Archive for April, 2007
Click and see our little short snippets of some of the performances during kippy’s tales.
featuring zhien and manesh on Noah’s Ark – the video.
and a group performance – the video.
Kippy’s Tales is a community service project initiated by the Baha’i Unity School. It aims to promote the educational of moral values and virtues in young children to reveal the “gems of inestimable value” latent in them. It is sourced in the virtues which are the common elements of spirituality found in all sacred traditions. Some of these virtues include love, trust, kindness, helpfulness, justice, discipline, and respect.
WEDNESDAY, 18th APRIL
Sonia:
Amy, Navin, Shern, Pravin & I decided to hold a pre-Ridvan dinner party for a couple of our friends. The aim was to introduce them to other Baha’is. We chose to make it a Mexican Fiesta complete with Mocktail Margaritas, Salsa & Chips, Chicken Fajitas and Creme Caramel.
In the midst of dinner, we announced that this dinner was to celebrate Ridvan, the King of Festivals. They asked what the festival was for and we said it was when Baha’u'llah declared that he was the Manifestation for this Age. Although our friends did not ask much questions afterwards, it was still a success as we got to know them better. We hope to invite them to our young-adult dialogues on social issues soon.
WEDNESDAY, 18th APRIL
Shashi:
It was such a vibrant atmosphere at the ladies coffee morning at the Ongs’ this morning. Our main guest, Maria Chin Abdullah, initiated the discussion. We talked about many things – from the Malaysian education system vs international school systems, the rights of women, how women educate their sons/daughters, politicians, how women’s roles have changed/advanced etc. Of utmost importance was how we all saw and realized the need for virtues/character building lessons in children, which Unity School is already running.
It was all very interesting, but for me the most important moment was to see how my friend took a great interest in the discussion. In fact, at one point she turned to me and said “Hey, thanks for inviting me. How come you never told me that you do this virtues session at your place?” I didn’t have an answer. “I taught I had…” was all I could manage.
The true fact is that my friend and I share many things about educating our boys who are one month apart. We belong to a group of mothers who attended a playgroup at the Playcentre library. I thought I made it known to her that I was Baha’i and the types of activities I am involved in. But now, she is interested and I am so happy that I took the trouble to invite her to this morning’s coffee session. She is now keen to have us show her how we do our virtues training and perhaps to start something at her condo in Kelana Jaya.
It’s never too late for a drink…
TUESDAY, 17th APRIL
From a Baha’i young adult:
Our yum-cha was scheduled really late at night. After a tiring and stressful day at work, I was hardly in the right mindset to be social and was most reluctant to go out. On top of that, I hardly knew this young man and was concerned that we may run out of things to say to each other. Anyhow, I said a short prayer, and I left my home.
My friend was far more enthusiastic and alive than I. But after 5 minutes, the conversation suddenly turned towards religious matters. Soon we were talking about Baha’u'llah as the return of Christ, the history of some religions, independent investigation of truth and progressive revelation! It was a beautiful communion of hearts and we were both fired up by this two-way, frank but respectful conversation.
It ended with him being open to the possibility about investigating the Faith further. I told him I would lend him a book. It was all because of Baha’u'llah’s bountiful confirmations and the fervent prayers of the friends.
All you need to do is share what you believe…
TUESDAY, 17th APRIL
Wei-Zhien:
As some of you would know, my play revolves around the events that happened in 1969, during the racial riots. Today, my director sat us all down and we discussed about the new text that was added in and how we felt about the play as a whole. While some of my co-actors had expressed personal apprehension about the potential repercussions, I shared with them my own feelings and apprehension about how it would affect society as a whole, down to the individual. I began to talk about the principles of the Baha’i Faith, about how we should eliminate the prejudices that exist in our society, about the injustice and corruption that has taken over people. And even though I did not mention Baha’u'llah or the Baha’i Faith, I really felt overjoyed that I had shared the very teachings I grew up with. It is a big step for me as there was never an opportunity for me to teach my co-actors since January. Finally, there is an opening…so I am really really happy!
