Republic Parliament now convenes in this graceful former theater.

Disarmament, pointed out that the Union, perceiving their integration in began by quoting Václav Havel (1936– current conflict between Russia and the EU as another step forward in the 2011) president of the Czech and the West increases the danger of war process of overcoming artificial Slovak Federal Republic (1989–1992) becoming nuclear. He called on Euro- dividing lines in Europe through regarding modern times. “The worst pean institutions to do their utmost to mutual support. They reached this thing is that we live in a contaminat- stop it. Nuclear war is meaningless, aim on May 1, 2004 when they all ed moral environment. We feel moral- he concluded; since 1945, no one has became members of the EU.] ly ill because we became used to used nuclear weapons. Dr. Juraj Lajda, Dr. Jaroslav Šebek, from the Czech saying something different from what secretary-general of UPF in the Czech Academy of Sciences, spoke about we thought. Concepts such as love, Republic, concluded the panel by current affairs in Europe, underlining friendship, compassion, humility or introducing the launch of the Interna- the influence of Brexit and the Ameri- forgiveness lost their depth and tional Association of Parliamentarians can elections on the European conti- dimension.” Religion should be for Peace (IAPP) in Korea in February nent. Dr. Roman Joch, president of the independent from the state, but the and in London in September 2016. Civic Institute in the Czech Republic, principle of Mosaic law is that all reviewed the five major influences people come under one God. Human Cultural influences that shaped European culture—Juda- rights are derived from natural rights. The third panel focused on the theme, ism, Ancient Greece, the Roman We should recognize the pre-emi- “European Culture: Hope for the Empire, Christianity and the Enlight- nence of religious freedom, he insist- Future?” Mr. Jiří Georgiew from enment, underlining how each value ed. Gay marriage rights, for instance, Charles University’s Faculty of Law system eventually shaped Europe as should not interfere with the freedom gave a concise overview of Central we know it today. Mr. Jacques Mari- of religion. Dr. Harald Scheu, from European history, remarking that on, secretary-general of UPF Europe, Charles University’s Faculty of Law in European cultural heritage in the noted that the decline of Christianity Prague, concluded the panel by say- Visegrad Group deserved to be noted in Western democracy meant that ing that religious freedom was not by Western European countries. equality before God was replaced by only an individual freedom, but was [“The Visegrad Group” (www. equality before the law, leading peo- meant to guarantee the whole concept visegradgroup.eu), also known as the ple to focus on claiming rights and of human rights. Yet there is today a “Visegrad Four” or simply “V4”) inciting a tendency toward conflicts secular monopoly on the interpreta- reflects the efforts of the countries of of interest. Europe needs a spiritual tion of human rights. Good and evil the Central European region to work revival to build an ethical society in a merely become a matter of political together in a number of fields of multicultural context, he concluded, choice; choosing a political party common interest within the all-Euro- beginning with strengthening the makes you a good or bad person, he pean integration. The Czech Republic, family. deplored. Each panel gave ample time Hungary, Poland and Slovakia have for questions and comments from the always been part of a single civiliza- On moral decline audience. Evening television news tion sharing cultural and intellectual Mr. Peter Zoehrer, secretary-general reported on the conference as did values and common roots in diverse of the Forum for Religious Freedom Christian media outlets. religious traditions, which they wish Europe (FOREF) moderated the last to preserve and further strengthen. panel, “the Role of Religious Freedom All the V4 countries aspired to be- to Address Current Problems.” Dr. Dr. Lajda is secretary general of UPF-Czech come members of the European Aaron Rhodes, president of FOREF, Republic.

