He declared and arose spontaneously, eagerly and immediately to teach the Cause

Contra Costa County East, CA (A) just launched another cycle of its intensive program of growth. Here is an immensely beautiful and moving story about a seeker who declared his belief and immediately joined a teaching team to share the Message. This story is full of gems; note this profound statement about what a strong foundation the core activities can make for teaching and for raising up new believers who are immediate human resources for the processes of growth: “Because he had been able to see with his own eyes a children's class in his neighborhood and other acts of service associated with the institute courses, he immediately grasped the nature of the institute courses.”

Dear friends,

Today 8 teams, many consisting of youth, went out into different neighborhoods in Concord, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek.

One teaching team made an appointment with a seeker they had known for some time. They met him at his apartment and together drove to a coffee shop. Two members of the team sat at one table silently saying prayers while the other one sat with the seeker at a table to share Anna's presentation. He deeply connected to the concepts and ideas in the presentation, and to Bahá’u’lláh’s life and mission. He repeatedly mentioned the aim of the Bahá’í Faith and how he longed to work towards it. At the end of the presentation he read the prayer "O God, refresh and gladden my spirit..." and dedicated it to Bahá’u’lláh. The seeker was invited to join the community of the Greatest Name and he eagerly accepted. . . .

The teacher shared with him some of the vision of the institute process and the sequence of courses. Because he had been able to see with his own eyes a children's class in his neighborhood and other acts of service associated with the institute courses, he immediately grasped the nature of the courses. He expressed strong interest in studying "Reflections on the Life of the Spirit" and determined to invite his friends to start a study circle with him.

It seemed only natural then for the teacher to explain to the new believer what the team was set to do for the rest of the afternoon: go to a neighborhood to meet the people and share with them these beautiful Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. He was asked whether he would like to join the team and participate. He eagerly accepted! The expanded team got back into the car and drove to the neighborhood. They did not let anything, including engine trouble, detract them from their mission, which was to spend these precious hours diffusing the divine fragrances. The rest of the afternoon was spent by the friends (now 2 teams of 2) teaching in the neighborhood. The new believer and his teammate spoke to many families and made 6 appointments to share Anna's presentation in full! Afterwards he joined the other friends when they came together for reflection on the teaching work that took place that day and dinner. What a wonderful day it was.

Friends, these are the workings of divine assistance. What else can such a beautiful response of an individual and such help from Bahá’u’lláh be attributed to? Through all the prayers for the success of the teaching work, and through teachers arising, Bahá’u’lláh led a teaching team to someone who not only declared his Faith but also arose spontaneously, eagerly and immediately to teach the Cause. We started the day with 17 teachers and ended it with 18. Here was one who had just received the Message and understood instinctively that teaching is the natural response of the heart that loves.

You have the opportunity to witness similar beautiful experiences. Every day of the collective teaching project brings many blessings and allows us to teaching the Faith to many yearning souls.

With love

Your Area Teaching Committee