Ministers from India and South Korea Give Presentations in Jiba

The fourth installment of the video and lecture series "The Path of World Salvation" was held in Yoki Hall on the afternoon of October 26 and featured presenters from India and South Korea. The event, which drew a total of 372 participants, was the final installment of the video and lecture series that invited missionaries from around the world to speak on their experiences during this year of the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama.

The first presenter was Head Minister Hideki Kawaura of Calcutta Church in India. Originally born in Japan, Rev. Kawaura was inspired to take part in the Tenrikyo mission in India by Rev. Akira Yamazoe, the first head minister of Calcutta Church. Rev. Kawaura went to India for the first time after graduating from the Daini Junior Seminary in 1988, and subsequently sprinkled the fragrance of the teachings and engaged in salvation work under the tutelage of Rev. Yamazoe. Rev. Kawaura later became the second head minister of Calcutta Church in 1998.

Rev. Kawaura spent some time describing India's history and current social situation. He then spoke about how a kindergarten and a health clinic on his church's property offers free education and free medical care to local residents. He then went on to tell the story of one of his followers, a young woman who was diagnosed with Alexander disease at a very young age. The disease is a rare disorder of the nervous system, which causes the outer part of the brain to harden. Doctors at the time pronounced that she had between six and eight years to live. When this young woman returned to Jiba this year, however, she was told by Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital that her condition is not due to Alexander disease but another illness that could possibly be treated.

Rev. Kawaura then said: "This gave her, her family, and all of us connected to our church great hope for the future. I believe we were shown such a great blessing because God accepted the sincerity of many people."

The speaker for the second half of the program was Rev. Yungja Park, who is the former head minister of Goseong Church in South Korea. She received the truth of the Sazuke in 1982 and was installed as the head minister of her church in 1987. Along with devoting herself to nurturing the Yoboku and followers of her church, Rev. Park also served as the construction committee chair for the construction of the worship hall of her parent church, Won-namseong Church.

She described the resolution she made at the time as follows: "In order to ensure a successful construction, it occurred to me that we should not take an easy path. So I had about a hundred Yoboku and followers spend two days walking the 70 kilometers (43 mi.) from Wan-namseong Church to Goseong Church, while occasionally singing the Mikagura-uta to the beat of wooden clappers. A few people broke into tears because of the pain in their legs. Yet as we walked in unity of mind, our spirits rose higher and higher."

Rev. Pak then spoke about how she became the chair of the local Ladies Lions Club after finishing her post as head minister. She said: "While deepening ties with the community, I am striving to spread the teachings through various social services such as support for the visually challenged, elderly persons who live alone, and orphaned children."