The Trail to Freedom

The God’s Hope for America pilgrimage compl­eted its Freedom Trail mini tour, passing through some of America’s most historic states, stopping at Gettysburg in Delaware to reflect on this countries sacrifices, at Valley Forge to pray for the future of this country and explored Franklin Square Park in Pennsylvania before arriving in New Jersey which proudly claims one of the largest Unificationist communities in the states.

Freedom for all

The God’s Hope for America tour began the day In Gettysburg where the 56 bus pilgrims stopped at the Gettysburg National Cemetery Park and walked through the Cemetery Ridge Trail where they were encouraged to take some alone time to reflect on the many who lost their lives fighting for freedom. From there, they made their way to the Soldier’s National Cemetery where Dr. Michael Jenkins read Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

The pilgrimage participants take a photo at Cemetery Ridge Trail.

Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Continental Director of FFWPU USA prays at the Soldier’s National Cemetery in the Gettysburg National Cemetery Park.

Dr. Michael Balcomb provides a short history lesson.

Unison prayer at the Soldier’s National Cemetery.

Read more about Gettysburg here.

Gettysburg 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!

As they were passing through it on their way to their next destination, the bus stopped briefly in Mennonite Amish country for lunch and a tour of the visitor’s center where they view a full-size replica of the tabernacle of the Israelites and reflected on the many immigrants who travelled the rough waters to this land seeking religious freedom.

They ended the day at the Wilmington Delaware Holy Ground where a wonderfully warm greeting met participants. So many brothers and sisters came from all around to meet and pray together for the revival of America. The rain poured down that evening and didn’t stop for another day only adding to the spirit of that gathering of Heavenly Prayer.

Under the canopy of protective branches overhead, a local Unificationist offers a representative prayer as the rain pours down.

Delaware Holy Ground Event is blessed with cool rains.

Remembrance

The following morning under grey skies, the bus made its first stop at Valley Forge gathering at the Washington Memorial Chapel to pray.  From there they went on to explore the Valley Forge National Historical Park to learn more about George Washington.  The pilgrimage arrived at Franklin Square Park in Philadelphia and prayed in front of Independence Hall before splitting off into small groups for a bit of sightseeing. The group met up at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to run up the steps made famous by the Rocky films and the pose for a photo with the man himself.

God’s Hope for America pilgrims offer a prayer at the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge.

Exploring the Valley Forge National Historical Park.

They made their way to the Philadelphia Holy Ground where the rain poured down again just as the event began, again, just adding to the spirit generated there.  Dinner at the Philadelphia Family Church center was filled with a long night of some really great entertainment by Unificationists and their friends. The day couldn’t have ended any better.

Participants take a photo in Franklin Square Park in Philadelphia.

The pilgrimage’s youngest participants sightseeing in Philadelphia.

Participants run up the steps made famous by the movie Rocky.

Pastor Shota prays at the Philadelphia Holy Ground event.

Read more about Valley Forge and Philadelphia here.

Valley Forge and Philadelphia 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!

Forging Ahead

Four Hundred people throughout and around New Jersey gathered at the Trenton Holy Ground the following morning with a red carpet greeting and a pathway of people that extended far into the park.  The energy could not be more charged this morning. Many testimonies and many words were shared here followed by a huge gathering for an outdoor lunch.  Many who gathered here this morning followed the pilgrimage to the Elizabeth Family Church for a brief visit.  This location is only a year old, having been a new church plant just a year ago. The building hardly fit us all but the physical closeness of everyone gathered reflected the overall sense of closeness of heart felt at this new church center. After heartfelt testimonies from some of the local youth and delicious refreshments, the bus and local Unificationists drove to Garret Mountain to bless the Holy Ground created by local Unificationists.

We gathered with more people from the New Jersey community at the Clifton Family Church for dinner and celebrations. We were also greeted by the Mayor who shared encouraging words and thanked our efforts to bring God back into America. Everyone is learning so much from each other and reviving through experiencing True Parents’ mission and heart for God’s Kingdom.

Read more about Trenton, Elizabeth and Clifton New Jersey here.