wfn.org | BWNS -- Obstacles no match for pioneer spirit

[Bahá'í World News Service <bwns@bwc.org>]

Baha'i World News Service
See story with photographs http://news.bahai.org
For more information, contact editor@bahaiworldnews.org

Obstacles no match for pioneer spirit
MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, 28 October 2004 (BWNS) -- When Elise Lynelle
arrived in this West African country in 1954 to introduce the teachings of
the Baha'i Faith, she faced two major obstacles.

The first was a restriction on free association between whites and blacks.
The second was that she was allowed only a one-month visa, barely enough time
to get settled, let alone explain the teachings of a world religion.

Nevertheless, she was able to help establish the Faith in this country, then
known as Spanish Guinea. Fifty years later, she described those early days to
participants in the jubilee celebrations, which the Baha'i community held
here on 20-21 August 2004.

A young journalist from the United States, Ms. Lynelle (then Elise Schreiber)
arrived in Bata, Spanish Guinea, on 17 May 1954.

Normally it would have been difficult to obtain a visa but, fortunately, her
arrival coincided with a festival, and the military authorities allowed her
to stay for a month.

While in Bata, Ms. Lynelle was unable to make contact with black Africans
because of restrictions on association between the races, and any new
religion was frowned upon. However, a Spaniard, Jose Ramos Espinosa, accepted
the Faith.

With Mr. Espinosa's help, Ms. Lynelle joined a group of surveyors who were
traveling in the colony looking for places to build lighthouses.

In June 1954 she sailed with them to the island of Corisco where she met the
elderly King of the Bengas tribe, Santiago Uganda, who readily accepted the
Baha'i teachings, saying that he had a premonition about someone who would
come to him with a message.

For introducing the Baha'i Faith to Equatorial Guinea Ms. Schreiber received
the accolade Knight of Baha'u'llah from the then head of the Faith, Shoghi
Effendi.

Her arrival in this country contributed to the achievements of the Ten Year
Plan (1953-1963) to establish the Faith in countries where there were no
Baha'is. By the end of the decade the number of national communities had more
than doubled.

Returning to the country for the first time in 50 years, Ms. Lynelle said she
was impressed at the changes that had taken place in Equatorial Guinea and
the progress of the Baha'i community. The country now has four Local
Spiritual Assemblies.

Other speakers at the jubilee festivities to describe the early days were
Alberto Ntutumu, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is
of Equatorial Guinea, and Miguel Bielo, a member of the Auxiliary Board.

Also present was Jose Maria Fierro Cueto (also known as Dr. Pepe), who came
from Mexico to Equatorial Guinea in the 1980s to assist the Baha'i community.

A slide presentation about the history of the Faith paid tribute to other
early members of the community, among them Joseph Enonguene and Johanna
Ngompex, who came from Cameroon in the 1960s.

At the celebrations, a member of the Auxiliary Board in Cameroon, Christine
Tchameni, represented the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa.

Some prominent non-Baha'i officials attended the celebrations, including the
Health Minister, Dr. Justino Obama Nve, and Mrs. Obama.

Theatrical and musical presentations entertained the participants, a
highlight being traditional dances by members of the biggest tribe of
Equatorial Guinea, the Fang.

In a message to the participants at the golden jubilee celebrations, the
Universal House of Justice expressed its hope that "this occasion, besides
giving pause for reflection on what has so nobly been attained to date, will
provide inspiration to each individual present to see his own role in
advancing this world-embracing Cause."

The national television channel, RTV (Radio Television Malabo), covered the
event. A monthly magazine, La Gazeta, later published an article about the
celebrations.

The Baha'is of Equatorial Guinea organize various activities which are also
open to the wider public, including regular moral educational classes for
children and pre-youth, prayer gatherings, and study circles aimed at
building individual capacities.

As part of the jubilee celebrations, a graduation feast for study circle
participants will be held in November 2004.