German HARP Winter Workshop - Bad Camberg, Germany

Legacy of Love German HARP Winter Workshop Bad Camberg, Germany, 27. December 2016 – 3. January 2017

By Benedikt Jensen Traditionally team leaders and staff In the evening of the 27th we officially

I would like to share my experience arrive one day early. In the evening of started our workshop together with the as workshop director on this year’s the 26th we started our preparation participants. It was overwhelming to winter workshop. It took place in time. We used this day as staff, to bond see the lecture hall filled again singing Camberg Neumuehle, Germany and set the best atmosphere, being as songs and playing games together. from 27th December 2016 until 3rd brothers and sisters. We tried to set out In the morning I gave a short lecture on January 2017. We were about 70 into one direction with the same our workshop motto “Legacy of Love” participants plus staff making a total of purpose to care for and raise our or short LoL :D . We chose this motto about 90 people. younger brothers and sisters by to reflect about the legacy True Parents designing this workshop together left behind for us understanding that it During the workshop, we heard daily always including God and True Parents lectures and had different activities and is where we come from. What is the in everything we do. We came to the wish True Parents lived their life for? sports both cooperative and common conclusion that we as staff are competitive. As the biggest yearly They gave everything so that God can to be initiators, raising our awareness finally be able to arrive home and live German workshop and a highlight for that we were to create the coming week many, it is always a special and moving with all humankind as his family. out of ourselves. experience to take part in. Considering this also we want to live our lives to grow this blessing for the sake of the future generations and leave behind our legacy of love to ultimately make the best possible gift for Heavenly Parent. The lecture content throughout the workshop covered the topics: “True parents”, “Family”, “Significance of the 2nd Gen”, and “World Affairs” (current global environmental, economic and political issues) from both 1st and 2nd generation members. Mostly participants reacted very positively on the lectures. Many were fascinated. We heard a testimony by our continental leader Jack Corley. Hopefully many could gain a deeper understanding through hearing about the vast experiences of our elders. One day was dedicated to the topic purity, which we put great emphasis on,

The next morning, we had our New Years’ service together with the surrounding communities. Part of this was also the purity ring ceremony. Every year young 2nd generation decide to make a public pledge, a commitment to live a life of sexual purity. To see the 10 participants this year standing in the front reading their pledge, gave me a deep feeling of hope for the future… God must be so happy. The last evening, we had a banquet with wonderful homemade Korean food. We spent this last evening to have some quality time. After dinner, we had a family night with both individual and team performances. This evening we also extended the lights out time to give just a little bit more time to be together. In the morning, we closed our workshop with a prayer sending people off home. Throughout the workshop many deep bonds had been created, so having to leave the workshop site and to say good bye was difficult for many. Concluding this year’s winter workshop, we also have a new HARP leaders team. We as a team organized the workshops for one year, the seven- people elected for next year are now seeing that it is the most important for the new one. Then at midnight after taking responsibility for the German point young 2nd generation must be a long song session, we started the new 2nd youth. For us it is difficult to pass clear about. year with 3 very moving representative on this important responsibility after prayers from our national leader, our being involved so directly for one year. We had a challenge day on which all But we have deep trust and fully teams went through different HARP parents and the HARP. Through the prayers, I felt deeply connected to support the new team fully and wanna experiences together. Many exercises tell them: “Ask us for help whenever we’re physically strenuous and some God and the world. Afterwards we celebrated together. We had fireworks a you need it and count on us!” challenged people emotionally. The idea was to go to one’s limits to grow photo shooting and even a piñata! The To all readers, please pray for the beyond them. After an exhausting day, new year’s celebration was personally German HARP, since they are so very everyone spent the evening in teams for my highlight. Everything was peaceful precious and important people! a sharing. and I felt so blessed to have this joyful Lastly I want to thank our Heavenly time with my big family! This year it Parent: “Thank you for making this We had a prayer evening on the 31st to was my 7th consecutive year being in prepare for the new year. We spent the whole experience possible! Hopefully Camberg for New Year. Everyone was you enjoyed it even more than we did!” last hours of the year in a calmer mood, so happy, I felt there’s no better way to reflecting about the past year and start the year than like this. setting new goals and determinations

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