“ . . . fix your gaze . . .”

Dearest Friends,

Today was a joyous day when we received word from an individual Baha'i teacher, who happens to work at the Las Vegas (A) cluster at the Baha'i Center,about two declarations during the past two days! Here are his stories:

"Yesterday, 02/27/08: Mrs. _______ came to the Bahá’í Center. She has come here before and at that time took with her Gleanings, the Baha’is Magazine, and a list of devotionals that she could attend. She had initially heard about the Faith from a co-worker and had read An Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith before coming to the Center for the first time. When she came yesterday she mentioned that she had attended devotionals at a Baha'i family's home and enjoyed them very much. I asked her what she thought so far based on what she has read and experienced, if she believes that Bahá’u’lláh is the Manifestation of God for this day. She seemed to think so, but to me it appeared that she still might have some doubts. I asked if she would like to hear a presentation on the Bahá’í Faith. She said yes. After hearing Anna's presentation, she declared her faith and signed her card. She then mentioned that the Baha'i family whose devotions she has attended said that they will start an English Ruhi class soon, which she plans to attend. She said that she has given her son the Baha’is Magazine and yesterday she bought two more!

"Today 02/28/08: A couple of weeks ago I received a call at the Bahá’í Center from a Mr. ________. He said that he would like to come to the Bahá’í Center and learn about the Faith. After a few days, having not heard from him, I called him back. He said that he does not have a car and it is difficult to get here. I asked if he would like someone to go to his home and present the Faith to him there. To this he said yes. Another Baha'I and I went today and presented Anna’s presentation. Halfway through, he was asked if he believes that Bahá’u’lláh is the Manifestation of God for this day. The man said he believes that He is. We went on with the presentation, and at its completion he readily declared his faith and signed his card. We mentioned the Ruhi classes, and he said he will let us know when he can take the class.

"I am so thankful to Baha’u’llah that I have the bounty of being here at the Center. During this time I have had the privilege of witnessing people discover for themselves, this precious Faith and the truths therein."

Dear Friends, these stories are just the beginning of what we can look forward to in the Las Vegas area during the coming days, weeks, months, and beyond. Surely the recent surge in teaching activity during our cluster's IPG is drawing confirmations from the Divine concourse.

~Area Teaching Committee