God’s Immense Love Shines throughout Disaster Relief Work

Love in Action

Master has always been extremely concerned about disasters that occur worldwide. Whenever receiving news about disasters anywhere, She immediately renders relief by providing financial assistance as well as dispatching rescue teams to help in the affected areas. Through such relief efforts, we are also conveying Master’s love to the disaster victims. It is evident that Master’s unconditional love, silent blessing and help have reduced worldwide disasters and their effects to a minimum.

In recognition of the selfless actions of all governments, organizations and relief workers from every corner of the world, Master would like to convey this message of gratitude:

“Thank you, all the international help that brings care and necessities to afflicted victims. Thank you all the relief workers for taking time and forsaking your own comfort, even traveling great distance on unfavorable roads and conditions to bring love and assistance to people in a time of need. May Heaven bless you abundantly for your generosity and noble sacrifice.”

In June of this year, the Midwestern region of the USA suffered the worst floods in history, with tens of thousands of people evacuated from their homes, billions of dollars in property damage, and acres of farmland destroyed. Our compassionate Master immediately provided US$60,000 for the relief work, moving the local initiates to tears.

On June 14, encompassed by Master’s love, fellow initiates from the states of Virginia, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio formed a relief team of 30 members and traveled to southern Indiana, one of the disaster areas. There a police officer, touched by the sincerity of the initiates, volunteered to help register them with relevant ID passes for the secured areas. Divided into four groups, they delivered cleaning supplies and financial aid to the victims door to door.

The response to God’s love was evident. Many people expressed how much the financial contributions meant to them and thanked Supreme Master Ching Hai repeatedly for Her support. One lady, who wept uncontrollably, cheered up considerably and became hopeful after talking with the initiates. A young father, who was only visiting the area with his three-month-old baby and became caught up in the devastating flood, asked the initiates to convey his special thanks to Master because the gifts he received were very meaningful and were exactly what he needed. Another woman’s house was completely destroyed, and she, her husband and three children had to stay in a hotel. She was surprised and thankful to receive the cash contribution just in time to pay for the accommodation.

On June 15, the relief team arrived in Wisconsin, where they found that the local government and the Red Cross had already taken care of the people’s basic needs. Of the three most flood-affected states, Wisconsin sustained the least damage and the people appeared to have enough supplies. The team thus headed to Iowa the next day, where the flood waters were still rising in some areas, affecting many people.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa suffered the most damage with 9.2 square miles of public and private property destroyed and over 24,000 people forced to flee their homes in the middle of the night. After the river receded, citizens sadly returned to face the 5-foot muddy water marks in their houses and other unbelievable damage. Some of the worst affected areas showed signs of water reaching to the second level of houses. On Friday, June 20, the relief team presented a US$10,000 check to Mayor Kay Halloran of Cedar Rapids, to assist in the rebuilding of the community. Mayor Halloran thanked Master for Her loving contribution and fondly recalled the aid that Master had given Iowa during the 1993 flood.

Besides the cleaning supplies and other basic necessities, the flood victims also received $100 per person as well as the Alternative Living flyer. Even though the situation was so difficult, the people still had open hearts and humbly said that even a gift of $5 would mean a lot to them. Many citizens, who had left their homes with only a few things, were really grateful that they could immediately buy a new set of clothes and some food. God’s immense love was also shared through spontaneous hugs and kisses between the relief team members and the victims.

Bob Gustin, editor and journalist from the Indianana Republic newspaper, wrote an article expressing the victims’ overwhelming joy and happiness regarding the US$60,000 given to the flood victims when they needed it most.

Thank You, Master, for Your everlasting compassion and care for these people in need. May God protect and guide the flood victims through these difficult times, helping to bring their lives back to normal.

Mayor Kay Halloran of Cedar Rapids, thanked Master for Her love and generosity shown towards the flood victims and for the financial assistance needed to rebuild the community.

Description	Amount (US$)	Receipt No
Cleaning supplies (mops, gloves, buckets, cleaning liquids)	5,349.05	M1
Food (chips, cookies, snacks)	1,257.91	M2
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, cutlery, soap and water	1,938.07	M3
Donation to the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (presented to the Mayor)	10.000.00	M4
Direct financial aid to help: - 315 individuals ($100 each) and - 50 families ($200 each family)	41,500.00	M5
Total	US$60,045.03

Note: Throughout the relief operation, fellow initiates paid for their own transportation, food and accommodation expenses.

To view the Humanitarian Relief Activities by the Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association, please visit http://www.GodsDirectContact.org.tw/humanitarian (The list can be sorted by year, country/region and type of events.)