Photo and Text from the Bahá’í World News Service  http://news.bahai.org/community-news/regional-conferences/lusaka.html

The Bahá’ís of Zambia learned in mid-October that they were to host a regional conference that would draw together believers from across the country with those from Zimbabwe and Malawi.  Just three weeks later, 750 Bahá’ís gathered at the Banani School in Lusaka for two days of celebration and serious consultation on the goals set for the Five Year Plan, including the launch of 13 intensive programs of growth by Ridván 2009.  The conference was the first in the series of 41 conferences called for by the Universal House of Justice in its message of 20 October 2008 to the Bahá’ís of the world.

Echoing the sentiments of many of the participants, Mr. Adam Mwandira from the Central Province of Zambia, said at the conclusion of the conference, “It was such an amazing experience to see [hundreds of] Baha’is joyfully gathering together. How I wish that could be how cluster meetings should be. I am very tired, but very happy.”

“I feel that the Conference was exactly what we needed to inspire, encourage and boost our spirit in the Five Year Plan. Having studied the message from the House of Justice, I have no doubt that we will all arise and contribute towards the launch of the Intensive Programmes of Growth in the next six months. I am very excited.”

Ms.Musonda Kapusa – Lusaka

Among the 750 participants, 550 were from Zambia, 80 from Zimbabwe and 120 from Malawi. Five of the participants were traditional rulers, all Baha’is actively supporting the endeavors of the Faith in their areas. Participants came from all 46 of the priority clusters of the three countries.  Held outdoors under a large tent at the Banani School, the conference was characterized by a spirit of joy and movement, giving rise to spontaneous outbursts of song and energizing the friends in their deliberations and reflection on the work of the Plan.

The chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Zambia opened the meeting with the reading of a message of greetings from the Universal House of Justice in English and a number of local languages.  Two members of the International Teaching Center, representing the Universal House of Justice, Mr. Stephen Birkland and Ms. Uransaikhan Baatar, were on hand, as were two Continental Counselors, Mr. Garth Pollock and Mrs. Maina Mkandawire.  In the keynote address, Mr. Birkland reviewed the progress that has so far been attained in the region and encouraged the friends to focus their sights on the aim of the Five Year Plan and to work with concentration, drive, and energy.

“I feel that the conference was exactly what we needed to inspire, encourage and boost our spirit in the Five Year Plan,” said Ms. Musonda Kapusa of Lusaka.  “Having studied the message from the House of Justice, I have no doubt that we will all arise and contribute towards the launch of the intensive programs of growth in the next six months.”

Through presentations by secretaries of the three National Spiritual Assemblies, the participants reflected on the progress thus far achieved in the most advanced clusters of the three countries.  A study of the 20 October message of the Universal House of Justice, which had been translated into Tonga, Lunda, Bemba, Chewa and Shona, focused on the urgent need to arise and serve the Plan in the context of the current framework of action.  As part of Ms. Baatar’s presentation on key concepts of the Five Year Plan, friends from Malawi and Zambia shared inspiring stories of the lessons they have learned through their efforts to teach children, sustain direct teaching activities, support junior youth groups, and participate in an intensive program of growth.

“It was such an amazing experience to see about 900 Baha’is joyfully gathering together. How I wish that could be how cluster meeting should be. I am very tired, but very happy.”

Mr. Adam Mwandira – Central Province of Zambia

Mr. Kawawa Chitiya, a youth from Zambia, reflected on how the conference opened up possibilities for positive change, against the backdrop of growing distress in the world.  “Yes, we have financial crises, yes our societies are morally degrading by the day, and yes, we are constantly in search of answers to so many questions,” he said.  “Yet, by being a part of this event, I realized that, all the planning we ever do, for children’s classes, for teaching campaigns, and for any other Bahá’í activities, is merely a guide to the real thing—the action.  And even when our communities here in Zambia are witnessing constant growth, it has become evident that there still is a lot more we can do.”

On the second day, the participants broke up into groups to elaborate action plans for launching intensive programs of growth in 13 clusters—five in Malawi, six in Zambia and two in Zimbabwe—by Ridván 2009.  The friends looked at how they can make the most effective use of their time to support the goals by contributing to the strengthening of the training institute, multiplication of core activities, intensification of teaching, and serving as home front pioneers in the 13 target clusters. All of the friends at the conference pledged to intensify their efforts to increase the level of activity and to ensure that a wave of intensive programs of growth characterizes the period between now and Ridván 2009. Almost every month, starting December 2008 until April 2009, will witness the launching of an intensive program of growth in the three countries.

