It is a blessing that a year after the great flood, Kota Tinggi has been disaster-free. Tzu Chi Kota Tinggi organized a Blessing Reception for the public to pray sincerely for a better tomorrow and gather strength to prevent disaster.

At the Blessing Reception, everyone made a wish for the peace and safety of the world.

The reception ended with a musical sign language performance by Tzu Chi volunteers.

Last year, Kota Tinggi, a small town in the state of Johor of Malaysia, located around 42 kilometers north-east of Johor Bahru, was twice hit by heavy flood. This year, the volunteers had taken great initiative to promote environmental awareness by visiting schools, getting communities involved, forming recycling stations and soon on. By so doing, they have put into action the measures to reduce the effect of monsoon rain to the area. The destroyed properties can be replaced, but the wounds in the hearts will need lots of loves to be consoled. On 16 December 2007, Tzu Chi Kota Tinggi organized a Blessing Reception on the Anniversary of the Great Flood entitled "Creating good affinities to protect our homes" at New Kota Primary School's Hall. The aim was to inspire everyone to make good wishes and accumulate kind thoughts for the safety of the people of this world who are suffering.

The honorable guests and general public from Kota Tinggi, Ulu Tiram, and other bodies, who had lent their support in the flood relief work, attended this Blessing Reception together with Tzu Chi volunteers from Kluang and Johor Baru.

The Welcome Team joyfully sang the "Welcome song" to the smiles from the public who waved their hands to greet the warm volunteers. Also present were inmates from Ulu Tiram's old folks' home, as well as volunteers and donating members from Ban Fon area. The volunteers prepared wheelchairs for those old folks who needed them once they disembarked from the vehicle. The caring attitude of these volunteers really touched the hearts of the old folks.

The main goal for this activity was to remind the public of the unpredictability of disasters on the earth's environment caused by human greed. Only if all mankind adhere to the decency, decorum, ethics and virtues in respect to the environment, and have their hearts to protect it, only then could we reduce the harm caused by natural disasters. A documentary on Tzu Chi's Environmental Protection Mission described the volunteers' dedications and commitments. Even though they are ordinary people, they have the determination to protect the earth, go into the community and lead the people to embark on the mission.

Volunteer Lau Hun Sang stressed at his speech that: "In this world, good and bad energy are always pulling each other, just like the "Tug-of-war" game. Only with more kind people on the good side can we reduce the harm caused by the disaster. We hope Kota Tinggi residents can be bonded together to prevent any natural disaster.

Lend your hands for Love

The candle lighting ceremony started with twelve Tzu Chi Commissioners and Faith Corps entering the hall gracefully with candles in their hands, surrounded by the sound of Buddhist chanting. In the dark, this team had brightened up the road as if the Love of Tzu Chi members had brought the warmth in overcoming all obstacles during the hardships. All our hearts were brought together with the marching steps of the team and the sound of the Buddhist chanting. They prayed for the darkness to clear up and that the Great Love team would grow longer.

Towards the end, nearly a hundred Tzu Chi volunteers encircled the guests and performed a Tzu Chi Song entitled "One Family" with sign language. The lyrics moved the guests to tears.
 
Master Cheng Yen preached that: Individual's strength is just like a drop of water trying to save the fire, which is very weak and tiny. The strength of a group is like the continuously flowing of a river. When challenged by difficulties, Tzu Chi volunteers must gather everyone's strength, lend out both hands, to save the sufferings.

The ending of this activity represents a new beginning. Both the volunteers recruitment areas had managed to recruit 38 kind-hearted people to become donating members or volunteers. Among them is Peng Shu Hui, donning the Tzu Chi’s volunteer vest. Peng got to know Tzu Chi after joining the Parent-Child Bonding Class. This was the first time she had put on a volunteer's vest to serve in an event. "I wanted to help others too. That’s why I signed up to join the Volunteers Team."

When the East Coast of Malaysia was hit by flood, you and I who are safe should pray sincerely with a pure thought in mind for the safety of Kota Tinggi, for Malaysia, and the rest of the world. Our tears should no longer be caused by sufferings but by the appreciation; our prayers no longer due by the arrival of impermanence but by the blessing!