When
flash floods recently devastated Quebec, Canada, our merciful Master
immediately instructed local initiates to launch relief activities
in the affected communities. So on the evening of August 13, 2003,
Montreal initiates completed the purchase of relief supplies, packed
them into boxes, and rented two vans to transport the items to victims
in various cities.
The
following morning, the relief team left the Montreal Center for Warwick,
the first city on its list. At the Warwick City Hall, the initiates
met the mayor and introduced Master to him and his staff members,
who recalled Master’s charity in 1998 when She generously donated
US$50,000 during the ice storm in Quebec. (Please refer to the News
# 91) The mayor said that he was impressed by Master’s charitable
acts and thanked Her for bringing comfort and hope to his people in
this time of need.
When
the affected families arrived, the relief team told them that Supreme
Master Ching Hai cared deeply about their situation and had asked
that Her love, concern and gifts be brought to comfort them during
this difficult period. The recipients were very happy to accept Master’s
assistance, being especially grateful for Her financial help, which
came from afar, and was conveyed by people who were genuinely concerned
about their welfare.
 |
| When
accepting Master’s loving concern and gifts, the flood victims
of Warwick were very happy, and beautiful smiles shone on their
faces. |
Some
of the needy families in Warwick had many children to look after,
while others had lost their homes, furniture and clothing in the flooding.
The flood victims had requested only the necessary clothing to wear
to school and work, and never expected that the Association would
bring large quantities of vests, jeans and shoes in the exact sizes
they needed, as well as underwear and nutritious food. The people
of Warwick also received much more from The Supreme Master Ching Hai
International Association. For example, a family with two children
and twin babies was given baby clothes, baby food and a baby carriage.
While distributing the supplies, the initiates could perceive the
recipients’ happiness through their smiling faces and the loving
atmosphere that pervaded the City Hall.
After
their visit to Warwick, the relief team traveled to Chesterville and
was received by the mayor’s representative, Mrs. Lise Côté.
People had arrived beforehand to receive their gifts, and they were
impressed that help had arrived so quickly. For instance, some families
had asked for dehumidifiers the previous week, and did not expect
that they would receive them within a few days. As they opened the
envelopes forwarded by the initiates and displayed the financial aid
inside, surprised smiles appeared on their faces. In response to Master’s
timely gifts, the Montreal Center received a thank-you note from Mrs.
Jean Paul Poisson of Chesterville, expressing her sincere gratitude,
especially for Her financial help. (Please refer to the letter of
appreciation below.)
 |
| Flood
victims in Chesterville receive necessary materials and financial
aid forwarded by relief team members. |
Also,
some of the mayor’s staff members were sincerely interested
in Master’s humanitarian work, and asked numerous questions.
We then gave them a brief introduction to Supreme Master Ching Hai
along with some sample booklets, a portfolio describing Master’s
charitable activities and the video Walk the Way of Love.
The
last relief stop was the Tingwick City Hall, where simple, outgoing
Mayor Paul-Émile Simoneau, his wife and his secretary were
very supportive. Mr. Simoneau’s name was mentioned in many newspaper
reports on the flood; as he did his best to inform the press about
his constituents’ situation and ask for external help. Mr. Simoneau
received the relief team workers and flood victims in his cabinet
room, where the initiates thanked him and his staff for their prompt
assistance, which accelerated the relief process.
The
initiates introduced Master and explained the purpose of their trip,
as many of the local residents listened with emotion. One man even
left the room temporarily because he could not hold back his feelings.
In addition to taking care of their basic necessities, the relief
team also delivered Master's financial help. Before departing, the
victims came and shook hands with the team members, and one man, being
still very emotional and not knowing what to say, even came up and
embraced the volunteers. Thus, in silence, everyone knew that Master’s
care and love had deeply touched the hearts and affected the inner
being of the relief recipients. The work team then stayed to talk
with Mayor Simoneau, telling him more about Master’s work and
ongoing efforts to alleviate earthly suffering.
