Now, 43 Days Later…

The God’s Hope for America pilgrimage has reached its finale! From San Francisco through the Southern states, up the East Coast and back to Oregon, it has been a tremendous journey of profound realizations, devoted prayer, joyous reunions and enthusiastic response from the people we met. One of the most common things we heard on the road, by people seeing the large “God’s Hope for America” banner along the side of the bus, was, “Now, this is what we need!”

We have visited 55 Holy Grounds, in 48 states, in 43 days, but God’s Hope for America doesn’t end here, just as True Father only just began his mission in America with establishing the Holy Grounds. His footsteps continue, and we will continue to follow them. This pilgrimage is a burst of momentum to power us forward and align America and the world with God’s Kingdom. We’ve paved the way for future pilgrimages as well; consider taking your own pilgrimage with your family, friends or your youth group to each Holy Ground, or to a few in your region.

Our united and continuous prayer will stand strong and represent God’s voice across the nation. It’s time to spread God’s hope to our neighbors, our work, and new people we’ve just met. There are so many people out there ready to meet God or to dedicate their lives to building what True Parents have envisioned and worked so hard to build. Here are the highlights of the last leg of the trip, the Oregon Trail. Visit GodsHopeforAmerica.org to read the full blog and watch videos from the journey.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Atop a hill overlooking the greenest of green fields and majestic blue mountains, under the bright morning sun and upon a thick bed of strong green grass, the birds sang along as we opened our Holy Ground gathering (Number 50!) in song. Dr. Chang Shik Yang joined the bus for the day and shared some inspiration as he introduced himself, giving his blessings and good wishes for the grand finale of the pilgrimage. Rev. Father Elias Koucos prayed, “May we build on our future. May we be the breath of hope. Make our country a source of integrity.” We then visited Temple Square of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City.

Before prayer, we are alive in song at the Salt Lake City Holy Ground.

Families including youth come together to pray in Salt Lake City.

The Holy Ground gathering in Salt Lake City was atop a hill, as True Father always chose the highest spots.

We gathered at the Holy Ground in Salt Lake City, Utah on a beautiful, sunny morning.

Read more about the Utah visit here.

Salt Lake City Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!

Boise, Idaho

In Boise, Idaho, we arrived at the Boise Zoo and gathered beside a river, where lions roared in the background of our green morning scenery.  In 1965, True Father dedicated this Holy Ground marked by a great Northern Red Oak tree, which can live up to 500 years. Mr. Beresford shared the motto, “from small acorns, great oaks grow.” For lunch, we made our own sandwiches to experience the simple meals that True Father would eat when he was on his original tour across the nation to establish the Holy Grounds.

After piano and guitar musical accompaniment, we pause for prayer in Boise, Idaho.

Mrs. Hee Hun Standard calls us to action at the Boise Holy Ground.

Unificationist youth share introductions and testimonies in Boise.

We ate lunch at Ponderosa Park, where we made our own sandwiches as True Father did 50 years ago.

Read more about the Idaho visit here.

Boise Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!

Missoula, Montana

In Missoula, Montana, we again gathered next to a clear, bubbling river, called Rattlesnake River. Paul DiLorenzo emceed our program and Astrid Woods said a prayer, then read her husband’s, Clint Woods’, testimony of his experience with True Father in Montana.

Jehremy Felig shared his testimony in Missoula, Montana.

The Holy Ground in Montana is located beside this peaceful stream.

Read more about the Montana visit here.

Missoula Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!

Seattle, Washington

On the edge of Lake Washington, a large group greeted us. A second bus pulled in shortly after us, ready to take an extra busload of pilgrims on the final leg of the journey to Oregon. Since we arrived early, there was plenty of time for fellowship. As the warm evening sun began to lower in the sky, we all hiked to the top of a hill, where Rev. David Roberts, pastor of the Northwestern district, emceed, and Raymond McCready opened in prayer. Rev. In Chan Park and his wife Julie Park then gave a beautiful musical offering.

Hundreds gathered in Seattle, the second-to-last state of the pilgrimage.

Our songs and prayer echoed across the large park on the shore of Lake Washington in Seattle.

Read more about the Washington visit here.

Seattle Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!

Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon is the end of the Oregon Trail, the bright place the pioneers were looking for. Us “holy rollers,” as we’ve been nicknamed, arrived to the Holy Ground early in the morning, atop Mount Tabor, a dormant volcano. There, many shared, including Teddy Sylte from Seattle who explained that he traveled a lot, even in developing countries, and met people everywhere who know True Parents. “In the most remote, random village, people would open up their homes to me just based on that connection. I can see the fingerprints of True Parents all over the world, and what we need is to let new people into our family.”

Teddy Sylte shared his testimony in Portland, Oregon.

The Portland Holy Ground is located on Mount Tabor.

Read more about the Portland visit here.

Portland Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!

Eugene, Oregon

On Day 43, at Holy Ground 55 at Hendricks City Park in Eugene, Oregon, we had an intimate and peaceful prayer gathering in a small garden. Since the area did not allow loud public gatherings, we prayed softly but tearfully and embraced the moment of completing the pilgrimage. There was a sense of incredible unity and love as the feeling settled in—together, we did it.

At the final celebration in Eugene, nine people were awarded plaques for completing the entire pilgrimage from start to finish.

We had a peaceful and intimate prayer gathering at the final Holy Ground in Eugene.

To make up for the required silence at the Holy Ground, we cheered wildly as we got off the bus in downtown Eugene for the final celebration, with our last red carpet exit. A hybrid band of our bus’s guitar-player, Ricky Joswick, and Seattle musicians opened up Sunday service with our favorite songs of the pilgrimage: our remix of “Higher Ground” (“Holy Ground”), God Bless America and Light of Grace.

Eight people who did the entire pilgrimage from start to finish led the songs as well, and were recognized.

Read more about the Eugene visit here.

Eugene Photo Gallery on Facebook. As with the God’s Hope for America page on Facebook, you can tag your friends in pictures and share the posts to help spread the word online as the bus spreads the word on the road!