The Kitchen Team knows what to show-off…
TUESDAY, 17th APRIL
Zohrab & Mei Hua:
As part of the plans, we had intended to invite a couple we have known for awhile for dinner after being hinted by the wife that she would love to visit after the kitchen renovation. Hence, we took the opportunity to invite them and the Thanabalans – to catch up and share Baha’i beliefs with them. Where opportunities arose, principles of the Faith were shared. The couple was at ease and did ask numerous questions on the Faith, especially on the afterlife. Explanations were provided and we ended with a devotional for the departed, the sick and unity. Little Sandra’s reciting of “O God, guide me..” caught the wife’s attention and she was amazed! Balan also managed to explain the Departed Prayer before we began. A truly aided and inspiring night…
An email teaching moment…
Crawford shared with his colleague in America regarding the treatment of Baha’i school children in Iran and subsequently the Baha’i election process, which seems to have struck a chord with this guy. He is obviously thinking about these “positive” messages/solutions coming from the Faith towards very negative situations.
SUNDAY, APRIL 15th
friends in PJ C:
Our fireside was on the ‘Purpose of Life’. Aravindh’s colleagues came by the doorstep and Prassena got to persuade her neighbours to attend the fireside. With a total of four friends the powerpoint presentation fireside was going on well when…BOOM! – the lights went out! But that did not stop us. Aravindh continued to give his presentation till the end with candles and torchlights illuminating us!
MONDAY, APRIL 16th
3 families met up and prayed together. We decided to split into two groups. One group would go to public places such as restaurants or shops to distribute flyers for our upcoming firesides and the other group went on to visit a contact in their new home. The first group went on finishing all the flyers they had to distribute. The second group however, could only visit the friend at 9.30 which was a good thing because we haven’t bought a house warming gift yet! So 2 young ladies went out to buy the gift and an uncle and a young man went around the neighbourhood to distribute flyers. 9.30 came and the second group was off for the visit. It was a very nice heart warming visit and prayers were said though we did not manage to share the Faith directly because none of us spoke fluent chinese but the son of the aunty there was all okay for ’studying spiritual stuff’ when he was asked. We are to visit next time with hopes of direct teaching them. =)
TUESDAY, APRIL 17th
Again we met up for prayers but this time around we had no plan planned. But as the old saying goes, if we pray only, nothing will happen, we need to move and that is when the Concourse on High will help us. So moved we did. We went off to a park but sadly no soul was there…BUT we did not give up yet, we then went into the car and wanted to head off somewhere else when we saw an old Baha’i uncle sitting by the roadside with the elderly night patrol. We then got down from the car and started making contacts! They were all elderly men and in their midst was a young Bangladeshi youth and was very pleased to find other young Malaysians being friendly. Words were spoken and numbers were exchanged. As for the elderly uncles, we now had other people to contact when we are in the area =)…An eventful night indeed.
Our Seri-Setia-Seniors are off to a great start!
FRIDAY, 13th April
The team starting teaching with dinner/fireside. We invited 3 of our friends. Maureen, Molly & Mimi prepared dinner; Balan prepared devotional & Ai Kiam went to pick up our guests. After dinner, our friends joined us in saying prayers for parents, children & mankind. Theme was ‘All Souls Day”. Then we had a deepening on the prayer for parents, followed by sharing on the teaching of children & the Soul. Invitation to Ruhi 1 was extended. To follow up with preview at next meeting.
SUNDAY, 15th April
Dr Sreeni & Molly hosted a wonderful fireside for Dr’s new friends. The 7 guests asked many meaningful questions after Dr Sreeni’s ‘powerful’ powerpoint presentation on Spiritual Reality. Two of our guests accepted our invitation to Ruhi 1!!
And it’s only DAY 3 of the teaching campaign!
On the other hand, in BSD…
THURSDAY, 12th APRIL
Zohrab and Mei Hua:
My family had a devotional gathering in our place this evening with my aunts and uncle after having dinner together. We took the opportunity whilst hosting a dinner for one of my aunt from London and invited the other aunts and uncles along. In total, there were 7 of them including a cousin. Since it was almost a year from my grandmother’s passing, we seized the opportunity to offer some prayers before they leave, and one of my aunt also read a prayer.
It sure was a new learning experience for us for somehow, it was not that difficult to inform and invite relatives to observe prayers during a family gathering.
Keep the stories comin’ people and share your best recipe for teaching today!
