Teaching Sunday School: Special Needs Children also have a Right to Religious Education

by Vicki Henry-Minneapolis Sunday School Director

The issue of special needs children in our church is a very important and person one to me. When my second child, Matthew, was born, he couldn't breathe. Consequently, he ended up having a tracheotomy and lived with a trach tube for the first 6 1/2 years of his life. When he was still a baby, I went through so many "ups" and "downs"-mostly "downs". I found myself questioning my entire religious and life path. But then I had a dream in which all the Unification Church members were gathered in an auditorium. Father was on the stage. He brought all the Blessed Children who had been born with Downs Syndrome up onto the stage. They were all teenagers by that time. Father then said, "These children have paid the indemnity." I didn't know for what particular thing(s) this indemnity had been paid, but I assumed it was for something very important and significant in the growth of Heavenly Father's Kingdom. This dream was the first step in my slow realization and revelation as to the extra specialness of these children, who were also chosen by God, to be the beginning of a world filled with His love.

For so long in our church, it was silently understood that only "able- bodied" and "able-minded" individuals are what Heavenly Father needed. The role of the special-needs individual was glossed over as a tragedy in God's Providence. But I might add here that working for God's Providence is the way of restoration. We have many things to restore, from our own personal lives to our ancestral heritage, our nation's history, etc. Incorporated into that is a series of attitudes towards special-needs individuals, of special-needs individuals and about special-needs individuals which also need to be restored. The reasons for this restoration are varied and many. The point is we must respect and value these special-needs persons as well as their unique course and the course of their families. Special-needs children and adults have a right to a religious education the same as anyone else. They are also God's children.

Inclusive vs. Exclusive

The benefits of Sunday School inclusion for special-needs students is quite obvious. First, they will be getting the same education and attention to their spiritual lives as all the rest of the children. Their families will also feel hope for their child to be able to understand Divine Principle and God's love, as well as hope for their child's Blessing.

For the "normal" child, having special-needs children in their classes will help them learn compassion, patience, understanding and acceptance.

If we want our church to grow, if we want others to be able to experience and know God and His love on a daily basis, if we truly want the entire world to be Blessed, we have to be a church which is inclusive of everyone. This means adapting building structures, room arrangements, buying proper equipment and supplies, and also adapting our teaching methods.

True inclusion doesn't mean making exceptions or excuses for those children with special needs. If a child is to be truly included in every aspect of what happens in the classroom, he or she must be allowed to fully participate in every activity. If all the children are sitting on the floor and you have one child sitting in a wheelchair, that child is being excluded. He is not doing the same thing as the rest of his classmates. If the dress code is that all the boys wear ties, what happens to a little boy who has a trach tube? To make exceptions is to make their differentness stand out in a negative way. It also does not allow acceptance to happen. The meaning of inclusion is to include.

Note: Personally, I feel requiring a certain type of dress for Sunday School is creating an exclusive environment for all children and adults. Neat, clean and well-groomed should be the only standard. If we start requiring dress shirts, suits, patented leather shoes, white gloves, fancy dresses for the children in Sunday School, we will be excluding a lot of families who may not be financially able to meet those standards. Not to mention that it puts an "elitist edge" on the church itself. What really matters is the internal heart. Remember, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness," not designer suits and dresses.

Classroom Strategies for Inclusion

For as many learning styles as there are, we must have corresponding teaching styles. You will find that this will benefit all of your students, not just those with special needs. Certain classroom strategies are essential for true inclusion. They are:

1. Hands-On Center Teaching: These are called "stations" or "learning centers." This arrangement sets the stage for small groupings of children. If you are faced with the dilemma of having 10 children ages 5-12 years in your class, this is an excellent style to incorporate. It also frees the teacher to move around the room to each center to assist, maintain control and have extra time to work with those students who need it.

2. Child- and Teacher-Directed Activities: This is where the teacher incorporates the children's ideas into the curriculum. Idea boards or suggestion boxes are in this category. When ideas come from children, you are automatically setting the stage for the children to be enthusiastic, cooperative and creative. A special note: children who are non-verbal should also help make choices. Find a way to help augment their communication.

3. The Teacher as Facilitator: This style throws the lecturing format out the window (which is where I feel it should go, especially when teaching young children). Facilitating education involves 5 steps: planned activities (fun, hands-on, open-ended), presenting material and information (sharing knowledge, not lecturing; can be done through Q&A), grouping children (to allow peer teaching and assisting), monitoring behavior (to make sure children stay focused, materials are used correctly and no one is left out), helping children come up with the answers (asking open-ended questions to help children think, create and problem-solve).

