District-9’s Cheon Bok Gung Providence Tour in Dallas, TX

On the evening of March 16, 2010 approximately 100 members gathered in the sanctuary of the D‐9 Headquarters Church in Dallas, where our National Pastor, Rev. In Jin Moon, visited us on Feb. 21, 2009. Members had driven from as far as 6 hours (one‐way) to attend the special 12 city’s tour stop in D9. We had representative leaders and families from 3 states and from 6 LLM viewing churches in attendance, as well as a very good turn‐out from the Dallas KEA. Translation equipment from National HQ went on the fritz, so it was fortunate that Dallas had its own professional transmitting equipment. Mr. Tossa Cromwell from HQ provided excellent translation of Mr. Jin Wha Chung and actually translated Mr. Richard Bach in Korean for Korean listeners. Rev. Mark Hernandez served as both MC and presented on behalf of Rev. Joshua Cotter, who could not attend at this time. Mr. Jung’s presentation of the Cheon Bok Gung (CBG) Providence via video and power‐point provided the members with valuable insight to the significance of the building as a World Peace Temple for All Faiths. It was good to see the relationship between the Cheon Jeong Gung and the Cheon Bok Gung. As he also touched upon the statistics of each nation’s or continents’ financial contributions made for the growth‐stage CBG, it was easy to perceive a sense of disheartenment that we as Americans had not contributed very much to that cause. Hopefully the chance to contribute to the final stage CBG will captivate the hearts and pocketbooks of the brothers and sisters of the USA and allow us to express our sincere support for its completion. Mr. Bach’s talk was an eye opener as to the reality of persecution of our brothers and sisters in Japan, and their incredible standard of faith. His deeply moving, yet often humorous, testimony of how he came to be doing this legal work for our movement was astounding. His story of how his father from spirit world and God, Himself, spoke to his mind and heart to do something for his eternal life ‐ even after decades of disassociation from UC activities ‐ riveted everyone, especially the youth (middle, high school, and college‐ aged). Finally, Rev. Hernandez gave the inspiring presentation of True Parents’ and True Children’s activities that spanned from the “Listening Tour” to the present Capitol Hill outreach, with a focus on how far we’ve advanced under the guidance and leadership of our National Pastor, In Jin Nim. I (Mark Hernandez) have to say that these few reflections below express so much better the “feel and lasting impression” of this important tour. The two are from American mothers, one in her late 40’s, the other, her late 30’s.

Elsa Higuchi (mother who attended with her three sons, Oklahoma City): “It was very refreshing to go to Dallas from OKC to see and hear the Tongil Group’s reports and updates of the Cheon Bok Gung providence; Rev. In Jin Nim’s activities in America; and the attacks on the Unification Church and its members in Japan allowed by the Japanese government. I am so grateful for Rev In Jin Nim’s works here in America. My prayers go out to her. Mr. Jin Hwa Chung’s power point showed the creation of our movement’s beautiful and magnificent buildings in South Korea and the meaning and purpose of the sanctuaries and holy places. My sons and I loved hearing the testimony of Mr. Richard Bach. It is indeed very powerful. God truly works in mysterious ways to gather his heavenly solders to fight for religious freedom. We all went back home filled with great vitality elements to spread to our brothers and sisters in Oklahoma. The boys mentioned that it was worth the trip. I agreed, absolutely.”

Tami Brugman (mother of 6 children, a licensed Marriage Counselor, Dallas‐area)

I really appreciated the time and effort that the brothers from HQ took to come and explain what has been happening in Korea and Japan. It is often very easy for me to get busy in the day to day needs of raising six kids and not have the time to search out and read on the internet all the providential events taking place in Korea, or the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Japan. Although, I am very fortunate that my husband does keep me informed about what True Parents, Hyung Jin Nim and In Jin Nim are accomplishing, the evening helped me to understand more deeply the importance of 2013. I am a visual learner and it was nice to have the slide show with the pictures in Korea and America of what both In Jin Nim and Hyung Jin Nim have accomplished in such a short period of time. I have always been very excited about both of their visions for our church but had not fully realized how very much they have done. I am a first generation member, under forty, with small children and often have wondered where I could belong, and be of service. Being both younger than most first generation, and not second generation in our church, I have always had a feeling of being passed over and not needed because I am not second generation. Therefore, I have always felt hesitant getting involved in our church community, because the need is not clear in regards to how young first generation can help. Watching In Jin Nim and Hyung Jin Nim have given me a lot of inspiration to think about the need in my own community, and how I could help our local community prepare for 2013. It was particularly inspiring to think of many new, young first generation in Korea joining our church. I would love to see that happen in America. I was also grateful to hear Mr. Bach’s testimony about his life experiences. While I have never had to shoulder the burden he had to after his father died, there have been times when I have struggled with decisions made by church leaders which caused me to reflect on my purpose (or lack of) in our church. I could imagine what God might say to me if he were to have a conversation with me like the one he had with Mr. Bach. I may not have many material things, but I often have good intentions that I do not fulfill because of my lack of time management or wrong perceptions. I realized the need for me to reevaluate my own priorities, as I feel that this time leading up to 1‐13‐2013 is so critical. There have always been so many Japanese brothers and sisters who have shaped my life of faith and who I have watched sacrifice so much for the Providence. So I appreciated hearing Mr. Bach’s testimony about the horrible political problems that are going on in Japan. I was held against my will for a couple of days by deprogrammers because my parents believed an old family minister that I was “brainwashed” and could not think for myself. When they realized that it was not true, my parents took me back to the CARP center, although though they disagreed with my decision to stay in the church. Even though my parents were guilty of misguided concern and did not treat me poorly, their actions affected me, my relationship with God, the church, and my trust in others. I spent many years working through my feelings and forgiving and strengthening my relationships with God and my family. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, having had this experience, I can imagine the trauma that the Japanese members have had to endure during this time, and I feel a debt of gratitude to our Japanese members. I will start praying for Mr. Bach to succeed in his quest to have Japan apologize for the human rights violations that they have done to our members in Japan. I will also start praying that the church in Japan can rise from this trauma and flourish very soon. I would also like to thank the brother who so wonderfully translated during the speeches. I have heard many people give translations during my time in our church and I think he is the best! Although I know I should be able to speak Korean. Thank you for coming to Dallas. It meant a lot to hear about what has been happening. It was very inspiring to me.

Mr. Jin Hwa Jung Mr. Richard Bach Rev. Mark Hernandez Group Picture