Peter Kim
July 8, 1995
Photo date and location unknown
True Parents left for South America on June 18th, and are returning today for a 21-day period. They visited 13 countries this time, coupled with the previous four (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil) makes a total of 17 countries.
Now In Jin Nim and Jin Sung Nim will cover a further six nations in the Caribbean and South America, which will make a total of 23 nations. Father spoke to between 4,500-5,000 VIPs and dignitaries from all over Latin America. Today they arrived here at 3:00 p.m. and will leave for Kodiak at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning where 140 Japanese and Korean leaders are waiting for them for a meeting and probably Father will start matching at that time.
June 18, Lima, Peru
After leaving on June 18th (by chartered plane) True Parents stopped at San Juan, Puerto Rico and Cali, Colombia for fuel and then went on to Lima, Peru. The original plan was to have the banquet on the 18th, but it turned out that the 18th was a national holiday so it was held on the 19th. Since Father arrived on the 18th, True Parents had the whole day of the 19th with no fixed schedule. The church leader suggested to visit the Inca ruins. They had to charter a different plane because the American plane regulations wouldn't allow them to fly to such a high altitude (Cuzco is at 2,400 meters). Cuzco was the capital city of the Inca civilization. The Inca civilization started around the 12th century, lasting until the 16th century when the Spanish invaded. There are still many remains from that period. The more interesting place to visit is at Machu Picchu (which means "woman's belly button"). It is placed very high so one cannot see it from below. Therefore, they were able to hide. It was built 600 years ago with granite stone. It was so well built, it lasted all this time. No mortar was used and still it lasted.
About 1500 women priests lived there. Around 1517 the Spanish army invaded Cuzco the capital and those at Machu Picchu abandoned their village and disappeared. In 1911, an American archeologist excavated the place -- now 500 tourists a day come to visit. Father said that those who built the Inca and Mayan civilization must have come from Asia. Many of the buildings, the artwork and the way of dressing are very similar to the Asian way. Father made a very serious prayer condition there and said someday Unification Church members will visit to see where Father prayed.
That night was the banquet. President Fujimori's schedule wouldn't allow him to come but two former Presidents were there. Fernando Belaunde Terry and Francisco Morales Bermudez (one is 82 years old and the other is 75) came with their wives.
After the banquet, both former Presidents said that they will come to the Blessing. Peter Kim realized that when people get old they become more like a child -- he felt this beautiful quality of child-like joy to see Father.
South American people always come late -- the banquet always goes later than scheduled. Then around 11:00 or 11:30 p.m., Father changes to casual clothes and then meets with the members. There are not so many members in each country and 3/4 of them never saw Father before. So, Father pours out his love to them until 1:30 or 2:00 a.m. Even some of them never learned to bow, so Father taught them. They were so inspired by Father and Mother. The next day, of course, Father has to get up at 5:00 a.m. to leave at 6:00 a.m.
Out of 400 VIPs at the banquet, 138 signed up for the Blessing. Now the Peruvian Church must follow-up and educate and bring them to the Blessing.
June 20, Bolivia
True Parents left Lima at 6:00 a.m. but Satan was working. Actually, through airplanes there were many difficulties. Even the day before when they tried to leave Cuzco around 2:00 p.m. to Lima for the banquet, the control tower said they couldn't fly after 2:30 p.m. This has never been seen before. So they called some of our allies who pulled strings and finally they were able to get to Lima and hold a successful banquet. Next day they left Bolivia planning to go to _La Paz, Bolivia, which is 12,000 feet high so they had to get another local plane. When they left Lima, they were told that their clearance hadn't come through yet, so they planned a fuel stop near the border -- waiting for clearance. However, when they refueled still no clearance came. It turned out that someone who was a little negative was making things difficult. The cost of this was lost time. True Parents arrived in La Paz at 11:00 but this was 30 minutes late for the meeting with the President of Bolivia who had another schedule and had to go.
La Paz is the highest capital city in the world (12,600 feet). Mother felt dizzy - no oxygen. Everyone was worried about Father being able to speak. It is not unusual for first time visitors to end up in the hospital. As you know when Father speaks, he pours out his whole energy. However, he did it strongly.
Around 340 VIPs came, including generals, cabinet members and clergy. Father's speech is about one hour and 12 minutes depending upon how fast he speaks. If the members are really united and have set good conditions, then the audience can quickly receive the message with no one walking out. Peter Kim could see that it was a very spiritual event.
In Bolivia, near the border of Paraguay and Argentina is an area called Villa Mandes. It is supposedly the best place for fishing in South America. They say that during the three month fishing season there are so many Dorado that you don't even need a hook to catch them, you can use a spear, a pitchfork, a net or whatever. Two men filled two 8-ton trucks in one day. At this site, there is a small hotel and a hot spring. Father bought 6,000 acres of property for $150,000 to make a future workshop site for high-level people.
June 21, Quito, Ecuador
The capital is Quito on the equator, however it is cool because of the altitude. There is even snow on the mountains on the equator. Ecuador is supposedly the best place to grow roses. Peter Kim sat next to one rose grower businessman who said that he sold to Eden Floral.
Father met President Sixto Duran Bellen at the Presidential Palace for 40 minutes. He was so inspired that he told Father even though he couldn't come to the banquet himself, he would send his wife and daughter.
His wife came to greet Father 10 minutes before the speech. Father said to her, "Let me tell you what True Love is." Father takes any opportunity to teach Principle to every person he meets. Later she said that even though she couldn't understand everything, she felt Rev. Moon has tremendous power.
The President gave Father his word that he would help our movement in Ecuador.
Again, Father spoke to members until 2:00 a.m.
Father visited another place where there is a monument at latitude 0:0:0 which is the beginning of East, West, North, South. At this place, True Parents took pictures at each direction and prayed there.
By the way, Un Jin Nim qualified for the 1966 Olympics. She was competing in Sweden against the best 300 riders in the world and came in second. The name of Un Jin Nim's horse is Ecuador.
Next True Parents flew to Santiago, Chile, a long flight. Father was always practicing his speech, at meal times, flying times, etc. He lived up to the standard of giving a one-hour speech after 3 hours of prayer and study.