(Lesotho) Minister of Youth, Minister of Education, Vice-Chancellor of National University of Lesoth

On the 14th of September (Mon), the Minister of Youth (Hon. Mathibeli Mokhothu), the Minister of Education (Hon. Dr. Mahali Phamotse), and the Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Lesotho had a meeting with Pastor Ock Soo Park. The two Ministers had visited South Korea in July during the Korea World Camp and attended the World Youth Minister Forum to share plans regarding the future of youths.

The party of Pastor Ock Soo Park and the Gracias Choir having been scheduled to meet with the Minister of Youth and Sports (Hon. Mathibeli Mokhothu), arrived at the building of the Department of Youth located in Maseru at 10am. The Department of Youth Director who had visited the last Korea World Camp welcomed them and the national broadcast (internet) interviewed Pastor Ock Soo Park as they waited.

The reporters asked Pastor Ock Soo Park and his company in detail the reason for visiting Lesotho and the activities carried out. Also, they asked about the influence IYF will have on Lesotho in the future. In the interview, Pastor Ock Soo Park shortly introduced the students that changed through the worldwide mind lecture. He also said that Lesotho may be a small country but it will learn a healthy and strong mind through the mind lecture and becomes leaders of this world.

Changing venues, a small music concert and lecture took place at the Department of Youth meeting room with the employees. The visit was actually scheduled to be a short meeting and greeting but the Department of Youth had unexpectedly prepared this event.

By host of the Department of Youth Acting Vice Minister (Chief of Administration), the program was proceeded with a short introduction of the employees in the Department, the Youth Minister’s greetings, Gracias Choir’s performance, and then the lecture of Pastor Ock Soo Park.

The Minister of Youth welcomed Pastor Ock Soo Park and his company for visiting Lesotho and asked cooperation in youth vocational training and youth mind education.

Afterwards, the performance of the Gracias Choir began.

The first song sung by the Choir was a song in the local language called ‘Wa Hambanathi.’ The employees of the Department of Youth enjoyed it very much and some even took out their mobile phones to record it from the first verse.

Something I always feel is that the music of the Gracias Choir has the power to change the atmosphere in which the audience are in. I can feel the people participating open their hearts and become close as though with a close friend even if the atmosphere a few moment ago was unfamiliar and frigid.

A mind lecture for the Department of Youth employees was specially held.

Pastor Ock Soo Park ecplained that people know very well and care for their health but rarely do they know about the mind. He also added that if you know how to control the mind and use it, your life and your thoughts change so you can live a happier and more joyful life.

In addition, he said that both parties should work together for the youths who will lead Lesotho by teaching them a bit of the IYF mind and bringing them in with strength when they are helpless and with joy when they are in difficulty, instead of their minds falling into difficulty along with the body.

At 3pm, Pastor Ock Soo Park and the Choir party moved to the Department of Education building located at Maseru, Lesotho because of a meeting scheduled with the Minister of Education (Hon. Dr. Mahali Phamotse). The Minister met with Pastor Park and his company at the meeting room of the Department of Education and welcomed them warmly, apologizing for the Department of Education not having been able to help much in this visit.

Moreover, Pastor Ock Soo Park asked for more cooperation in the future as the IYF branch in Lesotho is at its beginning stage. In response, the Minister of Youth expressed that he would like to train the youths and carry out the World Camp as it had been held in Korea with the IYF and through the mind education program as soon as everything is ready. As soon as the discussion with the Minister of Education ended, Pastor Ock Soo Park and his company moved to the National University of Lesotho where a mind lecture was scheduled.

At the National University of Lesotho, there was a meeting with the Vice Chancellor first.

The Vice Chancellor warmly welcomed Pastor Ock Soo Park and his company and said that he truly welcomes them for visiting Lesotho and the National University of Lesotho. “Before the meeting, I learned about the activities of the IYF through data and realized what a great organization IYF is. I would like such programs to be carried out in the National University of Lesotho as well,” he said, expressing a positive attitude. Specific contents were agreed to be discussed with the Branch Manager of Lesotho.

Moreover, the Vice Chancellor revealed that he wished to participate in the World Education Leader’s Forum held in Korea and promised to attend the forum next year through the formal invitational procedure.

Moving venue, the mind lecture was carried out at the seminar room.

Despite not having been able to promote the event a lot, there were crowds of students at the entrance. The stage of the Gracias Choir was thrilling. When the Choir started singing the local song, ‘Wa Hambanathi,’ everyone cheered and sang along.

On the podium, Pastor Ock Soo Park explained that a chicken has wings but it cannot fly so it can only be bitten when a dog chases after it. However, the eagle has wings that can fly freely through the sky because that’s how much it had trained to fly. Likewise, everyone has a mind but the life of someone who knows how to use the mind can only be different from someone who doesn’t know.

In addition, he gave examples of the story of Sister Su Hyun Choi who had myelitis and cancer and Brother John Choi who was stung by a scorpion. They could not overcome myelitis, cancer, or the poison of the scorpion through their own strength but when their hearts were connected to God, new strength moved them from death to life. Also, he expressed his hopes that students with a strong mind that will lead this country will emerge though this mind education in Lesotho.

I could not help but to be surprised at the works of God in Lesotho throughout the three days in Lesotho. There was nothing prepared in Lesotho but the Christian Leader’s Forum was able to be held and the pastors who heard the gospel invited the Good News Mission pastors to 12 of their churched to preach the gospel. Moreover, it seemed like a dream that there was a meeting with the Minister and Deputy Minister of Youth, Minister and Deputy Minister of Education, and Vice Chancellor of National University of Lesotho who promised to help in proceeding with the IYF mind education.

Although the schedule in Lesotho has ended, God’s plan in Lesotho has just begun. I am thankful to be able to witness and share such wondrous works.