Next Gen…,

[Grace]

My experience in Zambia has been the most enriching rollercoaster ride of my life so far! It’s been far from easy but amidst all the internal and external challenges, the dominant love of God and true parents continues to triumph over any difficulties I experience.

Coming to Zambia was initially a tough new reality to adjust to. Externally, mosquitoes, a lack of food, jet lag, the hot weather and a daily wake up time of 4:30 all combined to making me feel overwhelmed. Internally I also felt a deep lack of love going from the supportive GPA environment to the much more militaristic African church culture.  I had a pivotal incident roughly two weeks in when I woke up in the early hours of the morning to the soul stirring sensation of a scorpion crawling up my leg and stinging my foot in the ensuing frenzy. I believed scorpions were fatally poisonous and before a quick google search calmed me down I genuinely thought I was going to die. After tending to the wound and contemplating my mortality for a while, I couldn’t help but laugh at the wild and adventurous nature of being a missionary in Africa and I decided from that moment  to embrace all suffering in this mission as an opportunity to grow, to sacrifice and relate to true parent’s life course.

As far as witnessing, Zambia has provided such an amazing abundance of God loving Christian youth who can really relate to the principle. Having witnessed in America, Thailand and Cambodia in the last six months, it’s been so refreshing to come to a society in which talking about God and introducing the principle is so normal and welcome. I’m consistently teaching and strengthening my own conviction in the principle all whilst nurturing blossoming relationships with my Brothers and sisters. Some days when the sun is shining down on me as I play with the children and the birds are chirping, I really feel like I’ve been gifted this perfect little slice of heaven to discover my true self and deeply internalize the depth of God’s love for me and all humanity. 

One of the most precious experiences I had so far was a dream in which I met Mother. Something was said between us but I eventually came before her and rather than bowing in the traditional way, I approached her and she embraced me. I nestled my head in her lap as she sat on her throne and gently stroked my head. I felt like I was drowning in such an intimate, deep motherly love. It was as if she was thanking me for my service, a proud wang omma comforting her filial grandson. 

I am so eternally grateful for the privilege of being alive at the same time as the only begotten daughter and the honor of giving my life to her as a frontline soldier. I also want to express my gratitude to the CIG missionary program for facilitating this whole experience.  This time last year, I was spiritually dead, numbed to life by my traumatic experiences working as a police officer. I could never have imagined that a year later, after discovering GPA by chance in Cheong Pyeong last May that I’d be living the amazing life I now have, swimming in an ocean of God’s love.