"HEAL THYSELF" INTERNATIONAL AND INTERCULTURAL DINNER

Gathering for food, fun, information, and good spirit, members of the Michigan WFWP held an international and intercultural dinner in Detroit with WFWP USA's national vice president as our guest speaker.

The February 1 get-together's purpose was to invite WFWP members and guests to meet Rev. Juanita Pierre-Louis, enjoy a delicious potluck dinner, and receive Mrs. Pierre-Louis's presentation covering such topics as spirituality, healing, marriage, and family. Also we wanted to formally introduce WFWP to guests and extend personal invitations to sign membership.

The "Heal Thyself" International Dinner, attended by 39 members and guests, was so named because of the diversity of the various dishes members brought, representing their nationalities and cultural cuisines. The highlight of the evening was Mrs. Pierre-Louis, who was visiting from New York. Our emcee was the vivacious, 24-year-old Ms. Cathy LaLonde, who did a tremendous job of making the evening program flow. Ms. Donette Konan provided a musical selection, while being accompanied on the guitar. Rev. Mose Lee Smith opened us in prayer. Then Fannie Smith, WFWP USA's national events coordinator, from Chicago, eloquently shared Mrs. Pierre-Louis's biography.

When our national vice president rose to speak, she delivered an informative explanation of healing and nutrition essentials, accompanied by an eight-page, fact-filled handout. All the participants enjoyed her PowerPoint presentation, which explained the association of the body and the spirit and connected women's issues with their solutions through relationship-building, marriage, and family.

WFWP Chicago chapter Chairwoman Patricia Fliginger then presented an introduction to the organization and read excerpts from the Global Women's Peace Network Inaugural Assembly speech given in Korea on July 16, 2012, by our co-founder, Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Afterward, a call to action was delivered by Mrs. Smith, and a trial-period membership was offered to each guest. More than 20 new membership forms were collected. A representative presented a floral bouquet to Mrs. Pierre-Louis, and then it was group photo time! A raffle followed, with many donated items, allowing each guest to choose a prize.

"Our experiences in Detroit were profound," said Mrs. Fliginger. "So much love was expressed in each detail!" She expressed special gratitude to Rev. David Kasbow, Brother William, Michelle Lindsay (the Detroit chairwoman, who also extended her hospitality through home stay for Mrs. Pierre-Louis), and her co-chairs, Shigeko Kasbow and Sabine Kouassi.

From this point, the Detroit members plan to support a group to gather clothes to send to Africa.

Congratulations to the Midwest WFWP leadership for assisting in launching a new chapter of WFWP in Detroit through this event!

WELCOME on board to Mrs. Michelle Lindsey as the new chairwoman!