(Minghui.org As spring arrived in New York, nearly 10,000 practitioners participated in a series of events to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Falun Dafa's introduction to the public. From May 11 to 14, practitioners could be seen in bustling Manhattan, be it Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in front of the UN, Times Square, or Central Park.

Western and Chinese practitioners of all ages moved in unison to the peaceful music, as they did the exercises at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on May 12. Eighty-three-year- old Ms. Yao Peixia from New Zealand was thrilled to be there. She said, “Falun Dafa is extraordinary! Master is compassionate. More than thirty of my family members are practitioners and have benefited from practicing Falun Dafa.”

Ms. Yao Peixia doing the sitting meditation at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza.

Most people her age suffer from a variety of illnesses, but Ms. Yao is healthy and strong. She goes to tourist attractions every day to do the exercises and tells people how amazing Falun Dafa is.

Large Family Practices Falun Dafa

Ms. Yao’s sister-in-law was diagnosed with heart disease and was hospitalized in August 1997. She heard about Falun Dafa when she was allowed to go home to celebrate the Moon Festival. At first, she could hardly walk and had to be helped by two people to go to the practice site. After doing the exercises for just 4 days, the symptoms of her heart disease disappeared!

She thought, “Am I healed?” She couldn't believe it. When she was able to walk without assistance she realized that it was not a dream.

Ms. Yao also suffered from various diseases. After hearing about her sister-in-law’s amazing experience, she went back to her hometown, Luoyang City, and learned how to do the Falun Dafa exercises. She said, “I did the exercises for ten days and all my diseases were gone.”

After they witnessed her amazing improvement, Ms. Yao's family members began practicing, and experienced many positive things.

Her nephew needed a kidney transplant but after he began practicing Falun Dafa his illness disappeared. Her younger sister-in-law was hit by a tractor and she was injured, but she quickly recovered by doing the exercises. Ms. Yao’s elderly sister-in-law's heart disease disappeared. She had trouble walking, but can now carry heavy bags of groceries to her 4^th-floor apartment.

When Ms. Yao’s niece was only three-years-old she developed symptoms of a strange disease that doctors could not treat. The little girl's head became so swollen that her eyes could barely open. After she did the exercises for six months, her illness disappeared. Now she is 18 years old and very healthy.

Ms. Yao is very grateful to Master Li Hongzhi, founder of Falun Dafa, and said “So many miracles in our family! Our gratitude towards Master cannot be expressed in words. We can only repay him by doing more to tell people the facts about Falun Dafa.”

Even though the persecution has continued in China, the entire family often goes out to disseminate Falun Dafa material. Ms. Yao’s niece visits the local countryside on her bicycle to deliver leaflets every evening. They hope that the Chinese people can understand the facts about Falun Dafa and benefit from it.

Talking to Overseas Chinese

Ms. Yao went to live with her daughter in New Zealand in 2004. She goes to the practice site every day, distributes newspapers and talks to the Chinese people.

In the beginning, some Chinese were not friendly and refused to listen. Ms. Yao did not give up, and they soon started to listen. Their attitudes changed and they became sympathetic and supportive. Now they greet Ms. Yao and some even offer her tea.

Ms. Yao frequently talks to a retired Chinese policeman. At first he refused the newspaper and said, “You read it!” Now he cheerfully greets her and says, “Hello! Please stay warm!” Seeing how his attitude has changed, Ms. Yao is very happy.

Ms. Yao said, “I am not angry when people refuse our information, instead I feel sorry for them. Most Chinese are nice people, but they are poisoned by the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) propaganda.”