In early 2001, brother-initiate Jian and I had a phone conversation about my participating in the Truth-sharing work he was then conducting in West Africa. From my previous stay in Africa, I knew that the continent was materially backward, and at the time I was planning to pursue further studies in the United States. So I was unable to come to a decision about helping him. Then not long after our talk, a company unexpectedly recruited me to work for a year as a business representative to Cameroon. Due to this unusual opportunity, I was once more able to visit the region.

Then in August 2001, with brother Jian's earnest assistance, we established the Cameroon Center, and later a Quan Yin messenger arrived to conduct an initiation. However, while working on the project my attitude was not especially positive, and the Center, which was not in an ideal venue, grew very slowly. Finally, in October 2002 brother Jian along with another Quan Yin messenger visited the Cameroon Center and together we found a clean, quiet new location.

During this time, I learned from brother Jian that he had been living alone in Africa for six years and was spending only a couple of months each year with his family in Formosa. While in West Africa, he expended a great deal of time, energy and finances on Truth-sharing work and in establishing centers. I asked him about his motivation and he replied, "I too once wanted to quickly return to Formosa. However, while watching Master's videotapes one day, I was shocked to hear Her say that some fellow initiates had yet to share Her love with the world. So I decided to do more Truth-sharing and thus convey Master's message to more people." After hearing this explanation, I too was taken aback by Master's words. Noting in retrospect that I had failed to conduct any such activities while living in Africa for over three years in the past, I was truly ashamed. Since then, I have committed myself to transmitting Master's love as much as possible.

In the beginning of my second stay in Africa, I had a large ego, felt tremendous pressure, failed to think positively and constantly calculated my own gains and losses. Yet, I continued to feel imbued with Master's energy, slowly learned to work by relying on the Master Power, forgot about personal rewards and came to understand how to contribute selflessly.

Then two more years quickly passed, and despite many ups and downs, my situation got better and better as I reaped a positive material and spiritual harvest. Only then did I truly understand Master's words: "Helping others is helping ourselves. Thus, we should constantly purify our thoughts, and extend unconditional love and goodwill without demanding anything in return. This is the best way."

Master has helped me to comprehend much truth through my work, as my ego slowly diminishes under the powerful influence of the Light and Sound meditation. Though I have yet to reach the ultimate realization that all of creation is one, I believe that one day when the "cup of my ego" is totally dissolved, the water within me will become one with the Ocean of Love. I am sincerely grateful to Master for giving me the precious opportunity to learn and grow during my stay in West Africa!

Related Articles:

While on the Path:Combining Business with God’s Mission in the African Bush
The Quan Yin Family:The Rewards of Sincere Practice

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