(Minghui.org) I was arrested for practicing Falun Gong and detained at the Tianhe Detention Center in Guangzhou. The environment there was harsh. Dozens of inmates had to sleep on the floor and were not allowed to wear shoes. There were no windows. It was extremely hot in summer and cold in winter.
There was a small courtyard where a little of the sky could be seen. One could only go there for taking a shower. Several video cameras monitored inmates when they were taking a shower. There was a chainlink fence in the middle of the courtyard door and the guards opened a crack in the fence to let inmates crawl in and out.
One of the inmates asked me why I was being detained there because I looked like a well-educated person and didn’t look like a criminal. I told her it was because I practiced Falun Gong. She then badmouthed Falun Gong because of what she had picked up from the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) propaganda. I realized that I must rectify the environment and let the inmates know what a genuine Falun Gong practitioner was like.
I started to chat with the inmates. They asked me why I didn’t cry like everyone else. I told them that I held a belief in my heart and I would not shed tears just because I was here. I grabbed every opportunity to tell them how Falun Gong taught people to be good, how Falun Gong has been spread worldwide and how the CCP unjustly persecutes Falun Gong.
They gradually changed their view of Falun Gong. They felt comfortable in their hearts when I told about the wonderfulness of the practice. Some inmates shed tears while others cursed the CCP. After I told them about the importance of withdrawing from the CCP and its two affiliated organizations (the three withdrawals), most of them were willing to renounce their CCP membership.
Only one or two inmates didn’t believe what I said, but they were not hostile toward me. In fact they respected me. They often asked why kept a positive attitude in such an environment. I said, “It is because of Falun Gong.” They said that I was so blessed. I was happy for them because they were saved for having kind thoughts towards Falun Gong and Falun Gong practitioners.
The inmates respected me. They called me elder sister (a title of respect for someone you look up to), although under detention center rules inmates were called by name. Even those older than me called me elder sister. They helped in any way they could and even helped me wash my clothes. I told them that they needn't do that, as a practitioner shouldn’t trouble anyone.
Over time, I became well acquainted with the inmates imprisoned with me. “Inmate A” was detained because she had attacked other people. I chatted with her and told her the facts about Falun Gong. She enjoyed listening to me and sat beside me whenever she had an opportunity. She shed tears while listening to me. She said that she would not have beaten others if she had met me earlier and that she would definitely try to be a good person after she was released. She thanked me for clarifying the truth to her.
B also always found opportunities to be with me. I knew that the knowing side of each inmate was looking for the opportunity to be saved. When I talked to her about Falun Gong she cried and cursed the CCP. She said that she was blessed to know me and asked how she could find me after we were released as she wanted to learn Falun Gong.
C came from the countryside. The prison guard wanted her to monitor me and to learn all about me from her. She told the guard that her elder sister was a very good person. The guard asked her why she called me elder sister and told her that under prison rules she had to call me by name. C said, “Because we respect her. She is a good person! She should not be detained.” The guard was speechless.
One day, inmates told me that D was crying. I went to her and asked her if she missed home. She said, “No, I was watching you just now. I am wondering why such a good person like you is being detained here. I feel bad in my heart and I cry. I think you shouldn’t bear this hardship. I feel sorry for you. They are such bastards!”
E was not even twenty years old. I was on duty with her one night. She leaned on a plastic box and wrote something and then stretched her arm toward the courtyard and waved her hand. I asked her what she was doing. She showed me her hand. I was moved to tears. On her hand she had written, “I beg you God. My friend is a good person. I beg you to set her free. I beg you!”
E thought that I was not strong so she saved lean meat for me whenever she got some. Even though I didn’t want it, she took fat meat from me and ate it, so I could eat the lean meat. She said that she was strong and would soon be released and I was weak and needed to get stronger. So for several months she gave me her lean meat.
One day E carried a bucket of water for showering. She turned suddenly and accidentally hit the cement door with her forehead. There was a big noise. Everybody was terrified and thought she must have fainted. I pressed the injured area with my hand and massaged her a bit. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. Suddenly I felt my body and my hands getting hot. One minute later E said she was ok and was no longer in pain. She said, “It's strange. I couldn’t see anything at the time. But when you touched me, I felt a warm current coursing through my body. I felt very comfortable and my body became warm. It was miraculous! Were you emitting energy?” I replied, “No, our Master must have helped you because you are a good person.”
She still talked about this incident the next day. There was no bump on her head and she wasn't in any pain. She kept asking me why she felt so warm at the time.
I took the opportunity to tell them about the many miracles that have happened to those who have a positive relationship with Falun Gong.