WFWP BELONGS EVERYWHERE: A CHAPTER EMERGES
I came to the US in 1983 from Japan. Since then I have been living and working in the US. I have always loved the activities of WFWP and have had a strong desire to establish WFWP where I live in San Diego, California. The closest chapter to us is very far away and difficult to go to. However, until now, it wasn’t possible because I could not gather at least three ladies to really begin WFWP activities where I live.
My friend Keiko Loew and I began praying and speaking together every day at 5 o’clock in the morning and continued for more than three months. Even though there were only two of us during that time, we were so moved by reading about the vision and mission of WFWP, and Father and Mother Moon’s words and desire to empower this movement of the Mother’s Heart. We found another like-minded lady, Elisabeth Seidel, who became very close to us and shared the same desire to start WFWP in San Diego.
On April 3rd of this year, after the three of us had a breakfast meeting, we walked by the ocean and prayed, holding hands and asking for guidance on how to start WFWP. It was a bright sunny day and the ocean was very beautiful and inspiring. Amazingly, the three of us felt so much power and strength to take the next step and organize a small meeting.
So, we had our first meeting on May 8 after the Sunday service at our local church. We invited and welcomed Mrs. Emma Reed, the WFWP chairwoman in Los Angeles. We discussed our future activities for the community. We decided to work together and begin a local service activity to help a nearby orphanage. Then on May 29, we participated in a Bridge of Peace event that took place in Los Angeles.
Since then we have had monthly lunch meetings, inviting friends and guests to let people in our communities know the steps we are taking to set up a WFWP chapter in San Diego. We have started the service project participating with Rev. and Mrs. Alex Villaescusa who are involved with an orphanage project in Tijuana, Mexico near the San Diego border.
During one monthly luncheon on June 25 at the Sakurabana Japanese Restaurant, we met and also celebrated my birthday. At the luncheon we shared the vision of WFWP with the eleven ladies who came. Keiko Loew welcomed us and Elisabeth Seidel read a statement about the vision and history of WFWP’s Bridge of Peace ceremony and offered a prayer to bring God to our meeting. Everyone was given a brochure with Mother Moon’s words to take home and read about women’s role in bringing peace to their families and communities which helps bring peace to the nation and world.
After a delicious lunch, I shared a personal testimony and expressed my desire for the San Diego Chapter of WFWP. A joyful and warm atmosphere was created. Truly WFWP can enhance every occasion and create an opportunity to share the ideals and projects of WFWP with those around us.
I have always believed in the power of the togetherness, especially, of women. Whenever we face difficulty and separation in our community, if women reach out to others and give kindness to others, then people naturally open their hearts to feel acceptance. I see every woman as a precious flower. All are different, but all are uniquely beautiful. I have a strong desire that everyone can find a passion in their life and nurture it. I believe that WFWP can be a place where our uniqueness can be respected and we can work together with harmony among us. Nothing is too late to start something new among sisters in a community.
We were quite a diverse group of 11 ladies, younger and older, newcomers and seasoned WFWP members, and all from diverse backgrounds. At the end, we all left the luncheon with a united heart, motivated to work with WFWP and to build deeper friendships.
