I had wanted to go on a PLA tour ever since I heard about and listened to testimonies from Rita, Abigail and Miriam about the first one that happened in 1997. It seemed like an amazingly time and very worthwhile but yet still being very different to the only kind of church experience I had before which were basically workshops. So I always knew if I had the opportunity to go I would instantly take it especially if it was in Europe which I knew eventually it had to be. So when my dad and me started talking about it, it seemed as if the opportunity would be available for me which I was extremely grateful for.

When we first arrived in America we stayed at a centre in Chicago for a few days before the tour officially started. This was very interesting because we could see the hard work and preparation that went into the tour. Most of STF was there working most of the day on their different areas. Even before I left for America I made absolutely clear in my mind that I really wanted to put more into the tour than I took away. So every opportunity I had to do something or do a job I took and even volunteered to stay up all night photocopying even though eventually I didn't. I was very surprised to see I was made a team leader especially since I was the youngest team leader out of about 40 or so.

As the tour began my feelings were really of amazement at seeing so many blessed children altogether. We first stayed in this massive Baptist church which really were an amazing surroundings. I was lucky enough to meet a lot of people as I was helping at the reception for the tour and has to explain this luggage process to everyone and by the first day everyone knew I existed mainly coz I was British. I must have heard the phrase "Your British ooooooh I love your accent, it's so cool" about 200 times and I'm not exaggerating. I was so impressed by many of the Americans many I knew from either the internet or from camp sunrise and it was great to meet them all again. They were all so friendly even though some of them seemed a little scary especially this one brother Ares Meyers which did seem like some kind of white wannabe rap-gangster. But he instantly introduced himself in the friendliest way you can imagine and I felt so welcome among all these Americans.

As the tour went on I knew one thing was lacking in me the real reason I was being pure and that's really what the tour is on an internal side discovering and cementing a reason why you are pure much beyond it being the blessed child tradition. This was accomplished mainly by the guidance of older brothers and sister and writing your own 3 minute speeches which can really show your true heart and passion for the subject. Of course the external purpose was to witness to the world and that side of things was just as well done. The rallies were so energetic something that can always impress the public and is a major witnessing tool. But it was backed by the intelligence and heart of the speakers many of whom were just ordinary participants. This shocked me a little as I thought only the elders would give speeches but it would be just someone you met the other day.

After a few days into the tour I met my real first real challenge. I was "relieved of my team leadership" at first I was so well and truly gutted I practically started crying. Because I so truly wanted to be a good team leader and actively make the tour a success. For the rest of that day I was pretty sad to say the least. I can't say I took it the best I could have as for some of the rest of the tour I felt kind of resentful towards my new team leader. But I made absolutely sure it wouldn't affect my effort in the tour which I still aimed for 100%. I later found out that it was the simple fact I wasn't taking enough care of my team and not taking the responsibility well enough which I can see now. But I could see it was only for the good of the tour and nothing really to do with my personal standard which at first I though it was. This was really shown to me when a few other people were made normal participants especially one sister that I looked up to so much and practically considered perfect was also not a team leader anymore.

The rest of the tour carried on in similar fashion with marches and internal preparation along with community service. All of which helped you realize the whole concept of purity and not just not having sex but living a selfless life style which not having sex is part of as committing to that kind of relationship before marriage is ultimately selfish.

The finale of the American tour was a simple march in time square arguably the busiest place in New York. We had been working so very hard all through the tour and towards the end you could feel that the rallies were becoming so much better because everyone really had the passion in their heart for purity and helping other people understand it. We were so very very psyched up for the rally and it was truly amazing. If you hear anyone talk about who was there you will be able to get a slight glimpse at the energy and heart that was there amongst us on that night. We had already had a rally that day and a long coach journey but we were still ready to give our all and even a little more. We basically walked and sometimes ran down the streets of busiest New York Screaming at the pedestrians who obviously thought we were crazy. But they then noticed how many we were and started to take us seriously and the reaction was never neutral it was either totally for or totally against with this kind of thing being presented before you there was no way you could not react. Every single person and I mean every was shouting till they had no air left in their lungs and people were looking at each other is astonishment as they were taking part in such an awesome event.

We had been screaming non-stop when we finally got back onto the buses where the testimonies of the events only a few minutes ago carried on for at least an hour. Every single person tried to share their heart of utter joy every one had felt what they could only describe as God's spirit being with them urging them on to shout the message of Purity to New York. The whole American tour was such a success I feel and in the end I think it was good I was made a simple participant as I did get more out of it.

Next was the European part which was my opportunity to really give this time. From the beginning I think I did that as this time I did stay up all night helping Miriam Zaccerelli staple the booklets together. When the Americans arrived and we welcomed them to Britain I really felt we had the power to do something in Europe now with such a number and some truly wonderful brothers and sister to help us. The tour was kind of slow to start really with a site seeing activity not the best of beginnings I thought but nice for the Americans. When we had our first real rally I was kind of disappointed as it really was not up to scratch especially compared to our last rally the New York one. But I knew we could do better just from the energy some of the Europeans had that gave me hope.

The orientation followed and I was amazingly given the responsibility of general management along with my great brother and friend Kazuki hyung. I was so glad I was given such a responsibility as I finally could work hard and give as much as I could to make the tour a success. Although I couldn't take part in much of schedule I was glad to still be a part of the tour. The organisational part of the tour was so interesting for me I truly think I learnt more in those two weeks about how to be an organised person and taking on responsibilities in than in my whole life.

George Kazakus was a great mentor for me he was always basically giving me orders which I learnt a great amount from in the ways of how thing should be done. But what I was most grateful for was seeing how things should be organised in the context of the Divine Principle as it really does work in such an external area. I was in charge of sound and helped set up for the rallies which I can say was a lot harder than it looked. Especially when I compared to myself to the sound guy on the American tour which I don't remember making one mistake. So in comparison to him I think I made so many mistakes and often felt way out of my depth. But in the end I think the last rally I did pretty well. I cannot really give so much a participants testimony of the European tour but I can say I learn so much and it was a great time of my life for learning and development.

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