True Parents' Special Luncheon to Celebrate the Historic Victory of the African Summit 2018 Menu
Special Luncheon to Celebrate True Mother's Victory of the Africa Summit 2018
Julian Gray
January 24, 2018
Opening of the Celebration
Several hundred Korean, Japanese and International leaders of the Family Federation and other providential organizations were honored guests at True Parents' Special Luncheon to Celebrate the Historic Victory of the Africa Summit 2018, today, January 24, 2018 at Cheon Jeong Gung.
FFWPU International Headquarters secretary general Dr. Young-ho Yoon warmly welcomed everyone, and introduced the Africa Summit's theme of interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values. The Summit had attracted a number of incumbent heads of state, 17 speakers and deputy speakers, some 300 members of Parliament, and religious leaders whose congregations number in the millions.
Dr. Yoon mentioned that the Africa Summit was not just a single event but a combination of various meetings, including those that introduced character education curricula specially developed for Africa, explained the Korean Saemaul (New Village) movement, or outlined our own coffee growing venture, to leaders from across Africa. Thus, in addition to the profound spiritual nature of the event, practical interaction led to the signing of some 80 MOUs.
True Mother, whose sole initiative it was to hold such a summit in Senegal, came to Africa in person and gave a profound message of Blessing, filling everyone with grace. Mother went to Gorée island, one of the most central and infamous locations of the Africa slave trade, and offered tearful prayers to comfort and liberate those who had suffered there during four centuries of appalling cruelty and barbarism wrought by Christian nations. Dr. Yoon testified that everyone wept and then rejoiced at the liberation that came to Africa based on that day.
Our faith is going to be greater than that of David who vanquished Goliath. Father in the spirit world and Mother on earth are one. If we all unite, amazing miracles can happen.
Mother is welcomed and Heaven's blessing asked
Mother then entered the auditorium and received flowers offered by Africa group chairman Rev. Bakary Camara and Africa special emissary Kathy Rigney. Kathy was one of the hundreds of missionaries that went out to nations of the world in 1975. And Bakary was one of the first Africans to join at that time. Congratulatory gifts were then offered to Mother from all leaders, on behalf of the providential homeland of Korea and on behalf of the Mother nation of Japan.
Recently installed president of the Family Federation for a Heavenly Korea, Lee Gi-seong then prayed in gratitude for the liberation of the unspeakable pain of Africa, that True Mother had embraced that continent and moved the heart of the president of a Muslim nation. "We bow our heads," he said, "to those who worked hard and offered much" and paid tribute to the two African leaders who, in losing their lives, became the living offerings to protect this providential victory.
A video presentation was followed by a hoondok reading of Mother's speech given at the opening plenary of the African Summit on January 18.
International Headquarters secretary general Dr. Young-ho Yoon added the comment that Mother's message was not just for the members – and explained that the visiting dignitaries had responded so well to Mother's words. Some had come from thousands of miles away from opposite ends of the continent because they knew this was an event not to miss.
The two leaders who had presented Mother with flowers then gave reports. They were two whose faith in True Mother's vision for the Africa Summit had been the catalyst for all the work that followed to prepare for it.
[These reports are truncated and summarized. Readers are recommended to watch a video recording of the event if one is available.]
Rev. Bakary Camara
True Mother Thank you. We are grateful to have you forever! Mother said we must fulfill while she is on earth, and by 2020 we must offer at least seven nations in front of God.
Rev. Camara explained that when the leaders of the African FFWPU and other providential organizations came together in April last year to receive education, Mother blessed them and blessed Africa. Since that time, Heavenly Tribal Messiah work with tribal chiefs has led to some 120 new heavenly tribal messiahs emerging victorious. In some instances, we have worked with a nation's government. Moreover, tribal chiefs have begun to send their children to be educated in the Principle, and so far there have been 1,700…we do not have to look for them. In addition, Archbishop Ndanga has given the Blessing to 2,000 members of his church. On that foundation, preparatory workshops are continuing.
Our own second generation members are so inspired and they are doing six-month or one-year field work in preparation for the Blessing and—at least for some—to become missionaries. So our movement was affected for the better also.
The Chung Pyung ancestor liberation team visited four nations in Africa and liberated many spirits.
