(Minghui.org) Since 2002, Falun Gong practitioners in the United Kingdom have been sending righteous thoughts year-round, 24 hours a day, at the Chinese embassy. A constant rotation of practitioners has maintained this site over the past 21 years. Through their efforts, this site has become an inextinguishable candle of hope for exposing and stopping the persecution.
I am one of the practitioners who sends forth righteous thoughts in front of the Chinese embassy. It can be said that a sense of quiet peace permeates our truth clarification work. In the winter, passers-by bring us hot coffee, tea and bread. People who stop to read our truth-clarification exhibition boards will quietly sign our petition calling for an end to the persecution. Drivers waiting at the red light give us a thumbs up to show their support. Tourists on sightseeing buses take pictures of our site.
On New Year’s Eve in 2022, I was practicing the fourth set of exercises across from the embassy when I felt a presence before me. I opened my eyes, only to see a young, multiracial boy standing in front of me. He smiled and greeted me in Chinese, “Auntie, happy New Year!” I quickly replied, “Thank you, happy New Year! Your pronunciation is so accurate, who brought you here?” The little boy pointed towards a Westerner standing along the bustling pedestrian pathway and replied, “My dad.” I proceeded to walk over and thanked his father.
According to the little boy, he and his father pass by our site while walking to school and watch us do the exercises. Today his father agreed to grant one of his son’s wishes, which was to wish us a happy New Year in person! What a wonderful wish from an innocent child!
The Royal Institute of British Architects, situated behind our truth clarification site, is frequented by many experts, scholars, and professors. One day, an elderly man in his 70s approached our site. We struck up a conversation, and he introduced himself as a professional painter who often went to the institute. Having encountered many Falun Dafa information booths throughout his travels, he possessed extensive knowledge about Falun Dafa and wanted to sign our petition.
He was eager to know about Falun Gong’s current status in China. Due to my poor grasp of English, I could only tell him that the CCP’s persecution is ongoing, but is conducted in secrecy underground. I also apologized profusely for my inability to convey the information clearly. The elderly man indicated he understood, then pointed to a picture of an exercise position on our exhibition board. He encouraged us to continue “stretching” (persevering) and not give up.
While sending forth righteous thoughts one day, I heard a voice behind me talking about Falun Gong in English. Assuming it was a fellow practitioner, I continued to send forth righteous thoughts. Afterwards I looked back only to see a Western father introducing Falun Gong to his daughter while facing the display board.
I walked over and asked if they would be willing to sign the petition to show support for Falun Gong. Both the father and daughter warmly agreed.
At this time, I noticed the father’s permanently bent waist and suggested he try the exercises. I told him about Falun Dafa’s English website, where he could find Zhuan Falun and Master Li’s (Falun Dafa’s founder) instructional exercise videos. I told them I used to suffer from herniated lumbar discs and had been bedridden for over three years. After practicing Falun Gong, I was cured. Despite being nearly 70 years old this year, my condition has never recurred.
Both the father and daughter were shocked and found it hard to believe a seventy-year-old could still possess such a straight back. The father took out his phone and asked if we could take a photo together. I agreed.
As our truth clarification site is situated next to a traffic intersection, it is common to see cars waiting at the red light. Not long ago, I was performing the second set of exercises when I heard someone remark in Chinese, “Stop practicing, you even make us lose face abroad.”
I opened my eyes, only to see three young Chinese sitting in a car. One of them held a mobile phone, ready to take a picture of me. Although their car was about to drive off, I knew I should not let them leave without a word. While still holding my arms above my head, I replied, “Is it not shameful to kill someone?” The young man’s hand shook. Perhaps he had not expected me to reply, perhaps my words had shaken his soul. In the choice between good and evil, I hope my words had given them pause for consideration.