32 True Peace Regional News / Europe Words of Life Draw Us to Eternal Blessing

n Albania, we had a very special while twelve had experienced them peace and staff members drove great and successful four-day Divine before. This proved a wonderful distances, between a hundred and Principle seminar for ambassadors combination of 70 percent of them twenty kilometers and three hundred I for peace from November 10–13. being new and 30 percent of them and seventy kilometers to reach Tivat, Thirty-three ambassadors for peace having knowledge of the concepts to Montenegro, a beautiful seaside city. from Albania, three from Kosovo and some degree. Ambassadors for peace from almost two from Montenegro responded to Based on previous experience of all our peace councils—Tirana, the special invitation to attend this seminars for ambassadors for peace Durrës, Elbasan, Shkodra, Lezha, special four-day Divine Principle organized by the Family Federation Vlora, Fier, Kukës, Prishtina and seminar, which we held under the and UPF Albania, the goal of the Montenegro—took part in the work- theme, “Love God, Love People, Love workshop was to present the Di- shop. Even though it was late, on the the Nation.” We conducted the semi- vine Principle material to those core first evening, we held the Opening nar in the touristic city of Tivat, Mon- Abel-type ambassadors for peace who Session, moderated by Mr. Ali Lacej, tenegro, on the coast of Adriatic Sea, a are willing to study the teachings of chairman of our National Peace hundred kilometers north of the UPF founders, the True Parents to a Council. Mr. Gaqo Apostoli, chair- Albania–Montenegro border. Among greater depth. man of UPF Albania, welcomed the ambassadors for peace, twen- everyone. ty-seven were attending a Divine Sharing beautiful truths To have with us the secretary-gen- Principle workshop for the first time, On the first day, ambassadors for eral of UPF-Europe, Mr. Jacques

S pouses of ambassadors for peace became ambassadors for peace themselves through this pivotal workshop in Montene- gro, one of Albania's four neighboring countries.

December 2016 33 Marion, who greeted all the participants, was also great. The session concluded with an introduction to the Divine Principle given by Mr. Gani Rroshi, president of the Albanian Family Federation. On the second day, we covered three sessions; two sessions on the Principles of Creation, which Mr. Gani Rroshi presented. Dr. Niko Veizaj, one of the first ambassador for peace in Albania and someone who loves True Parents moderated the first presentation and Mr. Myzaljen Hox- ha, the chairman of Fier Peace Coun- cil moderated the second. Mrs. Man- jola Vasmatics, vice-president of Gani Rroshi and his wife Marjeta guide the couples through the affirmation of the blessing vows. FFWPU-Albania, then delivered the Human Fall presentation, which Mrs. Eva Cipi, chairwoman of the Vlora Peace Council moderated. fell in torrents. However, on the last serves to be an ambassador for peace. At the end of each session, the day, the weather cleared. A beautiful This developed into a deeply moving participants gave their precious sunny day beckoned us. We covered experience. Most participants showed contribution through their questions two important sessions as part of that evidence of tears of joy or of gratitude and comments, making the time very final day. Mr. Gani Rroshi presented as their spouses articulated their active and fruitful. one session on True Parents’ life sincere feelings in profound, tender courses, which Dr. Bilal Shkurtaj, a words of appreciation from their The Lord revealed professor and the former rector of hearts for their partners. The ambas- We covered an additional three ses- Vlora University moderated. Mrs. sadors for peace expressed how lucky sions on the third day, Mr. Jacques Manjola Vasmatics took responsibility they felt and how much they loved Marion presented two sessions, the for delivering the last session covered, their spouses. One could feel the first on the Principles of Restoration, which dealt with the blessing and power of true love that our True which Mr. Ali Lacej moderated. In his True family Movement. Mr. Gaqo Parents talk about melting all barriers second presentation, Mr. Marion’s Apostoli was the moderator. Some and limitations we have built or presentation covered the Parallels of ambassadors for peace were in tears inherited. History, and Prof. Flamur Shehu, the during the video tribute to True vice chairman of UPF Albania moder- Father at his ascension at the end of Reflections ated it. In the third session, Mr. Gani the first session. However, the hope of “God was alive in the spirit of this Rroshi gave a presentation on the connecting to God’s and True Parents’ event, in the people of this gathering, Returning Lord, the Second Coming lineage through the Blessing Ceremo- in the spirit of the lecturers and during and Mrs. Ejona Icka, secretary-general ny brought joy and hope to all, em- the whole time.”—An ambassador for of UPF-Kosovo filled the role of mod- phasizing also the special role Alba- peace, Shkodra Peace Council erator. nia has in front of God and True “I felt honored to be able to join this The Second Coming lecture gener- Parents for being selected by them as seminar during these days with a ated lots of emotions and optimistic a strategic nation in Europe. wonderful audience of ambassadors feelings among the participants, which for peace from all over the country! continued flowing during dinner. To Conjugal appreciation Thank you for conveying the essence see ambassadors for peace discussing Since many of them were couples, we of the Divine Principle from the heart. passionately about the Second Coming invited all to attend the Blessing The period after this seminar will be of the Messiah and True Father, was Ceremony that we had planned for a time to reflect on what we heard deeply inspiring. At one point, an December 11 and to prepare for it and learned. I am proud to be part of ambassador for peace stood up and through studying Divine Principle the family of ambassadors for said that we should emphasize that the and True Parents’ teachings. At the peace.”—An ambassador for peace, Lezha Messiah at the Second Coming has closing ceremony, we appointed six Peace Council reached the level of True Parents, new ambassadors for peace. These “I believe the program was perfect because now we also have True Moth- were actually the spouses of existing for allowing us to learn and deepened er as the original Eve. Therefore, there ambassadors for peace. For this rea- our understanding of Divine Principle is no need for a third coming. son, we asked the spouses who were through professional presenters and already ambassadors for peace to well combined topics.”—An ambassador This special historic moment introduce his or her partner in life for peace, Vlora Peace Council During all the first three days, rain and to explain why the person de- “The seminar, while conveying the

