Tokyo GPF Participants!

Minami Kyushu Participants- These photos are courtesy of Rose Ninomiya. This was a group of second generation from Kyushu who attended on the GPF Tokyo last November 15, 2008. This was under the care of Mr. Tomoaki Kawano. They travelled from Kumamoto to Tokyo. It was more than 18 hours travel. A very long travel but for the sake of the event they went there.

The Participants On The Bus - On this bus they were so happy and full of energy. It ws really exciting because it was their first experience to travel for that long distance.

Rose got the opportunity to have this snap shot on the event. I hope everyone are still have good memory to remember all their names.

Thanks Rose for sharing these pictures.

alv/

Ms. Connie Hidaka Is Back To Miyazaki From GPF Tokyo!

Dear Peace Builders Families,

Our dearest sister Connie Hidaka was backed to Miyazaki just last Tuesday evening from her trip to Tokyo. She apologizes that she wasn't able to communicate to anyone among us as early as she can upon her arrival. She really have a lot of news brought back from the conference she had attended for two days plus her blessed experience to witness in her own eyes the glorious GPF main event in Tokyo last November 15th. For the last two days she have had a terrible headache that hinder her to move and even not to manage making a phone call to all of us. She i s really very sorry for that.

Besides she is waiting for her luggages to come and it is expected to arrive on this day or tomorrow to Miyakonojo as per the advice of her daughter who sent it through takyubin service. There are some materials and books she got there that she would like to show to all of us but most are in Japanese. And she had also some photos taken on the camera of her daughter and her daughter sponsored for the developing of the pictures why it is coming late. She thinks that she need also those pictures to bring with her when she comes here.

We had only a brief conversation over the phone because I was in the dental clinic of our son. She told me some exciting news as she was very happy to share with me that it was really a blessed two days to be a part of the conference. She able to take part through the help of MR. KOBAYASHI. He was assisted by him to get the most wonderful place and most comfortable seat during the conference. She is really lucky and happy to represent Minami Kyushu international families and in behalf of all members she thanks Mr. Kobayashi for all the assistance that she got from him.

Tonight she will call to me to give me the latest status of her luggages whether she got it or not. In this connection, I would like to inform you that if she got it today she will be ready tomorrow afternoon to see all of us here in Miyazaki. If she don't get it, she will not come and wait until it arrive. Just please wait my notice and be prepare for your availability because on Monday is also a holiday in Japan. She can't fix the time schedule yet unless she got those materials.

I'm planning to make a draft for our Sunday Service in English today if I can manage my time. I hope it will be our first ever international Sunday service launching here in Miyazaki. Please let's support for this good start.

I would like to get first the permission from the church to use the fourth floor room for our meeting. And am planning to invite our church leaders, Mr. Kim, Mr. Moon, and Mr. Ando. Hope they could join with us.

We wish to invite also our international families in Kobayashi City when the time is really set up. I think for the Kagoshima families might not be easy for them to join because of the distance but it is my hope and maybe all of us here that we could organize ouselves to go there in one or two big cars . We should let them feel our eagerness to have a unified power from Miyazaki and Kagoshima to bring success for God glory. Or we may invite Mr. Kobayashi to come down to Kagoshima to be our guest speaker on our meeting. So we could hear from him fresh and direct news about the providence in this country and around the globe. I think if we join our efforts and connect our heart in one common goal, our financial concerns would be lighten to everyone. What do you think on this opinion? Please have your say and share it here.

Thanks a lot. God Bless all of Us!!!

Dell and family

One Hundred Volunteer!!!

Marina Bay Cleaning
November 9, 2008
by: Dell Villareal



MIYAZAKI CITY- The IFMGP together with our friends went down to Marina Bayside for cleaning this sea side. It was a miracle that we able to gathered a number of 100 participants not including children. We were scheduled actually to gather at 2:00 pm but we attended first the Sunday service and it was ended very late so we moved it to 3:00 pm.

The weather in the morning wasn't fine and windy on that day. There was rain showers but we decided to pursue our cleaning plan whether it rain or shine. We adviced everyone to bring rain coat and gloves or tongs and plastic bags or even mask.

Members were excited and happy collecting pieces of plastic bags and leaves of trees or any kind of trash. It was pretty cold since it is sea side.

Children were more excited. And they love to run and run without doing nothing.

We able to invite teachers from Miyakonojo High School and some government workers from the city hall. I think they were happy to our spirit in working for one purpose.

The Second Generation were present too. They participated headed by Mr. Tomoaki Kawano. Most of them are now in high school and some are in the universities.

