(Minghui.org) When I was asked to participate in the big parade “Celebrating 300 Million Quitting the Chinese Communist Party” in Hong Kong, my response was initially lukewarm. I felt that it was no different than what I was already doing in Bali, where I gave Falun Gong truth clarification materials to Chinese tourists and encouraged them to quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its youth organizations.
A few days later, I began to manifest severe illness karma in my legs. This kept me from going to the tourist sites to clarify the truth to the Chinese tourists.
When fellow practitioners heard about my situation, they called me to ask how I was doing and encouraged me, and three visited me. After studying Zhuan Falun, they encouraged me to be steadfast in the Fa. One of them mentioned that they were participating in the Hong Kong parade and invited me to come along. Without much further thought, I agreed. I felt that, by the time of the parade, which was still six weeks away, I would have overcome my illness karma and would be able to participate as a member of the Tian Guo Marching Band.
But contrary to what I thought, my illness karma continued on and off. It initially attacked both legs. Then the pain subsided, and I was able to walk again. Then three or four days later, the pain returned. Even on the day I landed in Hong Kong, I had not overcome my illness karma.
Before embarking for Hong Kong, I had doubts: What would I do in Hong Kong if I couldn't even walk properly? I discussed my situation with another practitioner who advised, “Don't think about it. Just bring your instrument. Leave everything to Master’s arrangements.”
When I reached Hong Kong, my heart began to waver again. My legs were swollen and painful, and I was still limping. But I tried to keep my thoughts righteous and to let go of my attachment to suffering. I was able to do the exercises with the other practitioners, study the Fa, and go to Hong Kong’s tourist sites to distribute truth-clarification materials to Chinese tourists.
The evening before the parade, I discussed with another practitioner how I should participate in the parade. The practitioner said that I could not distribute truth-clarification materials, as this would be done by the local practitioners. She suggested that I walk in the parade and hold a banner or a portrait of a practitioner who died as a result of the persecution or anything else. I decided that, no matter what I chose to do, I had to walk. But my legs were still no better, and I couldn’t decide what to do.
The next day, two practitioners who were already dressed in their Tian Guo Marching Band uniforms said, “You’ve come all the way to Hong Kong and you even brought your instrument. What was the point of bringing it if you’re not going to play in the band?” At the time, their words sounded harsh, and I resented them for being unsympathetic. In the end, I put on my band uniform and brought my instrument.
As I walked to the bus that would take us to the parade starting point, I walked as normally as I could. I stepped lightly and hid my limp as much as possible. A sliver of hope arose in me, and I decided that I would be fine. I told myself, “I am a Dafa practitioner and can definitely do it. Master will protect every single practitioner.”
When we got to the starting point, my tribulation became increasingly more difficult to overcome. Then it began to thunder and pour rain. My clothes, shoes, and socks were soaked, and I began to shiver from the cold.
My hands were numb, and my legs burned with pain. But I kept on holding righteous thoughts and silently recited, “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good. Master is good. I am a Dafa practitioner. I am Master’s disciple. Eliminate all forms of interference!” When the parade began, the weather began to clear, but I was still shivering.
When the band began to play, the sun came out, and the sky was clear again. My body began to warm up, and I no longer felt unwell. As we played song after song, my heart was filled with powerful feelings. Over 10,000 tourists saw the parade, and I managed to walk the entire route with the band.
On my flight back to Bali from Hong Kong, I noticed that over 90 percent of the passengers on board were Chinese tourists.
Without wasting time, I took out copies of the Chinese Epoch Times from my carry-on bag and gave them to the Chinese tourists sitting near me. They took them readily and thanked me when they learned the newspapers were free. After a while, they began to have varying reactions. Some looked delighted and were smiling; some looked worried and scared; and others looked conflicted, as if they wanted to return the newspapers to me. I took their reactions in stride and gave them a thumbs up, while saying, “Good.” I also said, “Chinese people are good.” and “The people of Bali are good.” They began to calm down and steal glances at me. My understanding was that they were trying to ensure their safety and that they would not come to harm by accepting the newspapers.
I kept up my positive attitude, and, to break the ice, I asked them how to turn on my TV screen. The atmosphere grew warmer, and the lady sitting behind me was very friendly. They offered me sweets and desserts and said that, as their friend, I should accept their gifts. During the flight, they opened the newspaper and began to read it.
I wondered if I would have the courage to ask them to quit the CCP and its affiliated organizations. I felt that I would definitely regret it if I didn’t. Despite this, my heart wavered with the fear that, if they refused, the atmosphere would become tense again.
Four-and-a-half hours later, the plane landed in Bali. The passengers began to retrieve their overhead bags to disembark. I took out a pen and the forms to quit the CCP and said, “Welcome to Bali Island. Have you quit the CCP yet? Doing so will ensure your life and safety.” I used the few Mandarin phrases I knew. All six of the tourists quit the CCP using pseudonyms. Before we got off the plane, I shook hands with them and thanked them.
This incident made me realize that we can advise Chinese people to quit the CCP anywhere. I need to be prepared to make use of even the slightest opportunity. I need to bring more truth clarification materials with me and do a better job of advising people to quit the CCP.