34 True Peace Dr. Pak No-hi and Dr. Moon Lan-young, special envoys to Europe with members from Albania, Europe's strategic nation, celebrating the successful Blessing Ceremony.

teaching of Divine Principle was a Phase two, the Blessing Ceremony and his wife Marjeta were the mas- very deep and emotionally moving…. December 11 was an important day ters of ceremony. I suggest that high school students for our nation. On that day, we had should receive these lectures, since organized, in the coastal city of Missionary support they will teach them about morality, Durrës, the Family Festival and Being a Family Festival, the event behavior, tolerance and human un- True Parents’ Cosmic Blessing started with a few performances derstanding.”—An ambassador for Ceremony. The ceremony took place prepared by the Cheon Il Guk Japa- peace, Vlora Peace Council at the Ventus Harbor Complex, nese and Korean missionaries to “I am proud to be part of UPF. This beside the sea, beginning at 11.00 Albania, in their capacity, respec- four-day seminar was valuable for AM on that Sunday morning. Ap- tively, as the CIG Band and the me. I wish UPF expands endlessly proximately, three hundred people Cham Sarang Team. Everyone deep- until it realizes its goals—peace, love came, filling the hall. In 2016, we ly enjoyed their performances. and happiness for all the people of the held two Blessing Ceremonies, the Albanian blessed families also world because of True Parents.”—An first having taken place on May 15 performed a beautiful song for all ambassador for peace, Durres Peace in Tirana. participants showing True Parents’ Council love for them. “The seminar was of a very high Strengthening the family We are grateful for the hard work quality…. This contributed to the The family is the first institution of our brothers and sisters in all spiritual education of people, God created that has the main re- communities who have invested growth in our awareness of human sponsibility associated with the much to reach out to couples and give responsibility and to development of Creation—becoming good heavenly them the opportunity not only to our families and society.”—An ambas- citizens. Seeing the sad reality of receive True Parents’ blessing but also sador for peace, Fier Peace Council family breakdown and multiple to contribute in laying the foundation “At this time of crises, to be part of problems in society today, the need for Heaven’s blessing to our nation, a group of people who work and for strengthening family values is Albania. contribute to world peace has been a simply obvious. We approached We witnessed joy and happiness in fortune to me. A human being has as couples in this way, inviting them to couples’ faces as they went through great value as he contributes to the attend the Blessing Ceremony. Over all the stages of the Blessing Ceremo- society…. The seminar was a great a hundred couples attended a one- ny, starting with the Holy Wine contribution that taught us how to day seminar, from which they re- Ceremony and continuing until the overcome selfishness.”—Am ambassa- ceived education on the blessing. Indemnity Ceremony. dor for peace, Tirana Peace Council Ultimately, sixty-four couples at- We wish from the depth of our “To be part of this seminar on tended the Blessing Ceremony. hearts that Heavenly Parent’s and Divine Principle, which filled me with Many others promised to attend at True Parents’ blessing may bear fruit emotion and reflection about my life, some later point in time. in these beautiful families and that family and the future was a special Having Dr. Pak No-hi and Moon they may become the foundation for joy for me. The seminar fulfilled all Lan-young, True Parents’ special heavenly fortune to flow down to this my expectations. Finally, we felt that emissaries for Europe, as officiators of nation. we achieved unity as one large family the Blessing Ceremony, representing together.”—An ambassador for peace, our True Parents was wonderful for The Albanian headquarters staff contribut- Lezha Peace Council us. Gani Rroshi, the national leader, ed this material as two articles.

