Estes Park, Colorado was the site of the first American STF Parent’s Workshop. We gathered at the YMCA Camp for three days, April 7-9 and had a most wonderful time. Many parents were there for the first time and from my conversations with some of them, they were more than grateful they had taken the time to come. The physical area is so beautiful with snow-capped mountains in plain sight, and the spirit was equally high.

Rev. Phillip Schanker, Rev. Joshua Cotter, Rev. Jin Man Kwak, Mr. Mito (president of W-CARP USA), and Rev. Jenkins (in order of appearance) were among the speakers of the workshop. Rev. JM Kwak works directly with Hyun Jin Nim and he came to convey the heart and perspective of the True Family – and especially of Hyun Jin Nim who is the Founder of the STF Program. Personal testimonies given by the members of STF filled out the time and gave us so much hope for the future. When we can see how God is working in the spirits of this second generation, we can feel our lives have been worth the efforts of the years. It’s so inspiring to see young people taking seriously their relationship to God. Also, to see how much connection they have to each other.

Entertainment on Saturday evening was very fun, giving time for families, to perform together. As we were with the new family of our daughter’s spouse, we tried to sing a song together. Luckily, the audience was pretty accepting of what was offered. We were entertaining for sure, but not exactly in the musical sense.

It was also very inspiring to see other parents that we knew years ago when we were single. In some cases it was like a mini reunion. There was really an overflowing heart of joy of being together first and second generations from all over the country.

When my husband and I left for home on Sunday afternoon, our hearts were very full. We felt so grateful for STF and its staff. Their dedication to the development of the second generation is without question in our minds. It is very moving to witness. We have a daughter who will finish up her third year in July and a son who is in his second year this year. We can see so much growth within each of them, both in their personal maturity as well as in their knowledge and understanding of principle, God, True Parents, and the True Family. .

This workshop, through the talks, testimonies, the tears and the laughter was a renewal for all of us that were able to attend. We watched 2 powerful videos, one, entitled Tears, conveying True Father’s tearful heart for God, and one of the International STF Assembly last year in Korea. I hope that all parents – at sometime in the future – can find in their hearts and in their physical situations, the time to come and experience the hope of the future in the lives of our 2nd Generation. You will be filled and in your hearts you will know that in the midst of a sometimes chaotic life, God is still there leading us on to a better future.

 Download entire page and pages related to it in ZIP format
Table of Contents
Information
Tparents Home