The Words of the Henkin Family
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The Words of the Henkin Family |
After graduating from the Seminary at Barrytown in 1980, I joined CARP along with most of my classmates who, by that time, were anxious to experience "life in the field" as well as putting their theological training to work in practical terms.
After the summer campaign of that year spent witnessing in Boston, I returned to New York and was appointed as an editor on The World Student Times, the CARP national publication that sets the ideological focus for the movement. I was excited and enthused to be working at headquarters -- where I remained for a year and a half -- particularly since it gave me the opportunity to develop a relationship with Tiger Park.
I remember the fighting spirit that seemed to embellish everything that Tiger Park did, especially when it came to inspiring CARPers to confront communists. His vision permeated the movement and made members think about new possibilities in witnessing methods, in self-expression, and in relaxation as well.
Such a vision for relaxation, or "spiritual rejuvenation" as he called it, grew out of his personal philosophy that if a person works hard then he should play hard, too, in order to toughen the body along with the spirit. Tiger Park's emphasis on the total resurrection of the whole person is best personified in the development of CARP's week-long outdoor seminar held within glorious view of the snow-capped, majestic Rocky Mountains.
CARP's workshop for 1980 was held in Boulder, Colorado at our center. Although I didn't attend -- I was still a seminarian -- my fiancee did. Now a three-year CARP veteran and UTS graduate, She had many exciting stories to tell about long nature walks, cool dips in mountain streams, and just the thrill that comes from being in one of Heavenly Father's true garden spots. If you've never been to Colorado, the first visit is not unlike a trip to some faraway, exotic planet where everything has a tinge of wonder to it.
For 1981, the week-long adventure became "The First National CARP Workshop," and it was moved to Snow- mass Retreat, an immense complex of ski condominiums about 10 miles west of Aspen, Colorado. Here, at this lovely resort of relaxation and athletic pursuit, CARP erected a huge tent, and gave morning service while the rest of Colorado slept in. All of CARP got a chance to know Rev. Park, his wife and nine children, as well as the rest of the national movement, which had expanded to over 100 campuses coast to coast.
Happiness to some was an afternoon in the Jacuzzi -- the outdoor, hot swirling tubs. For others, the accustomed diversion became a morning spent in lecture -- required of all participants -- and an afternoon communing with the spirit of the Great Outdoors. Still others sought peace of mind by trying to make the acquaintance of every CARPer in attendance, which, although nearly impossible, nonetheless led to some unending friendships.
At the end of the '81 workshop, Rev. Park set the stage for this year's annual event. He said the Second National CARP workshop would be "for everyone" -- parents, friends, guests, even members of the newly-formed EuroCARP movement, who achieved notoriety that year by setting 130 of themselves down in the middle of a communist-sponsored "peace rally" of more than 200,000 demonstrators in Bonn.
When spring arrived this year, the prospect of once again attending the CARP gathering stimulated my imagination. I was now at The News World -- put there by Father on God's Day -- and after six months of writing and editing stories in the International Department there, I needed a glimpse of the mountains the way a fish needs water. There is some deep, original need, I've discovered, that can only really be satisfied by getting into complete touch with the creation.
Man's heartfelt response to the beauty and purity of nature is to be at peace, both with himself and with the things of creation. My longing about to be fulfilled, I boarded the CARP East Coast regional bus on June 4, and departed for the Golden West. As I glanced about the speeding vehicle, I was reaffirmed in my belief that there's a side to our nature which craves adventure and only the outdoors can provide that. The CARPers already seemed excited about their trip of discovery that awaited them.
One day's westerly travel led us through the turnpikes to Illinois, then south to St. Louis, Missouri. That city's towering Gateway Arch symbolized to us the unity of our nation as much as the pioneers' adventuresome spirit. Past the mighty Mississippi River, we crossed the plains states: Arkansas and Kansas, although flat as pancakes, were memorable for their efficient farms populated by steadfast farmers. We discovered the true greatness of America in the simplicity and dedication of its folk.
Finally, we entered the great mountain state of Colorado on June 6, and even though the hour was early, none could sleep while the incredible array of gigantic and totally unique mountain forms passed by in endless procession. Truly, the mountains must be the highlight in God's plan for creation; not only are they distinct with personality, but they are awfully huge, as well. For a "city kid" like myself, not used to mountain- watching, I was continually amazed by the depth of variety in each mountain, their infinite rock formations exuding almost humanlike personality and strength of character. I felt like I was in a special little heaven created just for CARP.
