May 5, 2026: Pilgrimage to Paju WonJeon, the Demilitarized Zone, and Korean War Memorial
Written by: Stanislav Ivanenko
On May 5, 2026, the NGM missionaries continued into their second full day of the Rooted Workshop pilgrimage in Korea. The day began with a bus ride to Paju Wonjeon, where members of the True Family are laid to rest. Along the way, the group engaged in Hoon Dok Hae, receiving background on the lives and sacrifices of those they were about to visit. Upon arrival, a short guidance given by Junta Naito helped prepare their hearts before entering the grounds.
At the Wonjeon, the atmosphere was quiet and reverent. Missionaries walked through the site, offering prayers at each grave, while a representative offered flowers on behalf of the group. For many, it was a moment not just of respect, but of reflection on the lives that were given for the sake of the providence.
One HTG missionary, Shiori Watanabe, shared that while praying, she felt a desire to inherit the sacrificial heart of Hyo Jin Nim and Heung Jin Nim. She recalled noticing small white flowers near their graves, which, to her, symbolized the purity and offering of their lives. Another junior missionary, Misaki Masamoto, reflected on Jo Won Mo’s devotion, expressing how deeply he longed to receive the Lord at the Second Advent and prepared the way for True Mother. These moments made the experience feel personal, less like history, and more like something still alive.
From there, the group traveled to the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Interestingly, the visit took place on Children’s Day in Korea. The contrast was striking near a place marked by division and tension; there was also laughter and joy from families gathered nearby. It created a sense of both hope and unresolved reality existing side by side.
At the DMZ, the missionaries sang “Heart of the Father”, offering it as a way to connect with God’s longing for His children to return to Him. Standing in front of the barbed wire fences, prayers were offered for reunification. One representative prayer by a senior missionary Kyungwhi Sakuwa, expressed a deep hope that one day it would be possible to report to True Mother that Korea had been reunited, and that she could return freely to her hometown.
One moment that stood out to me was seeing a sign explaining that once North and South Korea are reunited, the bridge and train tracks would be restored to their original state. It was a simple detail, but it made the idea of reunification feel real, like something people are actively preparing for and not just hoping for. Even in a place defined by division, there are signs pointing toward restoration. In that moment, I felt a quiet sense of hope that maybe we are closer than it seems.
Afterward, missionaries had time to walk, reflect, and pray individually, each processing the experience in their own way.
The day continued with a visit to the War Memorial of Korea. Though the time there was brief, it still left an impression. One Junior missionary, Daniel Avramenko, shared how seeing the flags representing the United Nations forces stood out to him, as these were the nations that came together for the first time to defend Korea in a time of crisis. Another reflected that experiencing the memorial in person after doing missionary work gave them a new perspective. It helped them see how even small actions can be part of a larger providence.
The day concluded with dinner together in Seoul, where the missionaries were able to share reflections and connect over the experiences they had throughout the day.
As the Rooted Workshop approaches its final days, the missionaries are not just looking back on what they’ve seen, but looking ahead. Carrying these experiences with them, they hope to bring new energy, deeper conviction, and a stronger heart of faith back to the communities they will soon return to.