Some had bring their whole family to participate. So it was really enjoying to see how happy were these people to join in this kind of volunteer job.

You can have a look to the garbage we collected. We put them all in plastic bags and had taken them to the city garbage recycling facility.

Everyone was so happy. I can't describe everyone's happiness. You can only see everyone's smile with their shining spirit.

Just snap shots after collecting garbages. We just took a posed for pictorial. Our souvenir for this activity.



This is somewhat exciting activity and I could vibrate that everyone were happy in doing this kind of volunteer job. I hope someday we could have another activity like this one.




Look at them, they were all second generation.

The day was getting dark as finished it until 4:30 pm. It was really a very cloudy and very cold afternoon.

Thanks to all of you!!!

for all your participation in the spirit of volunteering your time and efforts for a very special ways. I know God would acknowledge all the things you have done on this day. May you can come again for our next activity in the future ahead.

God Bless Us All!!!

alv & family

Follow Up Activity

Aoshima One World Festival
November 2, 2008
by: Dell Villareal

AOSHIMA, MIYAZAKI CITY- The IFMGP , International Families Movement for Global Peace, participated on this day to AOWF charity event. The goal of the Aoshima One World Festival is to bring many different people together in Aoshima to share in stimulating experiences from different cultures and to realize that it is together that we create and enjoy culture. Each of us has her own role to play in the making and sharing of this One World! 　

The event has started at 10:30 am at Kodomo no kuni as the first part of the Festival. There was a selection of space encourages participants to remember the simple joy of childhood, a time when we are capable of being without prejudice, open-minded and free. Here participants can take part in many different experiences from around the world. We joined particularly at World Food Village, and offer a Filipino Cuisine or the Filipino favorites. We really experience here the beauty of participating to other group. It was lot of fun. I can't imagine the number of people who went there and witness the event. The IFMGP got his first experience here. We would like to Thanks our best partner M. Theresa Kodama for her untiring support and understanding to the goal of the movement. She is actually innocent about the purpose why we have to participate. But later we explain to her slowly that we are going to participate to the event as our fundraising drive to get funds to finance our plan of sending representative to Tokyo main event on November 12th to 15th.

Last August 26, 2008, we have had our emergency meeting of IFMGP in the church to discuss our planning to have even one representative to go to Tokyo. It was Connie that we have chosen but the main trouble is how to finance her going there, staying there and going back here. We finally end up of having a contribution of 5000 yen each family. If in case we can't make it until October 30, 2008 we might be using the OMC card of Connie to loan in the bank. And this money would be payable by each member for 1000 yen monthly. This money shall be use to buy food materials to be sold out in the festival. It was then approved by all members present during the meeting.

A day before the 30th of October, the money that we are expecting from Tokyo as they will reimburse the half payment of Mr. Kobayashi's plane ticket has been deposited to Lalaine's account. The amount is 15,000 yen. This money is not the payment as to what they promise to give us for the rental fee of our venue. Please take note of this matter. We didn't receive any payment for venue rental fee.

It was intentionaly not being announce to everyone that we got already this amount so that we can still collect the contribution from every family. Why we did it like that is because we need a bigger budget for buying food materials. So when we can prepare more foods the more profit we could gain. But unfortunately, no additional amount gets in the bank account of lalaine. I myself gave my part 6,000 yen and Lalaine gave her part of 4,000 yen. The total budget that we able to accumulate was only 25,000 yen.

The total gross income of our sales was 44,416 yen. We got a little gain because our expenses fall to 22,484 yen. On these expenses we don't yet deducted the suppose payment for gas stove of Theresa which was used all through the night. Last November 11, 2008, Lalaine transfered an amount of 44,000 yen to the bank account of Connie. Then Connie flew to Tokyo on the 12th early morning of that day. Let us wish her a great success!!! We have to pray that may she can able to sneak around and get the best and safe place during the meeting and fairly good accommodation on her stay. Then may she can safely get back to us here in Miyazaki.

Connie San, it is our hope that as you get back here after you got a good rest and feel like to share with us what has been the result of your trip to Tokyo you can give me a signal then I can inform everyone to be ready for your coming to Miyazaki. I think this will the beginning of our launching of having a Service for International Families for Miyazaki.