4. Cooperative Education: This is peer tutoring; it helps in socialization.

5. Multi-Aged Classrooms: This allows children to work at the level which is best for them but still not feel left out or different.

6. Individualized Education: An education plan which is best for each child individually because we all learn in different ways, at different speeds; this is for all children, not just special-needs children.

7. Low Child-to-Teacher Ratio: Small group size is very important for quality education and absolutely necessary for individualized education. Pre-school should be a ratio of 1 teacher to 10 students, elementary classes should be 1 teacher to 12-15 students at the most.

Resources

Some resources which are excellent on inclusion are as follows:

Making School Inclusion Work: A Guide to Everyday Practices by Katie Blenk

Opening Doors: Strategies for Including All Students in Regular Education by C. Beth Schaffner and Barbara E. Buswell

Adapting Early Childhood Curricula for Children with Special Needs, Third Edition by Ruth E. Cook, Annette Tessier and M. Diane Klein

That All May Worship: an interfaith welcome to people with disabilities by Ginny Thornburg

All the Special Children, VHS video, Dr. Leo Buscaglia, narrator

I also have made a compilation of what I considered the best and most pertinent information necessary for Sunday School teachers. It is called, simply, A Guide for Inclusion of Special Needs Children: excerpts and is $15.00 plus $3.50 shipping and handling. You can write me for it at: 827 6th Ave. N., St. Cloud, MN 56303. Make checks payable to: Vicki Henry.

Newsletter

While attending the National Sunday School Teachers' workshop in NY in August, I talked briefly on inclusion. In doing so, I talked of Matthew and my other son, Sean, who is autistic. After we broke for lunch, two other members approached me saying they had autistic sons as well. This has inspired me to want to establish a newsletter for our church members who have all types of special-needs children.

Even though there are non-church related support groups of various kinds. I feel our church members go through some things that other people do not and that it is, perhaps, easier to "talk" to a church member about their circumstances.

If you would be interested in receiving this newsletter and/or contributing articles or tidbits, please write me at the above address. Please include the name of your child, age and what their special need is. This will help me in putting together a relevant and useful newsletter.

Parents

Parents are caring.
Parents love sharing.
Parents are nice,
But hate mice.
Parents are friendly,
But hate getting angry.
Because parents are parents.

Parents have sad sighs.
but nice hi's,
And sweet good bye's.
They sing a nice song,
When a day's long.
They try not to get mad,
Or try not to get sad.
But I don't know why...
All I know is that they are my...
Parents!
Because parents are parents.

by Diana Santelli (8 years old) Newark, July 23, 1995

New York's Satellite Blessing

by Peter Ross-NYC

This holy day, bond of love forever more! Hallelujah, glorious day of joy!

The classical form of the New Yorker's Grand Ballroom, enhanced by its bountiful spiritual heritage, has made of it a sanctuary that the devout of any religious tradition would deem an accommodating worship site. Not even such a symbol of modern technology as a giant screen upon its stage could detract one smidgen from its holiness. For 250 couples gathered on the evening of August 24, it certainly fit the bill. There they stood in this inner sanctum, their orderliness completing a harmony of strength and beauty. And silently, prayerfully, they waited.

For some it had been a long wait. For others it was happening so suddenly! Yet, throughout the day they had conjoined together via the rich and sacred component aspects of the Blessing ceremony. Now, together, they waited. Considering the technological logistics involved in securing a live link with Seoul, the old maxim about the devil being in the details came to mind, and if not to any of the participants, then certainly to the minds of those on the organizing committee! For the route the signal had to travel seemed, now in these quiet moments, fraught with so much peril. From Seoul the signal was to be dispatched to an international satellite orbiting the earth somewhere way out there! Amidst the tension reminiscent of watching the American sprint squad transfer the baton in the final leg of the 4 by 100 meters relay, this moving international satellite was to pass on its charge over Brewster, Washington, to an American "bird" (SBS-6, transponder 1, horizontal on the KU band no less!). From there heaven's blessings were to be showered throughout the land as one grand national fireworks display, accessible to anyone with a satellite dish. This cross-over between science and religion gave new meaning to Einstein's statement about the inter-dependency of science and religion.

