South Nevada - Day 10

“If he be kindled with the fire of His love, if he foregoeth all created things, the words he uttereth shall set on fire them that hear him.” –Baha’u’llah

March 3, 2008

Dearest Friends,

We are happy to share the following story from two of our cluster’s many devoted teachers. This story clearly illustrates the vital importance of timely follow-up visits to receptive souls. Experience in other communities and now here in Las Vegas NV (A) has shown that many people declare their faith in Baha’u’llah on the second visit. Perseverance, systematic follow-up, and reliance on the power of divine assistance are key elements of success.

My wife and I had presented the first three pages of Anna's presentation last weekend to a Spanish-speaking man. He asked us to come back the following week to speak with him again and also to meet his wife. Saturday night we went to his home. He invited us in even though he was ill and had been taking a nap. He was given the whole presentation in Spanish and was very receptive to what he heard. We had a long discussion with him after the presentation, and he was eager to learn even more about the Faith. He signed his declaration card that evening and has expressed interest in attending Baha'i activities. He also has a beautiful family of two lovely children and one junior youth. We plan to let him know soon that he is welcome to register his children as Baha’is, and we hope to have the opportunity to share Anna’s presentation with his wife.

A dedicated core of Baha’i teachers continues to make follow-up visits to seekers this week. They are also making frequent visits to the new believers, who benefit so much from saying prayers together. The approach is to nurture these relationships, expose the new Baha’is to the Word of God, and gradually introduce to them more about what it means to be a follower of Baha’u’llah. These methods are new to all of us, but they seem to be very effective. We are grateful for the example of other clusters in the Southwest and elsewhere in the U.S. The learning continues.

“Today the need is so great on the part of humanity to hear of the Divine Message, that the believers must plunge into the work, wherever and however they can, heedless of their own shortcomings…” --Shoghi Effendi

With warmest Baha’i greetings,

Area Teaching Committee