What joy is greater?

What are some of the elements of an intensive teaching effort? Sharing the Message directly. Creating new core activities and inviting people to participate. Visiting homes of new believers. Teaching teams working together in an organized way. Yes, all of these are elements, and they are all there in this report of last weekend’s expansion phase in Nevada South (A), and quite coherently too (e.g. organizing study circles for the parents while their kids are participating in the children’s class). But the main element in this IPG really seems to be sheer, boundless joy. The questions at the end of this report are truly moving, and are a beautiful reminder of how the teaching work ultimately is about empowering children, youth, adults—and communities.

Friends,

For all of us, the experience visiting neighborhoods to deliver the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh and to start core activities has exceeded our expectations.

Here are some highlights of what happened the first weekend of the teaching effort in this seventh cycle of your cluster's intensive program of growth. The teams’ orientation was held on Friday, where excited teachers attended with zeal and enthusiasm. On Saturday, we have all gathered at the Bahá’í center and prayed for the blessings of God to reach our endeavors. . . .

Teaching teams visited various neighborhoods to start the four core activities and to continue with the consolidation efforts. A group of humble and loving friends were singing, chanting and praying together in one neighborhood; other teams shared deepening themes with new believers in another neighborhood.

Some wonderful encounters happened on Sunday. A father from brought his son and two of his nephews to receive a spiritual education at the children’s class; another lady also brought her two sons. Another lady came with her 5 year-old son. These parents gathered with us and said prayers and meditated. Then we broke into two groups to begin a study circle, one in English and the other in Spanish. The response of these parents to the material was very positive and the discussion fruitful and exciting. The children's class had 13 angels, who had fun and learned about the spiritual virtues.

A milestone in one neighborhood was witnessed by the friends: an individual who received a home visit on one day arose the very next day to join a team to help others understand the fundamental verities of the Faith. Say: Ya-Bahá'ul'Abhá!

Dedicated friends are standing by to help and embrace anyone who comes to join a team or help in any other way at the Bahá’í center. They are available to help the friends overcome their hesitation and accompany them with joy in service.

The small commitment of time and energy is insignificant in comparison to the bounties bestowed upon us by the Almighty. What blessing is greater than seeing the look of wonder and joy on the faces of those who are receptive to the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh? What joy is greater than witnessing a child or junior youth empowered to change not only themselves, but the world? What delight is greater than accompanying a friend in Ruhi Book 1 and knowing that they too have begun to walk a path of service?

See you at the Baha'i center this coming weekend!

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Your area teaching committee