Extracted from The Sacramento Bee, January 6, 1997: "Weary north state battles on"

   With Master's concerns and immediate instructions, California fellow practitioners from all Centers worked together to purchase emergency supplies and arrange rental trucks to deliver to the worst hit areas. Working closely with the Red Cross, fellow practitioners delivered goods to the Red Cross emergency distribution center and then purchased additional supplies which we could deliver directly to the victims. Fellow practitioners from San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and even distant Centers like Texas, Arizona, Chile and Australia joined hands in the effort of bagging 6,000 bags of emergency supplies to be delivered to the victims. Efforts were split in two waves, one team staying up all night to bag items and the next team relaying the following day.

To our great delight and surprise, Master appeared the night before we set out to deliver supplies and told us that She would join us in handing them the next day! The first team set out in the morning accompanied by Master to deliver supplies near Sacramento. Finding a clear route on flooded highways was not easy. As we set off to one of the largest shelters (housing 6,000 people), a dam broke and a 150 foot wide hole developed in the highway. We had to drive nearly four hours around to get there and by the time we arrived, they had evacuated the area.

As we visited the shelters and gave out the needed items to the people, we were all very touched at the humility and composure of the people. One shelter manager continuously thanked us for including socks in our packages because many people had left their homes quickly without even shoes or socks! But even despite their desperation, they still remained humble, politely accepting our gifts and thanking us profusely.

Master was very touched at the composure of the people in the shelters. One woman held her hands in prayer from the moment she saw Master enter the shelter. She could not even speak because she had tears running down her cheeks, watching Master give out bags of supplies to the people. When Master went to speak to her, the woman embraced Her in a warm and heartfelt hug of gratitude. Master literally disappeared in this woman's arms, with only Her head and legs showing! It was like seeing two old friends meet again.

Master commented several times at how patient and humble each of the people were. They stood in orderly lines and quietly accepted the gifts with thanks. One gentleman kept bowing to Master calling Her "Your Highness and he even asked Her denying it, but he was sure that She was a great and noble being. He asked Her politely for a hug and She gladly complied.

Even the children were very respectful and considerate. Although they had lost everything, one little girl told Master that she had enough thank you asked we possibly had some pants she could give to her sister? When we offered to drive one family to a nearby shelter, the boy went straight up to Master and asked her if he could take his little brother too. Master assured him that we could, but he asked several times just to make sure, Master tried to give some money to the father to buy a new tire for his car that was falling apart and the man cried and said he could not accept it. Only after insisting several times did the man finally accept at the urging of his friend.

We went to one place where the shelter had closed, but the local service organization was supposed to deliver meals. Evidently a mistaken radio announcement told them to wait there for meals, but none were planned. The people had been waiting out in the cold for more than an hour and no one ever showed up. When we arrived with emergency supplies, they gladly accepted but what they really wanted was a hot meal. Master, always quick to think on Her feet, immediately invited all of them to the nearby store for a meal. Over a hundred people quickly invaded the store and bought out everything hot that they had. Just as the store ran out of hot food, the local service organization arrived with meals. Master always has perfect timing.

One of the most touching things for local disciples was to work side by side with Master instead of just following Her around all the time. It was a wonderful experience for everyone to share in the blessing of helping our fellowmen together. Master shared a meal with all of us that evening. She told us how much She appreciated working together with us, and how touched She was by the humility of the people. Many left with memories that will last a long time.

Master had to leave for interviews with reporters the next day, and with Her concerns and love, the second team continued working hard to deliver to another disaster area around Modesto. The Red Cross and the shelter managers were deeply appreciative of all the gifts we could supply.

The work is still not over. As the people return to their home, they are faced with nearly $6 billion in damage. The next crew to go out will be helping as volunteers in the long clean-up task. With Master's blessing, everything should go quickly and well.