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With Care, Re-adjustments Were Made as Needed
Today, when Tzu Chi volunteers re-entered the
shelters, many evacuees greeted them with smiles
and thanks, because they had come to recognize
these people dressed in white and blue.
The distribution in the morning progressed smoothly
with the well-planned workflow. But just when
Tzu Chi volunteers Wei-tsung and Chi-tsung showed
a brief sign of relief with a smile, other Tzu
Chi volunteers reported a few cases of the victims
repeatedly collecting supplies with the vouchers.
To preserve kindness and prevent greed, an urgent
meeting was called with the local authorities,
and the decision was made that each family would
receive a maximum of $200 in vouchers.
The survivors came flooding in to collect the
vouchers. The line outside the control center
became longer and longer. The Tzu Chi volunteers
could not bear to see the survivors waiting for
a long time. They held another emergency meeting
to make adjustments. As a result, they opened
up a second control center. The survivors appreciated
Tzu Chi's caring service so much that they repeatedly
expressed their gratitude.
"Tzu Chi is the Most Well-organized Organization"
A couple from Mexico sat in front of the Tzu
Chi volunteers. The husband raised his hand suddenly
and said, "Please don't say a word and let
me tell you something. Your organization is the
most well-organized one within the shelter. Your
kind regards, systematic registration, warm reception,
caring consolation, and respectful attitude have
deeply impressed us."
The lady standing on the side agreed with what
he said by nodding her head. She added, "We
have lived in New Orleans for more than 20 years,
and it is so difficult to imagine that such a
tragedy will happen in America. Sister, you all
have to watch out, too."
On her way home, the Tzu Chi volunteer shared
what the couple said-especially the lady's statement
"You all have to watch out, too." This
is precisely what Master Cheng has repeatedly
been saying: "A world-alarming disaster is
a warning to us. It alerts us to continue to live
by the precepts and with sincere reverence."
The survivors' heart-felt experience and sincere
admonition have been the volunteers' most precious
reward.
A Hundred-Dollar Voucher Is the Most Precious
Gift
At the disaster relief venue at Belmont, we met
Mr. Cloud. When he hurriedly fled New Orleans,
he had sustained some injuries. He had received
some vouchers yesterday from Tzu Chi. Today, he
visited again with a different purpose. "I
came to thank you. I went to Wal-Mart yesterday
to purchase some clothes, detergent, and nail
cutter. These are items that I left at home and
could not bring with me." The vouchers from
Tzu Chi became the most precious gift while he
was sheltering in Texas. "I've never heard
of your organization. But once I return home,
I'll definitely research your organization on
the web!"
A Disaster Victim's Warm Heart
Sister Tao-yuen Chang stood in front of the door
to guide the disaster victims to the relief line.
She used the time to introduce Tzu Chi to the
victims. After standing for the whole day, her
feet became swollen and painful. Yet, she still
patiently introduced Tzu Chi to everyone. One
of her Caucasian friends sympathized with her
and rounded up his entire family of more than
ten people. He told Sister Tao-yuen Chang: "I've
gathered all of them here to listen to you, so
you only need to explain it once and not be that
tired!"
Blue Sky, White Cloud Received Everyone's
Recognition!
Today, volunteer photographer Chung-hao from Great
Love TV painstakingly put up a satellite system.
He could not find a pair of scissors immediately
next to him, but suddenly, a multi-purpose Swiss
army knife showed up in front of him! It was offered
by an American soldier. He said: "This is
made in Taiwan!" Chung-hao replied: "I
am made in Taiwan, too!" The solider responded:
"I know. That's why your quality is so good!"
At the end of the program, we were about to leave.
A Red Cross member opened the door voluntarily
for the neat troop of Tzu Chi volunteers in blue
and white uniforms, and asked gracefully: "Where
are you from?" When he heard "Taiwan,"
he sobbed in front of everyone. This made us unsure
what to do. "You came from such a distant
place to help my people; I am so touched that
I can not describe my feelings in words!"
Inspiring a Heart of Thanks, Self-Discipline,
and Order
There was a big crowd today, and many disaster
victims swarmed in front of the table, submitting
applications to the Tzu Chi volunteer. The policeman
instructed the crowd to form a line and said,
"You need to appreciate! In coming here,
they provide care and love, asking for nothing
in return. They don't need to take pressure like
this. Please be thoughtful and thankful."
Those words worked very effectively and every
one queued up in order.
Tzu Chi Great Love Mobile Clinic Van
At 1:30 AM on Sept. 6th, when most people in Texas
were still in deep sleep, a mobile clinic van
with the missions of cherishing life, health and
love moved slowly into the streets of Houston.
After two days of travel, Tzu Chi volunteers Ching-wang
Chen and Te-kang Chao drove the Tzu Chi Great
Love Mobile Clinic Van to the front door of the
Still Thought Hall of Tzu Chi Texas Chapter. Informed
on the afternoon of Sept. 3rd that the victims
in New Orleans required medical services, especially
dental treatment, the volunteers left Los Angeles
the next morning and arrived at Tzu Chi Texas
Chapter at 1:50 AM on Sep. 6th. It took them forty
hours (with seven hours of sleep on the way) to
travel more than two thousand kilometers. It set
the record for the longest trip undertaken by
the Tzu Chi Great Love Mobile Clinic Van.
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