The Words of the Roulot Family
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The Words of the Roulot Family |
Three brothers and sisters share their experiences, thought and feelings on IOWC. Alain Roulot is working on Mr. Viggo Jorgensen's Team. Nicolas Nitsch and Angela Vitale are with Mr. Henk Dijk.
During my time in the Family I travelled through some countries in Europe such as Germany, Italy and England. At the beginning of this year I was asked if I'd like to go to America. I had to think for a few minutes before I answered. Yes! Because I was a bit scared about America, such a big land! Also in Europe there isn't such a good feeling about this country. Movies from America usually deal with corruption, sex and criminality, which causes a rather negative attitude in Europe, especially from people of the older generation.
When I arrived in America, I was deeply impressed about this vast land. Everything seemed to be three-dimensional.
The first thing I did was to join the IOWC, as Father had asked each of us. And I felt a very strong desire to participate in it, too, for many reasons. One is its historical meaning.
During World War II many soldiers came from America to save Europe, and many of them also gave their life for it, for the sake of freedom, for the sake of God. Very often my parents had mentioned to me about these events that occurred during that crucial time.
Another reason is America has had great men such as John F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King who were speaking out for the sake of the people of the world, for justice and freedom.
They could do so because they stood on the foundation of Democracy. In America, Democracy is the highest "law."
Today America has the greatest man in all of history: True Father, our True Parents, who had come here ten years ago in order to bring back this nation to Godism. Father has given powerful speeches announcing the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth and its fulfillment through the True Parents and God's direct image.
At the present, the IOWCs are working in many states, to especially revive the Christian churches and to vindicate the name of our True Parents.
Our work is very interesting and exciting. By staying for 21 days in each state, we learn a lot about American people. Each state is very different from the other, and it feels like working in different countries. Also through each brother and sister I can see the innumerable unique aspects of God's heart. I am very grateful for them, that they all came together to work for the same cause. Through this God-given mission, I think we will never lose any blessing: on the contrary, we will only gain. My sweat, my tears, my blood will be the historical memory of my work in the IOWC, because it is the will and desire of God for me to be here.
By doing our mission here we are not only laying a foundation to save America, but finally the whole world.
Many people are waiting for something to happen; internally they are waiting for love and externally for help. If we accept and feel responsibility for that and act on it, I am sure that miracles will happen. If we can only believe that, America can be saved through us.
There is no doubt that everywhere Communism is lurking. We desperately need to inherit True Parents' tradition at this time by believing in them, having faith and sacrificing. Thus we will build a strong foothold against these influences.
To participate in IOWC is truly a historical event and a privilege for all of us. Let us become one with the inspiration of our True Parents which is expressed to us through our Commander, Rev. Choi.
In the early hours of June 1st, our team was preparing to depart from Detroit for Indianapolis, the third city of our campaign.
One day I collapsed with pain and my whole body perspired. I suffer from stomach ulcers but this was not the pain of ulcers. I was worried and wanted a medical examination.
When Mrs. Verheyen returned from the conference with Father, she investigated our health condition. She looked really worried when asking me how I was. The next day, she took three members to the clinic, but I was not one of them. I struggled inside, but then I remembered that her attitude when she inquired about my health was one of concern. Mrs. Verheyen had told our team many times that if we want to restore spiritual children we may be struck physically to pay the indemnity which they have not paid. Thinking of this I was able to overcome that struggle. I felt Indianapolis may well become a "Break-through City" for me. I want to mention at this point that I recuperated within a few days after our arrival.
The 12 o'clock rally is a focal point of our team's daily activities. Monika Kellett and I decided we had to speak at the rally in order to break through a spiritual barrier in ourselves.
On Friday morning, June 17th, I was praying before beginning the day's activities. I felt clearly this was the day I had to speak. Later on that day I discovered the reason why. Also Mr. Dijk had suggested that our team should average ten signatures each a day for Dr. Durst's speech. This suggestion was made on Thursday, and the person who wrote the twentieth signature on my paper is the subject of this article.
This person, Ron, had a vision, which indicated to him that this day Friday would be an important day for him. Also on Friday at noon he was passing by the street where we had the rally and resisted a very strong spiritual urge to go down that street. Those two experiences as well as others indicated to him that he was meant to meet our church.
Though he is not yet 23 years old, he has been seeking truth for many years. He was especially pleased by the parallels of history. He had received a revelation that the Messiah has already returned but he could not understand how until he had heard the lecture about it.
As I reflect on my experience of meeting Ron, I remember Father's speech on January 2nd. He said that our success will depend on good friends, good leaders and in doing well the things which are contrary to our normal selves.
In my case "speaking out" at the rally was contrary to my normal self.
I am grateful for the good friends and good leaders in IOWC who help me to go forward to the goal and achieve success.
I met Jeanne on a Saturday afternoon. My task was to invite people to Dr. Durst's conference in Indianapolis on June 22nd.
When speaking to the people I introduce the Unification Church as well as myself, and then invite them to the conference. But when I met Jeanne, for some reason I asked her if she had a few minutes to speak about God. She was positive and we began to talk together.
Jeanne told me that one quarter of an hour before our encounter, she had prayed to God to receive guidance. At the same time I was praying to meet good people. After I gave her a presentation about Father and the Unification Church, we spoke for about half an hour sitting down on chairs that were put up all around that central place of Indianapolis for a big festival.
I also gave her an overview about Divine Principle discussing the nature of God's heart and the relationship He wanted to develop with mankind throughout history. We also spoke about education and communism. Jeanne told me then that she was working at a picture frame factory and a store.
At the mobile home I showed Jeanne the movie, "People of the Quest" on videotape. Before she left we agreed on an appointment on Sunday afternoon. Jeanne explained that on her way home she was thinking about the purpose of life, and observed the people talking in the streets who have no definite aim.
Next day I received a telephone call that she could not come to our appointment. When I asked why, she answered me that it was not her intention to change her religion. Although I never mentioned such a possibility, I thought to myself that this was the point and that something was happening; but I did not want to be dominated by the situation, so I suggested another appointment to Jeanne, no matter if she would come or not. Monday at the same time at the same place where we had met before.
Jeanne did not come on the next day, which seemed to be understandable since her home and her working place were in the suburbs of Indianapolis, about 40 minutes distance by bus.
Yet after I had come back to the mobile home I heard that Jeanne was in the library. It was one hour before the mobile team was supposed to leave. I ran to the library where I met Jeanne, and then we ran back together to the mobile team -- just in time.
After that I spent the evening at the center and Jeanne developed a close relationship with our French sister there, Mireille.
From this time on, Jeanne came regularly to our center and then to the conferences. Finally she attended the two-day workshop. She even began to witness!