Rev. Camara also mentioned that in preparing they had met heads of state around Africa, a valuable experience in itself. These included the King of Lesotho and the King of Togo.
Despite all this, he emphasized that the holding of the Africa Summit was not due to Africa's effort but because of True Mother's own.
Like Dr. Yoon, Rev. Camara also emphasized that the event went beyond the plenary itself; we were able to offer our character education curricula to the visiting leaders and ministries of education signed MOUs; 100 religious leaders launched the International Association for Peace and Development (IAPD). There was Mother's historic visit to Gorée Island, by which the door in the spirit world to a shining Africa swung open.
Dr. Yoon then invited Kathy Rigney to come to the podium and give her reflection.
He testified that Kathy had shed many tears and offered so much Jeongseong….
Kathy Rigney
Mrs. Rigney began with a reverent expression of thanks to True Mother. Then she spoke:
When I joined in 1969, I secretly studied Mother. I would look at her pictures, and watched how she walked, talked and handled every situation. Of course I was working under Father's guidance, yet as a woman I needed to have someone I could follow and understand, and that was Mother.
We were happy to hold an African regional summit. We thought of the easy way to make victory – in a developed nation such as South Africa, with one or two heads of state. but Mother asked for us to bring all heads of state, the highest level national leaders possible, from 54 nations, not to South Africa but to Senegal.
I was nervous and afraid, but since Father's ascension in 2012, Mother stood up and said we are not going to stop. For me that was a pivotal and life-changing moment. I was determined to follow Mother, even if that meant dying. I felt that to disappoint Heaven would be worse.
Every day Mother pushed us. Her HQ staff pushed us in firm, loving and kind way, to strive for the Summit's objectives. Their guidance made it possible to do things we would otherwise not have. I have learned so much from Mother.
I learned about courage
When I meet a head of state I think of what to say so that he we can be friends and that he will welcome me back another time. But when Mother met President Macky Sall of Senegal on January 17, after he welcomed Mother to the presidential palace, Mother graciously responded and then asked, "May I speak?"
President Sall replied, "Yes of course."
Then over some 40 minutes Mother explained to the Senegalese president about the providence from beginning to end, about True Parents and about God's only begotten daughter. Mother had come not just to make a friend but to teach this person who was like her son; she treated him with the heart of a True Mother.
After Mother concluded, President Sall said that for peace we need people who believe in God. He thanked Mother for her teachings. His attention and that of his staff (who were taking notes) had been unwaveringly on Mother' face as she spoke.
So the lesson is that we cannot just seek to make friends, we have to explain to people about God's providence.
On January 18 in front of 1,200 of the highest leaders who ever gathered in one meeting in Africa, Mother again proclaimed her position as True Mother. I wondered about the Muslim leaders there and afterwards I went round asking them. They all said, "Mother Moon's speech was so moving." They did not just say it was a good speech. Wherever Mother goes she is not afraid and she does not hesitate to proclaim.
I have to learn about courage from our True Mother.
I also learned about true love.
Since I became a missionary (and before the church I worked with Martin Luther King for black civil rights), I felt, as a white person, I had to repent for the suffering of black Americans and Africans. Why has Africa had to suffer so much?
We never suggested to Mother to go to Gorée Isaland; this was Mother's idea. "I have to liberate all the people who lost their lives."
I believe Mother when she says that we must find those prepared, righteous people all over the world. Mother herself has found them: at the 2017 world summit, one minister from Senegal saw Mother onstage. The minister asked me, "Who is she, that everyone loves so much?" I explained; he took us to meet Sheikh Mansour Diouf, and through him we could meet the President and overcome the opposition.
I learned about follow up
Mother is not just thinking, "What a great victory"; she is thinking what to do next, how to explain our principles to prominent people, how to inspire those who already understand in what they can do next— and how to keep running faster. That is how Mother is thinking and feeling.
An important figure in another African country is one example of someone who was so inspired he wants to invite Mother there and wants her to have the use of existing foundations that would allow her to receive the goodwill of many people.
I am grateful to have a loving Mother who puts her life on the line to bring glory to Heaven.
Dr. Yoon offered further comment at this point:
After Mother's speech the following day, President Sall said that a new Africa would begin from that day.
We know if we attend Mother at the center there is nothing we cannot accomplish.