The link with Seoul was safely secured after only just a moment of anxious hesitation. And soon the ballroom was transposed to Seoul. Following the scan of the camera around the stadium everyone could quickly become familiar with their new surroundings. The police band in the Olympic Stadium entertained everyone. And the sudden appearance of a rain-drenched face of a Korean staff member, momentarily shocked to be caught looking into the camera from a pace away, provoked fits of universal laughter. And the rain! Yet here in New York we were all so warm and dry. But in these opening moments the connections of heart and mind were so real that a chorus of You Are My Sunshine broke out among the couples in the ballroom. As it had worked almost 20 years before during Rev. Moon's Yankee Stadium speech, yet again this hearty singing caused the rain to subside and right on cue as the officiants entered the stadium.

As Reverend and Mrs. Moon conducted the Holy Water ceremony in Seoul, their assistants in New York, suitably dressed in white robes, moved among the couples in the ballroom and sprinkled holy water with generous and deliberate intent. They reached to the very back corners so that even the shyest couple smiled as the refreshing droplets evoked a spontaneous shudder of delight. This proved sober preparation for those assembled to join together with 359, 750 other couples and to affirm their Blessing vows. In doing so, they pledged in unison to dedicate their love to God and to serve in love their respective communities for the noble cause of world peace. Reverend Moon offered in prayer this entire ceremony to God and called upon God to bless these couples and their families that their tradition of love might yet renew a troubled world.

Moving from this most public display of their commitment, each participant then turned to their spouse and in the exchange of rings affirmed their eternal commitment to each other. In such a personal and intimate moment, each couples' expressions and actions were a delight! A beautiful and vibrant Israeli couple kissed each others hand after placing the ring on each other's fingers and spontaneously offered each other a reverential bow. An elderly couple smiled at each other, summoning the full bounty of their life-long love and replenishing it through the grace endowed by this occasion. A young American husband pointed out his family up in the balcony to his European wife and she was immediately secured within the family's loving embrace. Through the un-translated speeches of congratulations offered in Seoul, the delight continued and in the language of love nothing was lost.

In conclusion, Reverend and Mrs. Moon then led all 360,000 couples world-wide in the traditional cheer of Mansei, Mansei, Mansei. And victory for ten thousand years it will be! In 1977, while speaking about how the restoration of God's ideal could yet be realized, Reverend Moon said:

To accomplish [this], you must discover the extraordinary power of love, love that does not become the circumstantial victim of society. Supreme love transcends every national, racial, and cultural barrier. People have always talked about love, but human love alone will never accomplish the task of universal unity. Therefore, we rally around one love - the love and heart of God.... The East and West are meeting here today, not merely because we want to see each other for personal reasons, but because the heart of God is linking us into one.

Letter to the Editor - Plea For Cambodia

I have a request: If there are Cambodian members anywhere, or if you know of any (all my research, so far, has been fruitless), or if you know of any missionaries there or in the vicinity, or if you can tell me where I can get such information, PLEASE WRITE ME.

There is a Khmer, 20-year-old member here, for whom any information would be invaluable. Also, does anyone have materials to teach DP to someone of Buddhist background? I have Thomas Cromwell's "Essentials of the Unification Principle" but it is not enough.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

UnHyo Delessert
Rue des Brevards 9
CH-2000 Neuchatel
Switzerland
Tel.: (038) 24.21.49
e-mail: GudelB@dial.EUNET.CH (please mention: for UnHyo)

In Memoriam Richard Quebedeux

The following is the text of remarks delivered by Dr. Michael Mickler at the close of Dr. Quebedeaux's Sung Hwa Ceremony in Tokyo, Japan. At this point, in accordance with Japanese tradition, Dr. Mickler was asked to address Dr. Quebedeax's spirit directly in farewell remarks intended to sum up his life. Dr. Quebedeux suffered a diabetes-related attack and went into ten-day coma, passing into the spiritual world on July 4, 1995. He is the first Westerner and first non-Japanese to be buried in the Unification Church's Won Jeun (cemetery) site in Japan.

Richard, we are gathered here to rejoice in your ascension into Heaven, into the spiritual world. The many messages from the highest leaders in the Unification Movement attest to your victorious life and the way you have opened for others to follow.