The gathering provided an opportunity for celebrating current achievements and planning the attainment of goals.  The happiness and dedication of the friends were manifest in the heartwarming songs and dance that were a feature of the conference; over 10 choirs from Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe were present at the conference and contributed to heightening the spirit of oneness and strengthening a sense of mission.

“Reflecting on the speeches given and stories told by our Malawian and Zimbabwean friends, and especially those from Zimbabwe,” explained Mr. Chitiya, “it is inspiring to know that there are friends out there, who, irrespective of conditions are willing to sacrifice in order to advance the Faith.  And I truly agree that genuine and lasting comfort and joy are latent within us, and if arising to serve is the one act that achieves that, I, like the hundreds of other friends,  am willing to reach out and share the life-changing message of Bahá’u’lláh.”

Photo and text from Bahá’í World News Service http://news.bahai.org/community-news/regional-conferences/nakuru.html

 

More than 1,000 Bahá’ís from six countries gathered for the Regional Conference in Nakuru, Kenya, 8-9 November, to consult on the goal of launching intensive programs of growth (IPGs) in 38 clusters, 23 of them in Kenya. Joining the 700 Kenyans were 200 Bahá’ís from Uganda, 100 from Tanzania, and 42 from Ethiopia. Four friends came from Mozambique and three from Southern Sudan. Unfortunately, circumstances did not allow the Eritrean friends to attend.

Frequent rain showers did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants, nor did the noise of the rain on the auditorium’s rooftop distract them from their purpose. Songs of rejoicing often filled the auditorium when the participants were not engaged in sharply focused deliberations.

Already, there are 33 IPGs under way in the region—including in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. With so many new IPGs to launch, the conference provided a unique opportunity to explore how recent successes could be replicated on a large scale.

“No more time for side shows! We know exactly what to do, we have to help the surrounding clusters achieve their aims.”

Lucy Imison, Kenya

Members from the International Teaching Centre, Ms. Uransaikhan Baatar and Mrs. Rachel Ndegwa, representing the Universal House of Justice, outlined a vision of the historical and the spiritual significance of the present day and humanity’s mounting receptivity to the message of the Faith. They drew the friends’ attention to the urgent need to accelerate the capacity-building process, the role of the individual in the Five Year Plan, and the necessity to act swiftly and sacrificially.

On the first day, the rich experience of the region was evident in the presentations made by the National Spiritual Assemblies and several friends on the central elements of the Plan. They noted that many of the achievements, particularly the enhanced capacity in the region, had resulted from the use of Tiriki West and Matunda Soy clusters as sites for the propagation and dissemination of learning. The strategic deployment of individuals, who could share the experience of these clusters with others and instill confidence, also contributed greatly to the progress made.

A cultural evening brought together inspired and energetic presentations from Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia that were especially well received. These presentations drew on the writings of the Faith and highlighted learning acquired by local Bahá’í communities during the Plan. The Maasai dance group from Arusha cluster in Tanzania was also well received.

“Magnetic and electrifying event. There is an urgency for us to arise as reflected in the message of the House of Justice. It is evident that the old world order is falling apart and we must be ready.”

Margaret Ogembo, Kenya

On the morning of the second day, Continental Counsellor Selam Ahderom emphasized that each one of us should reassess and realign our lives so as to be able to arise to play our part. The planning session that followed was characterized by determination and focus. The friends discussed the current capacity and needs of the 38 targeted clusters and came up with concrete goals, plans and timing for launching intensive programs of growth. Vital support was pledged by friends in neighboring clusters, who offered to serve as home-front pioneers and tutors.

Each country then presented the outcomes of the workshops in a plenary session, demonstrating the zeal and commitment to action that had been gained. In all the presentations, words such as these could be heard:  “We will do this immediately after the conference”; “Mr. … will travel right after the conference”; “We will visit the cluster next week and have a reflection meeting with the friends there to consult with them.”

National and regional institutions expressed their readiness to follow up on plans formulated in the conference and to assist the friends in the commitments they made. The final talk, given by Mrs. Ndegwa, was filled with emotion and love, infusing the crowd with a spirit of faith and sacrifice.

(Based on reports of Counsellors and others present in Nakuru)

 

 

 

 

“The first and foremost duty prescribed unto men, next to the recognition of Him Who is the Eternal Truth, is the duty of steadfastness in His Cause. Cleave thou unto it, and be of them whose minds are firmly fixed and grounded in God. No act, however meritorious, did or can ever compare unto it. It is the king of all acts, and to this thy Lord, the All-Highest, the Most Powerful, will testify….”

