Newsletter of Konkokyo International Center January, 2011 No.67 The Founder's Grave Site distributed the candy only to realize that Wish, “May there be peace throughout Our Kami-ness the number of children far exceeded the the world, prosperity in all countries, Reverend Shinji Yamada amount of candy we brought. and safety for all people.” Kami asked Director of KIC After handing out the last candy, our Founder to spread this wish to the appy New Year to all of you! a two or three-year-old boy remained, world and always pray for its actual- We are able to welcome the who had not gotten any candy. Real- ization. Hyear 2011 thanks to Kami’s izing that we had no more candy left, Today, I remember my experience divine blessings. I wish this New Year he started to cry, and continued to cry. in the Philippines as an example of will be filled with pleasure and happy Witnessing this sight made my heart Kami’s Wish. When we look at the dreams for all of you. ache so much, yet I could do nothing world of 2011, many of Kami’s be- Last November, I was appointed for the little boy. loved children are suffering, not only as the Director of the Konkokyo Inter- At that moment, a girl of about five from personal difficulties, but also national Center (KIC) for another term. or six unselfishly gave up her wrapped from conflicts between races, nations, As my new term begins, I recall my first candy to the little boy and whispered and religions, environmental destruc- trip abroad in 1992. I visited the Philip- something in his ear. Although I could tions, various forms of discriminations, pines that year as part of a study tour not hear what was said, I presumed she economical crisis, and other forms of of the Konkokyo Peace Activity Center, told him to stop crying, since he did suffering. This is Kami’s sorrow. one of the Konkokyo’s international stop. This was a very touching scene. Kami strongly wishes that we all volunteer organizations. In their world of extreme poverty, the become more aware of the kami-ness During our visit, we traveled to young girl’s unselfish act of compassion within us, respect the kami-ness of all several impoverished districts and had impressed me so much. other people, and help each person conversations with some of the people We are all people born into this realize their individual kami-ness in living there. This was my first visit to world as the children of Kami, the order to fulfill Kami’s Wish and gain such places. I was shocked and almost Divine Parent of the Universe. We happiness. horrified at what I saw. People lived all possess a kami-ness, a divineness, In an effort to realize the Divine in an environment, that many would within our soul. The act of compassion Wish, the KIC will continue to make deem unlivable. People were living in exhibited by the young Filipino girl efforts to spread this Way of Faith and sheds next to a huge garbage dump. The was a manifestation of her kami-ness. the message of kami-ness to the world adults were in a constant search for jobs As I witnessed this act, I felt that all to connect people with their Divine and the children suffered from the lack people in the world have kami-ness, Parent. With the beginning of this new of food, health care and opportunity to though some live a more prosperous year, I hope that all of you will share receive education to better themselves. life, while others are placed in a most this wish with me and the Konkokyo We brought candy as gifts for the difficult situation. International Center. children. Expecting their smiles, we In 1868, Kami revealed the Divine FACE TO FAITH NO.67 2011 VOL.18-1 SEASON’S GREETINGS SEASON’S GREETINGS Wishes for New Year 2011 From Around the World Last year, I went through many expe- Paraguay a group, but because we could confront riences which made it unique in a variety by Yuri Amari Maehara these situations, our bond as a class was of ways. One of the moments that marked my life in strengthened. This is why my wish for the year 2011 2010 was the service of the fifteenth anniversary of my is to be able to spend the best possible moments with great grandfather Fukashi Maehara’s passing, led by my my classmates, since spending time with them brings uncle, Reverend Ryoichi Iwai. Thanks to this service, I me much of the happiness in my life. Also, I wish I can gained a more profound knowledge about my family and this keep spending nice moments with my grandparents because brought up in me strong feelings of joy and pride. they are, without a doubt, some of the most important people Another moment which I enjoyed is being with my fam- in my life and ones whom I consider great role models. Finally, ily since they are always there to support me whenever I upon the end of school this year, I wish to study medicine so need them. Without them, I would not be the person I am as to fulfill my dream of helping others. today. Also there had been some problems in my class as I teach Portuguese at a local high Brazil of 2009, I became certified as a Minis- school and in June 2007, I met Rever- by Felicio Naia Ferreira Junior ter’s Assistant by our Spiritual Leader. end Tadashi Miyazaki, the Head Minister of the Konko Presently, I am transcribing Konko Daijin Oboegaki Church of Butanta again in Sao Paulo. This occasion in Japanese and although the Chinese characters are restored my faith in Konkokyo and I began going to difficult, I enjoy studying with Reverend Miyazaki. worship at the church here every day. Ten months later, Someday, I’d like to visit Konkokyo Headquarters in I started renting one of the rooms at the church and serving Japan, so this year I’m going to practice Konko Faith even Kami by doing many works, such as translation. By the end harder in order to make this dream come true. I have so many hopes and aspirations Washington, USA my busy life with two small kids, a dog, — to be free of debt, to have health for my by Lia Nagase a husband, a house, a business, a big com- family and friends, to be joyful and patient, to be hap- munity of friends and family, and other responsibilities pier and more giving. New Year’s Day always feels to both myself and others. I, like so many people, get like a chance to start over, but we are actually given caught up in the minutia of daily life. I aspire to be a new beginning every morning with the sunrise. It is the kind of loving, calm, giving, centered person who my hope to make each day better than the last and that, as a sheds positive light wherever I go and who sees the beauty relative newcomer to the Konko Faith, I learn to turn to Kami and opportunity of every moment on this earth, and I will more often for guidance. I often find myself struggling in look to Kami to guide me to that. I love working in my garden. Working in Hawaii, USA Just being in the garden activates my in- the soil, planting seeds or cuttings, and later by Karen Taniguchi ner voice. It speaks to the plants and working watching them sprout into new living things have always worms, praising, encouraging, and often just appreciating. given me great pleasure. What is this thing, my inner voice? Could it be more than me, I have four bins of skinny, squirmy, little red worms, speaking to myself, but me, speaking to Kami, in appreciation busily eating my kitchen and garden waste. Everyday, the of what is before me, or maybe Kami talking to me, telling worm colony produces a brown liquid, a rich, dark “tea” that me to open my eyes and see all that I am blessed with? feed to the plants. The plants respond by producing nutritious And so from these ordinary activities of my life in the fruits and vegetables! I am so grateful that I can participate garden, a thought has been sown in my mind, and I am begin- in this amazing cycle of nature: Feeding the worms that feed ning to marvel at the amazing relationship of science, nature, the plants that feed me. Science would explain this transfor- and Kami in my life. I feel that I need to nurture this thought mation of plant cells to rich, nourishing soil as the work of and make it grow, too. living organisms, but what about Kami, I am now thinking. 2 FACE TO FAITH NO.67 2011 VOL.18-1 SEASON’S GREETINGS SEASON’S GREETINGS Last year was a big point in my life since Japan and often forgotten to do so. I entered University in Tokyo and started liv- by Kiku Ishizu Therefore, I want to be closer with Kami. I’m ing alone there. I’m very grateful that I’m having an going to face various problems this year, so I think I exciting life now, which I never imagined a year ago. should make efforts to think about Kami first without I am becoming more clearly aware of the importance trying to solve problems on my own.