Through all your life, from a very young age, we can see the power of Heaven working. From your birth in Los Angeles which you considered "very important" due to the different kinds of religions there, Heaven moved in your family as your parents became increasingly zealous Christians, going on overseas mission, serving the urban poor, and embracing the Holy Spirit. You were active in their church as a youth leader. However, at the same time, you were highly educated in the best schools - UCLA, Harvard, Oxford - and this created a conflict in you between the way of religion and the way of the modern secular world. Much of your life during that early formative period was spent trying to resolve this dilemma and to discover true Christianity. Most importantly, you made the conscious decision to be a Christian and to commit yourself to Christ.

For this purpose you undertook your writing career and early ministry. This stage was a time of your "shedding sweat for the earth," a working phase during which you completed advanced degrees and published five books with important American publishing houses in seven years. Each of these works was intended to help discover the nature of authentic Christianity. You also served in important denominational positions, including that of campus ministry, as you attempted to bring liberal and conservative Christians into dialogue. You were a bridge-builder and had major successes. You were well know in religious circles as an important interpreter of American Christian life. And yet, because you recognized the contradictions within Christianity, this sharpened your hunger to know the true gospel and to become an authentic disciple.

It was at this point that you encountered the Unification Movement and recognized that for which you had been looking. As you put it, you had "really never seen a group of people who exhibited the heart of God so well and wanted to see things from God's point of view." What was great was not only the way recognized God in a reviled and persecuted group but also the way you responded. As Dr. Hendricks' noted, when virtually no American Christian leader would stand up for Reverend Moon, you stood up. You became a defender and interpreter of the Unification Movement as well as an outstanding bridge-builder between church and "established" Christianity. You really were a "founding father" of this dimension in Unification tradition. You traveled worldwide, organizing conferences and helping to establish the foundation for the inter-religious activity of the Unification Movement today.

During this period of growth, you also came to know more profoundly the suffering heart of God. You remember how you told me that you wept all night during your first visit to Barrytown, in part because of an "angry" book you had written. You also experienced rejection from Christians less prepared than yourself. Later, you sometimes experienced rejection from Unificationists when you pointed out differences between ideals and reality and called upon us to be who we truly needed to be. Undoubtedly, the significant portion of your writing at this time and, perhaps, your most enduring contribution to Unification reflection were your explications of "indemnity." It was at this stage of your development, you "shed tears for mankind." Some of these were in repentance, some in sorrow. You learned to shed tears.

These tears prepared you for the culminating step in your life, Richard, when you entered into the completion stage of blessed marriage. You wrote once that the Unification Movement "for the first time in your life gave you a glimpse of what the new humanity will be like." By entering into blessed marriage, you not only had a glimpse but you became a part of that new humanity. All of us rejoice in the happiness of your marital union. We especially admire the love and honor you bestowed on Hiroko. In Rev. Moon's words, you truly regarded her as your "second Messiah." Many of us have seen the fruit of this completion stage of your life course in the quality of your marital relation. Unfortunately, you were not given the chance to translate this into a wider ministry. It is indeed ironic that you have been called to make the ultimate sacrifice of shedding your lifeblood for Heaven at the point of your greatest fulfillment on earth. Nevertheless, you may have received a higher calling. That you labored in a coma for ten days, not passing until July 4th, suggests that your ascension is related to your home nation. That you are to be buried in Japan, your adopted nation and homeland of your beloved spouse, hints that your passing is connected to the mystery of these nations' reconciliation, particularly in this significant 50th year anniversary of the cessation of wartime hostilities between them. As you were a bridge builder on earth, may you be a bridge builder in Heaven.

And so, Richard, there are no regrets. We will miss your physical presence among us. We miss you. You are an unforgettable person. You opened the gates for many and lived a victorious life, truly in the Unification tradition of shedding sweat for the earth, tears for mankind, and lifeblood for heaven. We bid you farewell into the world of love. We love you Richard.

In Memoriam Joachim Bernhard Baum

September 2, 1951 - August 14, 1995

Joachim Baum ascended August 14, 1995. His passing resulted from complications of heart disease which manifested suddenly. The following is a compilation of Joachim's history and testimonies shared at his Seung Hwa.

Joachim Bernhard Baum was born September 2, 1951 in Frankfurt, Germany, where his father and two brothers still live.

In his youth, Joachim was active in his Roman Catholic church. He and Werner Seubert, who later introduced Joachim to the Unification Church, became school and church friends in 1965. They began working together with the Catholic youth group in the church in 1968 and have remained friends for the past thirty years.

