 Lighthouse
in the Darkness |
| Out of the Ordinary (Continued) |
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Lighthouse
in the Darkness |
| Out of the Ordinary (Continued) |
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By sister initiate Yvonne Chao, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A
In Issue #106
of the Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazine, I reported about several Chinese
teenage detainees at the Portland Juvenile Detention Center who had begun to
follow Master in pursuing spiritual practice. This story has drawn to a temporary
conclusion because all these young people have subsequently been released and
left Portland for various destinations.
During the several
months that I worked for the Detention Center, I served eight Chinese teenagers
between fourteen and eighteen years of age. Seven of them learned the Convenient
Method. Of these, one was from a Christian background and went through an inner
struggle before expressing an earnest desire two months later also to learn
the Method after observing that his friends had enjoyed very good experiences
both within and without. Before leaving, he also had collected many News magazines
to give to other people. This is what delighted and comforted me most during
the time I was with them.
In December 1999,
events took a dramatic turn. For a period of five consecutive days, the Portland
newspaper, "The Oregonian", carried extensive headline coverage of
one of the young girls named Wang. Openly supported by lawyers, journalists,
and television and radio stations, her story elicited a dynamic response from
the public. Many people voiced their sympathy and contributed money and gifts
to six of the teenage detainees. Even state Senators and Congressmen rallied
to support their cause. Wang was the focus of the news stories about the Chinese
refugees. The Chinese government enforces a family planning program that allows
only one child, either son or daughter, for each family. Wang is the third daughter
of a farming household, and was thus deprived of legal status under Chinese
law. She was denied educational subsidies, her father was fined, and her mother
was sterilized compulsorily. Alone and without luggage, Wang boarded a boat
in a coastal Fujian province and set sail for America with more than a hundred
people, hoping to begin a new life here. Unfortunately, the boat wrecked and
ran aground in Guam. Wang was subsequently sent to the Portland Juvenile Detention
Center where she remained for some time.
A few days after
the story of these Chinese teenagers was made public, the Immigration Service
decided to release Wang and five other teenagers. These young people told me
that since the media reported their story and they learned of their imminent
release, they were so happy they could barely sleep or even eat their breakfast.
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|
A drawing
presented to Master by the Chinese teenagers at the Portland |
I feel that their
story is truly dramatic. Because of these young refugees, the Immigration Service
has to some extent changed its bureaucratic ways, which can be of benefit to
refugees from other countries as well. God's incredible arrangements are truly
astounding! The other two initiates-to-be may be repatriated to China because
of insufficient reasons to remain in the United States. Although I know God
always makes the best arrangements, I was still concerned that they might not
be able to accept this outcome. I could only remind them to remember God and
Master, and to bear in mind that every arrangement is for the best. Regardless
of the situation and the different karma and destiny of each person, we are
all Master's tools, capable of benefiting people wherever we are.
<Letters
from Prison>
 Dear Master Ching Hai,
May we have peace in
the world soon. |
 Dear Master Ching Hai, May You remain forever
young and energetic. |
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Out
of the Ordinary (Continued)