INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
JANUARY 2009

During 9 of his 19 Morontia appearances and in his last farewell to the Apostles, Jesus admonished his listeners: “…to go into all the world…to every race and nation…to every man, women, and child…and preach this liberating Gospel.” Jesus traveled much of the known world during his short life on Urantia, and most of the Apostles did, in fact, after Pentecost, scatter into many parts of the world preaching the Gospel.

The International Fellowship Committee embraces this outreach imperative, and carries a two-fold vision wherever we go: to strengthen the community of believers and to spread the Revelation (of our Universal Father’s commandment to his children and of the restatement of the life and teachings of Jesus).

Latin America

The Fellowship’s Spanish Readers Services consultant, Agustin Arellano, has resigned this position effective December 31, 2008. He cited financial reasons; while mentioning issues of the contract. Nevertheless, he went above and beyond the requirements of his contract and will receive a letter of commendation.

For instance, during the 3rd quarter Agustin made presentations at IC08 in Los Angeles, CA and at Regional Conferences in Mexico, and attended the Infinito Congress in Guadalajara, did 5 radio shows on “Lo Básico de El Libro de Urantia” and 1 television interview. He was instrumental in setting up a new Spanish website – www.UrantiaEcuador.org – and assisted in buying www.urantiaEcuador.com, the domain maintained by Ecuadorians.

In the 4th quarter, he presented at the Ecuador National Conferences in Quito, Guayaquil, and Machala while giving 7 radio talk shows and 3 newspaper interviews. He made a power-point presentation in French to teachers in Morelia, Mexico at the XIV National Congress – a very Catholic area. At the same time, he burned 150 CD’s on UB “tools”, 75 DVD’s of UB Audio in Spanish, copies of J.J. Benitez’s “El Secreto Enterrado”, and gave away thousands of Spiritual Vitamins. Agustin has completed the proofreading of “Diccionario de Cosmologia y Teologia Segun El Libro de Urantia” – a dictionary of UB words in Spanish. However, due to budgetary constraints we are seeking private funding to get this printed. Please view all of his quarterly reports (attached), and visit his website at www.orvonton.ning.com or the Fellowship Spanish website www.ellibro.com.

In Colombia, Gerald Pando and his wife Bibi of Oklahoma City, OK returned to the Teusaquillo House in Bogota. They were there in October and were able to pull many factions together for food, study, and discussions. Nelida Oliver did a great job organizing the Ecuador Conference in November (reports available upon request). Latin America continues to be the greatest area of growth and spirited UB activity.

Work on the logistics of the Costa Rica conference slated for June 16-20 at the Double Tree Hotel in Puntarenas is still ongoing.

Pakistan/India

In India, Dr. Swami Garfield Jansen continues to be solid in building a small UB community in Coimbatore, Southern India and spread the Revelation. With our financial assistance, he recently completed the printing of 2,500 copies of “Urantia Book Basics” and has begun distribution. He has agreed to begin translating some small materials from the UB into the Tamil language for this coming year. Garfield belongs to several Christian Relief organizations and was present as part of the Mumbai recovery effort after the terrorist attack in November. Small study groups are still active in Mumbai and Coimbatore and focus on the JANR book.

Also in India, Yuyutsu Sharma (he’s actually from Nepal) continues to discuss the translation into Hindi and publication of 2 possible texts: “Urantia Book Basics” and/or “A Hindi Sampler” of 5 UB Papers; either of which will need private funding for publication.

There is nothing new to report on Nadia Gill in Pakistan. We pray for her safety and overall well-being.

Africa

Simone Cox and Marthe Muller continue their works in South Africa, and in conjunction with the IFC have planned a 2-day conference/retreat at the High View Gardens Centre for Transformation in Johannesburg on February 14-15 for UB readers. Arno du Toit from the small town of Nieu-Bethesda is getting the UB in libraries there and in the smaller towns of south-eastern South Africa. He continues translating some materials into the Afrikaans language – a derivative of the Dutch language. We believe South Africa will be the foundation upon which will be built the readiness of the entire continent of Africa for the Revelation.

Wilfred Zeon at the Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana continues his study group activities near Accra; having just received 2 cases of books. Rev. Father Louis Gbilimou continues his work of translating “Urantia Book Basics” into French for the people of Guinea. In Zambia, Chita and Namukale have separated as a couple, but we are certain both will continue to be beckons on light for the Revelation and the Father’s will.

As the IFC continues to sow the seeds of Revelation, we are inspired by the words of Jesus: “Your fruits of the spirit, your sincere and loving service, are the might social lever to uplift the races of darkness, and this Spirit of truth will become your power-multiplying fulcrum.” 178:1,6 and p.1930

The Committee wishes to thank the General Council and the Executive Committee for their steadfast support.

Buck Weimer, Chairman