Around September, 1970, Werner first learned about the Unification Church, and began studying Divine Principle. He introduced Joachim a few months later, and Joachim became a member, moving into a Frankfurt Church center at the beginning of November, 1970, when he was 19 years old. As Werner related at Joachim's Seung Hwa Ceremony, he and Joachim sort of "midwived" each other into the Church, Werner introducing Joachim to the lectures and Joachim persuading Werner to move into the Church center.

During Joachim's first three years in the Unification Church, he worked in Germany sharing the Divine Principle with others. He became a center director for Heidelburg, and Werner was in his center.

One strong impression about Joachim remains in Werner's mind and heart. He said that after Joachim joined the Unification Church, he made a one year condition to read two chapters of the Divine Principle every day. After seven months of faithfully reading every day, he missed one day. Joachim determined to begin the entire condition again, and started over. So, in all, he read two chapters of the Divine Principle every day for one year and seven months.

Werner says, "Joachim is so determined and strong- willed. At that time, no one made one year conditions, only 40 days or less. So people knew about Joachim's condition and would ask him, `Are you still doing your condition?' And of course he was, because when Joachim said he was going to do something, he would do it." Werner says that Joachim was always very concerned on a heart-to-heart level about others. His great determination and strong-will is matched by his pure and sincere heart.

Joachim was invited to come to the United States as one of the first Europeans to participate in the One World Crusades. He came to America at the beginning of January, 1973, joining Dr. Edwin Ang's bus team as an assistant and traveling state to state, working with True Father's speaking tours. When the teams were later assigned to states, Joachim became a state leader in the New England region.

When Mobile Fundraising Teams were organized in the United States in 1973 under Neil Salonen, Joachim was asked to be an MFT captain. Joachim was Jack Ryan's first fundraising captain after Jack joined the Church. Jack remembers Joachim speeding towards a movie theater late one Sunday evening where he was taking the team for some relaxation. They were running late, so Joachim phoned the theater and said, "Hold the movie until we get there!"

During the Yankee Stadium and Washington Monument campaigns of 1976, Lisa Lay worked with Joachim in the kitchen, where they cooked round- the-clock to feed about 2,000 people per day for over 6 months. They began in the Headquarters building at 43rd St. and moved the kitchen to the newly-purchased World Mission Center on 34th St. The kitchen was very dirty and they had to clean it, move everything from 43rd St. to the World Mission Center, and continue to feed the brothers and sisters. Lisa says, "I can still remember his white apron and flip- flops. He felt like my big brother. He made you feel like he was your protector, that you were safe when he was around."

Eventually, Joachim moved to Colorado, where he worked with Philip Burley as his assistant and fundraising captain. He also gave lectures in the Church and on university campuses that time. Sometimes brothers and sisters introduced Joachim affectionately as Dr. Baum because he looked so much like a university professor and had such a tone of authority with his German accent! He gave presentations on the spiritual world and spiritual phenomena.

From Colorado Joachim went to San Francisco to continue his education. He graduated summa cum laude from San Francisco State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History. Then he finished a Master of Arts degree in Western European History from San Francisco State University. During his years of study, Joachim worked in sales and, at night as a security guard in order to finance his education.

Joachim was Blessed in the 8,000 couple Blessing in Korea, October 14, 1982, to Robin Whidbee. They have four children: David, seven years old, Yuri, four, Joshua, three, and a daughter, Samantha, who went to spirit world shortly after her birth.

In June, 1991, Joachim graduated from Unification Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity degree. Joachim served as a project coordinator for the Religious Youth Service program held in San Francisco in August, 1990. There were two projects: the first with the Native American Association and the second with Habitat for Humanity in Oakland. Joachim helped set up and coordinate the projects, in which approximately 40 young people participated. The past few years he was enrolled in the Master of Education program at Queens College.

In February, 1992, Joachim traveled to the Black Sea region of the former Soviet Union to help staff workshops that were held for thousands of university and high school students. He was a group leader for teachers and students from Bishkek, Kyrgistan and from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, two Central Asian republics, assisting the missionaries to Tashkent, Chris and Christine Hempowicz.

Though Joachim had previously taught Principle extensively, he enthusiastically listened to Chris' lectures. When he told Christine how excited he was about the lectures, saying, "Chris really knows what to say to reach their hearts," Chistine realized with amazement what a humble man Joachim was. Rather than demanding a position for himself, he simply gave his best to whatever job was given him and supported those around him.

