CIG Missionaries Train to Lead with Love
Contributed by Joshua Holmes, Cheon Il Guk Missionary In-Training
This is the American Cheon Il Guk (CIG) Missionary Trainees checking in again after another week spent on the amazing island of Bohol.
We took a step back from campus and university outreach this week since the students are on summer break. We spent four days in Carmen, Bohol, home of the Chocolate Hills–one of the Wonders of the World–and Mrs. Merly Barlaan’s International Peace Library and Learning Center. This rural area is abundant with forests and predominantly inhabited by peaceful farmers and countrymen who live simple but spiritually vibrant lives. Eight years ago, Mrs. Barlaan returned here to her hometown in order to serve her community as a Tribal Messiah and to further God’s hope to realize Cheon Il Guk. Ever since, numerous Interfaith Blessing Ceremonies have been held at the International Peace Library and her dream is becoming a clear reality!
This week, we organized our third Interfaith Blessing Ceremony! The event was attended by five couples inside the International Peace Library and Learning Center and officiated by Mario and Rebecca Barlaan. Although it was a smaller procession than before, it was still a beautiful chance for everyone there to experience True Parents’ dream of creating God-centered families.
We also held a one-day Divine Principle workshop for 32 of the local students. The ages of the students ranged from 11 to 22, and we discovered through this experience that no matter the age, the Divine Principle can powerfully impact peoples’ lives. After a day of education and excitement, the students left with a clear understanding of the Three Great Blessings and were dedicated to live according to them. We hope that as missionaries we planted lasting seeds in the hearts of these students.
The rest of the week has been spent preparing for the seven-day Divine Principle workshop for 40 young leaders of Bohol. We may be challenged and given many reasons to lose hope; however, every day we return to and are fueled by this truth: “Until today many people have wanted to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but no one wanted to be responsible to establish it.” We hold on to our deep desire and responsibility to fulfill the dreams of our Heavenly Parent and True Parents for the world.
We’ve started a Facebook site where you can follow our adventures called, “GPA Cheon Il Guk Missionary Training.” We will post blogs and photos there whenever we have the chance. Also, we would like to give a deep thank you to all the people who opened their hearts to support our fundraiser! With all of your help and investment we have climbed past $5000–that is over half way to our goal of $10,000!
The CIG Missionaries have a goal to mobilize and raise up 40 young leaders to attend a seven-day Divine Principle and Leadership Training Workshop on April 3 – 10 with World CARP Philippines. They have only a few more days to reach that goal, so you can show them your support by donating today!