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Report on True Family Health Training Academy
21-day workshop – Summer 2007
~ by Christine Froelichk ~
- Overview
- What elements brought about real transformation or change in the participants?
- Good Points and Best Practices
1. Overview
TFHT Academy is a 21-day program – from July 1 – 21 – held in Ontario, Canada, for the past 10 years.
TFHT Academy was initiated by Roddy Portelance and is currently led by him and his wife, and 4-5 team leaders; assisted by the eldest 3 Portelance children. They have a beautiful, harmonious and exemplary family with 7 children, which is inspiring and hopeful for all participants to see.
Description:
This program combines the key elements of character education, fundraising, adventure experiences out in the beautiful nature of Canada and DP study. The program has 2 weeks of experiential learning – through an exciting FR and camping trip - through the beautiful countryside and small towns of Ontario. The third week is a 7-day Divine Principle workshop, taught by Ed Taub, who has experience teaching DP over the past 30 years. On the foundation of the first two weeks where participants are challenged to stretch their hearts, in relationship with their team leader and team members, as well as in FR, their experience of DP is much deeper. The whole workshop provides plenty of opportunities for participants to take responsibility, practice team work, and discover a part of themselves that is genuine and true.
Schedule:
During the first 2 weeks, wake up is at 5:30; HDH, 6:00 – 7:30; exercises, clean up; breakfast and then breaking up camp and preparation for the day. There is one FR run in the morning; then the team meets for lunch; then a second FR run in the afternoon. After the last pick-up the team drives to a camp-ground where they set up the tents, make a fire, cook dinner, and then gather around the fire to share about the day, sing songs, and sometimes roast marshmallows, etc; after closing, 120 bows condition.
During the third week, wake up is at 4:30; HDH, 5:00 – 6:30; exercises, clean up; breakfast and then gather to sing before the first lecture. There are 2 lectures in the morning, then lunch; sports in the afternoon, shower time and then final lecture in the late afternoon before dinner. After dinner, there are testimonies or other activities; after each lecture is a group meeting where members share about their insights and questions regarding the lectures; closing at 9:30Pm and then 120 bows condition.
Educational themes and goals:
The purposes of the workshop are:
To strengthen faith and pride as a BC and representative of God, TP, True Family
To facilitate real and transforming heartistic experiences of God and strengthening of character in order to “know the good, love the good and do the good”
To strengthen their sense of identity and value as Blessed Children – and sons and daughters of God – their genuine true selves – as a joyful and liberating experience
To open the hearts and strengthen character with the vision to create a beautiful Blessed Central Family one day in the future as God’s vision and hope for all mankind.
To create challenging experiences to help participants “get out of their comfort zone” in order to grow in ways they never imagined possible.
Preparation to witness to friends in school and elsewhere
Preparation for STF training
2. What elements brought about real transformation and spiritual growth in the participants?
- FR with an approach where members present Pure Love Pledge bookmarks to all potential customers, thus taking a stand for what they believe in circumstances where they either may be deeply appreciated or rejected.
- Going to a new and unfamiliar place – far away from the daily influences of secular culture – helps to facilitate gaining a new perspective, a new view of value – that is more internal and genuine; FR they are moving around the countryside to small towns
- Testimonies – Roddy creates what he calls an atmosphere to “allow God to land” so that when the spirit moves, participants have profoundly heart-opening and tearful moving experiences – empathizing with the tough experiences and victories of their brothers and sisters, or stepping forward to get up and share something very precious, or essential, in a way that is liberating and transforming.
- DP lectures
- And just about everything else – the other aspects that contribute to creating an “environment where God can land” and move their hearts
3. Good Points and best practices:
- Experiential learning: during the first 2 week FR/Camping trip, the participants are faced with many challenges which stretch their hearts to grow. Experiential learning works well with reflection time after challenging experiences; the reflection is done in group meetings – usually around a fire, where the participants share about the experiences of the day – their challenges and victories; the team captains give some advice, support and feedback – so the members can grow through their challenges.
- FR is done presenting a “Pure Love Pledge” book mark, and all members are required to use an introductory line, “Hi, my name is__________. Today we are doing a Pure Love Pledge campaign. We believe in abstinence before marriage and fidelity within marriage. Here, this is for you.” (They give the “customer” a free bookmark with the Pure Love Pledge written on it, with contact information for TFHT Academy. Next, they say, “we are fundraising to support our summer camp which teaches these principles. We have international flags, one for $3.00 and two for $5.00. Please help!” This method of fundraising is a great way for team members to experience standing up for their values and beliefs and convictions.
- The format requires the participants to extend themselves in giving their hearts, and serving others – through FR, of course, and through team work in all the preparations and necessary activities of camping, etc. Roddy emphasizes most of all the importance of making effort to love the people while FR – to be respectful and persevere in the face of rejection. He also tells many stories of former participants’ experiences where they met people who deeply appreciated what they stand for and were very moved and happy to meet such wonderful young people. Everyone had some kind of experience like this with people, and of course, grew their hearts through the experience of overcoming rejection and other challenges.
- Since they spend 2 weeks giving and serving and going beyond their limitations for the sake of others, the capacity of members to appreciate and absorb the DP lectures is much deeper.
- The program creates the Culture of Heart – where internal is emphasized over the external to such a great and successful degree that the participants can let go of their usual preoccupations with trying to look cool, attachment to material things, etc. This creates a profound experience of their true selves
- Experiences of FR and at times witnessing to fellow campers at campgrounds, or explaining their beliefs to inquisitive customers allow participants to develop a much deeper appreciation of what their parents have gone through in formula course. Fundraising also helps participants develop a heart of compassion
Transformations I observed:
- Kids who started out shy and reserved in regards to serving and giving of themselves to others became much more serving and outgoing
- Hearts were opened towards God, TP, TF and brothers and sisters
- A change of heart towards (in some cases) and overall increase in respect, love and appreciation towards parents
- Beautiful testimonies revealed experiences of God and true love
- Participants who mostly didn’t know each other at the beginning of the workshop became so close as brothers and sisters, they shed tears to part at the end of the 21 days
- Kids overcame many fears and hesitations about FR; experienced the value of overcoming limitations and challenges in trying to love people and stay consistent in their efforts regardless of rejections, etc
- During testimonies, some participants were able to let go of burdens they have been carrying deep inside –from difficult family situations, or difficulties at school, challenges of standing up for their faith; challenges witnessing to their friends
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