2008FEB11 - 1. FN…Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news from the US

1. FN…Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association relief news from the United States.

Last Friday, multiple tornadoes landed over a region of six southern US states with powerful winds of up to 150 miles (240 km) per hour. Dozens have lost their lives with many more losing all their possessions. Deeply concerned for those affected, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately donated US$20,000 and dispatched a relief team of our Association members to deliver basic necessities to the victims in the most affected areas. With Master’s permission, we’d like to share with viewers this relief report.

February 9, 2008

Our Most Loving and Compassionate Master,

Re: Tornadoes in Southern USA

In the biggest storm of its kind in nine years, last Tuesday and Wednesday over 60 different tornadoes and severe thunderstorms swept across the US South, with loss of life rising to 57 people and more than 150 injured.

Thankfully, many communities had ample notification of the storms due to the good warning systems in place by the government.

We express our gratitude for Master’s concern in providing relief aid of US$20,000 to help the tornado victims. Our Association members from Ohio, Dallas and Georgia have now completed the relief work in Tennessee and Alabama. We will send an update for the relief work in Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas.

One team went to Alabama, where a tornado traveled a 10-mile path hitting 80 homes and killing one person. The team went to various shelters and distributed Alternative Living handbags filled with necessities such as socks, heating pads, toothbrushes, bottled water, and clean-wipes. The volunteers at one community center were appreciative upon receiving US$500 to help purchase building materials for those who lost roofs, windows and other parts of their homes in the tornadoes.

We went to the places with the most devastation in Tennessee and tried to go to every house to address the people’s needs. We are most thankful for Master’s compassionate contribution, which allowed us to offer immediate help to the affected people.

People asked for supplies such as gloves to remove debris and clean up. We purchased those as well as blankets since the electricity was out in many areas. For many of the people in need, we were able to give cash directly as well. Some people were left with nothing, and some did not have insurance. They were so grateful for the financial assistance that they burst into tears on the spot.

One veterinarian lady, who is also a vegetarian, sent a special thanks to Master and asked Supreme Master Ching Hai to please pray for all the tornado victims in the South, to comfort them emotionally. We presented her US$500 because she needs to rebuild her animal hospital. Thankfully, all the animals in the hospital were unharmed in the tornado. After she met us, the veterinarian said she felt confident that she will be able to rebuild and that everything will be fine.

A lot of people spoke of God and said that God saved them. They said things like “Thank God I’m still alive,” “Thank God for saving me” and “God watched over me.”

We are so thankful for Master’s love to these people. Although many were deeply emotional when we first arrived, through God’s blessings, they were given hope and comfort.

With our gratitude and love,
Ohio, Dallas, and Georgia relief teams

HOST: We sincerely thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for your compassionate assistance for those affected and for allowing us to share this updated relief report with our loving viewers who are surely concerned and relieved to know about the well being of fellow humans in this case. We also thank Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association’s Foreign Group for current, informative reports.

We pray to God to comfort the affected Americans, especially those who have lost their loved ones. May they keep their strong faith in the Most High’s grace as they recover.

2008FEB11-1-FN-SMCHIAReliefNewsFromTheUS.mp3