After
the distribution of supplies was completed, the Mayor’s staff
informed the initiates about some other families who had asked for
help. Thus, another relief trip was planned for the following week.
 |
On
behalf of his citizens, the mayor of Tingwick (Third from the
right) expresses sincere gratitude and regards to Master Ching
Hai for Her compassionate aid. |
Second
Trip
to Aid
Victims
On August
22, 2003, the relief team conveyed Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
love and concern to more flood victims in Chesterville and Tingwick,
based on their requests. At 4:30 PM, the volunteers arrived at the
Chesterville City Hall, where the recipients, including some families
with many children who truly needed assistance, expressed deep gratitude
for Master’s timely financial contributions. The mayor’s
representative gave special thanks to Master on behalf of the flood
victims, saying that she had learned about Master through the portfolio
the initiates had left behind on their last visit. Knowing that
She designs gracious fashions and also maintains Her own worldwide
relief fund, the representative added that Master is very beautiful
and talented. In addition, the newspaper La Nouvelle et L’Union
reported that Master’s loving actions had enhanced solidarity
among the people in this region of Quebec.
At Tingwick,
the relief team was again impressed by the devotion of Mayor Simoneau
and his wife. The couple greatly assisted the initiates by informing
families of the team’s arrival and by their overall willingness
to assist the community in time of need. One young couple was in
a desperate situation because they had lost all their possessions
in the flood. However the initiates comforted them, promising to
assist them financially and thus help them get back on their feet.
In
his speech before the team members left, Mayor Simoneau sent his warmest
regards and thanks to Master, adding that his city would hold a recognition
and fund-raising day on September 6, 2003 to thank the groups that
had helped them through the difficult period of the flood. He invited
The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association to join his
citizens on this special day, thus showing his profound gratitude
to Master.
At 8:30PM
on September 6, 2003, the Montreal Center relief team members were
welcomed at the entrance of the Tingwick Community Hall by Mayor
Simoneau and his wife, who were very happy to see them. The Mayor
had reserved two tables for the initiates, and during the event,
he, his secretary and the citizens in attendance were wonderful
hosts, caring for and entertaining everyone with great attention.
In addition, the name of Master and The Supreme Master Ching Hai
International Association were highlighted on a thank-you board
among other sponsors of the flood-relief effort. The residents of
Tingwick are good-hearted people who lead godly lives, and thus
they supported each other during the flood disaster by offering
used furniture, stoves and other merchandise for auction, using
the revenue earned for the flood victims.
At
one point during the celebration, a woman came to the initiates’
table asking if it was Master Who had recently helped her city during
the flood. After she learned of Master’s instructions to quickly
send Her love and care to the people of Tingwick, the woman sincerely
thanked Her and The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association
for their contributions to the flood victims.
While
chatting with the initiates and his staff members, Mayor Simoneau
also praised Master for Her generosity and charitable deeds, adding
that he is ready to go to the United States at any time to meet
Master and thank Her personally. (The interview with Mayor Simoneau
will soon be available for on-line viewing on the Sun TV program
A Journey through Aesthetic Realms.)
The Quebec
initiates are grateful to Master for Her ongoing assistance and
reminders about spiritual improvement, and for giving their Center
the chance to work together and learn to share Her love with others
when they needed it most. 
Expenditures
for Quebec Flood Relief Aid
by Supreme Master Ching Hai
| Item |
Amount
(Unit:
Canadian Dollars) |
Receipt # |
| Clothes, toys, babies' necessities |
2,108.38 |
C1 |
| Food (cereal, pasta, canned food, soup, candy, biscuits) |
2,065.87 |
C2 |
| Dehumidifiers, water dispensers, water filters, electric kettles |
2,715.75 |
C3 |
| Gloves, towels, detergent, soap |
1,546.31 |
C4 |
| Financial aid to flood victims and city funds |
15,500.00 |
C5 |
| Transportation (van rentals, gasoline) |
1,113.97 |
C6 |
| Miscellaneous (cartons,
photocopies, portfolio, film, etc.) |
550.00 |
C7 |
| Total expenses CA$25,600.28
(approx.
US$18,727.34) |
|
