Time goes by so fast. This is the fifth anniversary of the Tzu Chi Free Clinic in Alhambra, California. For the past 5 years, the Free Clinic has fulfilled its goal and provided the much needed medical care to people not only in the neighboring communities, but the outreach programs also reached San Bernardino County, Northern California, Mexico and even as far as Peru. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the people involved on a job well done and urge everyone to keep up the good work.

As a matter of fact, in the last 5 years, the founding principle of the Free Clinic: To Relief with Compassion, To Give with Joy has been practiced not only in Alhambra, but all around the globe. From the island of Taiwan to Mainland China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Chechnya, Azerbajun, Papua New Guinea and even the war torn Afghanistan. Wherever there is a need for assistance, Tzu Chi members always show up at the right place at the right time, ready to help and with a smile on their faces.

Although we come from different backgrounds, and are carrying out free medical mission in different parts of the world, we abide by the same principles. We care about human beings and we are grateful that we have the opportunity to serve. This is a good opportunity for us to come together, to share our experiences and to learn form each other. In addition, we can all learn from other people who have been doing international medical missions and try to find a way to pool our resources and improve our future missions.

The beauty of Tzu Chi is providing opportunities for everyone to participate in such meaningful events. I, for one, am very grateful that I have the opportunity to participate and am very proud of being a member of the organization. I am sure many of you are just like me. I would like to take this opportunity to openly invite everyone who has not participated before to join us in this wonderful movement. I am certain that in carrying out our missions, the difficulties we encounter, the effort and time we put in will soon be forgotten, but the determination, the courage, the selfless love and carrying we've demonstrate will be remembered for generation to come.

Chin-Lon Lin, M.D.