Soon after forming disaster relief teams as per instructions from Master, the Centers in the Midwestern United States were faced with their first challenge - the Great Ohio River Valley Flood of 1997, which swept through Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. The flood drove tens of thousands of people from their homes and damaged over 90,000 residences, causing numerous deaths.

Flooding occurred so close to one Center that the initiates could hear the sirens of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks as radio broadcasts urged people to leave their homes immediately. In some towns, the flood waters rose to the rooftops before receding. This was the worst flood in the Ohio River Valley since 1964!

We spent three days buying supplies but were short of funds due to urgent time. We prayed to Master for help. We were happily surprised when the owner of one store gave us a generous discount when he learnt we were doing charity work. Another owner charged us only half price on many cleaning supplies and personal necessities. We sincerely thank Master for enabling us to buy so many items with the limited money we had. Thousands of items such as brooms, mops and garbage bags for the massive clean-up were purchased for the flood victims.

A fellow initiate from the Ohio Center, recalled the consequences of the devastating event: "Over a period of several days, our rescue team raised money and bought supplies like soap, shampoo, towels, pens, healthy snacks and other necessities. We put each of these items into bags to make "care packages" for the victims. Almost a thousand gifts were quickly wrapped during the weekend by initiates. Each box contained 25 gifts and was tied with a red bow symbolizing our love and concern.

Another fellow initiate from Ohio recorded his impressions after helping with the relief effort: "The loss of innocence was evident on the faces of some of the flood victims. Some had the look of resignation, as if this disaster was just one more link in a chain of hardships. They seemed to have the attitude that life had treated them unjustly so what difference would another injustice make. Others expressed the look of being betrayed, as if God had forgotten them.

"Sometimes it is difficult to have faith amidst ruin. But on the other hand, disasters may be what one needs to regain one's faith."

Our rescue team also visited Falmouth, the Kentucky town that was hit hardest by the flood. The power of the flood waters destroyed everything in its path, as it overturned cars, tore up the land, and leveled homes. Consequently, Falmouth was transformed into a ghost town, void of children's' laughter, infants' cries, and the hustle and bustle of adults scurrying here and there. Many people had lost their homes, their accumulated "treasures," and their loved ones. Their town, without electricity, looked cold and forbidding. Our hearts were filled with deep sorrow.

When we arrived at Falmouth about a week after the flood, we discovered that some of the town's citizens had already started the courageous task of rebuilding their lives. There were many people still staying in the town's main Red Cross shelter because their homes had been completely destroyed. The Head of the Red Cross warmly welcomed us and expressed great appreciation for the "care packages" we brought for the people. Upon learning that bath towels were badly needed, we immediately went to buy them. It was late at night and most of the stores had already closed. With Master's guidance, we were happily surprised to find a store that offered what we needed. We immediately delivered the bath towels to everyone in the shelter the next day.

At the same time that the great flood hit the Ohio Valley, there was a major fire in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Fire burned down most of an apartment building leaving over 150 people homeless. Initiates immediately donated money and materials for the victims.

The Great Flood of 1997 was a tremendous tragedy. In its wake lay the ruins of generations of memories, of personal "treasures" accumulated over a lifetime, and for some, their fragile faith in God. But it also provides a beginning, a new hope and a new adventure. For some, the suffering may spark the deep longing to return Home. Through the suffering, some may find Master at last. We initiates deeply hope that it would be so, that other souls join our big Quan Yin family.