The 55th Overseas Visiting Group
As we were getting deeper into autumn, the prophetic figures, who herald the time just as autumn leaves tell the season, visited Korea as the members of the 55th Overseas Visiting Group. The 55th Overseas Visiting Group consisted of about 240 members from 69 Churches of God in 12 countries—mainly from Asian countries such as Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as from New Zealand, Mexico, Panama and El Salvador. Their schedule in Korea started on October 24.
Some of them were from the countries where the circumstances of the gospel were unfavorable, and some had to wait for several years to visit Korea because it was very difficult to get their passports and visas. They overcame all the difficulties and fl ew to Mother like doves to their nest according to the prophecy of the Bible. Mother welcomed them all with the warmth of Her love and earnestly prayed for them to receive the blessings of the Holy Spirit. She also gave Her love to those who were unable to visit Korea due to the local circumstances in their own country or the visiting group management circumstances in Korea, even though they desired to come, and She blessed them all.
The schedule for the visiting group focused on the Bible seminar. The Bible seminar was held mainly at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute whose beauty was at its peak—the rows of ginkgo trees turned yellow and the fallen leaves spread a carpet of gold across the ground―and at the Dongbaek Training Institute which was newly opened in Yongin City. They also had a special time touring the Holy Land for the gospel of the new covenant in this age and experiencing Korean culture as well; they visited the Elohim Training Institute, some local Churches, the Church of God History Museum in the WMC Head Office building, and some tourist attractions such as Namsangol Hanok Village in Seoul and N Seoul Tower. On November 27, they participated in a Church event for title and position holders from throughout the country; they attended the event with over 15,000 Korean members and went on stage as pilgrims to the New Jerusalem, who were prophesied in the Bible, and sang a new song of praise to the glory of Elohim God.
Korean members shared good, brotherly love in Zion with the overseas brothers and sisters; they helped the overseas members feel comfortable in Korea—a strange land to them, taking care of their every need, so that they would not have any inconvenience. Above all else, the overseas members said that they had learned something beyond knowledge of the Bible when they saw Mother always caring for and serving Her children. Sister Rita from the Kochi Church, India, expressed her admiration, saying, “In India as well, I am deeply moved by Korean members. Although they are going through many difficulties while preaching in India where it is very hot, they always treat us with a smile and a heart of love. Being here in Korea now, I can realize that their love comes from Mother.” Brother Deng Ge from Tokyo, Japan, said with emphasis, “Since God Most High has set us a personal example, I’ve come to understand what it really means to be humble, sacrifice, and love. This is a special experience possible only in Korea.”
Seeing the 55th Overseas Visiting Group members off when they returned home after finishing their two-week trip schedule in Korea, Mother earnestly asked them to overcome all difficulties with hope for heaven and to deliver God’s love to people in their countries. The overseas visiting group members, who brought Mother joy and tears, left for their countries with a firm determination to devote their whole heart to the work of saving each and every soul, as letters from Mother.
ⓒ 2011 WATV