December 2016 35 life and faith

Witnessing to People Twenty to Thirty Years Old

The author gave this report at the October 31–November 2 nationwide pastors’ assembly. He begins by explaining his district’s initial work with students and then launches into his main topic.

By Oh In-cheol

hen I first received my Some good developments assignment to lead the I would like to report on our prog- Gyeongnam District, I ress during the first half of 2016. W made a goal to make Twenty-one churches belong to our our district one that specializes in Gyeongnam District, which is second-generation education, coterminous with the province of which is a major concern of all the same name in southeastern church leaders and parents in the South Korea. Except for the head- country. Though many difficulties quarters church and four other remain in actually educating the churches, instructors for middle youth, we have continued to exam- and high school students (seongh- ine various methods and are orga- wa students) do not exist in the nizing our findings. In particular, majority of those churches. Many because financing education in this difficulties existed in educating area is vital, we budgeted a large young people effectively. As we amount of money to it, in order to were all contemplating these issues, establish effective education. Even I called all the instructors of seong- with this budget, we are continu- hwa students that we do have and ously expanding our efforts to raise held a meeting. money for educating our members’ As a result, we established children. sister-church relationships in five I am not saying that second-gen- different zones. We decided to hold eration education was possible in joint Sunday services once a month our district based on our having for more effective seonghwa stu- sufficient funds. We continuously dent activities. Our district selected tried to persuade our members base churches among the sister about our methodology. We were churches and dispatched expert transparent in how we used the instructors to lead the students. money, used accurate processes They continuously managed, and invested in reliable areas. educated and the connected with Gradually, the members began to the sister churches, as well as the take interest in funding education base church. Additionally, once the and worked together with us. school semester began, the student 1

36 True Peace presidents met to create goals and younger seonghwa students’ summer action plans. In this way, the students workshop the theme was “Let’s unite developed a sense of personal agency and live in harmony,” and for the toward the activities. winter workshop, the theme was We employed another unique “Let’s deepen the value of our genera- strategy this year: In the past, the tion through teaching Divine Princi- middle school and high school stu- ple and absolute sex.” Establishing dents attended one large workshops, these themes for the workshops but this year the middle school stu- allowed us to create a more effective dents attended a traditional workshop foundation for raising future leaders. while the high school students went on a pilgrimage to our holy grounds. Assistance for students’ daily lives The high school students welcomed In our district, we have consistently this program. What was especially provided professional counseling effective about the pilgrimage was services for the emotional and mental that the church leaders, seonghwa student instructors, and seonghwa students all worked together to make the trip possible. The students were 1 Right: A YouTube capture of middle-school-aged seonghwa students singing Christmas carols actively involved in planning the trip and were able to decide aspects of the 2 Below: A seonghwa student meeting: Korea has thousands of young people born into blessed camp and workshop for themselves. families, but engaging their interest in the unification movement takes a high level of Next, the Gyeongnam District 2 established goals and themes. For the creative effort .

