To begin the new year, National CARP hosted the 7-day “New Hope Workshop” in Las Vegas, Nevada from Jan. 2nd - 8th, 2023. The objective of this retreat was to ignite new hope into each participant through understanding the Divine Principle and diving into the life and mission of CARP founders Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. By understanding their heart and lifelong commitment to world peace, the hope was for all the participants to find a deeper calling for their own life. The whole retreat was held at the beautiful property where Father and Mother Moon used to reside which was a perfect location for a spiritual retreat. Over fifty participants and staff were able to join.
Each morning started with an “energizer” and a spiritual guidance. There were many fun energizers that got everyone moving with laughter while bonding together. Morning guidance was focused on sharing the importance of life of faith habits such as prayer, reading scripture, building a relationship with a mentor, and more. Every morning CARP leaders from different chapters were able to share guidance and testimonies.
Before receiving the main education, the participants sang some songs to set the atmosphere.
The presentations were given by Rev. Hideyuki Sakai, pastor of the Family Federation community of Dallas-Fort Worth and mentor for the Dallas CARP chapter. He covered the main points of the Divine Principle in two days and Rev. and Mrs. Moon’s life in three days. Rev. Sakai concluded by inspiring the participants to think of how they can make a difference in the world today.
“The last two lectures impacted me the most because I was able to relate or feel some sort of resemblance to both Jesus and God's struggles … It reminded me that I'm not alone on my journey and that I have a higher power watching over me.”
“The lecture that impacted me most was the one about Rev Moon's time in Heungnam prison. It inspired me to work hard in my relationship with God because Rev. Moon was literally in the worst type of situation yet he kept his faith in God and always found time to keep God at his core.”
After each lecture, the participants broke off into discussions in groups where many of them had a great time digesting the content together. Each day, there was also a Q&A session where the participants were able to ask many questions to Rev. Sakai.
In between presentations, meals were wonderfully prepared by many mothers from local CARP chapters. The participants could feel so much love invested into each meal; they were even spoiled with snacks and dessert practically every night!
During the afternoons, there was time for sports or a bonding activity. They also had time for board games and free sports. One afternoon was dedicated to hiking at Exploration Peak, a nearby park that overlooks parts of the Las Vegas valley and strip.
The evenings were dedicated to a fun, bonding activity, or a deeper activity. Activities like skit night and improv night were filled with creativity, laughter, and seeing many different sides of people. The deeper activities included a prayer night, a testimony from a former security guard of Father and Mother Moon, Mr. Bob Smart, and an open-mic testimony night. The participants gained a lot from each of them.
The prayer night started with a testimony of one CARP leader’s journey in prayer. Then, the participants had the opportunity to pray for another person that they were paired with and also experienced being prayed for. At the end, they were able to join together in a group prayer.
“My experience with the prayer night was really moving for me because through this exercise I could really feel God’s heart for the person I was praying for. Being able to put myself in a position to talk to God for them really hit me. It gave me a chance to see how much God loves us as His children and how much he longs for us. I got just a glimpse of what a parental heart feels like.”
“Putting my prayer into practice with a partner was nerve-wracking, but I realized that during my prayer for my partner, I felt as though I was able to really speak from the heart. I was truly touched by my partner's prayer for me; she brought me to the point of tears.”
“My favorite activity was the prayer night. Seeing everyone pray for one another with a sincere heart moved me to tears. I felt that this level of care and love is what God wants to see in His children.”
Hearing Mr. Smart’s testimony was a treat for many of the participants! He shared a personal and intimate account of Father and Mother Moon as someone who was able to see more of their lives in the background.
“Uncle Bob’s testimony about his life as Father and Mother Moon’s bodyguard gave some really amazing perspective. It’s easy to look at an influential figure such as Father Moon and think they are in a league of their own separate from ours. But with Uncle Bob’s retelling of his experiences with Rev. and Mrs. Moon, I can see that they too had real everyday interactions with others and amongst themselves."
The last evening activity was an open-mic testimony night where many participants shared what they gained from the retreat and how it impacted their understanding of God, Rev. and Mrs. Moon, and the Divine Principle. At the end, Rev. Sakai also shared his testimony of joining CARP.
“What I can take away from this experience is that everyone needs God's love. Hearing the testimonies from many participants was really a testament to how God and Rev. and Mrs. Moon have changed their lives.”
The New Hope workshop concluded with National CARP President Jinil Fleischman giving guidance on practical next steps that the participants can take in their life of faith. The retreat officially concluded with many participants declaring their next steps in their journey.
National CARP is proud to say that many participants expressed experiencing a new hope in their own lives and they are certainly bringing new hope to CARP, Rev. and Mrs. Moon, and the world.
More Reflections:
“An experience of new hope and life. I feel more ready, determined and committed going into this semester. I am willing and ready to change for God.”
“The best way to start a New Year ☺️”
“I wanted to connect with God’s heart and become a better leader - my heart is filled with more love and understanding to do that. I am going to actively work to be a champion of God and spread his Love wherever I go because all is possible through Him.”
“I realize that I’m more happier whenever I go to these workshops, I feel I’ve been expressing more of myself within this God-centered environment.”
Share your story to ryota@carplife.org.