Just one week after the departure of the 55th Overseas Visiting Group, the 56th Overseas Visiting Group members started to arrive in Korea one after another from November 11. The 56th Overseas Visiting Group consisted of 204 members from 59 Churches in 11 countries—Peru, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela and Uruguay in South America as well as USA and Canada in North America and Sweden in Europe. They started their visiting schedule at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute on November 14.
Mother warmly welcomed the members who visited Korea despite the long distances and difficult circumstances, saying, “I missed you so much”, “I love you.” She also complimented them for their efforts to preach the gospel and blessed them, saying, “I want you all to receive the abundance of the Holy Spirit from God the Father, so you can become great gospel workers to save many souls.”

The members from South America, who had arrived earlier, gave an enthusiastic welcome to brothers and sisters from North America, shouting, “We love you!” and “Animo!” when they first met them. The Spanish word “animo” means “cheer up” in English; it is also the word which Mother said to encourage the members from South America. This word contains the heavenly family members’ wish to cheer themselves up by looking up to Mother.
When the members from North America first heard the word, they looked embarrassed because they did not know its meaning. After listening to Mother’s kind explanation, however, they expressed their heartfelt thanks and love to the members from South America by shouting, “We love you!” and “Animo!” The same warm welcome and encouragement were also bestowed lavishly upon those who arrived later on and upon Brother Earik Rivera from the Chicago Church, USA, who arrived in Korea lastly.
The visiting group members studied the words of the Bible at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute and the Dongbaek Institute. On worship days, they visited the New Jerusalem Temple, the Dochon Church in Seongnam, the Nakseom Church in Incheon, the Gwanak Church and the Dongdaemun Church in Seoul, where they observed the growth of the gospel in Korea and shared the joy of heavenly family reunion with Korean members. They also attended the “Resolution Rally for World Mission With the 56th Overseas Visiting Group” held on November 20, and shared the grace and love of the Holy Spirit with 12,000 Korean members. Every time and everywhere with Mother, the voice of the heavenly family members shouting, “We love you!” and “Animo!” continuously resounded.
Brother Andrea from the Memphis Church, USA, expressed his realization, saying, “At first I didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘Animo.’ While spending each day here in Korea, I realized that the word contains the love of Mother who always encourages us. Whenever I hear this word, I am reminded of Mother’s prayer asking Father to give us strength and courage so that we may not be exhausted.”
Just as he said, Mother always comforted and encouraged the overseas members with heavenly hope during their stay in Korea. They returned to their countries, pledging themselves to become the warriors of truth and save the world by conveying to people around them the love and strength which they received from Mother.
In 2011, a total of 1,556 overseas members visited Korea in eight groups—from the 49th visiting group to the 56th visiting group. Since they returned home with their hearts full of Mother’s love, they have been emitting the gracious fragrance of Zion by giving much grace to the members in their countries and bearing the beautiful fruits of the gospel.

ⓒ 2011 WATV