It's always exciting to have the opportunity to travel to the Fatherland and it was a privilege to participate in the 3rd International STF Assembly in Korea. The theme of this Assembly was "Envision, Own and Expand the Culture of Heart", and the event was in the last week of July. I attended as a representative of the STF USA Parent's Advisory Board.

STF members came together from Japan, Europe, Latin America, the US and Korea, combining into international teams at the Assembly, do that they could come closer to transcending all the cultural and language barriers which currently exist, and realize their common identity as 2nd Generation, born of the lineage of True Parents. By energizing and uplifting each other, they build a common determination to become Owners of God's Providence.

Upon arrival from the US we were greeted by our Korean STF hosts and transported to the brand new Chungshim Youth Center, an amazing and splendid addition to the buildings around the Chung Pyung Lake area. The next morning 460 STF members jumped right into the program, jet-lag and all.

This day we had orientation, team building activities, reports and testimonies. The International Junior STF 40-day workshop (with 160 participants including staff) was in mid-stream when we arrived and we shared several sessions together. We were all truly happy to see and meet the eldest children of Hyun Jin Nim who were attending the Junior STF workshop, Shin Won Nim and Shin Ae Nim, and the son of Heung Jin Nim, Shin Chul Nim.

On day two, after an early wake up and Hoon Dok Hae, all the STF members went white-water rafting on a river near the 38th parallel. This activity really brought out the inherent sense of teamwork in each person. We ended the day beautifully with high quality international entertainment.

The third day was the day that all of us had been eagerly awaiting. After a passionate and inspiring speech, Akiko Ikeno called Shin Won Nim up to the stage to share his heart. It was very special to hear his words and his testimony of meeting God during last summer's Jr. STF Workshop. He spoke of the value of STF which brought about his own life altering experience and brought him to dedicate his life to God, his grandfather and his own father. He expressed to all of us Hyun Jin Nim's heart, love and expectation towards the 2nd Generation. He said that if his grandfather or father asked him to do even the most impossible task then he would do it without hesitation.

As part of the introduction to Hyun Jin Nim's speech, Rev. Kwak spoke and welcomed us all to Korea, He shared with us that God's most essential goal for all of us is to create the ideal world through creating ideal families. He told the members that by joining STF they have the best chance of being well prepared to accept and accomplish this challenge.

Then came the much anticipated visit from Hyun Jin Nim. After a number of hours of preparation through prayer and singing we welcomed Hyun Jin Nim with the tradition of the "STF greeting" of specially prepared cheers from each nation. Hyun Jin Nim expressed how inspired and energized he feels to meet with STF members. In them he can find a great hope for the future.

He said, once again, that our ultimate goal and God's dream for all of us as humanity is to build an ideal family, but, not just one ideal family, more so one ideal human family centered upon the True Family. His favorite part of the Principle, and the most important part, is the Principle of Creation because it is God's ideal.

We all have to embody and expand the culture of the heart centered on true love, specifically, living for the sake of others. He stressed the importance of understanding their role as the 2nd Generation. The 2nd Generation are so important in fulfilling God's dream. He asked them if they could raise the bar and challenge the culture we live in today. In all over 1,300 people participated, mostly 2nd Generation; 600 of them were participants of Chung Pyung workshops.

Hyun Jin Nim encouraged STF members to prepare themselves to become true families and emphasized that the best way to develop their leadership abilities and become owners of the culture of heart was by learning to live for the sake of God and for the sake of the greater good. He told the young people that they all had to "earn their stripes" in order to become future leaders by living the core values through experience.

At some point he asked the leaders about the schedule for the Assembly. He found it not challenging enough and asked the audience if they wanted an easy schedule or a challenging one. STF members all responded, "A challenging one!" At that point Hyun Jin Nim asked us to add more challenging experiences, which the kids enthusiastically accepted.

The next morning we were all awakened at 2 am to travel to Hoon Dok Hae at Han Nam Dong with True Parents. After the reading Father spoke to us about the importance of creating one Ideal Nation; in order to restore the world we need a nation. Father told the STF members that he was very encouraged to see such a bright and enthusiastic 2nd Generation sitting in front of him. For many of them it was the first opportunity to meet with True Parents.

After Hoon Dok Hae all members prepared for two days of outreach/frontline activities including Service for Peace near the DMZ, and holy wine Blessing activities. Through the challenging experiences of overcoming language and cultural differences they were able to break down many barriers. At the end of the two days of action, members returned to the center physically exhausted but with very excited and high spirits!

Day 6 began with a prayer walk to the Chung Pyung Training Center about 15 minutes away. We went and prayed at the Trees of Heart, All Things, Loyalty, Blessing and Love. It was a great way to start the day with reflection and prayer in such a holy environment. Sports activities filled the rest of the morning. The members broke into groups to play capture the flag and then engaged in an organized water gun fight/game involving the practice of teamwork and strategy.

As the Assembly was drawing to a close we spent the afternoon reflecting and discussing. That night, we held the closing banquet, and the gymnasium was set-up with banquet style tables. The members all wore their best clothes. During the delicious banquet we were treated with songs and moving testimonies from representatives of all of the continents. What a great and fulfilling way to end an amazing week!

This Assembly was an experience of a lifetime for all in attendance, and the members returned to their countries re-energized and ready to face the challenges of the upcoming year.

Gary Abrahams and his wife Friedrun are the parents of 6 children and were Blessed at the 2075 Blessing at MSG. Gary is currently working for Shining Ocean, Inc., True Parents' seafood company in Seattle and serves as the Tennessee state coordinator for ACC/AFC as well as volunteering his time as a member of the STF USA Parents Advisory Board.