Exhausted and energized at the same time

Grand Junction, CO (B) is moving forward and full of energy and activity. The friends have been engaged in direct teaching, reaching out and involving new contacts in core activities (planned in such a way to support each other), using celebrations of World Religion Day and Ayyam-i-Ha as opportunities to share the Message, and reflecting on their experiences to identify receptive populations. All I can say is, WOW!

We had our first direct teaching effort yesterday morning, the Ayyam-i-Ha Party last night and devotions, children's classes and a junior youth group this morning It's been very busy—whew—and uplifting all at the same time.

For a small number of people teaching for a few hours yesterday, we feel pretty exhausted and energized all at the same time! Is that possible? 13 people were serving on 4 teaching teams, and that includes our little children. . . .

We met 14 people who wanted some information about the Faith and of those, about 6 homes requested some sort of follow-up, wanted to be involved in core activities, or asked to listen to Anna’s presentation.

The best part: one of the people visited yesterday came to devotions today with her children. A presentation on the Faith was shared with her while the kids were in the children's class, and she declared and registered all of her children! Yá-Bahá’u’l-Abhá! She will be starting Ruhi Book 1 next week, which will be held at the same time as the children’s class.

We also had 58 people attend the Ayyam-i-Ha celebration, of whom 16 were from the Community of Interest. Usually we have only about 40 at these events. That's an increase of almost 20! One of those was an individual we met during the direct teaching effort.

A college student that we had first encountered during World Religion Day and who was interested in learning more also came last night and brought a friend. They both had fun and thanked me over and over. We have 3 other members of the community of interest involved in Ruhi Book 1.

It seems that the highest receptivity has been encountered in apartment complexes and among young people and young families. The ground is definitely fertile. Please dear friends, continue your prayers and reach out to your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers and give them this most Precious Gift.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

R