And lastly about the festival, Aoshima Shrine Finale 15:30-16:30 It was the culmination of a day of enjoyment. A day of sharing and enjoyment. We have looked through our differences and join together in a spirit and symbol of oneness by creating a human chain around the holy island of Aoshima. Encircling the island, we had stand alone for one minute. We listened to the waves, the wind, and the ending of a day. We touched our inner peace, making the traditional Japanese prayer gesture, gasshou. Then with peace we turn to our neighbors and greet them recognizing that in our hearts we are the same, we all wish for peace and happiness. Finally, we hold hands and become one. One circle, perpetual in its form. A circle of love and prayer of thanks for the oneness of the world. A demonstration of peace, a symbol of what can be done when we look beyond difference and see the power of unity. The historic moment has been captured by an aerial photograph, hoped that all may be inspired by Miyazaki’s truly international cooperation. 　

Thanks to all of you!!!

Financial Report for GPF 2008

Global Peace Festival Orientation Event
Sponsored by the FJMGP-Miyazaki and Kagoshima
With the Cooperation of International Families from Malaysia, Japan and Africa
FINANCIAL REPORT
by: Lalaine Imamura
Treasurer

KAGOSHIMA'S DONORS

1 . Janet Arima..............10,000
2 .Rose Ninomiya .........10,000
3.Lenlen Iwasa ..............10,000
4.Willy Mendoza ...........10,000
　 　
Other Sources

5. CD Sales results(36 X 500)............18,000
6. Profit from selling CD ................... 1,700
7. FJMGP Membership Fee Kyushu.. 3,300
8. Collections(bus fare).......................11,000
9. Collections from entrance ticket... 9,000
　

KAGOSHIMA'S TOTAL CASH :::::::::::::::::::::::::::￥83.000
　
　
MIYAZAKI'S DONORS

1. Funds intended for Summer
　 Camp was utilized for GPF
　
　 1. Villareal family............ 2,000
　 2. Imamura family.......... 1,000
　 3. Ninomiya family......... 1,000
　 4. Lina family ..................7,000
　 5. Inoue family................ 2,000
　 6. Fabro family ...............1,000
　
　
Funds intended for Summer Camp TOTAL : 14,000
　
2. Villareal family ...................................10,000
3. Imamura family .................................10,000
4. Lina family ...........................................3,000
5. Fabro family .........................................9,000
6. Kukita family .......................................9,000
7. Conie family....................................... 10,000
8. Tickets sold out (64person) ..............64,000
　

MIYAZAKI'S TOTAL CASH::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::￥115,000 YEN
　
　
Total Cash : ￥ 212,000　YEN

　
KAGOSHIMA'S EXPENSES

1. bus rental ...........................................................60,000
　
2. DVD R blank disc ................................................2,000
　
3. payment to Willy Mendoza ................................10,000
　
4. kanshiya genkin HQ .............................................1,000
　
5. Kanshiya genkin to local church .........................1,000
　
　
　　
KAGOSHIMA'S EXPENSES : ￥74,000 YEN
　
　
MIYAZAKI'S EXPENSES
　
1. Kobayashi's ticket ..................................31,000
　
2. Venue package ......................................21,900
　
3. Honorarium fee ....................................10,000
　
4. photo copies......................................... 10,840
　
5. prizes .....................................................14,013
　
6. presents for intertainer ........................5,000
　
7. drinks for all.......................................... 4,080
　
8. envelope & clear file ..............................3,334
　
9. flowers ..................................................10,000
　
10. cup cakes .............................................4,200
　
11. lunch for guest/snacks for kids ..........7,391
　
12. banner & program materials ............8,390
　
13. Kobayashi breakfast .............................980
　
14. airport parking .....................................150
　
15. Dinner for everybody......................... 5,977
　
16. cups cake's cups ...................................900

MIYAZAKI'S EXPENSES : ￥138,155 YEN

TOTAL EXPENSES : ￥211,155 YEN
　

SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES:
　
　
　　
MIYAZAKI'S DONORS ....................... 115,000

FUNDS FROM CAMP .............................14,000
　
KAGOSHIMA'S DONORS ..................... 83,000

　
TOTAL CASH : 212,000
　
　
MIYAZAKI'S EXPENSES .................... 138,155
　
　
KAGOSHIMA'S EXPENSES ................... 74,000

TOTAL EXPENSES: 212,155

REMAINING CASH: -155
　
　
　
　
　
　

A Day After The GPF!

October 14, 2008

Dear Buddies in Faith:

We have just concluded our Minami Kyushu GPF. Congratulations to all of us! At least we have done something that we could consider as our offering to Heavenly Father. May God be happy for the joint efforts of Miyazaki and Kagoshima’s International Families to whatsoever we had contributed in the mobilization. Let it be that our efforts and hard works need not to expect recognition from anyone.

