Declarations across the Southwest

Updates on clusters in the Southwest seeing enrollments in both expansion and consolidation phases. . .

San Diego, CA

The teaching work in San Diego cluster is progressing beautifully. By the end of yesterday, Jan 16th (four days into the expansion phase), there have been 10 new Baha’is (5 declarations and 5 children registrations). One of the teachers has shared his story below.

“Baha'u'llah has blessed us with another declaration in City Heights, including her two children! We had the most wonderful experience with this amazingly receptive Latino family today. My teammate did children's classes with five children while I presented Anna's presentation to three wonderful ladies. They listened with such love and enthusiasm, particularly enjoying the quotes from Baha'u'llah. When we finished, I told them that I was not there to convert them, but that if they believed in Baha'u'llah and wanted to join the Baha'i community, I wanted to give them the opportunity. One of the younger ladies wasted no time in grabbing her pen and filling out the card, with the greatest smile on her face! Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha!

There are more people like this, just waiting for us to find them! As the International Teaching Center says, "It is the souls already prepared by Bahá'u'lláh whom we must be seeking. They exist even where receptivity may not be expected." Let us find these blessed souls!"

Phoenix, AZ

During the consolidation phase in Phoenix the declarations keep coming in! 6 more declarations have been added to the 34 (plus 35 children registrations) they had at the end of 2 weeks expansion phase. You will enjoy reading the wonderful story below by a member of the teaching team.

“Tonight in bk 4 a new Baha’i who declared during the expansion phase of this cycle brought a friend who said hi, and said he had to leave to get some medicine. We assumed he wouldn't be back. In 5 min he was back with the bk 4 we had given him weeks ago and tonight, for the first time, he sat down to study. Since he had missed the first unit, we found ourselves reviewing the life of the Bab and the concept of the Covenant, and the station of the Bab and Baha'u'llah--- and also ‘Abdu'l Baha. The new Bahá'í is so reflective, after every paragraph, he will quiz all present -- he will be a great tutor! He also explained the eternal covenant to his friend, using Anna’s Presentation. We were unsure whether to ask the friend, as we didn't want to "pressure him," but as we concluded, he was so firm about the oneness, we asked if he believed that Baha'u'llah was a Manifestation of God, and he looked a little startled that we had asked, and answered “seguro”!! as he signed his declaration card. What i have learned from the new Bahá'í who brought his friend, is that if we persevere we will achieve "ultimate and complete victory." I think that we won't be perfect, but if we keep trying to reach new believers, and keep teaching, we will continue to achieve victories.”