"I don't know why nobody asked me before"

Reach out and invite. That’s the main lesson from this inspiring story from the Central region. It involves a believer who shared Anna’s presentation with a co-worker, who then declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh, and is welcomed into the Faith by his teacher. The important point is that this is someone who had already studied the Faith for years and had many conversations with Bahá’ís during that time. What made this presentation different? The teacher actually invited the seeker to join the Faith, and so he declared. Also noteworthy is that Anna’s presentation is much more than the material printed on a flipbook—it is a heart-to-heart conversation.

__ was ready . . . his story is a very interesting one. By the time we were looking at the third page of the Anna's presentation flip book, my friend indicated, "I've read this presentation before,” and noted that he had seen a copy of it at our workplace and read through the whole thing. “But this is so much better because we can elaborate and go deeper into the questions I have." . . .

Over the years he has known several Bahá’ís and periodically have many conversations about the Faith with them, as well as reading Bahá’í books. He knows a lot, including about the Five Year Plan.

As we continued the presentation, he would said that he'd like to teach the children of the world everything that he has heard. I answered, "Yes, you are already a Bahá’í, and you can do that."

In Spanish, the wording of some statements in Anna’s presentation is even more direct than it is in English, such as: "I would be overjoyed if you were to become Bahá’í today" and "If you agree with everything then you are already a Bahá’í".

My friend asked, "Why did you walk down that hallway and ask me to come to your house? __ was standing next to me."

I answered, "I swear on the grave of my father, I don't have a clue why I asked you." It wasn't planned! I had come out into the hallway and we saw each other and exchanged greetings. Then I had looked him in the eye and said, "Why don't you come to my house this weekend at noon and I'll give you a presentation", to which he agreed immediately.

I explained about the registration card. He asked if he had to sign it. I said, "If it is important for you to sign it, you sign it; if it is important for you not to sign it, then don't sign it". We used the new form, which you tear off and the new believer keeps the top part that has the Short Obligatory Prayer on it.

__ told me, "I don't know why nobody ever asked me before to join." Because he had met Bahá’ís many times over the years. He obviously knew about the registration card; someone had at some point in the past told him about it, but along the lines of, "When Bahá’ís are ready to become Bahá’í, this is what they do." That is a very indirect statement compared to inviting some to join the Faith: "Well, since you agree with everything you have heard, then you are already Baha'i and here is the card for you to fill out."

"I want a religion where I am motivated to act out of love"

This is a story of a recent declaration in the Triangle, NC (A) cluster. Although brief, it speaks volumes about the qualities we should have in our hearts and the purity of the relationships we should cultivate when teaching the Faith. And it shows that once a soul has recognized Bahá’u’lláh, nothing can hold them back.

Dear friends,

We had another declaration (and child enrollment) on Wednesday night! A group of friends had visited one family earlier that they had first met during the expansion phase. We went this time to share Anna’s presentation with them. . . .

During the presentation this individual also shared a story. She had been reading a prayer book that the Bahá’ís had given to her son previously. Her friend who was visiting asked her, "What are you reading?", to which she responded, "They're prayers that my friends gave to me. They're Bahá’ís." Her friend said, "What? Why are you reading that? You shouldn't have even let them come into your home! You don't know who they are!"

This individual then replied, "They're my friends, just like you're my friend. I let them inside my home just like I let you inside my home. Remember the time you mentioned that you were scared to go to church because you hadn't attended in a while? You were afraid your pastor would be upset with you! That's not the type of religion I want. I want to have a religion where I am motivated to act out of love."

And on Wednesday, after the latest visit, she emphatically declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh, enrolled her son, and expressed her excitement about her new Faith. She was asked multiple times whether she believed in Bahá’u’lláh, and she said "Of course, what do you think?"

Enjoy the last day of the Fast!

Much love,

V

Evanston-Skokie IPG Day 6

The friends in Evanston-Skokie, IL (A) decided that, during this cycle of their IPG, they would focus on their community of interest and directly share the Faith with their friends and colleagues. This focused effort has led to wonderful, joyful, inspiring encounters. This beautiful story shows a contact reaching out, and the friends reaching back. It involves a devotional gathering, a home visit to directly present the fundamental verities of the Faith, and connecting a new believer with the institute process in a framework of service.

