May 7, 2026: Exploring Cheongpyeong
Written by: Mi Hye Baklanov
On May 7, 2026, the Next Gen Mission missionaries had their first opportunity to explore Cheongpyeong independently. This allowed them to deepen their relationship with our Heavenly Parent and have the utmost gratitude for the beautiful nature and work of True Parent. Every missionary today visited different parts of Cheongpyeong, and overall, they felt grateful for this time, especially with the busy schedule they had since their arrival!
To center themselves, the missionaries began their day at the Holy Ground, sharing past experiences in Cheongpyeong and receiving guidance on connecting their hearts to True Parents before enjoying the day. Afterward, they took photos for the NGM yearbook—a stressful yet exciting experience for everyone!
Many groups visited the Tree of Blessing, the Tree of Life, and museums dedicated to True Parents' mission. The morning experience was deep and spiritual.
Then, it was time for lunch! The missionaries shared stories and refueled for the next part of the day, which included basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Next, they headed to the Aqua Garden, where they interacted with otters, capybaras, meerkats, and cute bunnies. They also tried hands-on fish tanks, where small fish gathered around their hands and gently exfoliated them. It was certainly a one-of-a-kind experience, and they took lots of pictures to remember it!
Simple moments were experienced today, but most importantly, the missionaries had gratitude for the beauty and work of True Parents in the attention to detail of the buildings and activities.
Later in the day, it began to rain, which felt like a God experience for many. It was like they were given a chance to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the experiences individually today.
In the afternoon, four missionaries had the opportunity to be interviewed on behalf of the young adults of America, sharing their experience in Japan and their love for our True Mother. Interviewed by a CSW interviewer, they answered questions about their Japan Rally experience and personal relationship with Heavenly Parent & True Parents. This allowed them to reflect on the past year and recognize the importance of our True Mother and the sacrifices she has made as the Mother of the world for us to be where we are today.
The evening included reports from the Second-year missionaries on their projects in Croatia, Austria, and Romania, along with testimonies, songs, and a quiz activity.
Reverend Demian Dunkley made a special appearance and shared about True Mother's situation, inspiring many of the youth and bringing a great spiritual energy to the closing of today.
