[Orlando] On the night of February 22, 1998, a disastrous hurricane with gusty winds of up to 260 MPH destroyed many residential areas metropolitan Orlando. Many people were injured and some died. Thousands of victims were rendered the homeless. This deadly tornado barely missed the Orlando Center, which is located in the same District. Nevertheless, thanks to Master's blessing, all of the fellow initiates in Orlando were safe.

The next morning, fellow initiates in Orlando quickly came to the American Red Cross office to register as volunteers to help the victims of the disaster. Meanwhile, they also were able to assess the urgent needs of the victims in order to respond in a timely manner. Fellow initiates brought ready cooked vegetarian food along with relief supplies and monetary assistance to the American Red Cross office. They also informed other Centers throughout the United States about this disaster so that fellow brothers and sisters would have a chance to serve the victims. A number of fellow initiates from Cape Coral, Florida arrived in time to join the relief team. The American Red Cross assigned us to work at a shelter in Winter Garden.

We are deeply grateful for Master's instructions that enabled us to fully prepare a year ahead for this disaster. Thus, when the opportunity arrived, we had a chance to practice what we had learned. We were also able to feel the compassion that You have bestowed upon sentient beings. Since we don't know what is going to happen next, at any time or in any place, we simply follow to Your teachings to be always ready in order to be able to respond to any situation and bring forth helps to those in need.

On behalf of the victims, we thank all fellow initiates in the United States for their prayers and donations that helped the victims.

 

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