December 2016 37 Rev. Oh's seonghwa student organization has made a sisterhood relationship with the FFWPU-headquarters in Bolivia, one of our strategic nations. He plans to bring adult witnessing contacts to Bolivia to work side-by-side with Korean and Bolivian members, aiding Bolivia and FFWPU-Bolivia and deepening the witnessing contacts' connection to our movement. health of our youth. During the last prove student academic abilities. This to use this program to approach workshop, we implemented the instructor leads a class on self-direct- twenty and thirty year olds for wit- ASEBA personality test (Achenbach ed study and mind mapping. The nessing. System of Empirically Based Assess- Wonmo Pyeongae Foundation select- After the last anniversary of the ment). We discovered that the majori- ed this program to receive funding as founding of the seonghwa student ty of the students were in at either the a field project. We hope this will organization on August 25, we estab- moderate- or high-risk category. improve the academic accomplish- lished a sisterhood relationship with People who test as high risk must go ments of the students and lead to the FFWPU-Bolivia headquarters. to a clinic for diagnosis and receive constructive changes in their lives. In Through close cooperation, we are treatment, while moderate risk people the future, we plan to connect this preparing activities for use in ap- are able to overcome their difficulties program with our Youth Organiza- proaching twenty- and thirty-year- through individual counseling. In tion, which includes twenty- to thirty- old adults. For several reasons, we this way, we are solving the issues year-old adults, to train instructors chose Bolivia for these activities. First, our second-generation members are who can volunteer their time to a Bolivia is a nation where we can facing. In addition, these test results program that reaches students in and create activities that align with UN reminded us that the role of their out of the church. This is likely to Habitat. Second, a group active in parents is vital to the mental health of become an approach program for Bolivia, Aimar, has been teaching the the students. In response, we are college witnessing. Korean alphabet to Bolivians. Our conducting seminars on parenting college students can help with not and marriage so that the students are Broad supportive initiatives only teaching the Korean alphabet, able to practice their life of faith in a Another interesting development is but both adults and students will be safe environment. our plan to collaborate with UN attracted to the idea of enhancing We are also providing study help Habitat, a United Nations’ affiliate. Korean national prestige in Bolivia. to the seonghwa students. For the Already our middle school and high Third, we will have opportunities to past two years, we have been training school students received a certificate visit various tourist attractions in a Study Mapping instructor to im- recognized by UN Habitat. We plan South America. We can offer witness-

38 True Peace As the pastor in charge of our Gyeongnam district, Rev. Oh plans to visit Google Inc. and Tesla Motors near San Francisco with witnessing young adult witnessing contacts interested in technology and business.

