Setafire 2011

It's been almost 2 weeks since Setafire 2011 got over. And the blues have been here for awhile. Especially the fact that I've deactivated my facebook; disallowing me to be up to date with the photos from the camp. Yet, I'm gonna attempt writing bits from my own memory.

This year like the past, Setafire was a challenge but as always, challenges never seem to repeat itself. Setafire took a new dimension this year; incorporating filming. The program went rather smoothly; I can't really pinpoint what went wrong. Many things did, according to my memory. But I'm not gonna mention them but rather the good times; especially the friendships that have been revived and bonded again. Along with the new friends that I have made. Setafire has always been special in that aspect. The fact that we meet these awesome youths; along with the hill-tribes participants once a year; just make life feel even more worthwhile; worth cherishing. Serving others especially the less fortunate; helping them in the easiest possible way is itself a pleasure. A pleasure that perhaps, living in the city can never provide.

I don't think I have words to say it all. So here are some pictures.

The scenic view of our mini town.

Camp Teeeeeee!

Our Teams

PLAY TIME!!! 

Shower Schedule ;)

And yet again, we have already started talking about next year's!

Honoring Shirin

The death of Shirin came extremely sudden for all of us. She was just a kid; a four-year old kid to be specific. And the way she had to go was by far the least desired. But I personally believe that God has a plan for all of us and the He knows best. Maybe the death of beautiful Shirin could create a change for us, a good change perhaps. But this does not mean that I want her to go; I just believe that things are predetermined for us all.

Shirin has been in my life the last two years or so. And though, I found it rather hard to be friends with her at first, she finally accepted me; literally took quite a while :P And from the moment she considered me as her friend, I have enjoyed every bit of it. The times when she would drag me to play with her in her bedroom and tell me stories that were beyond any adult's imagination. I think we all would feel that way to any kid; it's just the fact that their souls are so pure, they just have no bad intentions for anyone. Shirin also loved to role-play; and she loved being a mommy cheetah; always wanting us to call her by that name, only then would she acknowledge us. And just two days before the accident, I met her at her school and she was drinking her cup of milk, asking me to play with her in the sand pit but unfortunately, I had to do some stuff so I couldn't and I remember how she said, "Please..."; Sigh; literally the most adorable thing to be said by a kid. Just a week or so before that, a group of youths went for camping together; and Shirin tagged along. During that camp, we talked about how we could all come back and serve more in our communities but I remember one thing that was being said, discussed and agreed upon was the fact that, over that one weekend, Shirin grew the most as an individual, spiritually of course. She stopped being clingy over that weekend. And all of us were so impressed by her. And though Shirin may be gone now, I believe that she will be watching over us and will remain in all our hearts forever.

Shirin's funeral went by beautifully. And though she may just be four, she had almost 200 people present at her burial. Beautiful prayers said and chanted, pretty flowers put on her grave; I'd have to say, no better way to celebrate her life :)



Here is a writing that I want to share:-

“That beloved child addresseth thee from the hidden world: 'O thou kind Mother, thank divine Providence that I have been freed from a small and gloomy cage and, like the birds of the meadows, have soared to the divine world -- a world which is spacious, illumined, and ever gay and jubilant. Therefore, lament not, O Mother, and be not grieved; I am not of the lost, nor have I been obliterated and destroyed. I have shaken off the mortal form and have raised my banner in this spiritual world. Following this separation is everlasting companionship. Thou shalt find me in the heaven of the Lord, immersed in an ocean of light.”

(Abdu'l-Baha : Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 20

More Kiddos... JOY

So who says 7 & 8 year olds can't sit still and meditate? I just witnessed it myself today that they can. Today's children's class turned out amazing. Ten kids were present along with four JYs. We started with prayers and later sang the "Love" song that we learnt last week. And we continue to discuss a little deeper of the topic "Love"; of how we feel our parents's love towards us, our friends', etc. And we talked of how God's love to us could be compared to the rays of the sun, shining all over for everyone.

Then, I shared a story, and we did coloring. At first, I thought of how the coloring activity might turn out to be a bore for them and so I added alittle more excitement by making it compulsory for all of them to memorize the quote "In the garden of thy heart, plant not but the rose of love...". And to my surprise, every kid managed to memorize it and everyone of them were so engaged in their artwork and tried to do a good job. I was definitely impressed. And I saw so much change in them; maybe not much in some but there was change. The fact that they were all taking pride in their work was a great accomplishment.

Later, we played a small game which turned out a success; comparing to how much they usually complain to how they don't enjoy the games. And then we asked a friend to do alittle activity with them. So we had more drawing work, cartoon drawing though. But it involved everyone's cooperation. So they would sit in a circle and later music would be turned on and they could only draw one feature of the face and later, moved to the face on the left and draw another feature. We did this till all the six features were done and they would go back to their paper. Some of them were kind of disappointed the first round, erasing them off but the second round we told them that they couldn't erase but rather they had to name their character and appreciate the art their friends had tried to draw for them and surprisingly, no one erased it too. All happily named their characters. It was just incredible.

And lastly, we had our devotional meeting and that's when I saw the kids meditating for almost 2 minutes to a chant being played. That silence and peace was remarkable especially when it's done by 7 & 8 year olds. I really have no words to say for them. I realize that kids learn so quickly. We told them a couple of times about meditation and told how much we wanted them to try and how much we appreciate them trying ;)

Last of all, we had snacks. Today was definitely an incredible day :D