Seoul Western Family

Now that our Leader is abroad the three of us here have been working to fulfill his wishes. We are responsible for the Way of the World, the editing of the new Victory over Communism book and establishing a center for Westerners. He also asked us to make good relations with the embassies.

The Way of the World was the first task that we tackled. It needed drastic organizational changes and by now I hope you have noticed the effect.

With the Way of the World organized it leaves us more time to work on our other responsibilities. During this time we were studying some of the material necessary for the new Victory over Communism book. Master mentioned that he would like the book finished before he returns from abroad and so we have to work quickly. We are ambitious that when the book is finished it can be read by scholars and ministers alike.

During November and December we were not able to witness so much, but we found that more people came for lectures during that period than when we were witnessing every day.

Now we have four soldier members. Two soldiers have had to go back to the States at the end of their tour of duty, so altogether six soldiers have joined us here. They are all good Family members and on the foundation that they make we look forward to be able to start a great movement on the army bases.

David Carlson, an intelligent and thoughtful graduate from Colorado has moved in here this week at the end of his army service. He will help us for a year. Leon Pine, another graduate from Nebraska, will also move in when he leaves the army in April. He is a very spiritually sensitive man who changed his life completely and prayed that he could find some good people for a period of about 40 days before Lynne [Doerfler Kim] met him. Gary Juarez will be our only soldier left at the main army headquarters in Yongsan. Like Leon, he also is very intuitive. He is very useful as a base to make future contacts and arrangements. And last but not least is Arthur Gerard from Boston. He is married with two children and

unfortunately has to return to the USA to serve another year in the army. He is a conscientious and very good-hearted sergeant who has inspired us all with his cheerfulness. We pray that he can bring his family to God when he returns to the USA. These men have been witnessing to their friends and already several good men have come to lectures.

We have also been visiting embassies and trying to make contact with embassy personnel. I have made several acquaintances among members of the British embassy, and have attended some parties and receptions. We taught the first chapter to one girl from the Swiss Embassy some months ago, but she had to leave shortly after. So far we are just feeling our ground in this field. It is difficult because the embassy circle is very tight, but we are hopeful that we can make some good friends. This is a most urgent task; I found that the English attaché himself is a Marxist.

James Weeks from the Maryland, USA center has been staying with us. He was sent from the States to buy materials for a Family gift manufacturing business. He brought much welcome news about all the changes that have occurred since Master was in the States.

Miss [Young Oon] Kim arrived about a month ago to rest. It was a great joy to see and talk with her.

During Christmas and New Year’s holidays we experienced a new step forward in our activities. One day we went to a service at the interdenominational Seoul Union Church, and renewed our acquaintance with Rev. Glenn Fuller, the pastor, and his wife. They had once been to our apartment for a meal, invited by Marjorie. They were happy to see us again, and invited us all to their Christmas meal. So all eight of us went to their home on Christmas day. They were so moved by us that they asked us to help in their New Years’ service. Four of us gave readings at the midnight service, which really impressed the small congregation.

We have dedicated ourselves to really serve Rev. Fuller and the Seoul Union Church. We hope that through love and service to him we may be able to unite with our Christian brethren, and overcome some of the misconceptions that the Christian Community here has had against our Church. On Sunday, 7th we had a repeat performance of our New Years’ service, and we were invited to speak about Victory over- Communism to the High School Sunday class.

On New Year’s Eve we had a meeting to decide on our strategy for 1973. We decided to serve the soldiers as much as possible and really help them in the areas where our goals and theirs coincide. We have already started a program of discussions. These will be held every Tuesday on Yongsan Base and will involve such subjects as Parapsychological Experiences, Science and Religion, Eastern and Western thought, etc.

The Army newspapers will advertise them, and the Army printing office will do posters for us. Also the army radio which broadcasts all over Korea has already announced our meetings. We know that the Heavenly Father is really helping us. Sometimes he has guided us directly to an important contact.

Dear Family, thank you for reading such a long report. I hope it has been of help and interest. One thing I must add is that Hal, Lynne and I have experienced many changes since we’ve been here, personally and as a group, and have been so happy to have found a real bond of brother-sisterly love, centered on the True Parents. Of course we have many changes yet to experience, but we feel that we can face the new year with faith and confidence, and by our unity make a condition to unify Europe, America, and Asia.