Visit of Grant and Jenny Hindin Miller from New Zealand with their children in France (what a treat!)

I had the great pleasure to welcome the Grant, Jenny, Rebeccah and Isaac  Hindin Miller at my home in Villefranche sur-Saone., France.  We had a lovely time for a few days. Then we left for Paris and visited the Baha'i center of Paris. On Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. we met with Ali Benham at RadioFréquence 19 radio Baha’i for a live radio Interview with Grant. We had to... Grant from New Zealand was in Paris (can't happen every day :-)

Grant and Ali at radio Frequence19 in ParisWe had a delightful afternoon with Ali and his staff at the radio.  All together we went to visit 'Abdu'l-Baha's apartment and spent a couple of days together  in Paris thanks to our dear friend Edel Traut-Kahl  who kindly invited us to stay at her place. I left Grant and Jenny in the metro... (It was a very sad goodbye!)

Something to ponder over:   I hope that you will use your understanding to promote the unity and tranquillity of mankind, to give enlightenment and civilization to the people, to produce love in all around you, and to bring about the universal peace.  -  'Abdu'l-Bahá

A méditer :  J'espère que vous vous servirez de votre intelligence pour promouvoir l'unité, pour répandre la culture et la civilisation, susciter l'amour tout autour de vous et amener la paix universelle.  -  'Abdu'l-Bahá

(Source: GOD'S GREATEST GIFT TO MAN - A talk by `Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris on Thursday, October 26th, 1911)

'Abdu'l-Bahá on Science

(Note: When 'Abdu'l-Bahá sailed to America, in 1912, many of the Baha'i friends wanted him to travel in the greatest comfort and attempted to make arrangements for him on the Titanic.  'Abdu'l-Baha, however, declined and expressed his preference to travel on the Cedric instead.  He later referred to the sinking of the Titanic in one of his talks (below), in the context of helping us find comfort and understanding in the face of such a disaster. These talks are examples of some of his comments on science.) - read more: http://watsongregory.homestead.com/files/science.html

'Abdu'l-Baha (collage and background photo by Annick)'Abdu'l-Bahá's - Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons -- April 23, 1912 - 1700 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
(Notes by Joseph H. Hannen)

Today I have been speaking from dawn until now, yet because of love, fellowship and desire to be with you, I have come here to speak again briefly.  Within the last few days a terrible event has happened in the world, an event saddening to every heart and grieving every spirit.  I refer to the Titanic disaster, in which many of our fellow human beings were drowned, a number of beautiful souls passed beyond this earthly life.  Although such an event is indeed regrettable, we must realize that everything which happens is due to some wisdom and that nothing happens without a reason. Therein is a mystery; but whatever the reason and mystery, it was a very sad occurrence, one which brought tears to many eyes and distress to many souls.  I was greatly affected by this disaster.  Some of those who were lost voyaged on the Cedric with us as far as Naples and afterward sailed upon the other ship.  When I think of them, I am very sad indeed.  But when I consider this calamity in another aspect, I am consoled by the realization that the worlds of God are infinite; that though they were deprived of this existence, they have other opportunities in the life beyond, even as Christ has said, "In my Father's house are many mansions."  They were called away from the temporary and transferred to the eternal; they abandoned this material existence and entered the portals of the spiritual world.  Foregoing the pleasures and comforts of the earthly, they now partake of a joy and happiness far more abiding and real, for they have hastened to the Kingdom of God.  The mercy of God is infinite, and it is our duty to remember these departed souls in our prayers and supplications that they may draw nearer and nearer to the Source itself. (Read more: http://watsongregory.homestead.com/files/science.html#Titanic)

French Baha'i radio: www.frequence19.com
http://www.livestream.com/bahaitv