The start of a pioneering journey
A commitment to contributing to one of New Zealand’s international pioneering goals saw Ella and Danasha Taufalele embark on a journey with the love and support of the New Zealand pioneering task force. They share a brief account of their first three weeks in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
The goal for Rarotonga is to have reached the third milestone by the end of the Nine Year Plan (30 more cycles!). The Cook Islands do not currently have a National Spiritual Assembly, so New Zealand is a main supporter. Rarotonga is being accompanied by its sister neighbourhood, Manurewa, from across the ocean.
Dan and l are currently staying with the Carr family in Arorangi village (a 5 minute drive from Nikao, the village where efforts are being focused). Phil and Felicity Carr moved from New Zealand just over a year ago with their lovely two year old, Oliver. They have made us feel so welcome and have helped us be part of the rhythm of community life. Dan and I are here on visitor visas, which means we can stay for three months but must return to New Zealand by December. In these three months we aim to find accommodation and, more importantly, find work so we can apply for work visas which will allow us to stay here long-term.
Efforts towards work visas and accommodation:
Prior to arriving in Rarotonga, I sent in my application for a job at Nikao school to the Ministry of Education (as the Ministry deals with employment for all government schools). It was not accepted, as they are looking for teachers with 5 years’ experience or more, and I only have 2 years of experience. I have begun enquiries to a private school and hope to hear from them soon.
On our first week here, we met a local family through the Bahá’í friends who were looking for workers on their plantation and Dan will be applying for a work visa shortly. Accommodation is proving difficult to secure. There are some options, but they are not in Nikao. The best approach seems to be to walk around Nikao and enquire about empty properties and ask friends of friends. We also need to acquire a mode of transport. A scooter seems the best option for now, so the next step is to get a scooter licence, then possibly purchase a scooter.
Expansion and consolidation efforts
Through consultation with Auxiliary Board member for Propagation, Fia Sakopo, who is supporting the efforts in Rarotonga and the team of assistants, the next steps have been identified. The current activities in Rarotonga are a Ruhi Book 2 study circle, a neighbourhood children's class in Nikao and a weekly community devotional meeting at the Bahá’í Centre. In these past few weeks, we have had the reflection meeting, and the expansion phase in which there were home visits and a family day to strengthen involvement in the core activities, particularly the children's programme. Through the combined efforts of the community the family day in Nikao hosted 33 people (17 adults, 5 youth, 6 children and 5 babies). From connections with new friends made during this expansion period, there will be a Ruhi Book 1 study circle starting with 4 participants (3 adults, 1 youth). Dan and I will be running this study circle alongside one of the local Bahá’í friends.
The Bahá’í community in Rarotonga has embraced the work of the Nine Year Plan with enthusiasm, courage and with a deep love for Bahá’u’lláh in their hearts. Confirmation flows in abundance, and the smallest of efforts are followed by astounding outcomes. What else would we expect when Bahá’u’lláh Himself beckons us to hasten to Him? Humanity cannot resist His call.
“Looking ahead on this path, might we not perceive Bahá’u’lláh Himself, the reins of humanity’s affairs in one hand, His other beckoning all to hasten, hasten?” -30 December 2021 Message of the Universal House of Justice to the Conference of the Counsellors
Bahá’í community in Rarotonga
Pioneering in the Nine Year Plan
An excerpt of a letter from the Universal House of Justice to selected National Spiritual Assemblies, including the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand dated 24th May 2022 is shared below.
“Rest assured of the prayers of the House of Justice in the Holy Shrines that the wondrous favours and boundless grace of the Almighty may reinforce your devoted efforts to raise up and support all those who, both at home and in foreign fields, “with hearts afire with the love of God, forsake their all for the sake of spreading and establishing His Faith.”
A pdf of the full letter can be downloaded using the button below.
