146/Love in Action/Canada

The summer of 2003 was the driest in recorded history for British Columbia, Canada. Temperatures ran high and there was no rain for months. In August alone, more than 300 forest fires broke out in the province, caused by the careless disposal of cigarette butts. The Louis Creek community in the beautiful area north of Vancouver was virtually wiped out (65 buildings including a saw mill were destroyed), 238 homes were burned in Kelowna, and a number of houses were burned and many more suffered smoke damage in Barriere. In response to the fires, our merciful Master donated US$50,000 with special instructions to provide comfort to those in greatest need who had been overlooked by other relief organizations.

The Canadian government declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, and many residents were evacuated and given financial aid by the government and local charitable groups. Ten thousand people were moved to the nearby city of Kamloops, where most stayed in motels, their room, board and clothing allowances being covered by the Red Cross and the provincial government.

After assessing the situation, local initiates went to Vancouver, where they rented and filled a large truck with relief materials before returning to Kamloops to contact the evacuees staying at the various motels in the area. Then each individual or family received a parcel containing food, drinks, fruit and a sample booklet, and all were very happy to receive this loving support from Master. Next, the work team tried to reach those in the greatest need; namely, families that had lost their homes and that were not covered by insurance. The initiates found that by dropping their preconceived ideas and letting Master guide them, they could readily find these people.

photo 1

For example, the initiates saw one frightened and unhappy woman at a motel who had been living in her sister’s house, which burned down in the Kamloops fire and was thus ineligible for government support. With few financial resources of her own, she could hardly pay her rent at the motel. Coincidentally, the initiates had purchased a small trailer at an excellent price, and it was exactly what the woman and her family needed. Upon receiving the gift, the woman was overjoyed and extremely grateful for Master’s love, feeling that receiving the trailer was truly a miracle (photo 1).

photo 2

The work team then visited the Red Cross in Kelowna, and on behalf of Supreme Master Ching Hai, expressed gratitude for its support to the evacuees. The team also made a financial contribution to the organization to help in its very important work. Of course, the Red Cross representatives were touched and delighted at Master’s compassion (photo 2).

photo 3

The relief team found that most of the people in the affected areas had animal companions that they dearly loved. The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has a foster care program and its Kamloops branch took care of many such victimized animals, including horses and cows. The SPCA staff fed the animals, gave shelter to those that were without foster families, and provided them with medicine and loving attention. The initiates visited the SPCA and were so impressed with the love and devoted care given to their animal friends there that they made a financial contribution, which was highly appreciated (photo 3).

The relief team then left Kelowna and headed for the Louis Creek/Barriere area to determine what types of aid the affected families needed most. For many, it was cash and for others schooling for the children. The initiates responded by giving the fire victims financial aid and purchasing school supplies for families with school-age youngsters.

Among the families visited, the initiates' attention was captured by the head of one household, who seemed to be kindly but also deeply distressed. About a week after the visit, the man called to say that he had tried all available organizations, but none could help him with a vehicle that he needed to get back to work. Due to the infinite generosity of our beloved Master, the initiates were able to buy a truck for the man at a very reasonable price. His boundless gratitude was evident as with sincere emotion he said, “I hope the Master realizes we’re sincere. This is God-sent. Every day of my life until now, I’ve been getting up at 5 A.M. to work to take care of my family. Now I can again take care of my family, and I’d be happy to work seven days a week. Other relief funds are not set up to deal with people from the heart like Supreme Master Ching Hai does. She takes people’s inner soul to heart, and wants to help mend the heart as well as the material level.”

The relief team also purchased a car and three trailers for four families to resolve their transportation and lodging problems and thus resume their normal lives.

photo 4

One elderly couple said that they prayed every day, but their house had burned down and they had no insurance. They were living temporarily in a small trailer and were worried about the cold and discomfort of spending the winter in this makeshift home. When the initiates helped them rent a place for the winter, the couple’s joy knew no bounds. “I read the Bible every day. I pray every day. Now God sends us help. No one does that. I believe your Master is God,” said the old man (photo 4).

In another case, the head of a family whose house had burned down was going through the rubble to see if he could salvage anything. He found only one page of the Bible that said, “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.” Indeed they have been comforted! Our beloved Master not only provides for the material needs of Her children, but also blesses people with infinite love. The residents of Louis Creek will never forget the kindness and compassion of a woman they have never met — Supreme Master Ching Hai. Some said, “It’s a miracle.” And one man told us, “When all hope was gone, your Master gave us a way to start our lives again. Now I know that I must care for others the way your Master has cared for us.” Thank You, Master, for Your infinite love and meticulous care of every living being.

Expenditures for Aid and Relief to Fire Victims in Quebec, Canada
by Supreme Master Ching Hai

Description	Expenses (in Canadian Dollars)	Receipt #
Donations to Quebec Red Cross and SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)	10,000	D1
Food and Gifts for Evacuees	2,999	D2
Transportation (gasoline and toll fees)	472	D3
Relief staff members' travel, lodging and daily expenses	1,062	D4
Trailers for three families	11,000	D5
Truck for a needy family	4,000	D6
Car for a needy family	3,924	D7
Gift money for fire victims	35,000	D8
Total CA$ 68,457 (Approx. US$ 50,151.50)