Filjap 2nd Gen Youth joined the 13th Heavenly Asia Pacific SungHwa Youth Workshop in Thailand

“Do you want to travel to Thailand? Do you like to join the workshop in Thailand?”  With sincere prayers and devotion of parents and elder second generation, 14 Fil-jap 2nd generation responded positively to attend the 13th heavenly Asia pacific Sung Hwa youth workshop in Thailand last December 26th to January 1st.   12 Fil-Jap members departed with enthusiasm and anxiety on December 25th and 26th in Seoul, Kansai International and Narita airport to join the workshop onsite while the other 2 decided to join online.    The participants who attended onsite were accompanied and supported by two parents.   

In the beginning, the participants had various reasons and motivation, however, at the end of the workshop their experiences helped in understanding about themselves, experiencing siblings love, overcoming challenges and widening their perspective in life.  Thus, inspiring them set to their goals and vision in life.  

Warm Welcome by the  sacrificial staff 

The hard working onsite and online staff welcomed the 155 participants from 9 countries such as Australia, Nepal, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan (Filjap), Germany and Thailand.  Upon arrival at Thailand airport, the participants already felt the warm embrace of the staff through their beautiful smiles and kind gestures.  The staff were patiently waiting all the participants, assisting their needs, then guiding them until everyone arrived at the Pakchong training center.   The exhausted body and sleepy faces turned brightly with excitement upon hearing the voice of the driver saying, “’We are here. Welcome to Pachong training center.”  

Meeting brothers and sisters from different countries

The 90 onsite participants had the opportunity to physically interact with each other, to the staff and to the family members who welcomed and supported them throughout the workshop.    Most of the participants didn’t know each other but they naturally interacted and bonded with each other like brothers and sisters.  They enjoyed dancing and singing together for True Mother, and then having barbecue for dinner on the first day. It was only the first day but the participants were already comfortable talking and getting to know each other. 

Experiencing  siblings love centering on TP

The participants did not only experience Thai or other Asian culture but they experienced the culture of the heart.   They had breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner together.  They enjoyed drinking and eating tasty Thai food, and tropical fruits.  They could see temples and beautiful places.  They could feel Thai culture.  

Moreover, they listened to the lectures, played during break time and enjoyed the outdoor adventure together. They could experience living with other youths who have different culture but have the same True Parents.   As second generation, although they couldn’t communicate well due to language barrier, they feel the brother and sister’s love centering on TP.   They prayed, experienced Chanyang, and had pilgrimage at the holy garden visiting and praying at the holy trees.  They helped each other in doing the activities such as service projects, rehearsing and offering their performances.  

As brothers and sisters centering on True Parents, they were able to guide, support and comfort each other.  They were able to answer some of the questions about the lecture or their concerns about their life of faith.   True Parents love bind the youth together as brothers and sisters with the support of the parents and other blessed families in the community.

Understanding myself and becoming like a pure water 

The youthful inspiration of Rev. Ronnie Sodusta reminds the participants to become like a pure water.  He emphasized that joining the workshop and listening to God’s words is like pouring pure water in the glass to the glass with garbage.  The more we pour God’s words, the more we pour clean water in ourselves.   

Then president Hori, affirmed in his opening message that as we purify ourself we will realize our own identity.   The 2nd generation is like pure water.   He also encouraged them to develop their own profession to prepare for future.  The youth have to develop their profession for the new continent.  He emphasized that the youth should develop not only ability but also mindset. 

The highlight of the workshop is the pouring of the Divine Truth.  Rev. Hajime Saito lectured the Divine Principle.  He emphasized the importance of keeping purity and preparing for the blessing.     The participants also learned the life of True Parents and received continuous guidance from president Masaichi Hori, and other leaders and elders such as Rev.  Khamol, and Dr. Kittel.   The chief coordinators of the workshop, Rev.  Cheng Hai and his wife Mrs.  Koay Ping supported by all the staff poured their love to make sure that the participants were awake to receive the precious words and for the success of the whole workshop.

Inspired by the elders

Aside from the lectures and inspirational talk from the leaders, the participants were inspired by listening to the testimonies of their fellow participants and elder 2nd generation.  There were participants and elder 2nd generations who shared their testimonies about their successful witnessing in their Heavenly Tribal Messiah (HTM) area in the Philippines, choosing and developing a meaningful career, attending 40-days in Korea and blessing experience.

The testimony of one of the Thai elder second generations about her blessing experiences gave practical information and ignited more discussion about blessing preparation, attending the blessing and overcoming challenges before and after the blessing.  

Language Challenge

Language barrier is one of the biggest challenges that some of the participants encountered.  With the help of the interpreters, the participants could listen to the lectures in their respective languages.  The Japanese interpreters were very useful to the Japanese participants particularly to the Fil-jap youth.  Mrs. Raennete Pang interpreted the lectures online while her son interpreted for the activities onsite. It was a very good mother and son tandem.  However, during sharing, discussion and social activities, the group leaders or other members who speak the language interpret for the participants.  Some participants used the translation application of their phones while one of the groups relied on the presence of someone who can personally interpret for them.  The interpreters played an important role in bridging one language to another so that the participants could understand the lecture and communicate with other participants.      

Because of the language barrier, the participants felt the need to study overseas to learn foreign languages such as Korean and English.   Encountering challenges enable the youth to set their goals and vision in life.   

Goal setting  and vision in life

The participants also had the opportunity to experience Chanyang and joined the Cheong Shim won Midnight prayer on New Year’s Eve which purifies them more and prepared them to set their goals and vision in life as we welcome the New Year.   

On the last day of the workshop, the participants showcased their talent through their wonderful performances.  Then, Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal reported the True Parents’ providence in Asia.   Followed by the overall summary of the workshop and closing prayer by Mrs. Koay Ping and Rev. Cheng Hai respectively.

The workshop culminated at the beginning of the year 2024 with hope and determination to bring light in their respective places.  The participants gained wisdom and insight on what to do in their life.  They were enriched and strengthened with their experiences, enlightened and purified with the Divine truth they received.    They went back to their respective places empowered and determined to achieve their goals and vision in life.     

Sightseeing and shopping

Sightseeing and shopping were inevitable after the workshop.   Everyone enjoyed shopping at the night market, eating Thai food and sightseeing at the beautiful shrines in Bangkok.

 Attending the workshop in Thailand is fun and exciting.  It’s worth going back.   Our deepest gratitude to the chief coordinators and all the staff who worked very hard to make the

workshop successful.  See you at the next heavenly workshop.