The Words of the Futila Family

Interview with Rev. Futila Di Mayeko Michel - National Leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo

June 2008

What did members feel when they learned Dae-mo nim would come?

In Africa, people know about the existence of the spirit world. It is part of our culture. Also, we am aware of our ancestors. If something bad happens, we might go to the grave of our ancestor and pray in repentance.

So when the opportunity came for Dae-mo nim to come to our country; members felt so much hope.

Now, even though after a long time, we were given this opportunity. Even though our circumstances are not so easy, our members did their very best to welcome Dae-mo nim.

Were there particular experiences with the preparations that you could share?

Some profound experiences occurred in the three days before Dae-mo nim came.

The participation fee was set at US$30, but to make extra condition we increased the amount to $50. That may not seem like much, but it is not easy if you add $20 to the cost.

What was amazing, it was as if the spirit world opened up three days before Dae-mo nim came -- even for those who were complaining "I will miss this opportunity! I am looking for the money but..." For three days just before the event, our registration staff had to work so hard inputting data because many members experienced the spirit world opening up to them. They felt their own ancestors were pushing for the opportunity to receive the money they needed.

Up to that time, around one thousand nine hundred members had applied; three days later the total number had increased to two thousand five hundred. The registration staff had to work all through the night.

For example, at 3:00 o'clock, one member would be worrying, complaining, "I don't have the money" but at 8:00 o'clock he would come back, running, able to liberate many generations of ancestors.

We witnessed such kinds of amazing things, and through such happenings members became truly happy to welcome Dae-mo nim. It was like a dream coming true.

Eleven years had passed since the beginning of the ancestor liberation providence. Now we, like other members around the world, had the chance to receive this benefit. This allowed members to feel they are now citizens of Cheon Il Guk. This was a most important point for them. Some had not really believed Dae-mo nim would come, but now we could meet Dae-mo nim in our country!

How was it arranged for Dae-mo nim to come?

It was most recently due to the effort of our regional president, Rev. Tokuno, who pushed so hard for this dream to be realized. We are very grateful to him. [In the recent leadership reshuffle, Rev. Tokuno was made president of FEWM-Japan]

How was it organized? Did you try to create a similar atmosphere to Chung Pyung?

Even though this liberation was held in Africa, we did our best to do everything as it is done in Chung Pyung. We were, saying, "I have got some money; I want to attend!"

There was one sister who wanted to liberate many ancestors, but did not have the money to register. Two days before the event, while she was half asleep, half awake, she heard the sound of knocking at the door, and woke up. But no one was there. Then she heard a voice in her head saying, "Why are you still waiting? What about us?"

"About you? Who are you?" she asked.

Then when she went back to sleep, she saw many people. They were saying to her "We want to give you money but you have to go out yourself." The next morning she suddenly met someone who owed her money but had never repaid it. The lady said, "I have money for you." Then our sister remembered her dream. With that money, she was able to attend the liberation.

I did not want to make it a low-level experience, but a high-level one, because we are citizens of Cheon Il Guk. We felt we could do it well in Africa, too. We had some guidance and support from the Congolese members living in Korea. All the members of the ciranyang team were from our second generation, all from Congo, aged from twelve to fourteen years old!

They did the holy songs in Korean, not in French -- everyone sang in Korean! The team also specially sang Hole Arirang for Dae-mo nim. She was very inspired.

How did you manage with the language barrier?

Ngumu Frey interpreted directly from the Korean. He has lived in Korea for many years. All the Congolese members who live in Korea, and all those who had attended Chung Pyung previously, came to Congo to support us. So we invested our best.

I read you had trouble with the electricity at one point...

Yes, we had prepared well; we even had a backup generator. We had checked everything carefully; it was working. Then, when it was time for Rev. Lee Myong-kwan from the Chung Pyung training center to speak, the electricity was suddenly gone! Even the generator... I could not understand what was happening. But Rev. Lee's attitude toward the members was so kind and encouraging. They started praying so earnestly, some were crying even. We waited fifteen minutes, twenty minutes. Suddenly the power came back on. After the power came back on, everything was okay from then on.

What did Dae-mo nim emphasize in her talks?

We had only this one chance to meet Dae-mo nim, so we prepared ourselves to be open-minded; no matter what Dae-mo nim might say to us, we would receive it! We would accept it and do our best to change.

Dae-mo nim talked about our ancestors, because this was the day before the main ceremony. She was praying, meeting the spirits; she had gone into the spirit world. Because our ancestors did not know the Principle, she mentioned certain points to do with sex, polygamy and telling untruths. Our members accepted this. We have had problems in these areas. No one could deny these points.

Secondly, she talked about education, especially of our second generation. Our environment is not so good; there are many outside influences. She worries, and she gave strong guidance for the sake of our second generation.

The third point, which she emphasized when she talked to the leaders, was the education of members. Many problems come because of the lack of education. She took a long time to explain to leaders about educating members.

Dae-mo nim's last point was about her hope for Africa. Africa has many natural resources, which she called special gifts that we have received from God. This is the way God has loved Africa. But you have to take ownership, transform all these resources Ito useful products and create a happier life.

We feel so much gratitude. We have had many problems in the past, including division in our church, which led to much resentment, but now we can resolve these. Now we will be able to contribute our resources to the building of Cheon Il Guk. We can take responsibility and ownership. 

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