Joachim continued to keep in contact with students he met in the workshops and one year later, traveled again to the former Soviet Union, going directly to Tashkent to assist the Hempowiczes for 40 days. Joachim served as the main lecturer for various workshops in Uzbekistan. Many of the students he taught are participating in the 360,000 couple Blessing.

As an additional note, during this 40 days in the CIS, he traveled with a missionary who had been newly-assigned to the Central Asian republic of Turkmenistan. After an arduous journey, they met officials in the Turkmenistan Ministry of Education and invited them to seminars in Uzbekistan. They returned a few weeks later with a delegation of ministry officials, teachers and students, together on the train. Joachim was so personally committed to these people! He was like a big papa, making sure that they had comfortable accommodations after their difficult journey.

The past few years, Joachim worked as a substitute teacher while working towards his Master's degree in education. He became very concerned about the education of American youth, specifically about the students' moral education. He tried to guide them, and witnessed strongly about the importance of marriage and fidelity. Joachim felt that he could really share about God's heart through history and this was his goal: to teach high school History courses.

Joachim also worked for United Vision. Barry Geller, who worked with Joachim in retail sales, shared about Joachim's love for his family at the Seung Hwa. He said that Joachim kept a picture of his family with him while working, and even left the picture when Barry was working alone! His family was his inspiration, and he would often testify to his customers that his own children used and enjoyed the products. Barry also talked about the discussions he had with Joachim, which sometimes became arguments. Joachim could passionately plead his point!

Robin Baum shared deeply from her heart with the brothers and sisters who gathered at the Seung Hwa Ceremony to honor Joachim. She talked about his love for his family, and his absolute dedication to be a faithful husband. She reminded us, "Don't go a day without kissing your spouse good-bye when he goes out the door. Don't forget to say how much you love and appreciate him." Robin pledged her determination to raise their children to love God and True Parents and to serve God's providence to the best of her ability.

If you know Joachim and would like to share a part of his history with Robin and their children, you can write to her c/o World CARP, 4 W. 43rd St., NY, NY 10036.

In Brazil, Center-Stage in the Providence

by Tessa Squizzato-Sao Paulo, Brazil

I was raised in England and met the church in the U.S.A. in 1978. In 1980 I was matched to Dr. Francisco Squizzato, a Brazilian lawyer. We were Blessed in Madison Square Garden in 1982 and I came to Brazil in June 1983.

At that time everyone was going to the United States, being called by Father to help the providence there. So I had a huge internal conflict about "deserting" the providence. After much prayer, I received the revelation that I should go to Brazil to help make a foundation for the future, when the providence would move there. It was quite difficult to believe, as no one ever mentioned Brazil, and during the years here it was also hard to keep faith in this revelation as we seemed to be rather "off the map" in regard to the central providence.

Now that everything has suddenly changed about here in Brazil, and Father is here so much, it's hard to believe that we went through that "dry" time. I see now how it was all a preparation time, guided by Rev. Kim Hyung Tae's vision and faith.

When I arrived, I immediately saw the immense potential of this land. Huge fruits and vegetables grow freely without any help from man. The land is rich in ore and precious stones and is one of the most beautiful countries that you can imagine, with so many variations. It is so very difficult to describe Brazil as a nation because it is enormous, more like a Europe with the mixture of cultures and traditions.

In the south of Brazil you could be in Europe itself-Germans and Italians settled there and developed the land. It is very ordered, rich, clean and well-organized. I was lucky enough to live in the south for one year in 1984, where our first child was born. Florianopolis is a wonderful place, a city on an island surrounded by beaches. It is a favorite for Argentinian tourists to visit.

Many people, when they hear of Brazil, think only of poverty-stricken slums, backwardness and Indians. Brazil is much, much more than this. In this article I'd like to show a little of the other side of Brazil- the Brazil that isn't the Amazon, Indians, "favellas" and the Carnaval. But first I'd just like to mention some things that I noticed about the above. I really feel quite sorry for the Indians as there are not so many of them and they are rigidly "protected" by over-eager naturalists, so they have no freedom at all to choose what they'd like to do in life. The Carnaval takes place for one week in February, and during that time the majority of Brazilians go to visit relatives or escape to the beach. Poverty exists and there are some underdeveloped areas that really need a lot of love and attention. This problem could easily be resolved once the resources of this country are distributed more fairly, which can come about through re- education. The educational situation in most of Brazil needs to be improved, but there is huge potential and some already excellent schools and universities, especially in the southwestern part of the country. Potential is the key word for Brazil. I know it is ready to explode into growth with the slightest encouragement.

