The Asian American Task Force (AATF) conducted a weeklong God’s Day 2008 celebration and workshop at Lake Placid, FL. Mr. Edward Busque, the Director of Asian/American Task Force requested that I give a one-day workshop to the AATF members. Although I was not qualified to fill in for Rev. Phillip Schanker and Rev. Kevin McCarthy, who supposed to give the lectures, it was such an honor to be invited.

With two days to prepare, I put together five presentations on: MFT 101, Life of Faith, and Internal Guidance on the importance of Formula Course and frontline experience. Kaylee and Alyssa Aguilar offer songs to the MFT members On Friday, January 4, 2008, my wife, two daughters and I drove to a camp in Lake Placid, FL. The trip became a family event and the driving to the workshop location was indeed a pleasant excursion.

The place was perfect for this type of gathering because it was in the middle of orange groove with beautiful lake and wonderful scenery. We arrived at 9:00 am and about 100 young and highly spirited MFT members from different Asian countries such as Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Nepal and Malaysia welcomed us.

The seminar program started with my daughters offering couple of songs while I played the guitar. The MFT members were pleased to hear them singing and my daughters were extremely happy to sing for everyone to their delight. My daughters haven’t seen so many young people like this and they did enjoy the company.

I began my presentation on Fundamentals of MFT and some practical guidance on Life of Faith. I enjoyed sharing my testimonies and experiences while I was in the frontline. The topics on "Becoming an Object Partner of God’s Heart", "Sowing Good Seeds" and "Light of the World and Salt of the Earth" were well received. Because the audience was really diverse, there were several translations going on while I was talking. The atmosphere was filled with great excitement and I was inspired and deeply blessed to take part on this historical gathering.

I received a Certificate of Appreciation from the AATF Staff along with my two daughters and wife Keiko.

Personally, I wanted to begin the New Year with the right mindset and determination. I can’t think of a better way to welcome the 8th year of Cheon Il Guk than being with these bright, young faces! My one-day off from work was greatly compensated with a bright hope seeing these young and highly enthusiastic members willing to go to the frontline and work to build Cheon Il Guk. I thought I went there to give inspiration but I left the workshop with so much fervor and ready to face of what the year 2008 has to offer.

Danny Aguilar joined the church in Baguio City, Philippines in 1989 and is now based in Tampa, FL. He was blessed in 1992 to Keiko (Japanese) and has two daughters, Alyssa (6) and Kaylee (5). He is currently working for a large medical device company as a Senior Quality Engineer.