As we pulled into Snowmass, were greeted by cheers and a milling throng of new arrivees, one of whom was my fiancee, who had made the long trek in the Southeast Region's blue school bus. After registering, I noticed a sign: "Welcome to the 'Family and Friends in the Rockies' Seminar!" Again, the spirit of the Great Outdoors struck. My fiancee and I went to pray, following a nearby nature trail to its conclusion near a waterfall. In the distance we could see the snowcapped Rockies, as we told Heavenly Father of our desire to make the most of the week.
And what a week it was!
First, there was an inspiring morning service given by the CARP leadership each day at 7:30. This was followed by breakfast at 8:30. my fiancee's father and sister were there, too, and with the bright Colorado sun illuminating the patio where we ate, we basked in the promise of each new day. After the meal, we went into the airy tent for the day's lecture, which lasted until lunch.
Lunch was followed by fun activities such as sauna and Jacuzzi, horseback riding, folk dancing, songfests, competitive sports like volleyball and soccer, and also those glorious long nature hikes. In the evening, there was special entertainment or very special talks. Once, Dr. Durst spoke, mostly to the many parents and guests who were in attendance, about misconceptions concerning our church and about our advances in many areas, including the success of the "Inchon" film at the Cannes Film Festival, The Washington Times, and the victory of the tax case in New York state. Another night Eldridge Cleaver, a reborn Christian, told how he felt that his whole life of struggle (being a black- power advocate in the '60s and later an exile in Algeria) had led up to his finally being taught the Divine Principle. He related how, when he had tried to turn himself over to the FBI of the U.S. government, he was told he must be crazy for doing so.
"But isn't that what the Principle teaches," Cleaver said, "that to go opposite to the way of the world, this world of sin, is the way to do God's will?"
Everything was not so serious, however. There was the New World Players' production of "Godspell," a stirring musical rendition of the last days of Jesus. All were touched by its compassion and modern-day relevance. Another evening in the Snowmass Theater, the players let it all hang out with a talent extravaganza ranging from pantomime to comedy sketches to an all-out musical revue. Many of the guests seemed amazed that the family contains so many talented brothers and sisters.
Equally amazing were the CARP "Rockouts" when the ski lodge was filled with CARPers dancing to the rhythmic strains of Prime Force, Blue Tuna and Izzataband (recently renamed Cultoons). Making a special guest appearance was the "Yu" band, featuring Hyo Jin Moon on electric guitar. Music always has a way of making a day light and happy, no matter how strenuous it has been.
A fantastic Wonwha-do (karate) demonstration put on by seminarians and Belvedere security brothers, led by Kensaku Takahashi, was memorable. Flying blindfolded kicks, incredible board- breaking, and hand-to-hand combat amazed all. Perhaps the best stunt was a brother who ran halfway down a hill and did a flying leap over six bent-over brothers before breaking a wooden board with his foot. Courage, indeed!
The workshop concluded with either a day of mountain climbing at the scenic Maroon Bells lake and mountain range or white-water rafting on the turbulent Colorado River. I chose the river trip, and fortunately remained among the select group of those not flung at least once into the cold foamy drink. Hour-long water fights between boats, lazy drifting down shaded canyons, and hard rowing to escape treacherous pitfalls are memories always keep.
Perhaps the best way to conclude a recollection of the CARP workshop is by returning to the purpose of it. For this, I look to the words of the new CARP international leader, Rev. Yong Suk Choi, who said: "We are the young people of America. We are here enjoying the beauty of creation for a special purpose; to communicate between God and myself, and myself and other human beings.
"Finally, we are here to discover the true purpose of this nation and the contents and direction of God's dispensation for this country. Without knowing the direction of history and the direction of God's dispensation, life is meaningless. If a person just works and sleeps and lives and dies, he has no value. The important thing is how much purpose and meaning we have in our working."
Concluding, he said, "We all have 24 hours in each day. But can God and Jesus trust us in what we are doing? Our everyday life should be a prayerful life centering on God's will."
Whether we're in the scenic Rockies or New York City, to live our life with true meaning for God is indeed the very best road that we can take.
(Note: Since the Colorado workshop, directions from CARP Headquarters went out that the new focus of the movement would be pioneering, with each campus having one pioneer, initially, rather than a group of witnessers. To attain Father's standard of three spiritual children, our nation's universities and colleges are going to be very busy places, indeed!)