Tonight, we have a new Bahá'í, A, who is N’s friend. Whenever N had a chance, he would bring up spiritual topics with her and directly teach the Bahá'í Faith. A month ago, the N and his wife invited A to their home for lunch; on that occasion, which became a fireside, A told of her spiritual search. She asked for help to hold a prayer gathering on the one-year anniversary of her father's passing. The Bahá'ís she met at the lunch came to her home for this devotional gathering and met her roommate C, who asked questions about the Faith. So as this next cycle approached, N made an appointment with A for a teaching team to visit her home. . . .

This evening, three friends visited A and C to share the fundamental verities of the Bahá'í Faith.

J, who was meeting A and C for the first time today, had a chance to become acquainted with them over dinner. After eating, C began to ask questions about the Bahá'í holy places in Israel, and H told of Bahá'u'lláh's exiles and imprisonment. Then the group moved to the living room, and J opened a flip-book of Anna's presentation, which she used as a guide, but she conveyed the essential message from her heart. H and E were praying silently and observed the spiritual bond being created between J, A and C.

At the end, J invited both ladies to join the Faith. A said, "Yes, I believe in Bahá'u'lláh." E accepted her enrollment and answered her question about what that entailed. C accepted what was presented was very positive, but was not ready to enroll. She asked to hear more about how H, J and E had become Bahá'í during the next visit. J gave a brief overview of the sequence of courses. She emphasized that each course leads to a path of service that we can each undertake to help build a better world. The group discussed when to meet next, and agreed to share with each other their spiritual journeys and to take a look at the first book in English and C’s mother tongue. Everyone was happy to have been together this evening and looked forward to the next visit.

Afterwards, J reflected on the teaching visit:

Having the support of my teaching team – it was beautiful. It helped that I had lived in C’s country before and feel a special connection with its people. It made me feel happy, like I was pioneering again, but here at home. It was a blessing to have it here.

And about giving Anna's presentation:

I think, the more you practice anything, the more comfortable you feel. I want to read from the booklet even less than I have done. But I like having the visuals; they are helpful.

Looking forward:

I'm excited about having available a version of Reflections on the Life of the Spirit in C’s language. Basically, it is valuable for them to connect with Holy Writings in their own language. I really felt, though C was not ready to register as a Bahá'í, that she was connecting with Bahá'u'lláh. They are both on a spiritual journey, a searching journey and they are coming closer to Bahá'u'lláh.

I have an excited, peaceful feeling, if that is possible – transforming society one heart at a time.

Evanston-Skokie IPG Day 5

Each day of the IPG in Evanston-Skokie, IL (A) brings learning and joy. Here are two very interesting stories about learning how to teach. First is an account of a believer who wanted to practice sharing Anna’s presentation. So she made a very intriguing choice for a coach:

Our friend made it clear he has no intention of becoming a Bahá’í. But he was willing to come over to hear about the Faith so we could practice our presentation and because he's just curious to know more. We made it clear that if he felt uncomfortable or at all pressured, we would end it. We met for almost 3 hours. . . .

I used a cue card with an outline of Anna's presentation to avoid reading the flip book verbatim and to improvise if things got overwhelming for him. __ interjected some points too. I initially wove in only one or two short quotes from the writings. Our friend respectfully listened and had lots of good questions. When it was over, I shared a quote that fit in with one of his comments and __ asked him to read one from the flip chart.

He gave us both feedback to help us with future presentations. First he suggested I weave more Bahá’í quotes into the presentation so people have a clear understanding of what it's all about. He suggested we use the flip chart in combination with the note card so people can look at the pictures but the words are still from the heart. He also thinks people want to know what brought us to the Faith and how it has impacted our lives—challenges, victories, etc. He thinks this may be a good way to start things off.

He's very interested in attending more Bahá’í activities including the dinner discussion event at our house, devotional gatherings at another believer’s home, and another devotional gathering at another home.

The next story is all about nurturing a new believer to become confident to teach:

Tonight I had a Ruhi session with a new believer. We did a few sections in Ruhi 1; we talked in general. I was so excited: She wants to teach! I had been explaining the sequence of courses and how they help build our capacity. I talked about each book and the service it helps you learn how to perform. She expressed the desire to teach but said that she didn't know how. I told her that the sincerity of her heart and the fire of love for Bahá’u’lláh in her heart are all that are needed to teach! I encouraged her to come to the collective teaching activity, and also to tomorrow's event, so she'd be able to feel the spirit of teaching.

