a Beautiful teaching story from the Nashville area in the States...
... via a pal'o'mine in Ohio... LOL
enjoy!
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 5706 ? Cary ? NC ? 27512-5706
919.463.9990 office ? 919.349.7913 cell
'There is nothing sweeter in the world of existence than prayer.' -
'Abdu'l-Baha
October 2, 2008
To the Baha'is in the Southern Region
Dearly loved friends,
We continue to receive uplifting and insightful stories and accounts of the
friends striving to share the Message of Baha'u'llah and learning how to
involve the new believers with increasing efficacy in the core activities.
One cluster in Tennessee recently experienced a breakthrough in
enrollments in its current cycle of growth. The Nashville Area cluster has
focused its collective teaching project in a receptive neighborhood whose
residents include Persian Baha'i refugees, residents from Sudan, Peru,
Kosovo and other nationalities. The cluster is blessed with several Baha'is
who travel to the neighborhood and generously offer their services to the
new believers and seekers.
One friend shared her impression about the neighborhood, 'The spirit has
made such a difference. The Persian Baha'i residents walk around this very
open neighborhood and say prayers and connect with their neighbors.'
About a week ago, a Baha'i teacher was in the neighborhood visiting a
newly enrolled Baha'i from Sudan. They were outside enjoying the pleasant
weather. She was reviewing Anna's presentation when one of the neighborhood
boys, Misha'd, ran up to her, poked her in her side and asked, 'Are you
making everyone a Baha'i?' He is a 9-year-old child from Peru and is best
friends with a neighboring Persian Baha'i boy. The teacher was a little
embarrassed by the question, and responded with care, 'I am sharing the
message of the Baha'i Faith with those who are interested in learning about
this new Divine Message'.
Misha'd then asked, 'What is the Baha'i Faith?' He told the teacher
that he too was interested in the Faith and wanted to know more. But the
teacher was in the middle of Anna's presentation and could not respond to
him at that time.
Later in the week on Saturday the Baha'i teacher and another friend met
the sister of one of the new Baha'is as they were walking in the
neighborhood. They took the opportunity to share Anna's presentation with
her. The seeker recognized Baha'u'llah's Station immediately and felt moved
to declare her Faith. Her four children also were registered -- they had
already been coming to the children's classes.
By now it was getting dark and the Baha'i teachers were walking to their
cars. Misha'd ran up to them, poking the teacher in her side again and
asked, 'What is the Baha'i Faith?' Since it was dark the teacher could not
see who he was and asked 'who are you'? He responded that he was the same
one who asked about the Faith last week.
The Baha'is looked at each other and one whispered to the other 'he is
only 9-years-old and we need to get permission from his parents'. They
asked Misha'd when a good time to talk with his parents is and he said 'how
about now?'
So Misha'd ran ahead towards his home with the Baha'is close behind.
Standing outside were his mother, father, 16-year-old sister and four other
siblings. The teachers shared how much their son wanted to learn about the
Baha'i Faith and so everyone went inside the lighted hallway to hear the
presentation. There seemed to be a heightened sense of spirit in that
hallway as the Message was shared. Misha'd helped by reading the quotes.
After sharing the life and suffering of Baha'u'llah the Baha'i teacher
turned to the father and said 'it appears as though Misha'd is attracted to
this Message'. The father nodded in agreement.
After the entire presentation was given, the family recognized
Baha'u'llah's Station and embraced the Faith.
The Baha'is explained further about their duty to educate the children.
They shared, 'that's why we come here - not to educate just our children but
all the children and we need a lot of help to do this.' When finishing the
registration cards for her children, the mother went through them all,
one-by-one, to make sure each child was registered.
The Baha'i teachers went back within 48 hours to confirm their Faith.
The family has received three visits within one week of their declarations.
In this same neighborhood, another new believer, who is Hispanic, has
five daughters who were registered as well. The Baha'is began consolidation
immediately. They started a children's class right outside their door so
the parents could see their children were in the class.
We feel very blessed to learn from the friends who are consecrating
their efforts in sharing the Message of Baha'u'llah, and, who are striving
to create a community of devotion and service in these receptive
neighborhoods.
We send you our deepest love and prayers.
Prepared on behalf of the Regional Baha'i Council of the Southern States
Regional Bahá'í Council of the Southern States
Office of the Secretary
PO Box 5706 ? Cary ? NC ? 27512-5706
919.463.9990 office ? 919.349.7913 cell
No comments:
Post a Comment