Reports from Formosa

Heartwarming Love
in the Cold Winter

Keelung fellow practitioners distribute warm clothing to homeless people at the Nankuang Hospital.

[Keelung] On December 17, 2000, The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association conducted a heartwarming activity in Keelung to convey Master's love and concern for needy people in the cold of winter. Local initiates distributed blankets, warm clothing, rice, and relief funds to disabled elderly people, destitute senior citizens living alone, and homeless people in the city. One of the lonely old folks was a beneficiary of our monthly relief activities and a victim of flooding during Typhoon Xangsane, which devastated Keelung in September 2000. The old lady expressed her deep gratitude for the initiates' regular visits and assistance.

Initiates also distributed coats and trousers to the many homeless citizens sheltered at the Nankuang Hospital. The warm winter clothes were delivered into the residents' hands just before the winter really set in. Keelung initiates also visited a home for the elderly to convey Master's concern for the less privileged and disabled senior citizens living there.

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Affectionate Ties

[Taichung] A year ago, sister Chyuu's aged father suffered a stroke. Not long afterwards, her mother sustained a brain injury in a car accident, which left her emotionally unstable. Thus, the family was placed in a difficult position, and sister Chyuu was forced to quit her job in order to take care of her parents, thus dealing another financial blow to her family.

The Taichung Center of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association immediately assisted sister Chyuu's family in applying for low-income household subsidies and, on November 15, 2000, conveyed Master's love and concern to them. Old Mr. Chyuu was so touched that he asked the local members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association to express his deep gratitude to Master for Her compassion and generosity.

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Master's Love
Is a Delightful Miracle

 

An elderly gentleman wears a winter hat contributed by the Hsihu Center and has his photo taken with Taitung initiates.

[Taitung] On December 16, 2000, Taitung initiates paid a routine visit to a paralytic old man living on Mount Tawu hillside, along the eastern coast of Formosa. He was a stroke victim who had been bedridden for many years. Two years ago, local representatives of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association began visiting and offering him relief funds each month. Master's omnipotent love and blessings have thus alleviated his 20-year suffering and inspired him to leave his bed and move around slowly. When the initiates brought him a warm winter hat from the Hsihu Center during their recent visit, a radiant smile lit up his face as he donned the hat!

Initiates also visited Mr. Tien in neighboring Tajen rural township. They still recalled how miserable he looked when they presented relief funds to him during their previous visit. He appeared dark and withered, confined to his bed like a comatose patient fitted with a feeding tube and urinary catheter. This time, he was able to converse with the initiates, and looked much better than he had during their earlier visit. His family was sincerely grateful to Master, and frequently chanted "Namo Ching Hai Wu Shang Shih" in reverence. Especially cute were their children, who loudly announced: "Here comes Master Ching Hai!" when they saw the initiates coming. Their welcoming spirit and gratitude were obvious.

Taitung fellow initiates regularly convey Master's love and concern to destitute and lonely senior citizens.

Mr. Cheng, an elderly citizen suffering from paraplegia caused by stroke, also lived in Tawu. To alleviate the constant pain he felt from leg edema and poor blood circulation, a fellow sister bought him a pair of specially made therapeutic socks some time ago. Mr. Cheng showed signs of recovery after wearing the socks and could not refrain from pouring out his deep gratitude to Master.

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Lighting up a Lonely Corner
of the World with Love

 

An elderly lady happily bids farewell to fellow practitioners.

[Tainan] On December 23, 2000, as the cold winter set in, the Tainan Center held a heartwarming activity for needy families in the neighboring townships of Hsinying, Liuying, Tungshan, Hsuehchia, and Liuchia. Earlier, fellow practitioners had personally visited each of these households to verify their situation.

There were many unfortunate cases, such as some people who lived in very primitive, practically unfurnished houses, one family that was comprised solely of mentally disabled members, a widow living alone who was helpless and incapable of earning her own livelihood, a solitary senior citizen who was visually impaired, one couple that had no family income because their son had been injured, and another that was mentally unbalanced, and thus unable to take care of their children.

A senior citizen living alone is pleasantly surprised by a visit from fellow initiates.

Saddened by such pathetic scenes, fellow practitioners tightly held the hands of these people, embraced them, and listened to their outpourings of grief. When we brought in rice, powdered milk, edible oil, cookies, clothing, hats, and other daily necessities, together with Master's News magazines and sample booklets, and wished them all a happy New Year, we could see the faces of our underprivileged compatriots light up in gratitude. We thank God for giving us the opportunity to help these less fortunate people, and will now cherish even more our blessed rewards, and continue to share Master's love with our brothers and sisters in need.