‘Such home visits surely unite us’: The power of visiting isolated friends

In this personal reflection, Darryl and Annemieke Braund reflect on their previous travels throughout New South Wales, and how important it is to home visit friends living in rural and remote areas to consult, pray and maintain the community-building vision of the Faith.

It was nine years ago that this adventurous Baha’i couple hired a campervan and took to the road.

Having originally booked to attend a short well-being retreat in the highlands near Sydney, they decided to expand their getaway into a three-week holiday, and ended up travelling 4,700kms and visiting more than 60 Baha’is across regional New South Wales.

Their visits included the sharing of prayers and Baha’i books, consultations and “chit-chat” with friends – a chance to meet with those who had become somewhat isolated from other Baha’is.

The concept of travelling to remote places, whether temporarily or for the longer term, is encouraged in the Baha’i Faith as a means of strengthening the community-building endeavours unfolding across the country. This trek across New South Wales included visits with Baha’is of many backgrounds and in various situations.

The couple visited someone in a nursing home, and someone battling a serious illnesses at home on their own. They met with Baha’is during a Baha’i Feast, and at a meeting with a Local Spiritual Assembly. They met others at a coffee shop, in a park and in their homes. Where possible, the couple was able to share some inspiration, consulting on the Baha’i Writings while sharing food or personal stories, in a spirit of love and unity.

Here are some of their own reflections:

“One of these older pioneers was so welcoming and appreciative of our visit. She told us later it was her first Baha’i visit for 22 years! Another young man had discovered his newfound independence created such unprecedented aloneness that he was inspired to pray more deeply. And others who were facing financial and physical challenges together, as well as spiritual tests, experienced both victory and crisis. Detaching from this, their faith, radiance and sacrifice was most admirable. In the town streets we walked and talked with them. Passersby readily greeted them, inspiration bubbled on, through dispelling their doubt.

“Such home visits surely unite us. Just as surely, these are among our ‘pure and goodly deeds, seemly and commendable conduct’ – as stated in the Baha’i Writings. Which also includes the assurance:

“These brave travellers and pioneers also reminded us of the quote by Abdu’l-Baha that:

“We made lots of new friends who warmed our hearts and opened our eyes. May many joyful and thankful feelings somehow embrace those welcoming, loving souls, who so willingly opened their doors and lives to us. Thank you for that love and that unity, it was all so special.”

The experience of visiting friends across regional New South Wales was instrumental in the couple pioneering themselves. “We have now been living, and learning, at three remote locations in Western Australia and South Australia during the last six years.”