I’m very sure that all of us have our own story or reflection and a sort of realization after the event. I would like to suggest that you should write down those thoughts of yours and to share them to others, it would be a great souvenir or a record of our history that might serve as inspiration to our next generation. And to begin with, please take a look of what was in my heart before and during and after the event.

Last Month of August, only I don’t remember the exact date but it was on the middle of the month, I got a phone call from Lalaine telling me that she was informed by Kagoshima that the Filipino-Japanese Community in Japan are mobilizing all international couples throughout Japan to help the Japan church in the mobilization for the main GPF in Tokyo on November 15, 2008. Prior to Lalaine’s phone call I am already aware of the ongoing activities of the FJMGP in Tokyo and to the nearby prefectures since all information about this group were all posted into several e-group list at yahoo. So I told to Lalaine to survey first all possible core members in order to organize it and then I can help her to facilitate the plan project for Miyazaki. My reply was like that because I knew that this project was initiated by the Filipino-Japanese International Couples in Tokyo. I almost have the background how and when it was formed until it was registered to the Philippines embassy. My enough knowledge to this group helps me to grasp quickly the points that what Lalaine is trying to convey on the first time of our conversation. She made many phone calls to all members here in Miyazaki to feel the vibration of everyone’s heart. She honestly told me that members were lukewarm considering individual situation. Needless to say economically we’re incapable to hold such event because it requires time efforts and to finance is the most basic that we need to consider. Lalaine was really high spirited and she keeps on calling me, telling me that who else can move here, who we are here without doing nothing for a greater purpose, can we afford just to sit down and just watching others working for this one purpose. She is crying for support that by all means we shouldn’t miss the opportunity. I was really overwhelmed by her burning desire to have a mini GPF here. I decided to take the first move to assured her that we can do it and I shared with her my thoughts on how to start and to plan for the possible event. Naturally, we were confronted of many objections and distractions from the other side force. But I told her if we will be united God will support and will guide us because we are only His arms and leg. Later, she coordinated to Kagoshima all the things we’ve been discussing until we decided to merge with Kagoshima. So very long to narrate all the details but to tell this story is just like I’m reporting to Heavenly Father. Please bear with me to go on writing this way.

Lalaine set the date of our first meeting on August 7, 2008. I made a written invitation letter for all International members here in Miyazaki. Since the date fall on Sunday, we’re quite unsure if the church could be available to use. So Lalaine took a step to rent a community hall to accommodate our numbered families having big number of second generation. But before the meeting come some members are complaining why not in the church as the cause is somehow connected to church. Then we explain to them that since the church doesn’t give their reaction to our plans it is uneasy to talk things there. My feeling was that we’re not welcome. The members of Kobayashi City became suspicious and they sent my invitation letter to their local church in Miyakonojo for verification of its legitimacy. I was then checked by the head office in Miyazaki for this letter. Though I able to make confirmation of the truthfulness of the objective of the meeting they became very cold because of their objection about the name used for the group is FJMGP, Filipino Japanese Movement for Global Peace and not Miyazaki International Blessed Families Association. I actually understand their sentiment and they have a valid reason to react for what they feel. I can’t explain to them because they don’t ask me directly just hearing to someone else is sounds risky because this may be treated as hearsay or rumor. I just put everything that way because during the meeting it was discussed and was explained by our main coordinator to all of us. But what wondered me is why they don’t ask what they don’t understand during the meeting and try to resolve their question on the meeting not after the meeting. If the name of the group is the big issue I think we can adapt a new version that would fits to everyone’s taste because we can do here what we want to do since we run our activity by ourselves and not being controlled by FJMGP Tokyo. I just kept silent because we’re running out of time and the target date was so closed. How I wish to hear this issue directly to the main concern person so that I can be of help in telling them that we can meet in the bottom line. Well in fact we’re promoting unity and peace that only begins within ourselves. Aju or no Ju?

I really admire Lalaine’s heart. She did a great job, for sure she had made a big progress speaking of spiritual growth. She almost lost her voice due to an over talk over the phone. Talking an hour for so many people is not an easy task in almost every day. Her routine goes on this way. She tells me many things and almost countless times we were talking on the phone that I have to use my ear phone for my mobile phone. I actually suffer for an ear ache because of frequent telephone conversation. But the most effective way in a successful planning is only a constant communication. Well, I don’t build up lalaine’s figure here. I am just somewhat can’t manage to control my emotion to express how she poured out her time and love in coordinating every single things to all us who were directly involve in the preparation. Of course all of us did a big thing and no one could claim how big or little portion of contributions we had shared. I could only say, all of you is a big part of what we can say a success of the event. May God could acknowledge your contribution. It is my hope that may you feel how happy was God to what you have been contributed. No one among us here in the position to appreciate and praise our efforts because we were being brought up in the movement not to expect in return for what we had given. This is only our individual feelings or conscience would tell us how deeply we are connected to the main stream of the providence for this nation.

