China calling...
Priscilla’s journey
Priscilla Tarrant with a local and a donkey - 1993, Gansu Province, China
More than thirty years after first travelling to mainland China as a young teacher, Priscilla Tarrant, currently a member of the Matatmata-Piako District community recently returned to reconnect with old friends and revisit the region where she once pioneered.
Priscilla on her return from China in 1994
Priscilla first travelled to China in 1993 to teach at the original Shandan Bailie School in Gansu Province, a school founded through the efforts of New Zealander Rewi Alley. What began as a spirit of curiosity gradually became a lifelong connection with the Chinese people and a deep appreciation for the country’s immense potential and gentle receptivity.
Reflecting on her earliest experiences in the rural north-western regions of China, Priscilla describes the people she encountered as resilient, hardworking, kind-hearted, and deeply community minded. She recalls meaningful opportunities to build friendships and share conversations about themes such as peace, unity, and the equality of women and men. Over time, several friends embraced the Bahá’í Faith, friendships that, despite the passing decades, have continued in various ways through letters, calls, and her recent visit.
In 2025, Priscilla visits China again, reconnecting with friends and witnessing remarkable transformations and technological advances.
Returning to Shandan in 2025, Priscilla witnessed the remarkable transformation of the region. What was once a dusty rural town had become a modern and rapidly developing city, shaped by new infrastructure, technology, educational facilities, and environmental initiatives, including extensive solar developments and large-scale greening efforts. Yet amid these changes, she found the warmth, hospitality, and sincerity of the people remained deeply familiar.
One of the most moving aspects of the journey was reconnecting with friends she had known three decades earlier, some now grandparents themselves, and seeing how bonds of friendship had endured across time, distance, and changing circumstances. Through simple gestures, shared meals, music, gifts, and conversations, opportunities again emerged to share the spirit and teachings of the Faith in a natural and thoughtful way during this second visit.
Priscilla speaks with great affection for the Chinese people, describing their kindness, resilience, creativity, love of community, and appreciation for music, arts, craftsmanship, and hospitality. She encourages anyone considering travel, study, or service in China to approach the experience with humility, joy, openness, and a willingness to learn from the culture and people they encounter.
Priscilla’s reflections bring to mind the words of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, Who spoke with great hope about the future of China and the spiritual capacities of its people. His message is echoed here in a letter from the Universal House of Justice to the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, shared during Riḍván 153:
“To them, ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá has referred as “truth-seeking” and “prompted with ideal motives.” From among them, He declared, can be raised “such divine personages that each one of them may become the bright candle of the world of humanity.” The progress of the Faith in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and the labors of the Chinese believers resident in other parts of the region, are early indications of that which is yet to come. We turn our expectant eyes towards the Chinese people, confident in their ability to become illumined with the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and to apply His Teachings, with characteristic diligence, to the advancement of spiritual and material civilization. As larger and larger numbers become imbued with heavenly qualities, and as they make sincere exertions for the progress of their people, they shall, God willing, win the trust of fair-minded leaders and be able to broaden the scope of their endeavors in a land that ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá has designated “the country of the future.”
A call for Pioneers to China
Priscilla’s journey comes at a significant moment in the progress of the Nine Year Plan. In a recent letter dated 22 April 2026, the Bahá’í Committee for China shared an update with the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand regarding the ongoing call from the Universal House of Justice for additional pioneers to arise and serve in mainland China.
The letter notes that the number of adult international Bahá’ís residing in mainland China has increased from 206 in September 2024 to 243 as of April 2026, with a long-term goal of reaching 400 settled adult friends over the course of the current Plan.
The Committee also highlighted a number of effective lines of action that have emerged internationally, including raising awareness among the friends, encouraging exploratory visits, strengthening consultation between institutions, and supporting orientation gatherings for those interested in service opportunities in China.
“Vision that inspires” orientation gathering
As part of these efforts, the International Pioneering Taskforce together with the Bahá’í Committee for China will host the “Vision that Inspires” programme in Adelaide, Australia, from 19–22 June 2026.
The gathering is intended for friends from Australia and New Zealand who may be exploring opportunities for service in mainland China, whether through short visits, work, study, or longer-term residence. The programme will provide space for prayer, reflection, consultation, practical orientation, and learning about the spiritual significance and realities of pioneering in China today.
The programme will be held at Aldinga Beach Holiday Park in Adelaide, with accommodation and meals provided as part of the gathering. Registration closes on 31 May 2026.
Friends who may feel drawn to learn more about opportunities for service in China are warmly encouraged to explore the invitation and prayerfully consider participating in the gathering. The official invitation with further information is linked at the button below.