 

“The virtues and attributes pertaining unto God are all evident and manifest, and have been mentioned and described in all the heavenly Books. Among them are trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity of heart while communing with God, forbearance, resignation to whatever the Almighty hath decreed, contentment with the things His Will hath provided, patience, nay, thankfulness in the midst of tribulation, and complete reliance, in all circumstances, upon Him. These rank, according to the estimate of God, among the highest and most laudable of all acts. All other acts are, and will ever remain, secondary and subordinate unto them….”  

 

“The spirit that animateth the human heart is the knowledge of God, and its truest adorning is the recognition of the truth that “He doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth that which He pleaseth.” Its raiment is the fear of God, and its perfection steadfastness in His Faith. Thus God instructeth whosoever seeketh Him. He, verily, loveth the one that turneth towards Him. There is none other God but Him, the Forgiving, the Most Bountiful. All praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds.”

Bahá’u’lláh

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

 

Isn’t this the most adorable baby that you have ever seen? If you have an idea as to just what in the world this little guy may be thinking, post a comment to share – but be nice! – there are sensitive people out there.

 

Now, if you were the Mother or Father of this beautiful baby, naturally you would devote yourself to doing everything that you could to love and nurture him. Isn’t this degree of devotion also true with regard to our service to God and our Faith?  Bahá’ís ought to commit themselves with selfless love to the service of Bahá’u’lláh to the degree that they are able. Our service should be comparable to our ability to serve.

 

 

Jesus:

 

“That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Luke 12:47-48

 

 

‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

 

The good deeds of the righteous are the sins of the Near Ones.

Some Answered Questions, p. 125

 

 

Bahá’u’lláh  encourages us to arise and serve:

 

“Make thou every effort to render service unto God, that from thee may appear that which will immortalize thy memory in His glorious and exalted heaven.”

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh , p. 234

 

 

Service to God is the greatest thing that we can do:

 

“Our highest aspiration must be this: that we may become confirmed to render some slight service in the Path of God. There is no greater station than this.”

Bahá’í Scriptures, p. 285

 

 

We are assured of Divine assistance:

 

“Arise ye, under all conditions, to render service to the Cause, for God will assuredly assist you through the power of His sovereignty which overshadoweth the worlds.”

Bahá’u’lláh, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 46

 

 

Pray for that assistance:

 

“I implore Thee by the glory of Thy Manifestation and by the power of Thy might, Thy sovereignty and Thine exaltation to render victorious those who have arisen to serve Thee, who have aided Thy Cause and humbled themselves before the splendour of the light of Thy face. Make them then, O my God, triumphant over Thine enemies and cause them to be steadfast in Thy service, that through them the evidences of Thy dominion may be established throughout Thy realms and the tokens of Thine indomitable power be manifested in Thy lands. Verily Thou art potent to do what Thou willest; no God is there but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.”

Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 233

 

 

Another prayer for God’s help:

 

“Immerse me, O my God, in this most bounteous, rolling Ocean; give me to drink of this sweet, abundant Water; cause me to enter this Gateway of Righteousness; ordain me for this praiseworthy Station; cause me to obtain this Cup which is overflowing with the living water; light in the crystal of my heart this Lamp which is giving forth its illuminating, brilliant radiance; and strengthen me for the service of Thy Cause, O my Lord, the Forgiver!”

Bahá’í Scriptures, p. 265

 

 

And another:

 

“At this time, I beg Thee, oh My God, by the Light of Thine Eternity, whereby the heavens and earth are illumined, to make My Feet of iron by which I may stand in His service, and the service of whosoever loveth Thee, that I may become a helper of Thy Religion, and a guardian of Thine Orders, until I suffer martyrdom in His Path in Thy Presence, Oh Thou in whose Hand is the Kingdom of all things. And verily Thou art the Almighty!”