ing contacts the opportunity to tour District plans to send $1,000 to Boliv- We are running an English café for the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest ia, a strategic nation, every month to young people. A UPA graduate leads salt flat; or the sites connected with support the Bolivian headquarters an English café (online chat group) the history of the Incan and Mayan (despite our financially difficult every Thursday. Through this pro- civilizations. Above all, that the circumstances) and to make develop- gram, second-generation members majority of Bolivian members are ment plans for the church in both are able to spend time with youth young people makes it possible for nations and districts. from other nations. Korean adults in the targeted age to Furthermore, our district is plan- Finally, we have sent two people meet Bolivian youth. ning a project, “Hope, Dream Global to the global leadership program in We are making plans to send a Challenge” in which young people Romania to raise leaders with inter- church leader and two college stu- challenging themselves to fulfill their national experience within the dents to Bolivia in the near future in dreams can receive an opportunity to Unification Church. As a result, we order to make plans for a program. visit major corporations in the west- are planning to invite second-gener- The UN Habitat certificate is a good ern United States. A second-genera- ation members in our district and item for college students to add to tion member from the Gyeongnam from abroad for cultural exchange their resume or for high school stu- District is the leader of a developmen- programs as a means of supporting dents applying to college. tal team at Tesla Motors, an electric the future providence. We will do automobile manufacturer. Through our best to insure that success in Parental responsibility him, we plan to visit Tesla and Google our providential vision through One of the slogans mentioned among Inc., as well as Stanford University. witnessing to twenty and thirty the resolutions made at the Korea–Ja- We hope to provide this opportunity year olds. pan Cheon Il Guk Leaders Confer- in order to foster young people’s ence was “In your roles as the Father dreams. We also expect this to be a Oh In-cheol is the pastor in charge of our and Mother nations, strategically good program to introduce when Gyeongnam district; his article first ap- support providential nations.” To approaching young people as wit- peared in Tongil Segye, a Korean church fulfill this resolution, the Gyeongnam nessing contacts. publication.

December 2016 39 life and faith

Witnessing is Life and Joy

By Giuseppe Cali

n November 26–27, all can study these and translate them. high goals, and a lack of financial pastors, youth representa- Dr. Tyler Hendricks gave a series of resources to invest into creating a tives and those working in forty very good lectures. The spiritual proper environment and having O our national Blessing world is ready, but sometimes we are proper materials. We lack of strong Department, met at our property of not. True Father is working hard there motivation due to the disorientation Colle Mattia, Rome, to focus on wit- to mobilize spirits. We have to devel- and uncertainty generated recently in nessing and the mobilization during a op the heart of a heavenly tribal our movement by the destructive one-hundred-day campaign. On messiah that wants to liberate people. behavior of some groups. As mem- Saturday 26, we welcomed the partici- Witnessing can change the spiritual bers, overall, we lack strong enough pation of Martine Masner, the direc- situation and make people happy collective spiritual conditions. tor of the European Witnessing De- again.” On the other hand, we have incred- partment. After a short introduction Following her talk, each city and ible spiritual resources and providen- from Giuseppe Calì, Mrs. Masner department gave a report on the tial status. We discussed possible gave a speech to explain the purpose general witnessing effort and the solutions to employ in order to elevate of her mission. Notes from her situation of the communities. Four our families out of any current stag- speech: “True Mother established the youth representatives reported on the nation. We could support blessed World Mission Strategy center with circumstances of second-generation family life by improving the unity of the purpose of substantially advanc- members in Italy and the efforts they a couple and unity between parents ing providential work and raising our are producing to establish a solid and children. We could provide level. How can we witness today? foundation and development. The guidance to members who are seek- How are we to leave our past behind national representative of the Blessing ing to develop better relationships us, and reverse our situations? First, Department reported specifically on based on true kinship. We ought to be we have to be humble and the effort they are making to support careful that we spend time in pur- open-minded, in order to continue on families in reaching a good level of poseful activities aimed at enhancing the restoration course and overcome health and commitment. A very open the relationship—communicating, situations that are blocking us. When and deep discussion followed, as a cooperating and sharing more. We we see the huge Blessing Ceremonies means to evaluate the current situa- could promote and improve our in some countries of the world we are tion of the movement, to identify the identity and sense of belonging as astonished, but we think that here in problems that hinder our efforts and citizens of Cheon Il Guk by sharing Europe this is not possible. We have the resources we can count on to testimonies of blessings received after to understand how they were able to solve problems and be successful. hardships. We could use our time to accomplish it. They focused on estab- improve our spirituality, deepen our lishing a strong foundation of faith Challenges and resources inner peace, create in our minds a through doing hoondokhae and On a whiteboard, we pinpointed, one young spirit that thirsts for renewed putting Divine Principle into practice. by one, the concrete issues that affect optimism and finds joy in our lives “Furthermore, we have to establish our members and their families, and in our missions. We could gain more synergy among us, as Europe- which are the areas we need to deal strength by setting better spiritual ans, by sharing experiences and the with in our pastoral care. Just to conditions. We could improve and materials that we produce. What new mention some of them: We lack of clarify our organization of witnessing material do we need to witness suc- time and energy due to our involve- and educational efforts to become cessfully? We have many new re- ment in jobs that sap the vitality of more effective at rescuing God’s sources nowadays, coming from the pastors and members. We endure children from the darkness of the United States and other countries. We strong providential pressure due to world, and cooperate more, working

