The Words of the Kang Family
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The Words of the Kang Family |
Mrs.
Soon Ai Kang and Shin Mee Moon.
Mrs. Soon Ai Kang was born in 1915. She grew up in Seoul, Korea and was educated at Ehwa Women's University. After graduation she became a kindergarten teacher and eventually married Mr. Duck Won Kim. They had three children. Mrs. Kang passed away on September 13, 1983.
One of Mrs. Kang's neighbors witnessed to her, and she became a church member in 1957 when she was 42 years old. She was so moved by Father's sermons and his vision for the world that even though she loved her family very much, Mrs. Kang wanted to dedicate herself completely. She gave up her family life in order to become a full time missionary and moved into the Seoul church center.
In 1960 she was sent as one of the first missionaries to Japan. In 1961 she became an itinerary worker to all of Korea until 1966. Then from 1966 to 1973 she lived at the Tongil factory, where she counseled members and cooked for Father, who visited the factory every day. In 1973 Mrs. Kang came to the U.S. and from 1976 until 1983 she worked in Los Angeles region. Her mission was to take care of the many guests who came to the Pasadena Center, and she was the spiritual counselor to our leaders as well as to the general membership.
Mrs. Kang was spiritually a very beautiful woman, very dignified and filled with grace and charm. She was full of energy and life, tending to her guests and the members. She was happiest when she was serving people. Since she joined she insisted on having a public mission and has led a very disciplined life.
Upon waking each day, Mrs. Kang cleaned herself and immediately came to the prayer room first before she did anything else. Her attitude about morning and evening prayer was very serious, as well as her attitude about attending True Parents.
Anyone who came to our house was considered a guest by Mrs. Kang. The first thing she would do for guests was to give them something to eat or drink. Even when she was very sick she would serve people. Many times just one or two members would come over unexpectedly, or sometimes a very large group would come, it didn't matter. She would always invite them for the next meal and then invest her whole heart in preparing a beautiful lunch or dinner. But the point that really impressed me was that she didn't just serve people because of their position but she served everyone who came. It didn't matter if the guests were brand new members or very long time members. She took care of every person equally.
Even if someone had a terrible personality she tried to love and serve that person. She always stressed that our relationships are eternal and that we must meet everyone again in the spiritual world. Many times she said, "even if someone doesn't love you, you must love them because that is God's way. Don't worry about what other people do, just do what's right."
I think the most important event of Mrs. Kang's life was her Blessing last year in Korea. I had heard that she didn't want to die until she could be blessed. She was elated beyond words to receive the Blessing. Father called her from the audience to be the representative for all members receiving the single Blessing. Someone took a snapshot of her standing with Father. Even though Mrs. Kang had many photos of Father and herself she treasured this one small picture the most. It was because she really valued the Blessing. Also at that time Father told her that when she died she would go to a very high place in the spiritual world.
Mrs. Kang was truly a woman whose desire was to bring the Kingdom of Heaven. She tried to comfort or encourage members constantly. I know she was tired sometimes but she would spend hours entertaining our guests.
When she had her stroke she was only conscious for a few days. She wrote these last words which I am enclosing. The first two sentences mean "restoration of the universe." And the second two sentences mean "I pray for Father's victory." Again this shows how she was thinking of Father and the Kingdom of Heaven even as she was dying.
Also Father wrote some words about Mrs. Kang on a large cloth, which was placed on top of her coffin and buried with her. The meaning of these words is: "SERVED FOR HEAVEN" -- "LOYAL TO BELIEF."