Returning to my time in Florianopolis, while I was there I held various art exhibitions and visited other galleries of a high level. We opened a cultural center where I taught English and painting. We also had other language teachers for German, Spanish and French. All the students were of a very high level-engineers, medical students, etc. I was deeply moved by their heart. What could be misunderstood perhaps by some as simplicity, I see as a pureness of heart coming out spontaneously in so many ways. Brazilians want to be of help. My parents were so amazed at the sacrificial attention of a porter at the bus station who looked after them until his shift was over, when he told in detail my parents' situation to the porter who was taking his place. Then he went to change and go home. But instead of going home he waited until their bus arrived and he had safely seen them onto it before he left (also refusing any kind of tip). One of my medical students so very kindly took me (enormously pregnant) to various art exhibitions, also driving me all over the island to show me the sights. Other female students organized a "baby tea" ("cha de nene") when they saw that soon my son would be born. I was overwhelmed as they all gave me such wonderful presents. One Brazilian boy whom I was helping on his spiritual path insisted that he had too many material things and thrust his gold watch at me to give to my husband.

As you can see, they are an extremely generous people. They always want to serve the very best they can. I'm always so impressed at how they treat visitors. They pile the tables high with all kinds of delicacies: cheeses and marmalades, cakes and different kinds of bread (many times home-made, sweet and plain), juices, teas and coffee. The mother of the house always serves herself last, first seeing that everyone else is satisfied. It's very beautiful to see. When on a witnessing mission, going house to house, it's difficult to get through the day without putting on weight, as they really feel quite put out if you don't accept what they offer!

Because of different missions, I have been blessed to have seen most parts of Brazil; the Amazon forest and Manaus, where the rivers meet, flowing side by side, black and brown. There I saw the beautiful buildings from the colonial times, theaters, enormous houses and grounds, straight out of old Portugal! At night everyone is out on the sidewalk chatting to the neighbors.

I lived for a year in 1983 in Vitoria, Espirito Santo, and watched the enormous ships taking the deep red iron ore off to Japan. One of the first things I noticed was how much construction is going on in Brazil. Wherever you go, you can see new buildings and houses going up. I have seen an enormous change in the last twelve years here. At first I felt that the people were going through an "adolescent" stage, but I now see that Brazil is "coming of age"-and beautifully.

I now live in Itu, Sao Paulo, which is an old Colonial town where the Republic began. The streets are cobbled, the houses have been reformed with taste and painted in the most wonderful pastel shades (or the traditional blue and white). On the outskirts of the town are many closed residential areas, with beautiful, huge houses built in every style imaginable around the lakes and on the river banks. This is the other side of Brazil-the rich and technically advanced side.

Sao Paulo is an enormous city (coming in by plane, you can only see highrisers for as far as the eye can see in every direction). It has many shopping centers-all mirrors, brass tubing and moving staircases with the luxurious palms reflected in the plateglass windows full of the latest fashions. Brazilians are very fashion-conscious and love to be beautiful, taking great care of their looks. I've seen-not once but many times-people coming out of their simple wooden homes in sparkling white clothes.

Now that Collor opened the doors to imported goods, the roads are full of Mercedes, BMW's, Mitsubishis and all the latest blown glass shapes in cars. The well-groomed drivers are usually seen talking into their cellular telephones. And there are lots of cars! In the last two years, the traffic has grown in Sao Paulo at an alarming rate. The airports are always full of the most sophisticated-looking people, embracing and crying in each other's arms. I've still got English blood and have to admit that it's pretty overwhelming to come back from Europe to find more than 30 friends and family with banners and flags waving wildly with joy as one walks through the barrier! It touches me really deeply.

There's so much to tell of Brazil. It's such a colorful country-even within the peoples! Black, white, yellow and brown all live together in harmony. Where else would you find Koreans, Japanese and Chinese all living together in Japantown? I won't say that there's no prejudice here, but it's not between the black and white races, but more towards the populace of certain parts of Brazil. But having lived in America and felt the intense climate between races there, I think you could almost say that here there is not much prejudice at all.