I would like to give my personal acknowledgement to the big presence of our elder sister Connie Hidaka during the mobilization. For sure she may not agree and wouldn’t like to be appreciated for what she had contributed. As I mentioned on the above that we’re not on the position to say anything on others efforts, but please allow me to tell you how Connie worked with us hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart. She is the most wonderful person I ever known in Miyakonojo. Indeed, no words can described the personality by heart about Connie. Her participation and the growth of her heart beyond to my imagination coz she acted as a true mother who cares for her young ones. Behind everything she did so many great things and sacrifices that God only knows. I love you Connie from the bottom of my heart. And of course I wish that Emmanuel can able to grasp what you are doing during this time because he may not completely understand you. Please take care…of him.

I am afraid that maybe I could miss many people names who contributed great things on the recent event. So in advance I’m asking for an apology. If ever I would miss even a single one I could not forgive myself.

Here in Miyazaki we have four Filipino-Japanese Blessed Couples, two Japanese-Filipina Blessed couples, one Japanese-Malaysian Blessed Couple, One Japanese-Thailand Blessed Couple, three Japanese-Korean Blessed Couples. These are the blessed families here in Miyazaki center where are supposedly be in the front line for this event, plus a number of African-Japanese blessed couples in Kobayashi City and Miyakonojo City. So actually it’s more than big enough to hold this GPF here alone in this prefecture. But due to the late information from Tokyo and lack of preparation to accept any direction from the sources, we were not able to make it more pleasing in the eyes of God. There were many hassles behind the scenes. I could imagine how we had been able to stand and survive. I am really thankful to the support of everyone who made sacrifices in order that this event comes into reality. Please allow me to tell some stories. This is not to praise those who work tirelessly and not to condemn the onlookers. It is my sincere hope that through this narration we can see and evaluate ourselves if we deserve to complain for any troubles and lack of expertise of those who lead in holding the event. It may be an eye opener to those who are more capable to do so but does not move so far.

Going back to our first ever meeting between Miyazaki and Kagoshima, last August 2008, I would like to thanks all of them who went down here to participate on the meeting. I realized that we should be practical and be wise because on that time we were not able to discuss the details due to short time to talk for a longer time. Unpreparedness for what is to prioritize to talk about and the lack of patience to understand the given problem issues were the main hindrance to finish the meeting with great result.

It is but normal to have an argument, if we don’t meet to a certain point but the majority voting is much possible good step to settle down the issue. To participate in the discussion is the best way to resolve the problem. But to my observation, many know how to complain only without offering the solution. I think we cannot go on that way. If you are against to a certain resolution at least you should have the solution to offer. But to complain only is not profitable and not helpful in the group.

My dearest families in faith, I’m sorry to all you that many of you are not satisfied to the result of the event. Many of you have a lot of complaint about the preparation. But I can’t find anymore time to explain and give reasons at this time. I would like to suggest that next time we need to volunteer your selves to do the job.

I would like to share with you the deepest heart of our guest speaker when we met him during his arrival at the airport. He is really a great person not because he is a good looking man. But to what is in his heart and mind makes him more a great person who followed Hyun Jin Nim directions. On his arrival, I asked him if we can take him to a shop for his breakfast. He left his home at 4:50 am to catch the train going to airport so I presumed that he don’t have yet breakfast. I was a bit surprised because we went to the third floor of the airport because there are good restaurant there. Of course, the outside appearance of the restaurant is somewhat an expensive restaurant. So he told me, Dell we don’t need an expensive one. But my wife responded, no problem so he can not resist anymore. That is one point make me impressed. As we walk along until to the escalator he keeps on asking me why the Miyazaki is a bit afraid about to what he is going to present in his power point. So I told him to please understand the situation with our guest. This is a small province and almost we know who were on the other side and what we are they doing. I explain to him that what make us worry is if we can not follow the direction of Tokyo head quarter to us in inviting our guest. I told him that the direction was that the GPF has no connection with the unification movement. And therefore, we cannot mention about church and about True families excluding Hyun Jin Nim. On this point he almost burst in telling me that the head quarter is not really able to grasp what Hyun Jin Nim wants to happen here in Japan. Other countries are doing well but here in Japan is still on the process despite the fact that the Japanese leadership is receiving a direct education from them. He gave me almost like a lecture that we cannot almost eat. He talked to me many things to assure me that we should not have to worry. Finally, he said that he will just drop a bomb to Miyazaki.