Dr. Yoon mentioned the many people who had made special effort to support: European STF members built a road on Gorée Island for Mother to walk along; the leadership of the project, including Sheikh Mansour, who overcame so much persecution; the African leaders. Saying that the preparations for the Africa Summit began and ended with jeongseong, Dr. Yoon tearfully spoke of the two leaders who had lost their lives and asked everyone to remember them, as they were the living offerings for this providential breakthrough.
Before lunch was served, International FFWPU Vice President Dr. Kihoon Kim offered a victory toast. Toward the end of lunch, the UPF chairmen for Japan and Korea each gave their impressions as they had brought with them to Africa prominent politicians from their own countries.
Dr. Yoon then read out letters to Mother sent by Archbishop Johannes Ndanga and Sheikh Mansour Diouf, both very touching. In his letter, Sheikh Mansour said, "Mother, I pray for your good health. Please live long, so your beautiful light can shine throughout the world!"
Dr. Yoon also read out the prayer of liberation Mother had offered at Gorée Island [This will be available through our church media in due course].
The event concluded with entertainment, led off by Hyo-jin nim's daughter Shin-yuh, who sang a song that her father had written and played, and then followed that up with a charming version of "You Are My Sunshine" accompanied by Shuji Hata, a Japanese member who has become famous in Korea as a jazz guitarist.
Other beautiful musical renditions followed, including energetic song and dance by the youthful participants in the Asia Top Gun workshop, and by Apple Heaven, some of whose members had just returned from security duty in Africa with Mother (but showed no signs of flagging!).
The members of the audience, lifted up by the amazing testimonies they had heard, and by the beautiful singing and dancing that followed, joined in three thunderous shouts of Eok Mansei to conclude the occasion with joy and hope.
Special Banquet to Celebrate True Parents' Victorious Return from Africa Summit 2018 - Live Broadcast Flyer
Africa, In Heaven's Providence, Is a Continent Prepared to Unite With Mother
Hak Ja Han
January 20, 2018
True Parents' Victory Celebration for Africa Summit 2018
It's nice to see you! Before I came out here today, I wondered what the etymology of Africa was and searched for it. Africa! I learned that Africa was called "Motherland" because it is the called the cradle of civilization and that Africa means "light."
Then Africa, according to heaven's providence, is a continent prepared to unite with Mother. You know True Parents. You are blessed families and blessed children who were blessed by True Parents. Then should you know the Parents' language? Alternatively, will you continue to communicate in your own language? You must learn the parent's language.
Therefore, I have given Sunmoon University scholarships to our second-generation members from around the world to educate many of them haven't I? Those children, in four or six years will become global leaders who speak perfect Korean. In regards to Africa, the reason I chose Senegal, is because I met righteous people [(from) there] prepared by Heaven.
By liberating Africa's painful past, I wish to raise them into a position where they can take responsibility for Heaven's providence through the physical and spiritual worlds. Even in the world, there is nothing a mother will not do for the happiness of her children. I am the True Mother of the cosmos. Today, in society, if you say "Africa," people think of a poor continent with low living standards and various difficulties. Yet if we look at history, Africa is the cradle of Ancient Civilization. However, the reason this flower could not bloom was because of the Fall. This was because we became fallen human beings who were not qualified to meet Heavenly Parent, the center and the Creator. The beginning and end of Heaven's providence is the same. Adam and Eve, whom God created to become the first ancestor of humankind fell but God could not throw away the principles he had put in place at the time of the Creation and begin again with new people. The providence had to continue according the principles put in place at the Creation.
This was why, in order to save fallen humankind, God had no choice but to begin the providence of salvation and go through the sorrowful, lonely, and sad providence of restoration through indemnity. Today there are 7.4 billion people in the world but they all did not know the Creator God, the Heavenly Parents' essence. The Christian providence continued for two thousand years but they do not even know why Jesus had come. The providence continued through Christianity, which began with the Pentecost experience of the Apostles. They had no center. There have been many mistakes and errors made because [Christianity] was passed down through people-oriented thought.
