Unification News for June 2004

God’s Daughters in the Holy Land

by Rev. Michael Jenkins

Our wonderful sisters -- 120 from America, 500 more from the world -- have returned safely from the Holy Land. The WFWP women were so victorious and I am deeply proud of them. As with most of us going to such an unstable environment, they were nervous, many not having been to Israel before, and were anxious, but not afraid. They trusted in the Lord.

When you arrive at Ben Gurion airport and you see the sign on the building as the shuttle bus brings you from your plane to the main building, "Welcome To Israel". You feel such a sense of history and yet a sense of anxiety. For many there is a subtle tension inside, especially because we seek out and work with the people at the center of the conflict, a quiet feeling of wondering if we will return home. It causes one to turn to God in a way that is not an everyday occurrence. I saw that in the eyes and hearts of our women. Nevertheless they didn't hesitate and they went with such beautiful faith. They went as Mothers, sisters and daughters. All women were represented. Unification, WFWP, ACLC Clergy women and Ambassadors for Peace.

They moved the hearts of our friends and family there in the Holy Land. They embraced those that suffered and brought love to those in the Hospital. They crossed the Bridge of Peace. It sounds so simple in words, yet when I saw the Palestinian and Israeli (Jewish) sisters crossing the bridge together in tears I saw the power of heaven. To be sure, the tearful crossing together is just the beginning, but that is the power of Father and Mother Moon's movement. It is never a one event experience. Once our sisters get each other's phones and emails, a bond will solidify and grow. That's why the Pilgrimages are growing in power. They are ongoing and will not stop. This time in particular, the Bridge of Peace had profound power. Muslims, Christians and Jews, beautiful Jewish women with the heart of Rachel and beautiful Palestinian women, with each other and with our women from 7 enemy nations.

The Peace Task Force of Korean, Japanese, American and European women are seeking to address the hearts of those suffering directly from the conflict known as the second Intifada. They are seeking out, by going door to door, the Jewish and Palestinian victims of violence. One beautiful Jewish girl who was a soldier, wept when our "Mother's of Peace" came with the spirit of True Parents. Beyond politics and transcending religious boundaries we all can, in the right moment of heart experience that we are children of one God. This happened with this sister as well as Palestinian mothers who lost their sons.

Yesterday, we had briefings for our international delegation through which they could catch the spirit of the work True Parents have done in Israel. Dr. Lan Young Moon gave a very powerful presentation on the work of WFWP reviewing especially the nine years of work with the Women's Conference on Peace in theMiddle East. Through clever academic forums some of the most influential women scholars and NGO leaders have formed a bond of trust with us. Father asked her before she came here, "In all your world travels, what country or people do you feel closest to?" She said, " The women of the Middle East." Father said, "That is because they have suffered so much. God is close to them. "

Mrs. Karen Smith presented the vision and work of True Parents at the UN and now through the "Peace UN", the IIPC global work. She noted that the "Women of Peace" through this cooperation between Israel, Japan, Korea, USA and the many European countries are helping lay a foundation for greater international collaboration.

Mrs. Alexa Ward is leading the women with an enormous sense of purpose to heal the strife here. She also brought Ms. Norma Foster who is on the WFWP USA National Board and also a key advisor to the International as well. Norma is leading 135 women today with Mrs. Glaubach to Hadassah Hospital to bring love to both Jewish and Arab Israelis and some Palestinians who have been injured in the conflict. All are in the same hospital together. Norma is the President of the United Nations Association of Los Angeles and is very experienced in NGO work. She said, "Out of all the hundreds of NGO's I've worked with WFWP is the most effective."

Dr. Yang who is representing Rev. Kwak, the Chairman of the IIPC, addressed the body giving a clear history of the providence that True Parents initiated. Especially centering on the Jerusalem Declaration that was the fruit of the cooperation of the IIFWP Israel and the ACLC at this time last year. This new level of international and interreligious cooperation led to profound and significant repentance by representatives of the Abrahamic Faiths.

