STF Culture Moves Christian Heart

Nobuki Ishibashi
October 1, 2005

After the shake of a century, America asked for volunteers and STF packed up to assist in emergency relief efforts. It took four days for the 26 STF members from 2nd year to drive the 2,100 mile journey from Berkeley California to the small town of D’iberville Mississippi. Jove Meyer a third year STF member, and I went ahead before the others to prepare what we could.

It was a miracle from the start. Just as we had walked through the front door of the now tattered school gymnasium, we were surprised by the amazed exclamations of "Hallelujah!" and "Praise the Lord!" by current Christian relief workers. The current volunteers had just pronounced the word "Amen" in a prayer circle they had held desperately asking God to send volunteers to the forgotten town. The current relief workers had to leave the next morning, and until that moment, there was no one to take care of the area for miles around. The STFers were welcomed by the current Christian relief volunteers with phrases like "Wow you are God’s miracle" and "Heavenly angles must be with you". It was a sight they will never forget, and a gentle reminder of God’s love and influence in our lives.

The tranquility of the calm passive night was suddenly broken by the whistles and bells of STF alarm clocks. It was 4:30 in the morning and all the volunteers in the crowded school gymnasium woke up in a daze. Confused and not knowing whether it was a fire, a flood, or an evacuation call, the volunteers were comforted by STF saying "It’s ok, it’s just us. You can go back to sleep now". That morning was An Shi Il. At first the volunteers were confused. One man asked me why they woke up so early. As the STFers were leaving the room I replied that this is the tradition of the Unification church. We start the week out in prayer to offer it to God. The Christian volunteers were, once again, very surprised and impressed as to the attitude of these bright young people. They also woke up at that time.

It was only one day until the Christian volunteers had to return to their homes, but one day or not, eternal bonds of friendships were made. One Christian volunteer, Darrell Qualls, a 26 year old single man working as a Dell technician, re drove the ten hour journey from Alabama with his parents to return to Mississippi. The family was very inspired by what Qualls mentioned as the "STF spirit" or the "STF attitude". He continued to say that "I am so surprised to see the great discipline and determination of young people to serve others … we need this kind of youth program in our community. I will send my children to STF!" When asked why he and his family returned, Qualls replied "I missed the spirit here and simply, I missed my friends." Later Qualls, inspired by the attitude of STF, in tears approached me asking how he too could create this heart in his own life. I replied "Go to Atlanta, and hear Rev. Moon speak". Qualls excitingly took note of the date and address but because of logistical reasons could not make the speech. He is hoping for future opportunities to arise.

The impact of our young members resonated so deeply in these Christian volunteers hearts, that actually I didn’t go one day without receiving a call from the previous volunteers asking "How is STF?" Even my wife, who speaks little English, received a call from one Christian man who, in broken grammar, could only get across "Nobuki great man. Nobuki – great man."

The citizens of the small Mississippi town also were so grateful to the volunteers whether from STF or through other organizations who ventured south to help in the relief efforts. They even referred to the STF warehouse as the most loving food bank they had been to. It was even nicknamed "The Love Warehouse" by locals. The town was so moved that they felt they should do something in return, so what better than to volunteer themselves before STF headed home!

It was a great experience to all. STFers could experience God’s heart, and Christian volunteers could see hope in America’s young people through the STF program. Each night, STF led closing prayer with every volunteer from the Christian organization.

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