Children Lessons, Study Circles, My Home Project, Women Seminars, Mother of Three Children ...

SHE NEVER STOPS!!!

Dear EBWN,

Thank you very much for remembering me and praying for me. I appreciate it very much and that gives me much energy.

After the refreshing breath of encouragement I received from the Vision Seminar, I made a major effort to begin once again visiting so many gypsy friends who have only me to visit them. Allow me to explain. I live in Badajoz, a city on the border to Portugal. I am the only active Bahá'í in the very extensive area with no Local Spiritual Assembly: all Estremadura (200 km large/300 km long).

The surrounding areas have very few Bahá'ís. Just 15 km from Badajoz, Elvas at one time had suddenly more than 50 new Bahá'ís but who had become inactive when I began visiting them in 1990. On an old list I discovered gypsy names and begun to visit them also. During these visits, sometimes with other friends from other cities, people declared their faith easily when you taught them.

Many families opened their doors and I would study Ruhi Book #1 with a family; that would be easy. However, what I intended was to have "participants", meaning that people go by themselves to a meeting place. That was what was more difficult. The people were very hesitant to go outside of their homes. So now I have decided to continue with visits and with the deepening lessons of Ruhi Book #2 and memorize prayers with the friends.

Recently we had a declaration in Badajoz. How?: Thanks to our family Devotional Meeting in our home. We pray and read every day in the morning before school and in the evening about 20.30 or 21.00 before dinner. The contact was a seeker, an Adventist, and during his second or third visit we explained that it was our praying time. He enjoyed it so much that he came especially at that time almost every day. And Monday he came and read a poem to me, a poem he wrote that was clearly a declaration. So moving! He also created music for the poem.

The following are some of the other activities which we are involved in here:

  - Children lessons in Monforte (60 km to Badajoz)

  - Assistant for children in Monforte and for Elvas

  - Began again a Study Circle in Elvas, or Campo Maior and in Badajoz

  - Continue with the My Home Project

  - Preparing some women seminars (Our Vision)

  - Mother of a teenager of 17 (Nuria) and two children of 12 and 7

  - 6 months ago I began to do my little books as a work and as a teaching instrument in Badajoz. (these little books are truly 'jewels, made by hand and filled with the Holy Scriptures, EBWN).

Two years ago I asked the National Assembly of Portugal not to be a member of a regional teaching committee in order to better attend my family and the teaching in my own city.

This month I offered to be the new administrator of my apartment building community, in order to have more relationship with my neighbors. I live in a flat with 32 doors.

Here are the few picture I can send you this moment of my family. My husband Juan is a painter and has digital creations. I send you some of his paintings (mostly with aquarel). At home you can't find a square meter in white. He is also serving as a member of the Spanish Institute Board. 

Loving greetings, you are all the time in my thoughts,

María