We took him to the chuo church at first to meet our church leaders and as a courtesy visit. We met there Kawano Kun and Kawano San and Yanagimoto San. I really don’t like the culture of Japan in receiving guest. No one offers a sit for him, so I offer a seat for to Mr. Kobayashi. But Kawano Kun said why not at the office of the leader. So we went there but beyond to my expectation Yanagimoto San told us that not to use the office of the leader because he was not there, instead we can go to the dinning room. No one can say why we can’t use the office even without the leader since the guest is also not ordinary guest. Oh, my… I can’t understand the people mentality in this church. I actually have the plan to take him earlier in the venue and I could allow him to meet some other members and besides to let him set his pc for his power point. But in the venue itself so many hassles too when I arrive. The original plan was unable to do because some other person has their own desire to what to do for the preparation. We cannot rehearse because the people who will do the rehearsal do not come yet. I was being bombarded by front and back complaint. So I remember how terrible is to be in the place to absorb all kinds of trouble. No one can initiate to give their volunteer heart. I can say I grew on this day a lot. Thanks to all of you who help me make this long enough narrative realization.

But before I close, I wish to convey the last words of Mr. Kobayashi to all of you. Now we have lit the torch and we need to keep this lit on always. We have started and we need to continue. International Couples is really the big hope of Japan in order to save this nation. We should think more deeply and plans ahead what is next to do. He suggested to sends Connie to Tokyo to attend for Seminar there. We need someone who will represent Kyushu to get all strategy on how to educate our invited contacts here. We need to sacrifice for this cause and to have priority above anything else. He thinks Connie can do the job because she can speak bilingual. And Connie has the guts in working to anybody else. He added that our next step is thinking not to miss this opportunity. He strongly advice me to send his message to all Filipinos, Japanese, Malaysia, Thailand, African and even to Korean members. Our numbers is already good enough for we can do more great things for this country. He asked me to report every step we do so he can advice us and he can connect our activity directly to the head quarter. He knows that we cannot depend to our local church because of their focus on raising funds. And he told me to start looking some kind of activity like services in the community and be sure only to report it to the city hall and explain to them that we do this activity in order to establish a good connection between community and the government. He also emphasize that if we need help on educational material is more than willing to help us. Just let him knew only and he will work it out. To the plan of sending Connie to Tokyo, it is must that we need to have a contribution. The cheapest fare is approximately \35,000, round trip if it will be bought a month ahead. Plus accommodation and food allowance will be raised to \50,000 and if she needs to buy some materials from there I think she need an extra amount so the total might be approximately \60,000. This amount is already big but if we will divide to each family say: in

Miyazaki Families;
1. Dell and family ￥3,333
2. Ernie and family￥3,333
3. Dino and family ￥3,333
4. Lalaine and family￥3,333
5. Addie and family￥3,333
6. Gek Ling and family ￥3,333
7. Chachada and family ￥3,333
8. Korean-Japanese family￥3,333
9. Korean-Japanese family ￥3,333
10.Korean-Japanese family ￥3,333

Kobayashi families

11. Maurice and family ￥3,333
12. Nthala and family \￥3,333
13. I don’t know the name \￥3,333

Miyakonojo family

14. Connie and family \￥3,333

Kagoshima families

15. Janet Arima \￥3,333
16. Rose Ninomiya \￥3,333
17. Lenlen Iwasa \￥3,333
18. Willy Medoza \￥3,333

Total \ 59,994

I made a pretty long talks here, thanks to all of you once again.

Please send me your reaction regarding to the appeal I brought up here.

Sincerely yours,

Dell

Welcome to Minami Kyushu Global Peace Festival

Where Peace Begins? Program Directors lead the song.

Group Photo & Line of VIP

Global Peace Festival 2008
in Minami Kyushu Region 11
By: Dell Villareal

MIYAZAKI CITY – The Mini Global Peace Festival Orientation was held in this City on October 13, 2008. Sponsored by the Filipino-Japanese Movement for Global Peace with the cooperation of International families from Malaysia and Africa　living in Miyazaki prefecture, together we worked hand in
hand aiming to have a successful festival in this region.

