An
onsite examination showed that the victims urgently needed food and
construction materials. Several fellow brothers went to San Salvador
to purchase the building materials from wholesalers, while another group
visited victims in El Jobo and prepared for a local seminar. It was
a long trip to El Jobo, for we were not familiar with the travel routes
and had to change buses four times before we finally arrived at the
center of Tamanique County.
We
did not plan to stay there, but intended to finish our job and return
to San Salvador to join the other fellow practitioners. So, when local
inhabitants told us that there were no buses to San Salvador after four
p.m., we panicked. We had only a small amount of money and some instant
noodles, and had no idea how we could reach our next destination. But
very soon, we felt protected by the omnipresent Master, and became calm
and peaceful. We came to a convent, where God seemed to have arranged
everything for us. The head of the convent, Mother Superior Barbara
Durbon, received us cordially and provided us with tools for our work.
That afternoon, she found us a car so that we could meet the chiefs
of the El Jobo community.
The
basic facilities in El Jobo had been completely destroyed by the earthquake,
and the people grieved over the loss of their homes and property. Although
we were shocked by the devastation, it was touching to hear Indian Chief
Pedro de Jesus Amaya say, "Master Ching Hai's loving concern has
brought bliss and hope to the hearts of all." We distributed Master's
sample booklets to the villagers, and the number was just right. This
again gave testimony to the fact that Master arranges everything perfectly
in advance.
The
next morning, Mother Superior Barbara introduced us to Madam Gladis
Olaisola de Serrano, the county magistrate. She was a leader of the
local farmers, and a popular young woman with a simple lifestyle. Upon
seeing Master's sample booklet, she immediately wanted to know more
about Her teachings, and expressed her sincere wish that Master could
one day visit her county. She could sense God's intense love shining
through Master's teachings, and earnestly asked us to teach her the
Convenient Method and vegetarian cooking. Magistrate de Serrano was
an excellent tool of God; she provided us with a small truck and an
office furnished with a telephone and typewriter. This facilitated our
contact with other community leaders and the press, and helped convey
Master's teachings in El Salvador.
As
we traveled by car from El Jobo to La Lima, another group of fellow
practitioners had negotiated with La Lima's community leaders regarding
the distribution of relief supplies and the presentation of a seminar
to share Master's teachings. Coincidentally, the local elementary school
was holding a social gathering to assist families in planning and re-organizing
their lives, and to encourage them to help each other in overcoming
the tragedy. This activity provided a perfect opportunity for us to
distribute Master's sample booklets and invite local residents to the
El Jobo seminar the next day.
It
was not until midnight that all the relief supplies had been distributed.
Though everyone worked continuously without a break or nap, none of
us felt tired. We later returned to the convent and continued to prepare
food for distribution. We were delighted to have some young nuns and
volunteers help us pack the food and make the task a loving and pleasant
one.
