By the San Jose Relief Team, U.S.A. (Originally in English)

Members of the San Jose relief team participated in volunteer work in New York City from September 17-20. What we saw at the World Trade Center disaster scene was far worse than what was shown on television. Being there in person, we could experience firsthand all that was happening around us, and felt the emotions of the people in the area. The atmosphere was extremely sad and depressing, so our booth was there to bring Master's love and compassion to rescue workers and uplift their spirits.

Our food booths were the nearest to the site of the collapse. About 30 brothers and sisters worked at the scene along with three Quan Yin messengers, operating in two 15-16-hour shifts per day. During the eight days of our relief efforts at Ground Zero, initiates barely had time to sleep. Each day, members of our organization worked round the clock to prepare meals and serve food and drinks to relief workers in the area.

It was amazing that just with our yellow vests, initiation ID cards, and the simple emergency badges made by our group for the volunteer team, we could pass through security checks and enter the sites to offer direct help. Only designated personnel were allowed inside the site. It is no wonder that at the beginning of our rescue relief project, Master instructed all the relief volunteers to wear the yellow vest while doing disaster work. We certainly believe that Master's blessings were the main support facilitating our relief efforts at the disaster site.

By a brother initiate, Kentucky, U.S.A. (Originally in English)

On our trip to the National Salvation Army Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia to hand over a donation check, we got lost! Speculations, ideas, and differing opinions among us did little to relieve the anxiety of missing our appointment. Then, surprisingly, a car passing by in the other direction stopped. The driver rolled down his car window and asked if we needed help. After knowing of our intentions, he pointed exactly at the building we had been looking for.

We all realized that life is mysterious from moment to moment. This coincidence lightened our hearts in our moment of distress. Who else but our beloved enlightened Master would have given us such a surprise gift to inform us that She always takes care of Her disciples in any circumstances !

By a sister initiate, Missouri, USA

On the afternoon of September 12, 2001, I left home and headed for the New York Relief Center. With a deep desire to help with the World Trade Center disaster relief work, I decided to drive to New York City. On my way, at about 11:30 PM, my car was damaged by a huge rock that flew from a construction site on the side of the road. I pulled over and smelled gas. I called for help as a construction worker came to me at just the right time and gave me a ride to a motel, since my car was not in driveable condition.

The next morning, I called a rental car company but there were no cars available. I then phoned the New Jersey Center to inquire about the situation in New York, and was informed that since many roads were closed, it was hard for people to get to the New York Relief Center. When I heard this news, I felt very frustrated and sad because I really wanted to go, but could do nothing except take the bus home. I arrived home around midnight.

The next morning, I got a phone call from a sister whom I had never met, but who happened to be passing by my home (also the Missouri Center). She was coming from Los Angles. As soon as she learned about the World Trade Center disaster, she too wanted to help out and began driving to New York because the airports were closed and she could not get a flight. She said was coming to pick me up. She had originally wanted to phone the Missouri Center the night before, but thought it was too late, so she waited until about 5:30 the next morning. She thought that if nobody answered, she would go directly to the New York Relief Center. Usually I do not answer the phone when I meditate in the morning, but that morning, I jumped up as soon as the phone rang. This was how the sister and I got together to drive to the New York Relief Center.

As I think back on all that happened, I cannot help but feel that Master really knows and takes care of everything. We feel that it was our common love and desire to help the victims that brought us together. We were truly two hearts joining together in one mission of love.

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