So much action packed in one day.
Today, we visited three sites closely connected to True Parents’ life course. First, we visited Paju WonJeon. This is where all of the deceased True Family members are buried. We first had an explanation of this place, and then we went to many of the burial mounds and paid our respects to each deceased True Family member. This included people like Heung Jin Nim, Hyo Jin Nim, True Father’s parents, and True Mother’s parents. At each mound, we did a full bow and prayed. From this visit, we were able to feel a closer connection to each of these family members, even if we didn’t know much about them.
Next, we went to Imjingak, which is practically on the border between North and South Korea. We were able to see the DMZ, and beyond that, North Korea, and we spent this time praying for the reunification between North and South Korea. We were reminded of True Father’s prayer when he crossed the border to go South: no matter what, he was going to visit North Korea and see Korea unified again, and if he himself couldn’t do it, then his descendants would.
“As I overlooked the DMZ and North Korea, I went into deep prayer. I realized how important the reunification of North and South Korea is, and I realized I’ve been longing for it for so long, even if I’m not Korean at all. I really believe that once Korea is reunited, the world will change, and a world of peace will be much easier to create. There are many people now, especially Koreans, who don’t really care about reunification anymore. It may come to a point where we’re the only ones that care; either way, we must keep True Parents’ dream of reunification alive and push forward until it happens.” –Takayoshi, USA
Lastly, we visited Cheongpa-Dong, which is the former Headquarters Church. This was a place where so many providential events took place: True Parents’ Holy Wedding, the 36 Couples Blessing, and the 72 Couples Blessing are just a few of these. Not only this, True Father invested so much devotion and shed so much blood, sweat, and tears that we could feel it through the walls and floors. After getting an explanation of this place, we were able to look around the building; we could see what True Father’s and True Mother’s room looked like, as well as all of True Children’s’ rooms at the time. We could really imagine amidst the cramped spaces what kind of lives True Parents and the True Children lived.
“It’s my first time in Korea, but I’m so privileged that I get to see not only the beautiful Cheongpyeong center, but also the most meaningful places in True Parents’ life course.
Cheongpa-Dong Church has a humble architecture but its walls are sweating the highest spirituality. There’s a big blackboard with which True Father must have given inspiring lessons. I hope I can come back someday with my future family.” –Joshua, Italy
After coming back to Cheongpyeong, in the evening, we shared our experiences with our families. It seemed like everybody had deep and reflective experiences today.
Through visiting these places, we could really feel a closer connection to True Parents. Still, we have many more sites left to see. But that’s for tomorrow.