by Hoang Nguyen, San Francisco (originally in English)
Each gift bag includes a copy of Master's sample booklet, items for keeping warm in winter and hot food, among which the sleeping bag and jacket are the most welcomed by the street people. Many of San Francisco’s homeless sleep utside with only a thin blanket and cardboard box as shelter from the wintry cold, and with empty stomachs and little hope for a better tomorrow. So out of compassion for these less fortunate brothers and sisters, local fellow initiates brought them Master’s blessings in the form of warm smiles and material aid, thus easing their sorrow and pain and reminding them that God had not forgotten them during the 2003 Christmas season.
On December 13, with a mini van and car full of sleeping bags, winter clothing, warm food and sample booklets, the initiates set out for a late night in downtown San Francisco. On the way to the city, the rain that had fallen for the previous
few hours suddenly stopped, affirming that Master’s blessings were with the relief team. Then for two and a half hours, the initiates combed the city in search of the homeless, bringing them warm smiles, tidings of comfort and joy and much appreciated supplies and spiritual information.
Serving the homeless has become a holiday tradition for the Quan Yin brothers and sisters of San Francisco. With each passing holiday season, the initiates have come to realize more and more that many of the underprivileged are saints and angels in disguise, choosing to play their parts in order to help us grow spiritually. Thank You, Master, for again giving us the opportunity to fulfill our obligation to assist others in need, develop our compassion and recognize that we are all equal in God’s eyes regardless of our role in life.
Bringing Thanksgiving Love and Laughter to
the Homeless at a Night Shelter
Los Angeles initiates bring Master’s loving gifts to homeless residents at the New Image Emergency Shelter. A homeless friend attentively reads Master’s sample booklet On November 15, 2003, Los Angeles Center nitiates visited the New Image Emergency Shelter, which houses approximately 400 homeless residents from Hollywood and various parts of downtown Los Angeles, including the well-known Skid Row District. The Shelter, a huge converted warehouse, is the largest of its kind in the city and is equipped with a kitchen, separate men’s and women’s sleeping quarters, shower rooms, several TVs, a barber shop and booths where staff members assist residents in finding jobs. Currently, the facility is open every day of the year due to the growing population of homeless in the area, and each day buses travel to four designated pick-up locations from which the street people are brought to stay for the night.
After arriving at the Shelter, the initiates were given a building tour along with a description of the services the staff provides. Shortly after, a group of buses arrived with the day’s homeless guests, who became excited as they entered and saw many tables stacked with hooded sweaters, gloves, socks, knit hats, blankets, rain ponchos and even veggie snacks provided by the initiates. That night, the practitioners witnessed the Shelter residents express their gratitude in many ways. For example, one man in his 70s who had received a package of clothes warmly shook a brother’s hand and said with a sad but appreciative heart, “My wife recently passed away and I just lost my job, but I’m very thankful for all of you tonight.”
Throughout the evening the initiates also saw many amusingly joyful scenes such as when a Spanish-speaking woman in her 80s came to the gift table modeling her new clothes and asked with an adorable smile, “How do they look on me?” Some of the residents even arranged their new clothes side-by-side on their beds in a fun and childlike manner, and stood nearby admiring their gifts, while others sat on their beds attentively reading Master’s sample booklet.
Towards the end of the distribution period, the Shelter manager, Ms. Sylvia Lazano, surprised the initiates by inviting one of them to inform the residents about our group and where the clothes had come from. A brother then gave a brief introduction to The Supreme Master Ching Hai and our Association and received warm applause from the grateful audience.
A few days later, when we contacted Ms. Lazano again, she said that the homeless were so joyful and proud about their new clothes that many had spent the evening showing them off, and that the initiates’ winter visit had made a real difference in their lives. Thanks to the Supreme Master’s kindness and arrangements, the residents of the New Image Emergency Shelter were able to feel that their fellow human beings truly cared for them at Thanksgiving time. It was also a blessing for Los Angeles Center practitioners to have such a remarkable opportunity to give and receive God’s love.
