Rebuilding Quan Am Nam Hai Monastery

Every day, you are drowning: Drowning in your company’s demands, your customers’ wants and needs, your family and friends’ drama which is filled with nothing but constant nagging and gossip. You’re drowning in trying to keep up with the latest trends and owning the newer car model or updated phone. Maybe you follow celebrities or other people who don’t even know you exist and wouldn’t blink twice if something bad were to happen to you. You are drowning in the constant bombardment of bad news, political unrest, popular culture to include movies, music, and social media, and that noise between your ears; the non-stop thinking. All you want is a moment of clarity; a breath of fresh air. That’s all you want when you’re drowning; to breathe...

Now, imagine a place where you can escape from the daily stresses of work, school, and the constant noise in the world, even if it’s only for a moment. We can be at ease and finally breathe again. Imagine a place where warm smiles and positive vibes are abundant. It doesn’t matter what your skin color is or where you come from because everyone is welcome here!  The food is delicious, the area is peaceful and serene, and there’s ALWAYS someone there willing to listen to your worries and concerns.

Luckily for you, there is a place like that. It’s at the Quan Am Nam Hai Monastery at Panama City, Florida. There, you will be greeted by Master Tran, Su Co Thanh Dieu An, and Su Co Giac Tu. There’s also a dog name Lotus and a cat named B. Sometimes if you’re lucky you can see then playing by chasing one another on the grass around the trees.

The first thing you will probably be intrigued by as you walk through the gates, is the smell in the air. Su Co Giac Tu makes the most delicious food you can imagine. It’s all vegetarian and even if you aren’t, after enjoying one of her succulent dishes, you may consider becoming vegetarian yourself. It’s so delicious and flavorful that even the thought of it will have your mouth watering and your stomach growling.  

You may notice Su Co Thanh Dieu An, a small lady with gloves on, doing some yard work. Su Co Thanh Dieu An is Master Tran’s mother and even though she may be the oldest one there, she is still very strong and healthy. She cuts the grass, waters the plants, and helps trim the trees. She’s always there with enough energy to work all day and when the sun finally sets, you will still see her smiling.

Last, but definitely not least, there’s Master Tran. Master Tran is someone who is able to listen and understand your problems on a very deep level. Her presence feels like a warm, cozy, room; not too dry or too humid, but just right. You feel comfortable and at ease. Her words flow into your mind like a clear stream of water making its way into the blue ocean. You can easily understand her and implement what she says into your life in order to be happier and more joyful.

Finally, there is someone who truly understands you and can save you from drowning.
Someone that can provide that breath of fresh air you’ve been longing for.
Thank you Master Tran.

After a nice walk, you enjoy a warm meal and you can sleep at night with ease, knowing tomorrow when the sun rises, that this place will still be here for you; a place that you can honestly call home.

Now imagine waking up that following morning with all of that gone. Everything was damaged or destroyed, the once beautiful and serene walking path is now covered in garbage and debris, Lotus and B are trembling with fear, and everyone has only a very limited supply of food and water. Master Tran, Su Co Thanh Dieu An and Su Co Giac Tu has worked so hard to build this beautiful place for us and now it’s all gone. Their home…our home, has been ravaged by Hurricane Michael and now they have to rebuild everything, but with your help, we can make it whole again.

We can only imagine the tragedy of waking up with a home that was once so beautiful just to have it all broken and destroyed into pieces.

Unfortunately, this is the reality for Master Tran, Su Co Thanh Dieu An and Su Co Giac Tu. They all have to suffer through every morning, day, and night. Like a nightmare that they can’t wake up to.