Report from Hungary
Sharing Divine Love in Budapest
[Budapest] To celebrate Christmas 2000 by sharing love with
the needy, the Budapest Center prepared a three-day food and gift distribution
activity before Christmas Eve.
Large crowds of people gathered in centrally located areas of Budapest
to receive the local initiates' humble drops of loving care. On the
first evening, hot soup, tea, warm clothes, blankets, and socks were
distributed, along with heartwarming smiles. During the following two
days, approximately twice the amount of food was required, as the number
of participants multiplied each evening due to the fact that the news
reached more and more poor and homeless people.
Some people receiving food and gifts, together with those who were
just passing by, stayed long after the distribution was over, telling
initiates that they remembered Master from Her lecture in Budapest in
1999 and wished to know more about Her teachings, so we gave them sample
booklets and flyers. Some even inquired about the hours of operation
and address of the Center to make sure that they could contact us later.
One enthusiastic homeless person happily participated in the clean-up
work by collecting garbage and discarded plastic cups and plates on
all three evenings. There was another old lady who also stayed and gave
us big hugs and kisses, saying that she could not hold back the overwhelming
feelings of togetherness and gratitude arising within her, for the sharing
and the mere presence of our group had moved her very much.
Caption:Budapest initiates sharing warmth with the needy during the
Christmas season.
Report from Texas, USA
Giving Warmth at Christmas
[Austin] During the 2000 Christmas season, the Austin Center
held a two-day retreat and a warmth-sharing activity for the homeless
in the area. After the retreat ended at noon on December 24, fellow
initiates packed 150 bags of gifts that had been purchased in advance.
Each bag included headgear, one pair of gloves, two pairs of socks,
some candies and crackers, a bottle of spring water, and a copy of Master's
sample booklet.
After arriving at the parking lot of the Austin Salvation Army's shelter,
we began giving the gifts to the homeless, who were gathered around
the shelter, and wished them a merry Christmas. We also sent some gift
bags into the shelter for the sick people inside. The shelter residents
and other homeless people all expressed their sincere appreciation to
us. Several young initiates attended the activity, bringing more joy
to the atmosphere.
In recent years, initiates from the Austin Center have visited the
Austin Salvation Army's shelter many times, giving the homeless warm
clothes and food, or cooking vegetarian food for them. Each time, we
have provided Master's warmth and care, and at the same time, learned
a good lesson in sharing.
Caption:Austin initiates pack gifts with Master's love.
Caption:In the parking lot of the Austin Salvation Army shelter,
Caption:Young initiates give Christmas gifts to the homeless, who arrived
after learning of the gift-sharing activity.
Report from California
Christmas Joy to the Homeless!
[Los Angeles] At Christmastime, millions of the faithful throughout
the world celebrate the birth of a wise saint, born over two thousand
years ago. Legend says that three wise sages followed a luminous star
in the night's indigo sky. This shining star led them to the humble
stable in which baby Jesus lay, surrounded by the warmth of barnyard
animals, and glowing in the Light of His own effulgence. These three
sages came, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to lay at
the feet of the newborn savior. From this noble story comes the Christmas
tradition of giving gifts to loved ones and caring for society's less
fortunate.
Before Christmas 2000, initiates from the Los Angeles Center collected
their annual Christmas tithes for the poor of surrounding counties in
Southern California and held a loving activity of sharing.
Three years ago, the city of Santa Ana opened the Armory Shelter for
the Homeless, which houses many of the city's wandering poor on cold
nights. In early December, the doors of the Shelter are opened so that
the homeless can find a place to lay their weary heads, find some sustenance
and escape the frigid winter night. The Shelter residents are given
food, sleeping mats and blankets, and offered free showers. They are
also given free medical attention, job counseling, legal advice and
other assistance.
"Connie," the Shelter's program coordinator, gave us a list
of items needed by those who call the place their home. We bought warm
hooded sweatshirts, socks and hygienic supplies, and packed them in
120 bright teal green backpacks. Then, Connie invited us to present
our gifts to the homeless several days before Christmas.
Disciples arrived at the Armory with gifts in tow and had to wait outside
in the cool night, as the homeless were going through their nightly
check-in. This particular night, the temperature hovered around 35 degrees
Fahrenheit. As we stood outside while many men wearily eyed us, we wondered
how the poor could tolerate such cold and suffering. One elderly security
guard was very friendly and wanted his picture taken with us. He even
took a photograph of our lovely Master after we had introduced our group.