The FJMGP Kagoshima together with their guests travelled for about two and half hours by bus before reaching the venue at around 10 A.M. It was headed by our regional coordinator MS. JANET ARIMA and staffs; MS. ROSE NINOMIYA, MS. & MRS. LENLEN IWASA and the one and only MR. & MRS. WILLY MENDOZA. We really would like to express our gratitude to our partners in Kagoshima, who contributed a great participation and many sacrifices for this event. We would like to acknowledge too the presence of their guest; MS. NECIE REZOL who offered a very heartfelt prayer that touched the bottom heart of everyone, the group of MR. BRIAN SERNO who presented a Filipino talent in folk dancing that I believe not only entertaining but educational in the sense to help the viewers to know more about Filipino cultures, and of course we are honored by the presence of the vice president for the “Samahan ng mga Filipina sa Japan” Madam Mary Hira, we are also thankful to the president of the YFWP in Kagoshima MR. YOSHINOBU WATANABE and to all of their friends who patiently present until the program over. Thanks to all of you.

The venue of the event was at the Miyazaki Shimin Plaza. This is one of the newest building and very famous one in this prefecture because it was named under the name of Madam MADELINE ALBRIGHT, the former Secretary of the United States of America.

Miyazaki Shimin Plaza

I think the Region 11, Minami Kyushu Global Peace Festival is a very special event to all of us involved. It was so special because the result was beyond to our expectation. And I think it is not because of our efforts, not because of someone efforts but it was because of the love and guidance of God above all. It was really incredible time during the period of preparation. How to begin and where to start and who will take responsible to sacrifice their time and most specially financial matters was the primary concerns of everyone when we had our first survey to have this event in this region. There are lot of ideas and opinions but no one would like to stand to lead the group. It was really a great challenge to all of us because the fact that we are all inexperience to have this kind of event. We are all, a kind of, just an ordinary member, and just know how to follow only what the leader says to do so. But in this time we need to stand up with our own foot. It was really like a gamble. Here in our prefecture of Miyazaki, there are four Blessed Filipino Japanese Couples; Adelmo Dell Villareal family, Ernesto Ernie Lina Family, Reginaldino Dino Fabro family and Marlon Edjic family. For the Filipina Japanese Couples; we have Lalaine Imamura family, and Adie Kukita family. For the Malaysian Couple; we have only one Gek Ling family. And for African couples; we have Connie Hidaka family from Miyakonojo City, Maurice Kanungu and Nthala family from Kobayashi City. Because of distance to one another we have had difficulty in meeting to one place. So most of the time thru phones, fax and emails we communicate to one another. I remember one story of misunderstanding in our communication between members of Miyazaki and Kobayashi. As I am the one who stand responsible in sending a written info and communication to all members, I was misunderstood by the wife of African member in Kobayashi, suspecting me that I am building a new group for Miyazaki. But it was good it was reported to a proper person and finally the issue was resolved.

Actually, the period of preparation was really very short, considering that we are all very busy too to our personal job. The target was to have the event on October and we just got the notice on the middle week of August.

I would like to go on reporting in this way with the purpose of giving you a real picture how we able to grow, struggle, learn, and overcome our shortcomings. I know that I am not also a good writer and really afraid with my grammar and English words. I would certainly be expecting that even in our group I have the feeling that they aren’t satisfied with my report. I was actually asking them to give their personal evaluation, a kind of, reflection on the recent festival, so that everyone has the chance to talk about his own feelings. But I can’t wait longer so I decided to give my own story, based on the experience I personally encountered before, during and after the event. This is my personal view and opinion and I am ready to face any comment or accusation in all accounts to what I have reported here. Actually, I am not the supposed person to give report because on the meeting it was assigned to our Sister Rose Ninomiya for this reporting responsibility as the group secretariat. In fairness to Sister Rose, she sent me a notice for sometime after the event that she cannot make the report for the whole group because she has another thing to look after that requires time.

The Reception Table

The MC and the Invocation from Ms Necie Rezol

There are many things we discovered during those days that we really can treasure in our life time. We cannot forget how we able to prepare all things on time and what were the enormous hassles we had been encountered. Choosing the venue for the event is somewhat not easy too. But after long discussion and very tiring visit in many places makes more memorable to us. Another one is in getting a speaker. This is another long tale until we finally get one. I was personally very sorry to our beloved Kuya Raffy Ablong, because after I got his final confirmation that he will be our keynote speaker, suddenly I was informed that the FJMGP Tokyo is going to send one great speaker to Miyazaki. A person who is closed to Hyun Jin Nim as his translator and ambassador for peace to Japan is coming to Miyazaki for free transportation and accommodation. I was speechless when I knew this news since I already made an arrangement with Kuya Raffy. I told them that I can’t approach Kuya Raffy if the idea is to change him. I would rather to be out in the frontline if they insist it to do. The following day comes I got a call from Kuya Raffy; “I’m FREE Adel”, this is what his greeting was. When I checked this to our team I have found out the full story. The president of the FJMGP made a phone call to Kuya Raffy directly to tell him the real situation. Anyway, I salute him for his matured heart to understand things.

