Youth Come Home with Stories from Korea
American Unificationist-born youth recently completed workshops in Cheong Pyeong, Korea. High school and university students felt God’s grace and personal presence through the workshop, and express their gratitude and reflections below.
Karen Suzuki, age 19, USA
This week has surprised me a lot. I initially had no reason to come to Cheong Pyeong, but I felt like I needed to, and so I came. However, at the beginning, I kept asking God, “Why do you want me here?” I didn’t really get an answer. But, I realized that God wants us to create our lives, our endless opportunities and our possibilities. I decided that I wanted to take this time to reflect on my past two years on Generation Peace Academy in America and move forward with my life and future. I wanted to create a more solid life of faith with God, not just based on what church or society tells me. Overall, I want to peel off the layers around me that hide who I am and become my true self. For me, it means to trust myself and to not be afraid of mistakes, and let love drive me to express who I really am. I want God, my parents, siblings, and friends to know all of who I am.
S.I., age 17, USA
Whenever I come to Cheong Pyeong, the thing I notice the most change in is always my life of faith. I come to Cheong Pyeong and I receive much grace, which helps me to overcome certain things such as bad character and habits. In addition, the stories of experiences that I hear from new friends make me feel even more trust, faith and love for God. The gratefulness I feel for God, for bestowing me with such a wonderful opportunity to meet those people, grows as does my want to become the ideal person that we should all strive to become.
M.A., age 18, Los Angeles
In Cheong Pyeong, everyone gets grace in every way possible; you receive grace through the lectures and dedication. The most grace I received while in Cheong Pyeong is in my life of faith and my ancestor liberation.
Cheong Pyeong is a place where one’s faith can grow stronger. I have never been to a place other than Cheong Pyeong where you can feel like you can change into a different person, a person with faith. At home, I feel like such a lazy person, but when I come to Cheong Pyeong, cleaning is mandatory, so I have to do it. However, I feel good helping others who need it. My time in Cheong Pyeong made me realize that helping others, with unconditional love, feels so good.
Sayaka Imamura, age 15, Clifton, New Jersey
Through this workshop, I felt so relieved and happy. I felt like I had more energy and more grace. This whole workshop was full of grace for me, since this was the first time I actually attended a workshop. Just being in Cheong Pyeong makes me strong and honest and positive.
You heard it straight from our children; consider attending a workshop in Cheong Pyeong at some point this next year! Stay tuned for more workshops announcements on this page.