After check-in was completed, Connie invited us to come inside and
distribute our gifts to the ladies first. Surely, Christmas had arrived
at this humble abode of the homeless. Weary stares gave way to happy
smiles as we wished each person a 'Merry Christmas' and handed out the
gifts. All of the women immediately opened their backpacks and happily
sat examining their presents. One lovely pregnant woman asked us if
she could have a larger sweatshirt to accommodate her bulging stomach.
Two children were present that evening. One of them, a delicate four-year
girl, lay asleep under a colorful blanket. We had bought some warm clothing
and toys especially for her and gave them to her grateful mother. Nearby,
a thirteen-year old amused himself with a Pokemon game-boy and did not
even look up at us. This boy was accompanied by his very elderly grandmother.
When she received her gifts, she was astonished! Next, we continued
to pass out gifts to the one hundred men in the Shelter.
One Hispanic man, Ray, found the brochure about Master in his gift
bag and immediately wished to speak with us. He wanted to meet Master
and asked us where She lived. After giving him a sample booklet and
an address where he could write to Master, he wished to obtain even
more information.
That night, although the homeless at the Armory Shelter greatly appreciated
their gifts, we received much more than they did, as we experienced
first-hand that it is better to give than to receive!
Caption:Connie, program coordinator of the Armory Shelter for the homeless
in Santa Ana, has her picture taken with fellow initiates from Los Angeles.
Report from Korea
Cooking Festival to Help Needy Neighbors
[Seoul] On Christmas Eve 2000, Korean initiates held a special
Christmas bazaar and performance program at the SM Vegetarian Buffet
for the purpose of helping our needy neighbors. Special and unique teas,
such as Indian Milk Tea and chrysanthemum tea were provided and received
a positive response from guests.
The day's special cuisine included delicious foods prepared by the
contact persons from the Seoul Center. Since it was the first time that
local initiates had tried foods prepared by all the contact persons,
we really enjoyed the occasion.
A series of songs by performers and guests made everyone feel very
happy and elevated. Many suggested that we should schedule this kind
of joyful and meaningful event regularly.
Caption:Guests try specially prepared teas.
Caption:Singing together at a special Christmas bazaar at the SM Vegetarian
Buffet.
Reports from Formosa
Heartwarming Love in the Cold Winter
[Keelung] On December 17, 2000, The Supreme Master Ching Hai
International Association conducted a heartwarming activity in Keelung
to convey Master's love and concern for needy people in the cold of
winter. Local initiates distributed blankets, warm clothing, rice, and
relief funds to disabled elderly people, destitute senior citizens living
alone, and homeless people in the city. One of the lonely old folks
was a beneficiary of our monthly relief activities and a victim of flooding
during Typhoon Xangsane, which devastated Keelung in September 2000.
The old lady expressed her deep gratitude for the initiates' regular
visits and assistance.
Initiates also distributed coats and trousers to the many homeless
citizens sheltered at the Nankuang Hospital. The warm winter clothes
were delivered into the residents' hands just before the winter really
set in. Keelung initiates also visited a home for the elderly to convey
Master's concern for the less privileged and disabled senior citizens
living there.
Caption: Keelung fellow practitioners distribute warm clothing to homeless
people at the Nankuang Hospital.
Affectionate Ties
[Taichung] A year ago, sister Chyuu's aged father suffered a
stroke. Not long afterwards, her mother sustained a brain injury in
a car accident, which left her emotionally unstable. Thus, the family
was placed in a difficult position, and sister Chyuu was forced to quit
her job in order to take care of her parents, thus dealing another financial
blow to her family.
The Taichung Center of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association
immediately assisted sister Chyuu's family in applying for low-income
household subsidies and, on November 15, 2000, conveyed Master's love
and concern to them. Old Mr. Chyuu was so touched that he asked the
local members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association
to express his deep gratitude to Master for Her compassion and generosity.
