(Minghui.org) There’s a ditch in front of my house, and a restaurant regularly dumps wastewater into it after washing meat and dirty dishes. When the weather is hot, the water turns black and stinks.

People these days lack basic manners. Many dump household trash and weeds into the ditch, and it fills up quickly. The village head hadn’t assigned anyone to clean the ditch, instead he declared that every household is responsible for the portion in front of their house—but the families who live along the ditch never clean it.

Since I practice Falun Dafa, I felt I should embody Dafa’s teachings in every aspect of my life, conduct myself according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and be considerate of others. I bought a rake, scooped up the trash and the weeds, dug out the mud with a shovel, and hauled it all away with a handcart. I clean the ditch a few times a year. Sometimes trash blocked the road, so I cleaned it up before the garbage collector could get to it.

The wife of the village head noticed what I did and called the village secretary, “Look how wonderful Falun Dafa practitioners are, and they are truly different from others. If everyone practiced Dafa, it would benefit society and the nation.”

She courageously spoke up for Dafa, and in return, received blessings. Four years ago she was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a strawberry. Doctors recommended surgery, but she was reluctant. I told her to recite “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.” She recited those words every day, and the tumor soon disappeared. I believe that she was protected by divine beings because of her actions.

On the morning of September 29, 2019, after sending forth righteous thoughts, I went out to clean the ditch. I swept the street and hauled away 11 cartloads of mud before I went to buy some goods, and then I returned home.

Shortly after, about eight or nine people showed up at my place, including police officers, government officials, and community members. They asked if I was still practicing Falun Dafa and I replied, “Of course! Dafa teaches us to do good deeds, put others first, and refrain from fighting back. It guides us to become better people and follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Why wouldn’t I practice?”

One of them asked, “How much are you getting paid for cleaning the ditch?”

I told them, “I haven’t received a penny for cleaning the ditch. I do it because I practice Dafa, and I bought the tools with my own money. I’m doing this for your sake. The holiday is coming and if the higher-ups inspect our village and find it in poor condition, wouldn’t you all be reprimanded? Dafa has given me health and elevated my moral character. Do you see anything wrong with that? I was illegally sentenced to over a year of re-education through forced labor, and detained several times. I let bygones be bygones and I don’t hate you for what you’ve done.”

I shared more information with them about Dafa and the persecution. They understood, and left. Thank you, Master for resolving the challenging situation.