Ernie & Dino and the Japanese Medley

I hope I did not exagerate stories and wrong information. But really I can’t imagine the heart of Sister Janet who was responsible in dealing with Tokyo FJMGP about the transportation process for our guest speaker. The group was actually informed very clearly that the guest can come here with a free transportation and accommodation. We absolutely rely to this offer and we really very thankful to them. When the time comes that we need to follow up, it was no longer the same story. It was completely changed. She was then being asked to shoulder the whole travelling expenses. But lately her requests for a half portion payment for the ticket to be shoulder by Tokyo was approved. It was granted and we appreciate it. The only sad memories left was the unexpected words that she heard, that if we can’t bear the travel cost we have to cancel his trip schedule to Miyazaki. Is that just simple as it was to say such words?

Well, that was really sometimes happen. We really need to grow more and to become a person with well rounded personality in all sorts of circumstances.

Janet Arima/Dr. Geoffrey Mark Paul/Chief Priest Douki Mihara

Dr. Geoffrey Mark Paul says:

We are always free. Free to think, judge or interpret.

Believe in peace. Look deeply into everything. Use freedom Don’t

judge and peace will rise from your heart. Everything you experience

will then be peace .　

We were in for a real treat on that day. Our guest speaker was a man who has been the driving force behind the GPF project for almost many years. He is the person who knows the whole history of how we got to where we were on that day; the stories, the challenges and the little known secrets. Not only that but he’s a very entertaining speaker. To tell you about his brief biography, he was born in Tsu on the year 1974. As the first son of Kobayashi family he was named after a general, ruled this era in Edo period. Takatora Todo. After graduating Tsu High School, where he spent 4 years in Teikyo Science University, located at the very edge of Yamanashi prefecture. He studied computer programming.
Ambassador for Peace to Japan
MR. TAKATORA KOBAYASHI

Mr. Kobayashi has arrived early on the day of October 13th. We took him at first to Miyazaki Church for him to see and meet the Miyazaki church members. He was then escorted by another member when they come to the venue.

He delivered his speech in bilingual because there are non English speaking people present. So it became a lengthy speech. But I’m sure he had been able to share the vision and the deep desire of Hyun Jin Nim why do we hold a Global Peace Festival.

Our one doctor guest commented that the goal of GPF is amusing and it brings a great hope for this nation. And therefore, he is asking us if what would be the incoming project or activity that the FJMGP will be going to undertake, he is willing to support and participate.

In the afternoon after the event, he spent lot of time talking with other guest. Maybe he felt that everyone is longing to have him more talk so he suggested that we can gather in the church and have dinner together. Instead of going to a restaurant with only few number of members to be there I asked permission in the church to allow us to have a gathering there. It was really a wonderful day with him to hear his experience and testimony.

Almost 10:00 pm when our meeting was finished. All of us are in convoy went to his accommodation. He was really so happy because of our warm accompany. Upon reaching the hotel porch in his small voice, why here, it’s a big hotel; he said. It was a 5 stars hotel here in Miyazaki. Before we left him we gave the honorarium but he was resisting not to get it, because he said he didn’t come for that purpose. But he later he accepted it because we explain that it was a very little expression of gratitude by all members.

M. Theresa Kodama/Maria Akikaki/Imamura's Angels

The winners on the raffle draw.

Ms. Connie Hidaka for her closing remarks.

Subli Dance performance from Kagoshima.

Mr. Hideki Kawano in his short message to all.

Congratulations!

Special Thanks to:

Mr. WonTaek Moon

Mr. Masumoto Masaru

Mr. Dong Ho Kim

Janet Arima

Rose Ninomiya

Lenlen Iwasa

Willy Mendoza

Connie Hidaka

Kouji Inoue

Gek Ling Inoue

Tomoaki Kawano

Ernie Lina

Megumi Lina

Dino Fabro

Momoyo Fabro

Kazuhiko Kukita

Adie Kukita

Shinichi Imamura

Lalaine Imamura

Yumiko Toyama

Okasaki San

Etsuko Villareal

Fukunaga San

Yanagimoto San

Uchimura San

North Area Church UC

Central Church UC

Kagoshima UC

Special Thanks to

Dr. Allan Cadano who inspired me from the beginning of our planning.

Prof. Raffy Ablong who gave me advices during our preparation.

And to all guest and friends

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

May God be bless Us!!!

alv/

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