Connie Rennie and Haesul Facgang (click to enlarge)

A couple of days ago [Ed: this was written May1st] we got the announcement that because Western members didn’t have so many opportunities to see True Parents, we would be the only participants of the workshop invited to visit the Cheon Jeong Gung museum for the Wedding Anniversary celebrations. I couldn’t believe it!

But the second part of the announcement was that we might not be able to enter unless completely dressed in white; including shoes and bag. Hmmm… a problem. So after a complete fail of an attempt to fit into the clothes of the Japanese sisters, (!) I and a couple of sisters went on a shopping spree.  After about two hours, we all looked like pure white angels; as you can see in the pictures, of course.

So at 5.30 in the morning, 45 of us packed ourselves into a bus and were on our way. As our bus rolled past towns, villages and then mountains I reflected and prayed preparing myself…

Outside the museum gate (click to enlarge)

Our bus arrived. We exited and walked towards the museum. It absolutely towered over us! Never in my life had I felt so small. As we walked through the first set of gates I was brimming with excitement. Through the second set of gates, which are protected by two female figures. I felt like the time when Frodo enters the White City by boat, which is guarded by two kings… the moment was so peaceful and sombre, there was a silence that seemed to descend.

Unfortunately I couldn’t bring my camera into the museum, so I can’t show you how beautiful it is. But I couldn’t believe our movement had created a building like this. It’s in these moments, that a young member from the Western world realises just how big our movement is!

stairway to heaven ...

At first we were in a side room watching by projector, but for some reason we were shuffled out of there, and moved into the main hall where the first part of the ceremony took place!!! Best seats in the house!!!

At the forty day point of this workshop True Father was meant to visit, but after a week of stress and confusion it was announced that he wasn’t going to come. Why? I think because he was disappointed in our attitude as a workshop. Many of the leaders wanted to go home back to their personal missions, and were hoping True Father would let them, instead of extending it to a 120 day workshop. True Father didn’t want to come to a workshop where nobody had faith and desire to stay. I admit… I was one of those who had that attitude. So when I stood waiting for True Father to enter, I asked myself, so what attitude should be my attitude when I meet the messiah? One question came to mind; ‘How do I become like you?’

True Father entered, supported by True Mother, and followed by True Children and True Grandchildren. Seeing the three generations together, the young Grandchildren offering presents, some of the youngest finding it hard to concentrate! It was such a beautiful sight! I am moved to tears just remembering it! And I prayed that the Grandchildren could be cared for much more than the True Children were. I regretted that the whole family wasn’t there. Even though I could not fully understand the meaning of the ceremony, it moved me deeply. And I knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was sooooo incredibly lucky to be there, in that room, with that family…

I feel so happy to be here in Korea. I am experiencing many things that I know I never would have been able to had I continued university. Maybe in 2013 all of this will not be possible anymore. Thank you everyone! I miss England a lot!!!!!

* Cheon Jeong Gung: Museum, conference and banqueting rooms dedicated to exhibiting memorabilia from Unification Movement’s history. Inaugurated in June 2006.