Community life
A couple of days after starting my service in the Holy Land, I received an email inviting people over for a devotional meeting that is held regularly every 19 days. I have always been meaning to attend but life always seem to get in the way (or rather….). But last night, 8 months after receiving that invitation and 4 months before leaving this place, I finally made it!
I’m really glad I went, the atmosphere was convivial and welcoming and we had readings and prayers alternated with a few songs. I suddenly felt as if I was part of a small Baha’i community again. Afterwards some of us shared news of our respective communities, or of the ones we had recently visited. We heard of the success of IPGs and of the very warm community in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, of the exciting new developments in a town not far from Rio, Brazil and of the teaching efforts of the friends in Huntsville Alabama, USA.
Then I suddenly felt sad. I was talking to a friend of mine earlier this week and his community had recently been faced with a crisis. Children classes and juniour youth empowerment programs had stopped since then. It was then very clear to me that the concept of crisis and victory is constantly in operation. Last week was rich in event for the Baha’i community with the news from Egypt and Iran. Although in some parts of the world things seems to be difficult and without hope, in other parts victories are being registered everyday.
