The Words of Joong Hyun Pak
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The Words of Joong Hyun Pak |
Hyo
Jin Nim is welcomed by community leaders at the Camp Sunrise
Dedication Ceremony.
The purpose of the camp is both educational and spiritual; to be used to study Principle, have time for prayer in the creation, and also some physical recreation. God's work of restoration is through education. When people don't understand God providence, they cannot pray or act effectively. Jesus Christ was always teaching, and so many important saints and religious people were teachers, because through education people are brought back to God. Father knows the value of education, so very early on in the American movement we acquired Mt. Kisco and Camp Happy Lake. Satan also knew that those would be God's restorational tools, so he made trouble for us and it has been a difficult situation on the east coast for the past 15 years. We went through a wilderness course, but in 1989 Father said all indemnity had been paid and he made a declaration of victory.
Based on this statement and also Father's direction to witness, Rev. Matsuzaki and myself started looking for a camp facility. We feel that God really prepared this beautiful property for us. If we successfully utilize this camp, we can substantially change New York. We have already begun 2 days, 7 days, and 21 days workshops here, as well as department workshops. And from July 27 to September 27, all New York and New Jersey members will be attending a special 3-day tribal messiahs' summer camp. If members have a good experience here themselves, we believe they will send spiritual children. People can have very deep prayer experiences here, under the trees, with birds singing, and watching the moon and stars. Hyo Jin Nim said this camp is like a mother's womb, where rebirth and recreation will take place.
On
July 2, 1989 Hyo Jin Nim, accompanied by the community leaders,
sanctifies the grounds.
Father said there are three things needed for an ideal site: land with green trees, rocks and hills, and water. If the land is flat, there is no natural rhythm. This land has rhythm and also two beautiful lakes. At the founding ceremony, Hyo Jin Nim said this was like a mother's womb, a birthing place. The cabins need a little fixing, but we can easily embrace up to 500 people at one time at a workshop. We want to winterize the camp, too. The entire area of 80,000 acres of well-preserved forest is open to drive through. In June, there were so many flowers blossoming. Also, the colors of the trees in autumn will be beautiful. There are beavers in the lake, and deer crossing the woods at night. Swimming, boating and canoeing are all possible. There is also great fishing here.
I've been in America since 1972, and find this camp to be such an inspirational place. Also, the camp superintendents really like us, because we care for the camp, fix things, and don't complain.
Hyo
Jin Nim sanctifies the camp buildings with Holy Salt.
It is very prepared place. This is the end of Father's 43 years wilderness course. I heard a voice in my mind saying, "This is a new age. That is why I am giving you this place to be used to educate and serve people." Because of Father's sacrificial course, Satan couldn't prevent us from getting this camp. The east coast hasn't had this kind of educational birthing place before. Without a good birthing place, you may not even want to give birth to spiritual children. So this is from God; Satan had to release this because of the time. Recently, Father did a 70-day fishing condition nearby here on the Hudson River. That was the time that we found this place.
Many departments can come together in this God-given place and be reborn here. Hyo Jin Nim said, "How can you not be inspired by being here in the creation?" Hyo Jin Nim was so happy when he visited. However, his prayer was that he felt it was so painful to offer this great witnessing facility at such a late date to True Parents. The fire of education and witnessing should be ongoing, no matter what. But in a sense we halted it, so to rekindle it takes more energy.
When I first asked Hyo Jin Nim if he would come to bless the camp, the first question he asked was whether the tribal messiahship leaders would be there. So we gathered the community leaders for the opening ceremony. Hyo Jin Nim is like a mediator between Father and us, and he wants us, the blessed families, to bring happiness to Father by taking tribal messiahship seriously. Father said to love God, love people, love all things. We can do all of these things here.