TIMD 50 Days Instructors' Workshop in New Zealand

The workshop got off to a flying start at the opening ceremony. All visitors were welcomed in the traditional Maori way by a group of elders arranged by one of our Peace Ambassadors, Suzanne Pene. Supporting Rev Yong and Master Hoshiko as the main speakers were a range of Peace Ambassadors who offered their greetings and warm remarks for a successful course.

Rev Yong's inspiring speech was proceeded by a PowerPoint presentation taken from the preface of Dr Seuk's manual on Philosophy of Tong-Il Moo-Do. Following Master Hoshiko's remarks there was a stunning Tong-Il Moo-Do demonstration by the 8 Solomon Island brothers, who had trained with Master Hoshiko previously. This left one new guest literally in tears.

After a lunch at the Auckland Peace Embassy, participants were driven to the workshop centre by their billets - a journey of some 3 hours. The site is a camp used by schools for outdoor education, situated on an estuary, near a beach and quite remote and isolated.

Some originally registered participants were unable to come due to visa difficulties so finally, eight from Solomon Islands, four from Papua New Guinea, four from Vanuatu, one from Tonga, one from Tuvalu, three from Fiji and two from Samoa were able to join with the staff of six sisters from the Pasifika witnessing team, chief instructor, Seti Suafa and myself to make a total of 31 people training together.

The spirit of the workshop is very high, thanks mostly to the excellent instruction from Master Hoshiko. The participants are determined to fulfil the course and become instructors. Most of them are definitely thinking of becoming the Tong-Il Moo-Do missionaries, which is of utmost importance in the establishment of Tong-Il Moo-Do throughout each nation of the South Pacific.

The unanimous feeling of gratitude among the Tong-Il Moo-Do practitioners towards Dr Seuk for making this workshop happen is bound to bear fruit for future successes. Master Hoshiko has set a very high standard both internally and externally and participants are responding with their effort and sincerity. Rev Yong's support and vision has also been a crucial factor in shaping the amazing talent that is evident among the many black belts and other high ranking belts at this forty day training.