International Bus Teams Launched

A year and a half ago, One World Crusade began with two bus teams in the United States, weaving threads of new hope and inspiration in the hearts of searching Americans.

Now each state has its own One World Crusade team and two new units formed in July travel on a 21-city itinerary, preparing the way for Rev. Moon’s lecture series this fall and winter. Mr. Joseph Sheftick and Mr. Perry Cordill, captains of the first two teams, now lead the international mobile units. Unique in the history of the Unification Church, International Mobile Units One and Two each have 40 members from Japan, Europe, and America. They come as missionaries of a new era to America, to restore the spiritual foundations laid by the founding fathers of America and to reawaken Americans to their responsibility to God and to mankind.

Victory cheer led by Perry Cordill

From August 13-27, 40 members of Mobile Unit Two waged an intensive campaign of love and service to the people of the United States capitol. Rallies in Washington’s DuPont Circle and Farragut Square attracted notice (including a photograph in the Washington Post). Passersby stopped in curiosity at the international gatherings on the sidewalk near 1365 Connecticut Avenue, home of the Unification Church of Washington’s lecture rooms and national offices. Meetings three times daily and two weekend workshops attracted a constant flow of interested people of all ages.

I want to win Americans to Christ

“In America there are so many Christians, “Mrs. Yumiko Kudo, from Japan, commented, “and I meet them often. In Washington I have met many Japanese, but they have no religion. In America, the Christian spirit is so wonderful; I can understand why God loves America.” Yumiko shared the

experience of most of the Japanese and some of the Europeans when they came to America: they could not communicate easily in English. “First of all, I want to speak English, second I want to speak English, third I want to speak English. This is because I want to win Americans to Christ. But even though I still cannot speak good English, by strong prayer I can lead everything to the Heavenly Father.” Yumiko and the other team members demonstrated this strong desire, pouring out their hearts in endless talking and listening to people.

Carlo Zaccarelli leads songs in Philadelphia rally

In addition to Mr. Cordill, there are three Japanese and four European group leaders, and Mr. Ryoji Sawamukai, the Japanese assistant commander. The group leaders take turns directing the morning services. After a couple of songs the group leader prays, reads from a sermon, and gives a short inspirational message. Then the group leader offers a prayer, followed by group prayer and a verse of “Tong-ii,” Korean song of unity.

Assistant commander Ryoji Sawamukai with Wolfgang Waldner

Lakeside workshops

Tampa, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia introduced many of the team members to the American way of life. For weekend workshops in Tampa, the team rented a Presbyterian Church camp on a very beautiful lake outside of the city, and a motel on another lake. Divine Principle study in the outdoor setting and the group fellowship inspired many people to accept the Principle. Daytime lectures were held daily at the downtown YMCA. Afterwards, the team invited people to a “heavenly campground cold water party,” and many responded.

According to Commander Cordill, the team’s first rally, held in Tampa, was a “high point in unity.” Permission was obtained to hold the rally in front of the Federal Building. A newspaper account drew sympathetic responses from the people the team members met in following days. A television station was very helpful and plans to interview Rev. Moon when he speaks in Tampa.

In Atlanta, the team had a 15-minute conference with Mayor Sam Massell. Their usual rally program of songs and dynamic speeches was impossible in downtown Atlanta, so the team alternately sang at the

Peachtree Center and scattered throughout the noon-time crowd to invite people to lectures at the Church center.

Atlanta was Mr. Yoshijiro Ozaki’s favorite city. Why? “The people there have a high level of morality and dress nicely. Also, the streets are kept very clean.”

Front, left to right: Carlo Zaccarelli, Mario Sorace, Kuniko Watanabe, Francesco Santelli, Fiona Williamson

We build a One Family World

Yoshijiro does not yet have a free command of English, so we wondered how he explains the One World Crusade to the people he meets. In reply, he pulled out a pamphlet describing the One World Crusade, enclosed in a plastic wrapper. Very carefully he spoke: “The One World Crusade is working in America to build a one family world. A one family world is the true purpose of history and the purpose of creation. We have the conviction that the one family world will soon be established because new truth appears. In the past there have been many wars. Our One World Crusade team comes from eight countries, but we Jove each other beyond national boundaries. This is a miracle in human history.”

German member Wolfgang Waldner’s memories of Atlanta focus on late evening conversations on heavenly tradition among Mr. Sawamukai, Ryoko Horii (his translator), Jack Hart (One World Crusade commander for Georgia), and Wolfgang.

He recalls Mr. Sawamukai’s explanations of what salvation means in our time. First, we must serve Christ and those in the position of Abel. Second, we must carry out Christ’s desire and purpose in order to be in the position of true children. Then God will give us heavenly energy and strength.

Commander Perry Cordill

Great dedication and maturity

“I am impressed with the dedication and maturity of my team,” commented Commander Cordill. “They work very hard and they all try to fulfill our Father’s will. Because of the maturity of the team, I think we will be much more successful.”

The Japanese who came to America were chosen from those who brought at least three people to Christ, passed the Divine Principle test, and successfully completed one month of fund raising. Before coming to America, Mr. Sawamukai had been a leader of family businesses in Japan, and Yumiko Kudo directed a cultural center in Tokyo, also giving Divine Principle lectures in front of universities.

While a student, Yoshijiro Ozaki taught the Divine Principle in front of street car stations and witnessed at universities.

Wolfgang Waldner directed one of two One World Crusade teams in Germany. Even before meeting the family, Wolfgang was much attracted to Japanese culture and art. “I am so thankful to be with the Japanese now. I learn so much from them. Also, the students who come to the workshops held by the international team have a very strong emotional experience, which comes from the different cultural heritages represented.”

Yoshijiro likes working with the Europeans and Americans because they can teach each other their languages. “We have a very good relationship between the various nationalities.”

In Washington, the international team attracted people from Vietnam, Japan, Greece, and other nations. In Atlanta, one group visiting a Baptist church met a lady who had been a Christian missionary in Japan for 20 years. She went home with the family after church and later heard Dr. Sawamukai’s testimony. Tears came to her eyes, “I never thought I would hear Japanese talk like this about the salvation of the world.”