Stepping forward, reaching out, and unexpected surprises

Here is a wonderful quartet of teaching stories from the First Coast (Jacksonville), FL cluster. Since these stories were sent, the First Coast cluster has advanced to the A-stage!

The first story is a reminder to always have enough registration cards on hand to be prepared for declarations at any time.

E and B went into the teaching field “full of prayer”. They had already visited several apartments where no one was home. Then they arrived at one place where they met a family. They explained that they were Bahá’ís and that they were offering free children’s classes. They were then invited in.

“We’d like to tell you who we are,” E began. He then shared Anna’s presentation up to the life of Bahá’u’lláh. The teachers asked to pray with the family. Using the prayer cards from the teaching kits, everyone prayed together. . . .

“Does anyone want to be a part of the Bahá’í Faith?” E asked. Two of the family members said yes. They had only one registration card so they called another Bahá’í to bring it! The friends’ hearts were filled with the mysterious workings of that visit. They marveled that they never expected to get declarations and never thought they would need one registration card, much less two! So they advise the friends to always carry more than one card with them!

The second shows the high interest in children’s classes, and the power of focused effort.

Another team was having another adventure. At one home, one of the teachers had just finished training in Anna’s presentation. Because she understood that their goal for the day was to register children for children’s classes, she thought they were only supposed share the very beginning of Anna’s presentation. So that’s what she did each time. However, at every home that she was the presenter, the families were thrilled and registered their children for classes. 8 children and junior youth signed up! This teacher said that the parents were all open and invited them to return with much warmth!

"It was so simple and we sparked their interest!" she notes. So teachers will continue to visit these homes in the near future.

In this next account, a believer overcomes their fears and takes the first step to directly share the Faith with their neighbors.

Today, I was walking in my own neighborhood and stopped to talk to the couple next door as they were both outside. I petted their dogs and ended up talking about, you guessed it, religion and spirituality. Before I knew it, I was talking about the life and suffering of Bahá’u’lláh, then about how the Word of God changes people. My neighbors mostly listened. One of them made it clear that they did not believe in ‘organized religion’. But they both listened anyway. And we all agreed that religion should not be an excuse to be unkind or go to war.

This was exhilarating to me! Not because I did a really good job. I didn’t! I was stammering a little and unsure of myself, but I opened my mouth and spoke. It felt so good, because I have spent so much of my Bahá’i life beating around the bush. Now, at least some of the time, I am doing what the Universal House of Justice recommends: direct teaching about the Eternal Covenant and the life and suffering of Bahá’u’lláh!

In this last story, the friends build connections and unity through prayer, and through a direct presentation of the Faith.

B and E noticed a man speaking with an African accent, and they were invited into his home. It turned out that the family was from the very same country where B had lived some years ago. She had an immediate connection in particular with one of the family members.

The teachers gave coloring sheets to the children who were at home and B started sharing Anna’s presentation. One of the members seemed very happy and contented with the teachings. Every time B paused to see how she felt, the woman would say, “Go on!” She seemed especially touched by the sufferings of Bahá’u’lláh. After sharing most of the presentation B asked her if she would like to join the Faith and improve the world and the woman said, “Yes!”

Edward asked if they could come back the next day and say some prayers and she agreed, saying she wanted to invite her family and friends. When they went back, the family and friends were not able to come. But the intimacy of that time allowed the new believer to share some of her own personal history and brought them closer together.

Later, E, G and I went to her home, as we had promised the preceding weekend, for prayers and study of the Word of God.

When we arrived other family members were also at home and invited us in. We introduced ourselves and told her very briefly about Bahá’i Faith. During two rounds of prayers, __ prayed in her native tongue; and her daughter prayed for the unity of mankind “because we are all children on one God.”

After prayers we began Ruhi book 1, just by reading the scriptural passages and encouraging discussion of them. This continued with enthusiastic participation through the first few sections.

Before we closed with prayer, E asked another family member if she would like to join us, as together we work toward the unity of mankind. She was quite affirmative and smilingly completed a registration card!

We have scheduled this devotional hour for every Saturday evening around 5:30 p.m., and __ is so appreciative that we come and pray with her.

P.S. A couple of things I have noticed: First, it is good to always have crayons and coloring sheets handy. Second, if we are going to talk about uniting the people of the world, I believe we need to show that diversity in our teaching and follow up teams as much as possible.