Bahá’í Prayers 9, p. 19

 

 

We are encouraged to pursue a moderate and wise course. But to commit oneself to arise to great heights of service is most admirable:

 

“There is a great mystery involving the levels of service. Shoghi Effendi always advised the friends to pursue a moderate and wise course, but if they did not, and chose to rise to heights of heroism and self-sacrifice, he was immensely proud of them. After all, there is nothing either wise or moderate in being martyred — yet our crowning glory as a religion is that our first Prophet was martyred and twenty thousand people followed in His footsteps. I have tried to understand this mystery, moderation on one side and Bahá’u’lláh’s words on the other: ‘… then write with that crimson ink that hath been shed in My path. Sweeter indeed is this than all else…’ and it seems to me that the best example is an aeroplane: when it trundles along on the ground on its wheels it is in the dimension of the ground, going along steadily on an earthly plane, but when it soars in the air and folds its wheels away and leaps forward at dazzling speeds, it is in a celestial realm and the values are different. When we are on the ground we get good sound earthly advice, but if we choose to spurn the soil and leap into the realms of higher serv1ce and sacrifice we do not get that kind of advice any more, we win immortal fame and become heroes and heroines of God’s Cause.        

Ruhiyyih Khanum, The Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, p. 54

 

 

Each of us has the potential to be a spiritual warrior for Bahá’u’lláh. And, we know that those people are out there:

 

“There lay concealed within the Holy Veil, and prepared for the service of God, a company of His chosen ones who shall be manifested unto men, who shall aid His Cause, who shall be afraid of no one, though the entire human race rise up and war against them.”

Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 280

 

May it be that you will arise to offer this great service?

By the righteousness of God! Whoso openeth his lips in this Day and maketh mention of the name of his Lord, the hosts of Divine inspiration shall descend upon him from the heaven of My name, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. On him shall also descend the Concourse on high, each bearing aloft a chalice of pure light. Thus hath it been foreordained in the realm of God’s Revelation, by the behest of Him Who is the All-Glorious, the Most Powerful.

There lay concealed within the Holy Veil, and prepared for the service of God, a company of His chosen ones who shall be manifested unto men, who shall aid His Cause, who shall be afraid of no one, though the entire human race rise up and war against them. These are the ones who, before the gaze of the dwellers on earth and the denizens of heaven, shall arise and, shouting aloud, acclaim the name of the Almighty, and summon the children of men to the path of God, the All-Glorious, the All-Praised. Walk thou in their way, and let no one dismay thee. Be of them whom the tumult of the world, however much it may agitate them in the path of their Creator, can never sadden, whose purpose the blame of the blamer will never defeat.

Go forth with the Tablet of God and His signs, and rejoin them that have believed in Me, and announce unto them tidings of Our most holy Paradise. Warn, then, those that have joined partners with Him. Say: I am come to you, O people, from the Throne of glory, and bear you an announcement from God, the Most Powerful, the Most Exalted, the Most Great. In mine hand I carry the testimony of God, your Lord and the Lord of your sires of old. Weigh it with the just Balance that ye possess, the Balance of the testimony of the Prophets and Messengers of God. If ye find it to be established in truth, if ye believe it to be of God, beware, then, lest ye cavil at it, and render your works vain, and be numbered with the infidels. It is indeed the sign of God that hath been sent down through the power of truth, through which the validity of His Cause hath been demonstrated unto His creatures, and the ensigns of purity lifted up betwixt earth and heaven.

Say: This is the sealed and mystic Scroll, the repository of God’s irrevocable Decree, bearing the words which the Finger of Holiness hath traced, that lay wrapt within the veil of impenetrable mystery, and hath now been sent down as a token of the grace of Him Who is the Almighty, the Ancient of Days. In it have We decreed the destinies of all the dwellers of the earth and the denizens of heaven, and written down the knowledge of all things from first to last. Nothing whatsoever can escape or frustrate Him, whether created in the past or to be created in the future, could ye but perceive it.

Bahá’u’lláh

 

There is a connection between the spiritual and the physical, a connection of similar and parallel laws that guide us as we progress toward our goals. One of these concerns the need for effort in order to succeed. In the physical world, for example, will, sincerity, time, effort, diligence, focus, habit, persistence and passion are required in order to possess a skill, such as how to play a musical instrument, attain athletic prowess, or learn medicine, engineering, or law. The same is true in the attainment of spiritual qualities. They don’t just happen. They, too, are achieved in the same way.

 

Bahá’u’lláh, referring to the Qur’an, assures us that effort results in guidance along the right path:

 

“Whensoever he hath fulfilled the conditions implied in the verse: ‘Whoso maketh efforts for Us,’ he shall enjoy the blessings conferred by the words: “In Our Ways shall We assuredly guide him.’ ”

 

And again He says to us:

 

“There can be no doubt whatever that, in consequence of the efforts which every man may consciously exert and as a result of the exertion of his own spiritual faculties, this mirror [the mirror in our soul that reflects God’s beauty] can be so cleansed from the dross of earthly defilements and purged from satanic fancies as to be able to draw nigh unto the meads of eternal holiness and attain the courts of everlasting fellowship.”

