Back in 2004-2007 when I lived on the Qualla Boundary, Cherokee Reservation, in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina I was fortunate enough to be a part of arranging for Elder Jerry Wolfe( who is in his eighties) to translate four Baha'i prayers into the Cherokee language. He completed this in both the phonetic pronunciation and the Cherokee syllabary. The goal has been to place this in the Baha'i National Archives in Wilmette, Illinois. Along with the translations I wanted to record Elder Jerry saying these prayers in Cherokee. After well over the last few years of trying to arrange this it was finally set for Monday afternoon of this week. I was so happy and excited I was almost babbling. My beloved Cherokee friend and fellow Baha'i, Hugh Lambert made this happen. He set up his equipment and talked Elder Jerry through the interview and translations.
Elder Jerry began the interview by chanting the Lord's Prayer and Amazing Grace in Cherokee. This was an unexpected and rich addition to the recording. It is hard to put into words how much joy this all brought to me. To have this precious language and my favorite prayers saved in the National Baha'i Archives and with the possible hope of the prayers being said in the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette during devotions is immensely thrilling. Hopefully I will be able to memorize these prayers in Cherokee for my own private worship.
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