GPA's First DP Module 2012 - 2013

GPA split into its’ four modules on October 14th, one of them being the DP module in Gloucester, MA. Members had orientation and settled in, on the night of the 14th after arriving. Their mornings consisted of two hour Divine Principle talks given by Mr. Servito. With his support, members created their own outlines and practiced giving lectures within their given trinities. An hour was set aside after lunch for service work around Morning Garden, such as, gardening, mowing the lawn, and cleaning. After service work, this GPA group got their daily exercise in, with two hours of sports. On most nights they showed documentaries and religious movies for example, Planet Earth and Tree of Life. Their DP portion of the module concluded on Sunday, the 28th, and are now traveling to their next destinations, wilderness or ocean challenge.

Two Testimonies:

Thank you Aunt Laurie, Uncle Gerry, and GPA!

This DP workshop has really set a foundation for not only the rest of my GPA year, but the rest of my life as well. Out of all the times I have been forced to read the DP, I have never gained as much knowledge and understanding as I have from the past 12 days. Starting from the first time I fundraised during this year I resented getting asked what the Unification Church believed in because I was getting asked a question that I did not know how to answer. From that point on, I wondered how can I love God and True Parents the way they deserve to be loved if I do not understand their heart, their history, and their

teachings? During my short time at Gloucester, I was allowed the opportunity to be taught by someone as sincere and respectable as Uncle Gerri. More so than the intellectual aspect of his lectures, which anyone who is willing to study can attain, it was his tears and joy that really inspired me, I realized that the Divine Principle is much more than just a book, it is a truth that can be seen throughout the universe. I still have such a long way to go to understanding and connecting to the DP on an intellectual and heartistic level, but this workshop definitely set a solid foundation, and I look forward to experiencing how DP material exists in every day life. Thank you again staff for all your hard work!

These past twelve days have been an extremely life-changing time for me. Growing up as a blessed child, I was taught different parts of the Divine Principle, but for the first time I was finally able to connect to it on a more heartistic level, during my time here in Gloucester. Now, thanks to all the staff, and especially thanks to Uncle Gerri, I see the Divine Principle as a precious gift – a gift that I have for a long time left on my shelf at home, not realizing the true value of it. Now I see the Divine Principle as a story about God – someone who had an incredible dream. He put so much preparation and effort into his dream and then it is completely shattered into pieces through the Fall. The rest of the Divine Principle is the story of His life afterwards. Through studying the text, I am learning more about the reality of God’s heart. God does not just have a heart of joy, but also has a heart of grief and a heart of pain. Even though the DP module was only twelve days long, I feel have grown so much in my life of faith and my understanding of God. I have finally felt the desire and passion to learn from the Divine Principle and concepts that I have heard all my life but never understood are finally starting to make sense. I am incredibly grateful for this experience here where I was able to not just intellectually learn about God’s Heart but feel His Heart and open my eyes to everything He has done for us. Thank you so much for this experience.

I cannot express my utmost gratitude to you for everything you have done – for your life, your sacrifice, and your unconditional love. It is because of you, True Father, and God that I have undeservingly been able to live this amazing life where I can see and experience God’s Heart on a much deeper level, discover the value of the Divine Principle and the meaning of true love through my family, and realize the divine gift of being God’s eternal daughter. I am forever grateful to you – thank you!