One example is that after Jesus' crucifixion, after 313 years the Roman Empire recognized Christianity and it spread from the Italian Peninsula across Europe to Britain. In the 17th century, King James had the bible translated from Hebrew into English and laymen could begin to read the Bible. That is why the Puritan movement emerged so those who had been confined under man-made systems could freely attend God. Thus, they set off to find a new land where they could freely worship God. That land is now the United States. God blessed America. Why did God bless America? This was because they had made the foundation for the returning Lord who had promised to return.
Therefore, during the short time of 200 years America became a democratic world power. Yet America is forgetting its essence. Many problems are arising -- the breakdown of the family, juvenile delinquency, drug problems.... America was becoming sick. On top of that, they were being threatened by communism. Heaven had prepared the great nation of America for 200 years! America should have been a nation that lived not only for itself but for the world. Yet America could not do this and when True Parents went to America because we are the True Parents, we shed blood and tears for forty years for a movement to revive America. Yet America did many wrongs to True Parents. Nevertheless, because True Parents are the True Parents of all humankind, we forgave and gave America another chance. God blessed America as the eldest son nation which could unite the global siblings. In a family, the eldest son must unite his siblings and help them so they can fulfill their responsibilities and become filial children to their parents. Yet today, what state is America in now? They must be taught again by True Parents. Yet the ACLC ministers from America who have a Christian background have come to life and they have begun to take full responsibility as Heavenly Tribal Messiahs in their congregations. Earlier Rev. Bakary Camara said that the Heavenly Tribal Messiah Movement in Africa is going well. This is a good thing. The 7.5 billion people of the world longed for and wished dearly for the True Parents of humankind! They are living at the same time as True Parents, yet how sorrowful will they be if they go to spirit world not having met, nor seen, nor heard of True Parents! I went to Goree Island yesterday. Missionaries who came from Europe to Africa in Christ's name forgot Christianity's essence and became self-centered. Europeans colonized Africa for more than 500 years and didn't teach them. They stole the natural resources Heaven had bestowed on Africa and because of differences in skin color they enslaved them rather than treating them as humans. That they did all of this in the name of Christ truly pains my heart as the True Mother. Thus, even though it was difficult I went to Goree Island and felt I had to release the sorrow of the many young Africans who had passed through this place.
If you look at a riverside, there are pebbles. There are stones that are round with no edges and shine very brightly. When I see your faces, I see that you are shining brightly. Through this, I can feel another interesting aspect of God, the Creator. Now, Heavenly Parent's dream, humankind's dream is being completed and concluded, but you cannot be the only ones who receive blessings. You must know that the further you spread blessings, the greater your happiness will be. You cannot stop once you become tribal messiahs, you all must become national messiahs through the highest leaders in your nation. In order to do that, the young second-generation members here, must study hard and be prepared in all respects for the future. They should strive in every respect to become united in heart with True Mother during this age. The reality is that one world centered on Heavenly Parent, one human family, can only be realized when we center ourselves on True Parents and attend them. Only through that can you become filial children who can stand in Heavenly Parents' presence. Isn't this something we should be grateful for? This is a happy thing! During these five days in Senegal, we held a historic event. We cannot stop with this and let this opportunity pass by. Now that we have plowed the field, we must sow seeds and have them take root. Then what must we do? When we look at Africa, there must be a center. I have already selected a spot on this continent. Therefore, I have decided to create a headquarters which will play the central role for all of Africa, here in Senegal!
The True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind's Blessing Ceremony for Heavenly Africa and their Prayer for Africa's Liberation
Hak Ja Han
January 19, 2018
House of Slaves, Goree Island
Almighty Heavenly Parent, until now Heaven has gone through so much pain and suffering to restore fallen humankind, but absolutely you had to complete the ideal of creation. Heavenly Parent! How many long days have passed as you worked hard and took a sorrowful course to find your son and daughter? We know of the history that has pained Heaven many times because of humankind's ignorance. Heavenly Parent! Nevertheless, you never gave up on us. Thus, you were able to find the victorious True Parents, for whom you had wished for so long. When all the people of the world are reborn through the True Parents, there will be such happiness and delight on that day.
Heavenly Parent! The True Parents, True Mother, God's only daughter, has come here today. You sent Jesus to complete Heaven's providence. You embraced those who made it so that Jesus had no choice but to be crucified. Jesus prophesied that he would return and Christianity began through the Pentecost. Yet Christianity did not know your deep will or 'Jesus' essence and they left a sorrowful history here in Africa and on Goree Island. Where did Jesus' words, "Love your neighbor as yourself," go? The missionaries who came as Christians forgot this essence when they came to Africa. How could they treat people in this way because of differences in skin color? Please remember the people of Africa who have endured and waited for more than five hundred sorrowful years.