Then last December through the success of the Coronation of Jesus and the reconciliation of the Abrahamic faiths, Rev. Jenkins cited Father's statement that this condition internally reverses what occurred 2000 years ago. The internal condition being set through this Women of Peace reconciliation work is: "As Mother's uniting from enemy nations you are in the Holy Land to heal and unite Ishmael and Isaac. Father chose you to represent True Mother to bring solution to the second root cause of the conflict in the Holy Land and throughout the world. As Mother's you represent the pure power of the Holy Spirit and as Mother's you represent the True Love of God through True Mother."

Dr. Abe, Mr. Hod Ben Zvi and many of our Ambassadors for Peace have created the foundation here that God is now using to bring peace. Hod gave a very informative review of the History of Israel for the last 2000 years and Dr. Abe gave the internal teaching on the Principle including the meaning of the Blessing and the responsibility we share.

Our women were incredible, as are the women that God has prepared in Israel. From the Israeli family to the Ambassadors for Peace - great women of faith are standing in the center of God's dispensation. It was so beautiful to see Mrs. Glaubach, Shelagh Shavlev and Shosh Ben Ami cross the bridge to meet their sisters. It was destiny. These Ambassadors for Peace have grown to trust the Middle East Peace Initiative.

At first they were appreciative but skeptical. They cautioned us, that many groups have come from America to work for peace. But most of them come once with good intentions and never return. Its been a year now and our plans for continuation are absolutely clear. The next pilgrimage is planned as well as our youth going forward with Service for Peace. Father's commitment: on March 23rd at the historic Coronation of True Parents on Capitol Hill he said, "until the guns fall silent in the Middle East." The Ambassadors for Peace of Israel are genuinely moved and gaining confidence. They were particularly moved by our Peace Task Force - our sisters who stayed in Israel for weeks - even 40 days. Many waves have gone since March 1. Some lived in Bethlehem in the West Bank and merged in and with the hearts of the people. Some in Jerusalem and Ramallah, some in Tel Aviv and Haifa. True Parents love is pouring into Israel and Palestine. Some lived side by side with Jewish Ambassadors for Peace working day by day with the heart . They rode the public buses, the same buses that are targets. They witnessed door to door, from Jewish to Palestinian homes. They moved the hearts of women, the mothers who when united can lead their husbands and sons away from war.

When we raised money for those who lost their homes in the international crisis in Rafah they rose to the call which created "Care" packages for 500 families - so many countless sisters who still were filled with a sense of anxiety over the danger asked me, "Please take me to Rafah. I feel I should go." Who are these Women of Peace, who leave the suburbs and cities of America, Korea, Japan and Europe, leaving their children and family duties behind to come to the vortex of conflict between the Abrahamic faiths? They are Women of Faith. They are True Parents daughters - Korean, Japanese, American (of all races) and European (also of all races) from former enemy nations. They are willing to give their lives not for their own nation but for Israel and Palestine so that all nations might be free. For Muslims, Christians and Jews so that all faiths might be free. I gained so much from their presence and the real ability we have to bring in the Peace Kingdom.

I have recently seen the power in the ACLC clergy to bring down walls, I have recently seen the power in the Ambassadors for Peace and now I'm am seeing the reality of the enormous power of Women of Faith in tearing down the walls. The character of most great men is directly linked to their mothers, so it was with General MacArthur, so it is with Father Moon. Alexa and Karen fulfilled their roles with great distinction lifting up and protecting Dr. Lan Young Moon - President of the Womens Federation for World Peace International. America, on Memorial Day we just honored our veterans and those who have fallen, but also we should honor our women, who put their lives on the line to bring peace in the Middle East. There is a power in a Mother's love that is like no other. True Mother's love went to Israel and was victorious in bringing healing and love. A healing has begun that will be nourished by our Mother's so that Ishmael and Isaac can come together once and for all as one family.

Thanks to the Women of Peace, the Women of Faith. Hope Expands in the Middle East.

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