The Words of the Juma Family
|
|
The Words of the Juma Family |
We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father and our dear True Parents for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness about our True Parents, using Father's autobiography. We could not have achieved this goal if it had not been with the help we received from our Japanese missionary, Tomoko Taira and the Patterson family. Thank you for your support and may God bless you! Together we did it!
When True Father asked us to give out his autobiography, my heart was willing, but I had my limitations. I had done a lot of conditions to give ideas, but it seemed I was getting no answer. One day I can to the realization that in my prayer request I was self-centered, and I had to change my prayer and my focus to what I will for God, so I promised God that if He answers my prayer, I will do three things for the providence. One of them was to distribute Father's autobiography, and soon after that prayer, an answer came on how to give them out. I was also faced with a fear of not knowing exactly to whom I should give the books. Another big challenge is that I had to do this distribution without the help of my husband, who is working in Africa while I am here with our two young children.
But one day, I read a testimony from this second gen from New Jersey, who went out to distribute Father's book, because she felt sorry for her mother, who really wanted to do it, but could not because she was sick. That really touched me, and I became aware that there is nothing a determined spirit cannot do, no matter your circumstances. Just go ahead and do it.
I started giving out Father's book in mid February, 2011. After praying and asking God and my ancestors to help, I figured I could give the books where I work. With over 800 employees to talk to, I felt I could achieve my goal quickly. One night I set a goal of giving out seven books on each floor of the building where I worked, and planned to finish by June.
My first book went to a minister's wife whom I've known for many years. She initially accepted the book, but after looking at Father's picture, she refused so loud that people started looking at me. I felt sorry for her, but said, "thank you."
After that first encounter, I did very well passing out the book. I then changed and started giving to as many as I could give, and started first to pray for those I wanted to give the book to, and it would happen that that night I will meet them. At the end, I gave 150 books with the simple message, " PASS IT ON." Now, most people at my work know about the book. Some do pass it on to their friends and will even first highlight parts of the book that they want their friends to read.
There are some who have finished reading it, and they really appreciate that I gave them the book. One Kenyan told me he read until the end and is so happy about the message Father gave to the youth. So my hope is that at least they can read and get something from this book. As I told them, by the time you finish reading the book, you will receive something to help you.
One sister in our church who had finished giving 430 copies of Father's books told me to focus on my people, so I knew the only place to meet them would be church or the store. One day I was invited to an African church, but missed the church service and ended up going to a different one. The pastor at that church refused to pass the books out to his congregation but took one for himself and two other people. I became kind of frustrated, because I had been out with my children since 10 a.m., and it was now nearly 2 p.m.. My children were now hungry and I was tired because I had been up all night working. I had wanted to give out more books that day.
So I had to think about where to go next to fulfill my goal. I decided to go to an African store one Sunday to buy some food. I went inside the store and asked the owner if he would allow me to stand outside and hand out Father's book. I stood outside with the children, even though it was cold. Together, we gave handed out a good number that day. Some declined, but they did so politely. I met many from Africa. Some knew about Father, and some didn't. I felt so happy to have given out so many books. By the end of the day, we had given out 5 boxes. We had overcome many obstacles.
We gave some books to the job seekers and some even to the homeless. They all accepted joyfully. On the day we gave our last boxes, we went to a different store which was much bigger than the others. The experience was different in that there was a mix of Asians, Africans and whites. Many refused the book, but some accepted, because it is hard to refuse anything given joyfully from kids.
There was one man from Africa whom I had given Father's book. He told me his life was very busy and that he probably would not have time to read it. But he soon returned, telling me that something inside him led him to receive the book. I felt he was pushed to do so by spirit world and said he could call me for any questions he might have. That was the day we made our goal. On the way home, my young son said, "Mom, since we did it, God will allow us to enter Heaven!"
The whole experience was wonderful! It really made me believe that all things are possible and if we put our hearts in doing something, we can, because the spirit world is really right there with you when you call upon them to help. There are so many people who were prepared by God. We just had to go out and witness. This of course is not the end of our journey. I know that I have to go out and witness even more.
When the Dalai Lama of Tibet came to Minnesota, our work provided us with discounted tickets to the event, which was sold out. I thought to myself, "this is the Dalai Lama, but we have the Messiah." The next time Father comes to Minnesota, we can also sell tickets. Even though it is more difficult to sell tickets, we should do so anyway and attend our True Parents.
I am so grateful to God for my children, and for their patience. It enabled me to accomplish our goal. We have received so many blessing from God that we need to remember to remain grateful and give back.