Beloved Heavenly Parent! Today in the name of True Parents, I liberate the sorrowful spirits of Goree Island and through a spiritual workshop conducted by Heavenly Parent, they can be resurrected as good spirits and return to earth and be with their descendants so that Africa can become a nation that can realize the dream of one human family centered on Heavenly Parent and become the light and lamp of the world. Let us cooperate enthusiastically to achieve a world of no more conflict, suffering, or war- one world of complete harmony and unification centered on Heavenly Parent. I liberate and proclaim this in the name of True Parents. Aju!
True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind's Blessing Ceremony for Heavenly Africa and True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind's Prayer for Africa's Liberation
House of Slaves, Goree Island, January 19, 2018
Almighty Heavenly Parent, until now Heaven has gone through so much pain and suffering to restore fallen humankind, but you had to absolutely complete the ideal of creation.
Heavenly Parent! How many long days have passed as you worked hard and took a sorrowful course to find your son and daughter? We know of the history that has pained Heaven many times because of humankind's ignorance.
Heavenly Parent! Nevertheless, you never gave up on us. Thus, you were able to find the victorious True Parents, for whom you had wished for so long. When all the people of the world are reborn through the True Parents, there will be such happiness and delight on that day.
Heavenly Parent! The True Parents, True Mother, the only daughter of God, has come here today. You sent Jesus to complete Heaven's providence. You embraced those who made it so that Jesus had no choice but to be crucified. Jesus prophesied that he would return and Christianity began through the Pentecost. Yet Christianity did not know your deep will or Jesus' essence and they left a sorrowful history here in Africa and on Gorée Island. Where did Jesus' words of "Love your neighbor as yourself" go? The missionaries who came as Christians forgot this essence when they came to Africa. How could they treat people in this way because of differences in skin color? Please remember the people of Africa who have endured and waited for more than five hundred sorrowful years.
Beloved Heavenly Parent! Today in the name of True Parents, I liberate the sorrowful spirits of Gorée Island and through a spiritual workshop conducted by Heavenly Parent, they can be resurrected as good spirits and return to earth and be with their descendants so that Africa can become an Africa that can realize the dream of one human family centered on Heavenly Parent and become the light and lamp of the world. Let us cooperate enthusiastically to achieve a world of no more conflict, suffering, or war―one world of complete harmony and unification centered on Heavenly Parent. I liberate and proclaim this in in the name of True Parents. Aju!
In the name of True Parents, I liberate the sorrowful spirits of Gorée Island
Hak Ja Han
January 19, 2018
Prayer of Liberation on Gorée Island in Senegal
Heavenly Parent! How many long years have passed as you worked hard and took a sorrowful course to find your sons and daughters? We know of the history that has pained Heaven many times because of humankind’s ignorance. Heavenly Parent! Nevertheless, you never gave up on us.
Thus, you were able to find the victorious True Parents, for whom you had wished for so long. When all the people of the world are reborn through the True Parents, and can be called “my son, my daughter” there will be such happiness and delight on that day.
Heavenly Parent! The True Parents, True Mother, the only begotten daughter of God, has come here today.
Christianity did not know your deep will or Jesus’ essence and they left a sorrowful history here in Africa and on Gorée Island. Where did Jesus’ words of “Love your neighbor as yourself” go? How could they treat people in this way because of differences in skin color? Please remember the people of Africa who have endured and waited for more than five hundred sorrowful years.
Beloved Heavenly Parent! Today, in the name of True Parents, I liberate the sorrowful spirits of Gorée Island and through a spiritual workshop conducted by Heavenly Parent, they can be resurrected as good spirits and return to earth and be with their descendants so that Africa can become an Africa that can realize the dream of one human family centered on Heavenly Parent and become the light and lamp of the world. Let us cooperate enthusiastically to achieve a world of no more conflict, suffering, or war – one world of complete harmony and unification centered on Heavenly Parent.
I liberate and proclaim this in the name of True Parents. Aju!
