Love In Action

[Palawan] Under Master's loving guidance, a Quan Yin messenger and local fellow initiates brought gifts to the lepers living on a small island called Culion. The island's remote and isolated foothills are home mostly to the close relatives of those suffering patients. The relatives have compassionately chosen to live on the island to take care of their sick loved ones, thus enabling them to lead a relatively normal life, which otherwise would not have been possible.

Obviously, their disease has forced them to endure many miserable and frustrating years. While they try to be accepting of their unfortunate situation, they sometimes silently blame God for what they perhaps believe is a gross injustice. Their pitiful silence can be heard echoing harmoniously with the sound of their hearts beating like the perpetuating ocean waves. Nevertheless, their desperation and helplessness doesn't abate their sincerity in praying to God for Hiers love and grace.

In accordance with Supreme Master Ching Hai's instructions, fellow initiates took with them rice, clothes and sweets for the island's sick inhabitants. With the help of hospital doctors and nurses and even those patients who were still physically able, the distribution work was completed swiftly. Fellow initiates took gift bags to each patient's bedside. Some patients had had arms and legs amputated, while some had their entire bodies affected by the disease that painfully worsens each day. We were greatly touch ed to see even those without limbs make an attempt to receive their gifts.

Patients were overjoyed with tears when Supreme Master Ching Hai's love descended unexpectedly. Although the gifts were simple, they, nonetheless, were imbued with Master's priceless love.

We noted how devoted and self-sacrificing the hospital staff were in performing their public service. Every day they were always merry and meticulous as they gently cared for the patients. The patients' hospitality and undying love overwhelmed and touched us deeply. Standing beside them made our love overflow and we wanted to share everything we had with them. They were also very sensitive, in that they felt the Master's love that surrounded all of us. The Quan Yin messenger encouraged them not to be afraid by frequently whispering into their ears that Supreme Master Ching Hai embodies the eternal power of love, so She would never turn away from those in suffering.

The day we left the island, we couldn't take our eyes off all the hospital patients because we greatly admired them for achieving so much through their love for the Creator. When we looked at the island from a distance, we noticed that the church was the largest structure and therefore the first recognizable landmark. The sound of the church bell and the gospel singing praising the Lord echoed across the entire island, as it does every Sunday morning. The solemnity brought a moment of peace to everyone. We gently closed our eyes to share in the precious sacred moment.

Through this visit, we have realized that Master's love is deeply rooted inside all of us. She is the omnipotence upon which we have entrusted everything, so there was nothing to worry about.¡¹