Michael S
So we just finished 3 weeks on JCARP, what a crazy experience. I was leading the team in one of the most intense workshop style environments I’ve experienced. We only slept about 4-5 hours a night and witnessed every day at Waseda University (where True Father studied). I had 5 guests who I hope can be looked after by the centre when I leave. Interestingly enough, witnessing albeit hard to do in a foreign country was such a special experience for me. I enjoyed going out on the frontline, it felt very natural and I could learn a lot from the experiences of the Carp members. One of my wife’s guests (Kanon) was so unique; we spent time talking with her about purity and how important it is. She expressed a desire to study the Bible more deeply. She made me realise that there are people that are so ready to receive the Principle. Speaking with guests like this gives me hope.
I was very moved being told by a Carp member (Hojo) that he broke down in tears as he found God for the first time, on a 40 day workshop through the lyrics of a Holy Song. The Carp members close the day with a 3 minute unison prayer where it’s not uncommon to hear screams and crying from the members as they desperately pray for their guests. Everything they do is whole-hearted!
I was very moved being told by a Carp member (Hojo) that he broke down in tears as he found God for the first time, on a 40 day workshop through the lyrics of a Holy Song. The Carp members close the day with a 3 minute unison prayer where it’s not uncommon to hear screams and crying from the members as they desperately pray for their guests. Everything they do is whole-hearted!
Also they have such a strong church culture! It’s very inspiring! Prayer and Hoon Dok Hae are essential aspects of their daily life, which they do several times a day. For example they always pray and offer a full bow to True Parents on returning home and they lay out food for True Parents at every meal. At times I couldn’t distinguish between the church culture and Japanese culture for some things that they practice. I tried humbling myself to the leadership in Japan also. In Europe when you instruct someone to do something as a leader, an explanation as to why, has to accompany it. However, in Japan that is not necessary, which for me was very strange as I like to understand the reason behind what is happening/what I am doing.
One of the most difficult aspects of the experience was being so close to my wife yet not really being with her properly due to the nature of my responsibility as the team leader and also the strict male female separation in the centre. It was almost easier being halfway across the globe from her rather than seeing her all the time but not having an opportunity to speak to her so much. It was a very difficult environment for us both but we were able to go beyond our own desires and really focus on the mission. I felt like I had to love the Japanese people before I was able to love my wife. In this way I feel we could put a higher purpose before our relationship and I am sure God was grateful for that. By overcoming this challenge my connection in heart to Japan and my wife has grown very strong.
Thank you to all the UK team for making the whole experience so deep for me. I have been moved by all your investment during JCARP and I could understand all your hearts very clearly on this journey. I hope we can really make CARP possible in the UK because I feel we have so much potential for it! And if not us then who? True Parents are counting on us.
One of the most difficult aspects of the experience was being so close to my wife yet not really being with her properly due to the nature of my responsibility as the team leader and also the strict male female separation in the centre. It was almost easier being halfway across the globe from her rather than seeing her all the time but not having an opportunity to speak to her so much. It was a very difficult environment for us both but we were able to go beyond our own desires and really focus on the mission. I felt like I had to love the Japanese people before I was able to love my wife. In this way I feel we could put a higher purpose before our relationship and I am sure God was grateful for that. By overcoming this challenge my connection in heart to Japan and my wife has grown very strong.
Thank you to all the UK team for making the whole experience so deep for me. I have been moved by all your investment during JCARP and I could understand all your hearts very clearly on this journey. I hope we can really make CARP possible in the UK because I feel we have so much potential for it! And if not us then who? True Parents are counting on us.