Life Abroad: CIG Youth Missionaries Make A Difference

CIG in Kosovo, photos courtesy of CIGYM

It’s been an eventful month for six U.S. teams of Cheon Il Guk Youth Missionaries (CIGYM) who departed in November for their mission countries of Zambia, Romania, Kosovo, Israel, Peru, and the Dominican Republic. Find out how each team has adjusted to life abroad as they share their Unification faith with their new communities over the next several months.

Zambia

In Zambia, the CIGYM team joined the “HyoJeong Rang,” a continent-wide training program aimed at raising young adults to become future leaders of Africa. The missionaries, along with other workshop participants, heard the testimony of UPF Africa Chair Dr. Kathy Rigney, who was first sent to West Africa by True Parents in 1975. 

“We received many lectures from current leaders of our movement in Africa,” said a CIG missionary. “[This helped us] to better understand the current situation of the providence in Africa, and to understand our role and responsibility as future leaders.” 

During the workshop, missionaries practiced lecturing; planned their schedules, including additional workshops; offered daily devotions, and learned more about Zambia. “We wanted to set our hearts and make clear goals for the first 40 days of witnessing in Zambia,” said a participant. “We began our witnessing activities in Zambia by sharing the Divine Principle with college students and youth in Lusaka.”

“Each day, we go out to the streets around a local school and do our witnessing activities there,” the missionary continued. “We have been excited to meet a lot of open-minded and interested people, and during our first week of witnessing alone we had 34 appointments with guests at our center.”

Missionaries at the center in Twikatane hosted their first workshop soon after, bringing 13 guests to learn about the Divine Principle. “It was a very successful first workshop with a lot of engagement and discussion,” said a CIG missionary. “We also heard from the national leader of FFWPU in Zambia about the country, the people, history, culture, situations, and problems. He also shared the hope that he has for us missionaries. We have strong determination in Zambia.”

Romania 

In Europe, CIG missionaries in Romania worked with local CARP members, as well as another group of student missionaries from the Universal Peace Academy in Korea. The group has attended weekly “CARP Talk” programs, where they read meaningful Unification texts and speeches together and engage in follow-up discussions.

“The [CARP program surpassed my expectations,” shared one CIG missionary. “The room was filled with guests having so much positive give and take with one another. Not only the CARP members, but even the guests were initiating conversations with other guests. I could see no one felt restricted, but could openly be themselves. It was like a big family.”

Each day, the CIG missionaries take a bus to the city center and head to nearby universities, where they approach students with a questionnaire asking them to think more deeply about the world’s situation, our life’s purpose, and the existence of God, among other icebreakers. A weekly “chess night” and recent Korean culture night were a big hit with guests. “There were more than 52 guests who came to the event,” said a CIG missionary. “We all enjoyed playing yut, eating japchae for the first time, learning how to offer a full bow, wearing hanboks, and speaking Korean."

A two-day Divine Principle workshop “immersed guests into a family-like environment, where we had several discussions and activities,” recalled another missionary. “Not only did the guests learn more about the content, but it was a time for the CARP members, UPA members, and CIG missionaries to deepen their understanding, too.” The workshop inspired four new guests to become CARP members. 

Kosovo

In Kosovo, a team stationed in the capital city of Pristina has seen similar success. “We have been working with the local CARP and YSP organizations here,” said a CIG missionary. “We are falling in love with this city as we learn more about the history, experience the tradition, food, and build bonds with [other young people].”

Missionaries learned more about the war-torn background of Kosovo and personal experiences of living in the communist era. “We were left feeling deeply inspired and determined to witness and share God’s heart of hope and salvation,” said a missionary. “Our witnessing experience has been the most fulfilling, meeting the youth of Pristina with fresh eyes and hearts who are genuinely seeking the truth. There are many young and bright students eager to connect to an organization that focuses on character growth.”

Weekly CARP and YSP programs have also helped the group understand the importance of being open-minded to new ideas while working together in the community. “We continue to set goals and devotion to give us clarity for our purpose,” said a missionary. “We are excited for where God is guiding us.”

Israel

For CIG missionaries in Israel, the team has been working closely with the local CARP, YSP, and UPF chapters. Together, the three groups have hosted cultural activities, game nights, and lectures sharing about Unification values and principles. “Our team had the opportunity to follow the path that Jesus walked, literally,” said one CIG missionary. “We visited the Old City and toured historically significant spots that Jesus had been to. With every step taken throughout the course we understood that we are being entrusted with continuing Jesus’ mission.”

Israel, one of the most religious countries in the world, is home to many people of strong faith, with the majority of Israelis identifying as Jewish, as well as Muslim, Christian, and even Druze. “Surrounded by such faithful and proud people, our witnessing experience has been quite the journey,” said another CIG missionary. “Going out with survey questions, we sparked meaningful conversations that allowed us to see that everyone is seeking purpose and love in their life.”

Peru

CIG missionaries in Peru have similarly partnered with local CARP members in their witnessing activities throughout each week. “The more you witness, the more kinds of people you get to meet and interesting things you get to see,” said Eugene, a CIG missionary. “As you meet these people, you get to see the limitations of your heart. Then, as you try to overcome it, you really start to appreciate True Parents’ ability to love everyone completely from God's perspective.”

The missionaries helped CARP Peru prepare a 7-day Divine Principle workshop, as they routinely invite new guests to their weekly fellowship, sports, and games at the local center. “Our goal is to learn and practice sharing our lectures in Spanish,” said another CIG missionary. “It has been quite the experience being in a place with a new language, such rich culture, and flavorful foods ... We are inspired by the devotion and hearts our members here have.”

Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, CIG missionaries were welcomed by GPA and Heavenly USA members. They have partnered with CARP chapters in both Santo Domingo and Santiago for various activities. “Right away, we could experience a two-day workshop at La Finca,” said a CIG missionary. “The workshop location was surrounded by beautiful nature and mountains.”

Witnessing and lectures have been the primary focus for the missionaries, who had the opportunity to meet Dr. Julia Moon, WFWP international president, and her daughter during a recent trip. “She shared with us about perseverance,” said a missionary. “It was encouraging to hear ... [Overall], it has been a great experience for us – even through the language barrier – to share our thoughts and hear what others have to share. We are grateful for this exciting opportunity to share God’s Will.”

You can learn more about the CIG youth missionaries here.