World of Heart

Monique Derflinger
June 1989

Monique and her daughter Aurelia

When I was about sixteen, someone predicted that I would find a special truth and meet a special man who would change my life and lead me eternally. Then my search started. Three years later, walking in a deserted street, someone handed me a pamphlet without saying a word. But in front of my eyes was a striking symbol! I received three of these pamphlets before I went to the address indicated on them. My heart was beating very hard.

When I heard of Father, I was so interested in him. I wondered if he was still alive, and if so, where did he live? Then I was shown a picture and I saw True Father. I was gazing at him. I was silenced and deeply moved. When I saw True Mother's beautiful face as well, I knew my search had brought me to True Parents and the Heart of God.

In January 1973, two months later, I went to America. In September of that same year, I started a most exciting and challenging life of travelling through the United States as a member of the New Hope Singers International.

In January 1976, the Performing Arts team went with the IOWC to Japan and Korea. In Japan, I experienced a real life of faith. While I was there I was deeply motivated to pray more fervently for understanding the world of heart.

I'm sure many other brothers and sisters on this tour will testify about the incredibly warm welcome given to us by the Japanese family: so many brothers and sisters were crying, grabbing our hands, and giving all they had to us. I felt as if I was being embraced by True Mother.

Upon our arrival in Korea, a few months later, Father and Mother were waiting for us.

Although I didn't understand much of the importance of that time, I had an incredible experience in our Fatherland.

I was living each moment of it with the greatest joy. From within me sprung a spontaneous prayer: "Father, I am now it's your beloved land of Korea. I want to give my whole heart to this land and people." Each day, I offered that same prayer, just letting my heart speak.

We started traveling to city after city, singing and witnessing, but I started to feel sick, along with another brother. We were brought to the hospital and told we needed to stay there to recuperate. During that time many wonderful brothers and sisters stayed by my side. I will never forget the heart and care of all these precious people.

One night, when I had a high fever, my spirit left my body. I could see my physical body, laying there, helpless. I felt some evil spirits were in the room, threatening to take me away.

I called out to Father and heard a door open suddenly. Father came in. I explained what was happening. Father smiled and answered: "I have come to save you." In my vision, the curtain around my hospital bed became a little hut. Father sat on the top of it and started to pray. He prayed until the room became clear and the spirits had gone.

Then Father asked me to follow him. He guided me to a large place where people were praying. There he introduced me to Mother. I kneeled and put my head on her lap. She was cuddling me.

The scene quickly changed and Father strongly said: "It's time for your Blessing." I was standing near a man whose face I could not see. He was dressed in white, wearing many medals. There was a ring on my finger. At that moment I "woke up" with no ring on my finger. I started sobbing: this was just a dream!

Father appeared again and scolded me: "You should have more faith in me!" He showed me the ring and put it in his pocket: "I'll keep it until you are ready." I "woke up" again and still could not believe. Father appeared again and cried out for me to have faith. Finally, I could believe.

Next morning, the fever had gone and the doctor said I was cured! Later on, Mr. Oyamada told us that Father had called and asked how we were doing. Closing my eyes I told God: "Father is truly the Messiah. He is my Messiah."

God knows I was often tested in my faith. I feel the deepest gratitude to Him and True Parents for those companions of faith he put on my path, to help me overcome and keep believing, just as Father asked.

Through my own shortcomings and small victories I have learned that we must fight for our faith and not be blown away by the winds of doubt.

Each one of us has a special memory, all because of God and our True Parents.