Within the church I have seen miracles happen. Rev. Kim Hyung Tae wants with all his heart to give joy and comfort to True Parents. With his faith and strength of purpose he has substantialized his dreams with the help of many truly wonderful brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters who knew next to nothing about construction have been trained, and then built the most beautiful temple for our True Parents, as well as a large and luxurious apartment for their living quarters. The members made the doors, windows, shelves, etc. They molded the plaster moldings (really beautiful flowers and birds). They cut and polished the granite and marble for the floors and walls. So much investment and sacrifice went into these buildings, from the earning of the money to the hanging of the last chandelier. Brazil owes so much to Rev. Kim, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him and ask God's blessings on him for all he has done for this nation, and for all he will do in his new mission as Father's ambassador for Latin America.

Brazilians are very sensitive people, eager to believe in the good of people and so easily hurt when deceived. Some are like delicate eggshells which can be crushed by too rough handling and others have such deep faith, continuing in the most difficult situations. For example, in 1981 when all the centers were destroyed and there was terrible persecution of the members, most of them came through with stronger faith. In 1983 our center was also completely destroyed and brothers and sisters were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Their faith and perseverance during those trying times was beautiful to see.

One very special characteristic of all Brazilians which I can't omit is their very particular "jeitinho" (way?). All Brazilians have a "jeitinho" which is impossible to translate but includes the ability to fix a broken car, wire up a house, build a house (wooden or brick), and generally get done whatever needs to be done, not necessarily in the most traditional of ways but certainly in the most creative! My husband is a lawyer, university professor, TV and radio interviewer, but in the most unlikely moments is capable of rolling up his sleeves and "fixing" the problem, whatever it may be. Fantastic!

Illinois VIP gets Blessing

by Bruce Sutchar-Elk Grove Village, IL

Illinois State Senator James H. Rupp and his lovely wife Florence (Jim and Floss) have been participating in Unification community activities for over 10 years. Sen. Rupp was mayor of Decatur, Illinois (an industrial town of 100,000 people) for 10 years and then served for an additional 10 years as its state senator. While mayor of Decatur, Jim would go out to the mall on Friday night with his entire family so that the people of the city could meet with him. Jim is truly a man of the people. Often we would have to meet him in another town in order to have a serious business meeting without interruption.

In the early 1980s, during the CAUSA era, Sen. Rupp answered an invitation for a program in Decatur. He was very inspired, and when the American Freedom Coalition was formed in 1987, he became the founding chairman of the American Freedom Coalition of Illinois, along with Major General Ted W. Sorensen and Dr. Jakie Roberts. His experience at the American Leadership Conference inspired him to become fully involved with AFC. Mrs. Rupp strongly supported his work in this area, because she knew that the American Leadership Conference stood for all the ideals that Sen. Rupp had believed in and worked for all of his life.

Sen. Rupp diligently served the AFC for many years. He hosted a sold- out Oliver North event in the Decatur Civic Center in which Dr. Robert Grant, president of the AFC, and Robert Owen, Oliver North's special assistant, each spoke to the capacity crowd. Sen. Rupp attended American Leadership Conferences in Washington, D.C. and Miami and this past February, Mrs. Rupp flew to Washington, D.C. to attend the International Women's Friendship Conference.

Strong Christians who emigrated to Illinois from New Jersey, the Rupp's have two married sons and an ever-growing number of grandchildren.

Recently our Unification brother and sister Greg and Chizuru Quigley, who live in Urbana, Illinois about 30 miles from Decatur, visited with the Rupps and arranged for them to attend the Blessing of 360,000 couples. However, one week before the event, Sen. Rupp became sick and was forced to go to the hospital. Even in his hospital room, Sen. Rupp expressed the desire to participate in the Blessing Ceremony. Therefore Greg and Chizuru made all the necessary arrangements with the hospital and with the senator's family in attendance, the Rupp's were able to fully participate in the ceremony from their hospital room. Mrs. Rupp looked stunning in her beautiful white dress and the senator's son and grandson enjoyed the ceremony very much.

When I called the senator, on the afternoon before the ceremony, he was excited and anxious, since he thought the ceremony was at 7am, but he persevered, and along with Greg and Chizuru and the hospital staff (Chizuru showed the IWFC video between the Holy Wine Ceremony and the simulcast of the Blessing), a wonderful time was had by all.

Through the years Sen. and Mrs. Rupp have been such conscientious public servants, good friends of our True Parents and all whom they touch, and faithful children of Heavenly Father. I am sure that God must feel such joy as this special couple was able to participate in the Holy Wedding in such a unique way.