Master Love Is a Delightful Miracle
[Taitung] On December 16, 2000, Taitung initiates paid a routine
visit to a paralytic old man living on Mount Tawu hillside, along the
eastern coast of Formosa. He was a stroke victim who had been bedridden
for many years. Two years ago, local representatives of the Supreme
Master Ching Hai International Association began visiting and offering
him relief funds each month. Master's omnipotent love and blessings
have thus alleviated his 20-year suffering and inspired him to leave
his bed and move around slowly. When the initiates brought him a warm
winter hat from the Hsihu Center during their recent visit, a radiant
smile lit up his face as he donned the hat!
Initiates also visited Mr. Tien in neighboring Tajen rural township.
They still recalled how miserable he looked when they presented relief
funds to him during their previous visit. He appeared dark and withered,
confined to his bed like a comatose patient fitted with a feeding tube
and urinary catheter. This time, he was able to converse with the initiates,
and looked much better than he had during their earlier visit. His family
was sincerely grateful to Master, and frequently chanted "Namo
Ching Hai Wu Shang Shih" in reverence. Especially cute were their
children, who loudly announced: "Here comes Master Ching Hai!"
when they saw the initiates coming. Their welcoming spirit and gratitude
were obvious.
Mr. Cheng, an elderly citizen suffering from paraplegia caused by stroke,
also lived in Tawu. To alleviate the constant pain he felt from leg
edema and poor blood circulation, a fellow sister bought him a pair
of specially made therapeutic socks some time ago. Mr. Cheng showed
signs of recovery after wearing the socks and could not refrain from
pouring out his deep gratitude to Master.
Caption:Taitung fellow initiates regularly convey Master's love and
concern to destitute and lonely senior citizens.
Caption:An elderly gentleman wears a winter hat contributed by the
Hsihu Center and has his photo taken with Taitung initiates.
Lighting up a Lonely Corner of the World with Love
[Tainan] On December 23, 2000, as the cold winter set in, the
Tainan Center held a heartwarming activity for needy families in the
neighboring townships of Hsinying, Liuying, Tungshan, Hsuehchia, and
Liuchia. Earlier, fellow practitioners had personally visited each of
these households to verify their situation.
There were many unfortunate cases, such as some people who lived in
very primitive, practically unfurnished houses, one family thatwas comprised
solely of mentally disabled members, a widow living alone who was helpless
and incapable of earning her own livelihood, a solitary senior citizen
who was visually impaired, one couple that had no family income because
their son had been injured, and another that was mentally unbalanced,
and thus unable to take care of their children.
Saddened by such pathetic scenes, fellow practitioners tightly held
the hands of these people, embraced them, and listened to their outpourings
of grief. When we brought in rice, powdered milk, edible oil, cookies,
clothing, hats, and other daily necessities, together with Master's
News magazines and sample booklets, and wished them all a happy New
Year, we could see the faces of our underprivileged compatriots light
up in gratitude. We thank God for giving us the opportunity to help
these less fortunate people, and will now cherish even more our blessed
rewards, and continue to share Master's love with our brothers and sisters
in need.
Caption: An elderly lady happily bids farewell to fellow practitioners.
Caption: A senior citizen living alone is pleasantly surprised by a
visit from fellow initiates.
The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association
Assists in Anti-dengue Fever Campaign and Contributes US$50,000
Receipt
This is to acknowledge the receipt of US$50,000 as a contribution from
the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for the relief
of the dengue-fever epidemic in El Salvador.
Received by: Lic. Aldo Vinicio Parducci, Chief Secretary to the President
of the Republic of El Salvador
Paid by: Yen Bing-fang, Ambassador of the Republic of China to the
Republic of El Salvador
Date: November 29, 2000
Place: San Salvador City
Media report
Formosa Assists in Anti-dengue Fever Campaign (Originally in Spanish)
The government and several non-governmental organizations of the Republic
of China (ROC) donated a total of US$161,000 to help El Salvador in
its campaign against dengue fever.
The donations included US$100,000 from the ROC government for humanitarian
purposes, US$50,000 from The Supreme Master Ching Hai International
Association, US$10,000 from the Red Cross Society of the ROC, and US$1,000
from the ROC District of the Kiwanis Int'l Convention. The funds will
be used to purchase medicinal supplies and medical facilities to help
the Salvadorans fight against dengue fever and other related diseases.
The government of the ROC sincerely hopes that these donations will
benefit the Salvadoran people.
Receipts