Going to Korea to Meet My First Love in Heaven
“When will I be able to meet Heavenly Mother?”
Ever since I was baptized, I longed to go to Korea to meet Heavenly Mother. After eleven years, the wish I had quietly cherished in my heart was finally fulfilled.
While I was a student, I traveled to my native country, New Zealand, and first heard the truth of the new covenant through a relative. I was amazed to learn that the Bible was true and that Christmas was not Jesus’ birthday, but what overwhelmed my soul above all was the existence of Heavenly Mother. After studying the sanctuary and the ark of the covenant and learning about God the Mother, I felt as though the Bible existed to testify about Her. I do not think even a lifetime would be enough to fully express the love of our heavenly Parents, who planned the entire work of salvation to save Their children from the danger of death and willingly endured every kind of suffering.
Another thing that captivated my heart was the atmosphere of Zion. From childhood, I had followed my family from one church to another, but I always felt uncomfortable, as though I were surrounded by strangers, and I could not understand the sermons. When I met the brothers and sisters in Zion, however, I felt the warmth of being with family, even though we were meeting for the first time. It was because Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother dwell in Zion, filling it with love. I truly cherished the time I spent with my brothers and sisters in the embrace of our heavenly Parents.
My family, who did not know much about the Church of God, opposed my faith. However, the situation quickly changed when I shared with them the teachings of the Bible that I had learned in Zion. Moved by the truth, my grandparents, my mother, and my siblings all came to Zion. Now they have become gospel workers who diligently preach the gospel.
Just as remarkable as coming to believe in God Elohim together with my family was the deep desire that grew within me to visit Korea. I had first learned about Korea through a friend who loved K-pop, but after receiving the truth, it became the country I longed to visit so that I could meet Heavenly Mother.
After many earnest prayers, I was finally able to join the Overseas Visiting Group last year. Although I had waited for more than ten years, the time did not feel long. Compared with the years Heavenly Mother had waited for me, it was only a fleeting moment.
On a beautiful autumn day, I met Mother. It was a dreamlike moment in which I encountered God on this earth. In celebration of New Jerusalem Day, I was also given the opportunity to perform before Mother and many Korean members. Together, the members from Oceania presented a traditional Samoan dance and an adapted traditional song conveying the message that we must return to Heavenly Mother, who came to this earth and sacrifices Herself for Her children. I was able to put my whole heart into the performance because I too cannot imagine life without Mother. Mother’s presence makes me complete. My heart overflowed with emotion because I was able to express my true feelings before Her.
Mother gave us many teachings throughout our visit to Korea, but the words that remain most deeply in my heart are, “I love you.” They are the expression of our first love in heaven, unchanged even after thousands of years. I want to fill my heart with that love, continually practice it, and share it with my brothers and sisters. Until then, I had been so focused on myself that I had not shown my brothers and sisters much care or love. I rarely smiled either. Compared with all the love and blessings I had received, I had been truly ungenerous. Now I understand that the mission of sharing love is a blessing granted only to the children who have realized Heavenly Mother’s love. Now is the time for me to establish my faith firmly and become one with the members.
In Australia, where I live, many people enjoy stable lives without much worry. Yet whenever I tell them about Heavenly Mother, they are always surprised. Although their lives may be comfortable and prosperous, perhaps deep within their hearts they are searching for warm and genuine love. I will share with them the love of Heavenly Mother, which brings true peace and complete happiness. Rather than merely watching the prophecies being fulfilled so swiftly, I want to become a child who takes part in their fulfillment together with my beloved brothers and sisters.