Learning by doing in Greenville-Spartanburg

Here is a report from the Greenville-Spartanburg, SC (A) cluster, which has recently launched its intensive program of growth. The friends are thrilled at seeing receptivity and enrolments that they haven’t experienced before. What is particularly interesting is how they carefully analyze their results: When were people at home? Who has been declaring? How can we be more effective next time. Also noteworthy is an important tool to assist with follow-up efforts: the “Sorry we missed you!” card to leave at homes of people who had requested to be visited but were not there when you came by.

The area teaching committee and cluster institute coordinator had a debrief last week and here are some of the insights.

We went out direct teaching in one neighborhood Saturdays and Sundays. We found more people home on Saturdays than on Sundays, and all of our 9 declarations from our direct teaching in came on Saturdays. Our 2 other declarations came from our community of interest. One at the Sunday class at the Baha'i center and one on a weekday evening while the seeker was visiting the teacher at the hospital. . . .

We are thinking for the next expansion phase to spend more time direct teaching on Saturdays and schedule follow ups on Sundays.

The "sorry we missed you" cards work! While debriefing after our teaching Sunday, my phone rang with a caller from the neighborhood we were in. We had gone by her house on a revisit and she was not home so we left the card with her son. It's nice when they call you!

As of last week 4 of the 11 new believers are in study circles. We are continuing our follow-up efforts in the neighborhood and hopefully will engage more of the new declarants. Several of the friends who were part of the original teaching team have committed to follow up with these new believers.

Many people in our cluster as well as folks from other clusters that have come to help all have shared their amazement at what has just happened. Many of the friends just cannot believe it and I'm serious I've received several more calls this week from Asheville, Charlotte and Spartanburg all sharing how "they just can't believe it".

Thank you!

J

"She already knew everything."

This is a beautiful story shared by the South Central region. It is an inspiring example of a searching soul investigating and finding answers in the Faith. One important point it highlights is that many who contact the Bahá’ís over the Web or on the toll-free phone line (1-800-22UNITE) will study the Faith on their own and decide to declare before ever meeting a Bahá’í.

You just never know when you talk with someone, what their story will be.

__ is a new believer who says that the Bahá'í Faith is 100% of what she believes—even more! For half her life she has been searching, reading, studying, attending lectures on many subjects, including world religions. She really likes to know things. Until finding the Faith, she said that she had not really connected with anything. In church, as a child, she would ask questions on her heart, and others found them difficult. The answer was usually, "Because that's just the way it is" or "That's what's in the Bible”. . . .

In the summer of 2008, she decided to join a social networking internet site. She came across the “Bahá’í” group and decided to join. A few months later she began to research the Faith on the Web. She read everything on the www.bahai.org and www.bahai.us sites. She was stunned to find that there was a religion that had everything she believed, but she had never met any Bahá'ís. She wondered, "Where have you been my whole life?" So she requested through the Web site that literature and information to be sent to her. She also checked out several books at the library and purchased others—all of this before ever meeting any Bahá’ís.

There was a new staff who recently started on at her place of work, and the two hit it off with each other right away. __ learned that this new colleague was friends with a Bahá’í. __ could not believe it. “What did you say? You know a Bahá’í?” So through her co-worker she got the number of this Bahá’í.

When __ received the materials she had requested from the Web site, she read through all of it. After that she detached the registration card, signed it, and sent it to the Office of Bahá’í Information with a lovely note: "Thank you for helping me make sense of the world. I never understood why religions didn't make sense to me. Now it has all come together. There are other people who believe as I do!” She then contacted a Bahá'í-owned business through the internet (it sells prayer beads) and talked with a Bahá'í for the first time. They had a wonderful conversation, and __ was grateful to finally speak with another believer.

Tonight she and I went through fundamental principles of the Faith using Anna's Presentation over the phone to complete the confirmation process. (I explained that this is part of the process when a person is in an isolated locality and has never met with a Bahá’í about their declaration.) She already knew everything. She also knew about Feast and the Calendar and repeating the Greatest Name. She is fasting and looking forward to Naw Rúz and asked how she could contribute to the Fund.

It was such a bounty to meet this new, deepened Bahá'í. She feels blessed, and so do I; and I believe the whole community is blessed as well.