SAN DIEGO—The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts presented its second show at the San Diego Civic Theater on July 14. Many theatergoers have already watched the show two or three times over the years. Among the Shen Yun fans are former Chief Boatswain's Mate Richard Kong and his wife Rose, who have watched Shen Yun four times. They shared their life-changing story with The Epoch Times.

Mr. Kong, born in Guangdong China, is in his eighties. After immigrating to the U.S., he enlisted in the navy and served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He retired as the Chief Boatswain's Mate in 1975, and remains the only Chinese-American in the U.S. Navy to reach this ranking. After his retirement, Mr. Kong and his wife Rose, a Chinese born in Tahiti, settled in San Diego. Two years ago, Rose was diagnosed with lung cancer with a five months prognosis. This news shocked Richard and Rose right to their core and pushed them into deep sorrow, until they watched the Shen Yun performance for the first time two years ago.

Rose indicates that she had a new understanding of birth, old age, illness, and death after she saw Shen Yun’s performances, showing celestial kingdoms, for the first time. “I no longer feared death,” she said, “I dreamed of the angels and angels talked to me. They talked to me about Shen Yun.”

After her first Shen Yun show, Rose took on a more positive attitude towards her illness. The cancer can no longer cast a dark shadow on their lives. The couple regained the joy of life. “July 25—it will be two years, this July 25 since they first found (the cancer). The doctor gave her five months to live, at most six months,” said Richard, beaming with joy. Rose still goes to checkups every three months, yet she is energetic and full of hope for the future. “I feel very good,” she added.

Since then, they would make sure to watch the show every time Shen Yun comes to San Diego. Several days ago, Richard was not feeling very well and was considering skipping it this time. However, Richard thought “we come every year. Now Shen Yun is here again, we must come, no matter what.”

This time again, Rose dreamed of the beautiful scenery, just like pictures in the Shen Yun program book. She said, “I had a dream. I saw all those lotus flowers, beautiful lotus flowers, all over the place. And the angels come down; the sky is beautiful sky and the water is clear. They are just beautiful!” Rose was beyond herself when she saw these scenery on stage.

Even before walking out of the theater, the Kong couple was already planning to attend the next Shen Yun show.

The Chief Boatswain's Mate is the one of the highest ranking non-commissioned officer (NCO) in the US Navy. A Boatswain's Mate is an officer who assists the First Lieutenant by supervising the deck force in the execution of major seamanship functions and the maintenance of topside gear. The Ship's Boatswain supervises cargo handling and inspects and maintains rigging and deck gear. His duties also include supervising anchoring, mooring, fueling, towing, transferring of personnel and cargo, and the operation and maintenance of ship's boats.

Read the original Chinese article. http://shenyun.epochtimes.com

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Original article: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/39321/