(Minghui.org) As a Falun Gong practitioner, I have experienced many forms of persecution, such as being forced into homelessness, detention in brainwashing centers, serving jail time, and being fired. When I look back on my what I've experienced, what I'll never forget are the people who helped me when I was in difficulty.
Neighbors Help
Because of the persecution, everyone at work knew my family. They said, “Your family used to be at the top, but now you're at the bottom, always being arrested, jailed, and fired.” The head of a detention center was one of my neighbor's relatives. He told me, “Many of your neighbors sympathize with you.” We did feel their sympathy.
I used to help poor families. One of them said, “Your neighbor is helping you by watching your home.” He explained that one day he went to my home and knocked on my door (at that time, my husband and I were detained). My neighbor heard him knock and came out to check, because he was afraid it might be a thief.
Another time, the police searched our house and arrested my husband and me. When our child came home from school and saw the house in a mess, he immediately knew what had happened and started crying. My neighbor heard it and came over. She told him, “Your parents were taken away by bad people again.” She was so sad to see our son living by himself again and hugged him. She later brought him food. She told me that when she saw the bad people arresting my husband, she was so angry that she wanted to fight them.
When it was raining and we weren't home, my neighbor covered our car with a tarp. When they saw our vegetable field drying out, they watered it.
Concern from Colleagues and Superiors
I had been detained by the police, but was rescued by my family and escaped. One day I met a retired colleague. When I greeted him, he recognized me, “I haven't seen you for years. How are you? It must be hard to you after all you've suffered!”
He spoke to me with tears in his eyes, “How did you and your child survive?” (I was fired and my husband was in jail at that time.) He reached into his pocket and gave me some money, “Take it. This is the only thing I can do.” I gave the money back to him and said, “Thank you for your kindness. I'm fine, please don't worry about me.” Then I clarified the truth to him. He told me that he had read the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party. “I hid it under my pillow,” he said. I was happy for him that he knew the truth and I was touched by his kindness.
Another day when I was riding my bicycle, I met another former colleague. As soon as he recognized me, he came over and held my hands tightly. Then he was burst into tears, and said, “I always think about you and never expected that I would see you here. I know you are a very good person--those who sent you to jail are criminals. They wronged you!”
I told him, “The CCP sent many practitioners like me to jail and even killed them.” My old friend was getting more and more angry. I tried to calm him down and said, “Thank you for speaking up for me. Falun Dafa is righteous, and everything will be better one day.” When it was time to say goodbye, he kept wiping away his tears.
I had never thought that the persecution I endured would move people so much. In their hearts, people know the difference between good and evil very well.
Two years later, I saw him again and asked him to quit the CCP. He agreed immediately and said, “If I knew it was so bad, I wouldn't have joined it.” I could tell that he really knew the truth.
My Superiors Tried Their Best to Protect Me
After I graduated from college, I got a job in a law enforcement unit, which many people envied. In the beginning, I couldn't stand it that my colleagues abused their power for personal gain. However, society is like a huge dye vat. As time went by, I got used to it and no longer thought it was wrong. Later, I even did the same things.
After I became a practitioner, I not only got healthier, but also understood how to be a good person. I followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to improve myself. I didn't accept bribes anymore and never abused my power for my own personal gain.
One time I was given a special task, in which it was almost impossible to avoid being offered a substantial bribe. My superiors discussed it and decided to assign the task to me. I did it very well. The host told me later, “We wanted to give you a big 'reward,' but we didn't see any sign that you wanted it, so we didn't give it to you. You Falun Gong practitioners are really different.”
After I studied the Fa, I was not obsessed with fame or material benefits, instead, I worked hard silently. However, at every year's evaluation, I was recognized as an "excellent worker" or "outstanding public servant."
After July 20, 1999, the agency in charge of persecuting Falun Gong practitioners ordered all the work units to report the names of practitioners. However, my work unit never reported me. Later, because I went to Beijing to appeal for Dafa, the police came to my work unit to harass me. My superior often tried to protect me, which helped. They were very clear in their hearts that I was a good person and couldn't bear to see me being persecuted.
Cousin's Sincere Concern When I Was in Difficulty
In 2001, the persecution was getting worse and worse. Local police said they would arrest me, and I was forced to leave home to avoid possible arrest. After being away from home for a while, I remembered that I should let people in my hometown know the truth, so I went back and stayed at my cousin's house for a few days. Even though it was very dangerous for my cousin, she treated me well and took care of my everyday needs and safety. She even asked me to stay longer and told me, “Whenever you have difficulties, you are always welcome to come back.” My cousin is not well educated, but she is pure, kind, and righteous. I was deeply touched and will never forget her help.
Taxi Driver's Kindness
In 2007, we were going to visit some practitioners who were detained and send forth righteous thoughts for them. We rented a bus, and clarified the truth to the driver on the way. He easily understood and accepted the truth, and even told us that it was his good fortune to meet us. He not only quit from the CCP himself, but also asked that we help his wife, children, and parents to quit. We told him that his family members must personally agree to quit the CCP and its associated organizations, otherwise nothing would be changed. He said that all his family would listen to him in this matter. He took good care of us. It was very hot that day, and he bought us a big watermelon.
After we arrived, we gave him the bus rental fee and money for the watermelon, but he didn't want our money. Because we insisted, he finally only accepted a very small rental fee. He said, “I know you always think of others. I have learned from you and will also be considerate of others.”
These are little things, but we felt all the kindness, which warmed our hearts and helped us through the difficult times.
During the persecution, the CCP has made use of the national propaganda machine and done its best to frame Falun Gong and deceive people. Practitioners follow Master's words to clarify the truth to people and awaken them. More and more have learned the truth and stand on the right side. Despite the nationwide campaign against us, some people are still kind to practitioners and help us, which is truly remarkable. Practitioners will remember their kindness forever. I sincerely hope that all kind people will have a bright future.