 

There is, however, a condition which each of us must first meet before we begin this spiritual effort, in order to obtain this success:

 

“When a true seeker determineth to take the step of search in the path leading unto the knowledge of the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else, cleanse his heart, which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries of God, from the obscuring dust of all acquired knowledge, and the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy.”

 

The means, among other things, that one must put aside the obstacles of preconceived notions and a preference for material pursuits. If we are going to search, then let’s search without letting other things get in our way. In particular, Bahá’u’lláh tells us that:

 

The seeker must purge his breast of every defilement and sanctify his soul “from all that pertaineth to water and clay, from all shadowy and ephemeral attachments.”

 

He must so cleanse his heart that “no remnant of either love or hate may linger therein, lest that love blindly incline him to error, or that hate repel him away from the truth.”

 

And also (don’t panic and continue breathing normally):

 

He must, at all times, put his trust in God

Never exalt himself above anyone

Wash away every trace of pride and vain-glory

Cling unto patience and resignation

Observe silence and refrain from idle talk

Avoid backbiting

Be content with little and freed from all inordinate desire

Treasure the companionship of them that have renounced the world

Avoid boastful and worldly people

Commune with God at the dawn of every day

Persevere in the quest of his Beloved

Consume every wayward thought with the flame of His loving mention

Pass by all else save Him

Succor the dispossessed

Show kindness to animals

Not hesitate to offer up his life for His beloved

Not allow the censure of the people to turn him away from the truth

Not wish for others that which he does not wish for himself

Do not promise that which he cannot fulfill

Avoid fellowship with evil-doers with all his heart

Forgive the sinful and never despise their low estate.

 

Whew! Hey!! No, wait! Don’t turn and run, now! This is too important. I know, I know. Makes you want to return to that comfortable embrace of women and booze, doesn’t it? One thing is for sure, becoming a spiritual person is no task for wimps. What a reminder of how imperfect we are!  Do you think you can do it? Yes, you can! You’ve got the Right Stuff. You can do it. Bahá’u’lláh tells us so:

 

“He will never deal unjustly with any one, neither will He task a soul beyond its power. He, verily, is the Compassionate, the All-Merciful.”

 

This is something that all of us are asked to do. And why is this important?

 

“Our purpose in revealing these convincing and weighty utterances is to impress upon the seeker that he should regard all else beside God as transient, and count all things save Him, Who is the Object of all adoration, as utter nothingness.”

 

And also:

“These are among the attributes of the exalted, and constitute the hall-mark of the spiritually-minded. They have already been mentioned in connection with the requirements of the wayfarers that tread the path of Positive Knowledge. When the detached wayfarer and sincere seeker hath fulfilled these essential conditions, then and only then can he be called a true seeker.”

 

And finally, Bahá’u’lláh tells us this about that with these wondrous Words:

 

“Only when the lamp of search, of earnest striving, of longing desire, of passionate devotion, of fervid love, of rapture, and ecstasy, is kindled within the seeker’s heart, and the breeze of His loving-kindness is wafted upon his soul, will the darkness of error be dispelled, the mists of doubts and misgivings be dissipated, and the lights of knowledge and certitude envelop his being. At that hour will the Mystic Herald, bearing the joyful tidings of the Spirit, shine forth from the City of God resplendent as the morn, and, through the trumpet-blast of knowledge, will awaken the heart, the soul, and the spirit from the slumber of heedlessness. Then will the manifold favors and outpouring grace of the holy and everlasting Spirit confer such new life upon the seeker that he will find himself endowed with a new eye, a new ear, a new heart, and a new mind. He will contemplate the manifest signs of the universe, and will penetrate the hidden mysteries of the soul. Gazing with the eye of God, he will perceive within every atom a door that leadeth him to the stations of absolute certitude. He will discover in all things the mysteries of Divine Revelation, and the evidences of an everlasting Manifestation.”

 

How long do we have to do this and when should we begin? Again, there is a parallel between the physical world and the spiritual one, as this story shows:

 

An Army paratrooper in training was about to bail out of the airplane for his first jump, and he was nervous.  He asked his sergeant, “When should I pull the ripcord?”

 

The sergeant answered, “Son, you have the rest of your life.”

 

 

The quotations from the Bahá’í Writings and related information are from Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, page 106 and pages 262 – 267.