Teaching the Faith through Arts

Leslie.

Written on the wings are quotations by Bahá'u'lláh, such as,

"The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens".

Leslie Gomez, 25, left her home in Quirino, Philippines, to pioneer in South Korea back in September 2016. This being the first time she stepped out of the Philippines, she found everything around her to be unique - from the food, to the weather, to most especially the language. According to Leslie, “Of course in the beginning, there was a huge language barrier and this challenge was really tough. But I reflected on what Ruihiyyih Khanum said, ‘You don’t necessarily have to speak the person’s language in order to have a bond of understanding. That must be something that you feel between each other and I had felt it many times with people who can’t even say a single word.’” With this in mind, little by little, day by day, Leslie gathered the courage to talk to the locals.

            She was also given several opportunities to enroll in classes – she took up guitar, ukulele, calligraphy, knitting, yoga classes and even joined English study groups. It was through these social spaces that Leslie made a lot of friends and they would meet up in parks and coffee shops so she could brush up on her Korean language skills and also start conversations about the Bahá’i Faith. These art classes gave Leslie the opportunity to sharpen her artistic skills. “I’ve always loved the arts, ever since I was young,” says Leslie, “but I didn’t have the chance to develop those skills. Pioneering has re-awakened those passions. Now, I use my talents and skills to promote the Cause.” 

For several months now, Leslie has been making calligraphy art of Bahá’i quotations (in English and in Korean), on canvas, posters, cards – which are often placed in wall or desk frames and she gives them as gifts to her friends. Sometimes she places her calligraphy art in plants/flower pots and even on chocolates! She shares that, “These simple gifts can really bring joy to the hearts, so I try my best to be good at it.”

Some of Leslie's art works/gifts

Also attached to the popsicle stick on the plant is a Bahá'i quotation

"Strive, therefore, to create love in the hearts in order that they may 

become glowing and radiant. When that love is shining, it will 

permeate other hearts." -Abdu'l-Bahá

(Click here to see more of her artworks on Instagram)

Leslie is serving in the neighborhood of Gumi, which is a 3-hour train ride from the country’s capital Seoul. Together with a pioneer couple from Taiwan and an Auxiliary Board Member, they currently have two Devotional Gatherings and three Study Circle Groups. Unfortunately, most people are still weary of “religion”. Leslie shares that her teaching team has not been able to sustain Junior Youth or Children Class groups because most mothers do not feel comfortable with the concept of religion, or knowing that their children are attending such classes. What her team has now decided to do is to focus on building bonds of friendships with the mothers in the community, so that they will gradually learn to understand the true purpose behind these classes – which is to assist the children and junior youths to acquire spiritual qualities and an upright character and enable them to channel their energies and talents to serving humanity.

With less than a year left before she returns back to the Philippines, Leslie shares her reflections: “Pioneering is a very unique service and a great privilege which has proved to be a highly valuable element in my own spiritual and intellectual growth and development as a youth. I hope more and more youths will devote a certain time of their lives to this kind of special service to the Cause.”

Leslie and the Taiwanese pioneer couple (with their 1-year old son)

One of the study circle groups