Love In Action
Consoling The Formosan Fire Victims

By Sister Initiate Ruisi Ge, Taipei, Formosa

Formosan fellow initiates in Taipei bought and delivered the necessary items to the fire victims.

A big midnight fire during the Mid-Autumn Festival destroyed illegal dwellings under a bridge in Hsindian, Taipei, where some Formosans lived. More than twenty houses were burned down completely and more than a hundred and seventy people were suddenly left homeless.

Learning of this unfortunate news, the Hsindian rescue team of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in Taipei immediately organized a group to help the victims, while several fellow initiates went to find out what the victims needed most.

Upon arriving at the disaster area, we found that some kind-hearted people had donated new and used clothing and numerous two-person tents. After inquiring, we learned that what the victims needed most was underwear and bigger tents. Therefore, our rescue team immediately went shopping and in a very short time bought four-person tents, aluminum insulated ground pads, adults' and children's underwear, socks, flashlights, batteries, slippers, milk powder, baby bottles and other items. We also prepared "The Key Of Immediate Enlightenment" sample booklets and latest News magazines.

When we sent these items to the disaster area, Ms. Jinmei Zhang, President of the Hsindian Women's Association, received us and thanked us for our prompt and much needed help. We were only afraid that we had come too late. We thanked them for giving us this opportunity to learn how to love our brothers and sisters. We also told them that our Master always tells us to be prepared at all times so that we can help needy brothers and sisters promptly.

Deeply touched, one of the victims held a fellow initiate's hands tightly and kept saying, "Thank you! Without your help, we don't know how we would have survived, because our houses were burned down and we have nothing left." Holding his hands tightly, we gently told him that God had heard his call for help. We also brought some spiritual food and assured them that they would find great comfort in reading it. Hearing this, he held our fellow initiate's hands more tightly and wouldn't let go.

By the evening, some of the fire victims had begun to read "The Key Of Immediate Enlightenment" sample booklets and the Supreme Master Ching Hai News magazines. We bid farewell to Ms. Zhang and another lady who had also received us. When we were leaving, they told us in unison, "You're really rare. If all people were like you, the world would be in peace." It is true. If people can love their neighbors and always prepare to be good helpers of God, there would be no more disasters in the world and what people would exchange with each other would be only God's love and grace.

Emergency Aid Expenses For Fire Victims
In Hsindian, Formosa

Item Amount (NT$) Appendix Tents (with aluminum pads for 4 people) 30,000 A Milk powder, baby bottles, socks, underwear (for men, women and children) 9,670 B Flashlights, batteries 2,190 C Slippers (for adults and children) 1,100 D Big batteries 655 E Transportation Fee 145 Total 43,760 F