The bounty of tests

A woman in Winnipeg, after facing an unexpected test, found that by relying on God and continuing her teaching efforts she has found greater happiness and confirmation than ever before.

On 9 October 2017, after participating in a memorial anniversary service for the late Redwan Moqbel, a beloved community member, Nasrin Moslehi returned to her north-Winnipeg home to discover it had burned to the ground.

Until that day, Ms. Moslehi couldn’t imagine moving away from that house, situated as it was on the east side of the Red River –  a perfect mirror for glorious sunsets – and on the banks of which Nasrin had lovingly created her “Bayani Gardens.” This home of love and joy had been a magnet for unity-building gatherings including Circle of Hope: a teaching activity she had begun in 1993. Each gathering started with a prayer, followed by a speaker – not necessarily a Bahá’í, but with an engaging topic in sync with the Bahá’í Teachings –  and then a discussion. Now, with her home suddenly lost, Ms. Moslehi not only needed to find a new place to live, but also a new place to teach.

Strangely, a framed photograph from Redwan Moqbel’s funeral had eluded the flames that consumed Nasrin Moslehi’s home that day. Photo: Shar Mitchell

She decided to move into a condo and, slowly, restarted her teaching activities in her new home. Then, in August 2018, her condo manager offered to email invitations to her Circle of Hope gathering to all 88 units in the building. So it was that some 50-diverse people assembled in the common room to attend their first Bahá’í gathering.

“In my wildest dreams, I could never have imagined reaching all those people,” said Ms. Moslehi. “At that gathering, the manager announced that I was promoting the teaching of the Bahá’í Faith that service to humanity is service to God.”

She says she now more fully understands Bahá’u’lláh’s Hidden Word, “… My calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy.” After the shock of finding herself homeless, Ms. Moslehi says she thanks God – and Mr. Moqbel, whom she believes helps her from the spiritual realms – for her forced relocation.

— Shar Mitchell