40 True Peace Front row from left: Martine Masner, a Frenchwoman and the director of the European Witnessing Department, the writer, his wife Elisabetta Nistri, and other members at the meeting to prepare for a one-hundred-day condition with a focus on witnessing.

in groups, organizing workshops for We have to develop a clear aware- highest spiritual realm to open the tribal messiahs and youth to prepare ness that wherever we go and what- way for miracles in our lives and them properly for the mission of ever we do, we represent Heavenly missions. This is the only way. We witnessing and educating. Parent and True Parents. We are cannot win with traditional, reason- never alone. At all times, as actual able tools, because without God and Effective first approaches ambassadors of Cheon Il Guk, we True Parents we have insufficient We realized, as well, that especially represent all our brothers and sis- power to overcome the foundation our first approach to the public is ters, the people of Cheon Il Guk and established by Satan in society over usually unrealistic and overly theo- the heavenly culture. People of the thousands of years. With peaceful logical, not genuinely connected to world are struggling a lot these days minds, determined hearts and un- people’s real life issues. Recently we and nobody cares to give them hope beatable faith, let us brighten our lives are experiencing new ways of teach- and embrace them with true paren- and the lives of all those who sur- ing based on real life themes such as a tal heart. In Italy, our country, nowa- round us. Let’s become miracle work- couple’s relationship, childhood days people are experience extreme ers for Heaven!” We concluded the education, bridging the generational suffering, due to earthquakes, floods day by praying all together and gap, life after life, forgiveness, loneli- and financial restrictions. We cannot singing “Urie So Wonun Tongil.” ness, the true beauty and value of just observe anymore, from the The next morning, at 6 AM we man and woman, the juvenile condi- windows of our churches. We have began our Pledge Service and tion, health and wellbeing. We can to go out and rescue them, bringing hoondokhae, reading from Pyeong also introduce the life and mission of them new hope and awareness, Hwa Gyeong the speech that True True Parents as peacemakers. In fact, strengthening their hearts with our Father gave in 1992 to the “World nobody is doing so much for world love and Divine Principle, giving Media Conference.” We discussed the peace as they are doing. Whenever we them the highest possible gift ever: situation in the world, inspired by invite people to such events, guests the blessing.” what Father said, which have re- fill the halls. Sometimes, we invite mained true even to this day. experts in “real life” fields to speak, Invest and inherit After breakfast, we had a final but we always include the Divine Watching a video of True Parents in session, lasting until lunch, to orga- Principle and True Parents’ view- Italy in 2011, we were able to recall nize Blessing Ceremonies and activi- point. Having found that topics of clearly how miracles follow them. ties all over the nation until the next this type work better we decided to That was an impossible, but in the celebration of the Foundation Day organize evening programs in each end, incredibly successful meeting. anniversary. We concluded this church based on those topics. No one other than True Parents could amazing and meaningful meeting, The national leader introduced a have organized that event in such a full of new hope and determination, new FFWPU leaflet and new Divine short time. True Parents are already with uplifted spirits, ready to go back Principle lectures, which we dis- victorious and we have only to invest to our cities to mobilize the spirit and cussed the merits of. In the evening, our lives in the field of world salva- the body of our brothers and sisters after showing a video of True Par- tion, in order to inherit their victory and establish a much stronger provi- ents’ visit to Italy in April 2011, completely. Our foundation of faith dential foundation in Italy in these Giuseppe Calì gave a speech on the now consists in trusting God and God-given one hundred graceful topic, with a filial heart toward True Parents 100 percent, more than days. Heaven, let us be the light of the we trust anybody else, even more world. An excerpt: “We never repre- than we trust ourselves. This will Rev. Cali is the national leader of sent only ourselves as individuals. make it possible for those in the FFWPU-Italy.

December 2016 41 Testimony

True Mother’s Visit to the African-American Museum By Zagery Oliver

s an African-American can and others accompanied True and foremost as a blessed Mother. True Mother’s presence member who has dedi- and her spirit have graced America A cated forty years of love, and given greater grace to all Afri- heart and life as a Unificationist, to can-Americans and ultimately all be part of True Mother’s entourage people of African descent. With as they visited the newly opened love and grace, True Mother toured National African American Muse- the four floors of the museum and um of History and Culture in with great interest studied the Washington, D.C. on November 29 events, great contributions, pictures Rev. Oliver was an honor and a pleasure. and artifacts connected with Amer- Sun Jin Moon, Ye Jin Moon, In icans of African ancestry. The Sup Park, Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Arch- exhibits covered the historical bishop George Stallings, Rev. Greg journey of the African-Ameri- Carter and Christian ministers cans—from the arrival of the first such as Bishop David Thibodeaux slave ships in the early 1600s to the and Rev. Karen Thibodeaux, Dr. present time. Denise Mitchem, Katherine Dun- I felt that once True Mother

42 True Peace True Mother touring the museum with Sun Jin nim, Yeon Ah nim and many others; Archbishop Stallings (foreground) explained each exhibit, which highlights the suffering and undeserved abuse as well as the tremendous contributions of African-American citizens of the United States. (A cellphone photograph taken by a member of True Mother's entourage) entered the museum, all those um, it was an amazing experience. humanity through the United African-American ancestors whose Those of us, including Christian States’ federal government erecting life experiences were woven into pastors, who stayed a while longer this museum, which sits across the the fabric of American history were and shared lunch, reflected with street from the Washington Monu- rejoicing and shouting, “Hallelujah, tears on the magnificent benefit of ment and diagonally across the Hallelujah, Hallelujah! The day of True Mother’s visit to the museum. street from the White House. A liberation has come!” African-Americans have sur- new beginning for the healing of Two security guards greeted mounted tremendous odds America surely has commenced. through their extraordinary course This has unlocked and opened in America’s history, and still the the doors for all persons of African Black church rose to become the descent to feel loved and cared for, moral conscience of America. This thereby encouraging them to rise is what gives credence to the blood, and play a greater role in helping sweat and tears that African-Amer- God, Jesus and the True Parents icans shed as a contribution to the usher in a world of peace and greatness of America. establish the kingdom of heaven. That True Mother, the only By joining hands with their broth- begotten daughter of God, the ers and sisters of all races, they can Mother of Heaven, Earth and all be part of creating a new heaven At the exhibit on Abolitionist leader Frederick Humankind, finally gave grace and and a new earth of true love. Douglass (1818–1895) liberation to the historical heart of Thank you, True Mother, for giving suffering that African-Americans such unconditional maternal love True Mother and the entourage and have endured was a blessing and a to us all. escorted us on this special tour, great new beginning. This came on giving us the red-carpet treatment. top of the blessing of Afri- Rev. Oliver is a public speaker and until From our arrival until the last can-Americans finally being recog- recently pastor of the Family Church in person in our group left the muse- nized for their contributions to Washington DC.

December 2016 43