ECUADOR CONFERENCES – A REPORT TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE URANTIA BOOK FELLOWSHIP

 

I. A NEW MODEL FOR CONFERENCES:  From May 21 to May 29, 2006,

   a multi-cultural, multi-national team of dedicated Urantia Book readers

   embarked upon a journey presenting the knowledge and teachings of the

   Urantia Book to the people of Ecuador.  It was a “Traveling Conference”,

   beginning in the capitol city of Quito, then moving on to Ibarra, Ambato,

   and concluding in Guayaquil:

A.   The conferences were titled:  “An Introduction to the Teaching of the Urantia Book” with a theme of “Elevating Spiritual Perception”.  There were 3 levels of participation in the conferences:

1.     The conference team:

Nelida Oliver, the Ecuadorian leader

Francisco, Nidia, and daughter Frannia Arias, Costa Rica

     Jose Manuel Rodriguez, Colombia

     Susan Ransbottom, Colorado, USA

          Dolores Nice, California, USA

          Lynn Chapman, Colorado, USA

          Buck & Arlene Weimer, Colorado, USA

         (Mario Ferreyra, of Argentina joined us in Guayaquil).

2.     Study Group members, local readers and those aware of the Urantia Book in each community.

3.     The general public responding to flyers, radio interviews, television, newspaper, or magazine articles.

 

I.                   Communities inviting the “Road Show”:

A.     Quito – capitol of Ecuador.  As one of the highest capitols in the world, Quito is 9350 ft. above sea level and requires some time for adjustment – especially for those coming from sea level.  Nelida took us sight-seeing the day before the conference and took a tram up to the surrounding mountains, some of us reaching a height of 15,000 feet.  The view of the city of 1,250,000 inhabitants was truly uplifting.

1. Our hotel – Hotel 6 de Diciembre (6^th of December) was very nice and the staff very accommodating – the food was excellent, the rooms clean, and there was easy access to the internet.  The US Dollar is the currency in Ecuador. (Buck & Arlene received $150 from the airlines for late-luggage arrival; an amount which fit neatly into Nelida’s tight budget.)

                     2. The conference was presented in the early evening of May

                     May22^nd to an audience of approximately 40 people.  Nelida,

                    the Arias family, and Jose, did a 1 hour radio talk show and

                    Dolores, Susan, and Jose did a newspaper interview the same

                    afternoon.  The conference began with the 45 minute CD of the

                    Spanish TV Network J.J. Beniteze Special “Planeta

                    Encantado” (Enchanted Planet).  Despite little planning, the

                    Presentationswent very well (Buck’s Spanish left a lot to be

                    desired, but he got some help for the presentation in Guayaquil).

                    Of special interest was the gathering of visitors at the table

                    containing books and other materials about the revelation after

                    the presentations were over.  Most people wanted books,

                    secondary material and more information.  Some were given

                    books, coupons, conference t-shirts, and Los Frutos del Espíritu

                    (Fruits of the Spirit) book markers.

B.     “On the Road” to Ibarra:  Carlos Pozo, a reader/leader from Ambato joined us for the 6 hour bus ride to Ibarra, and acted as a wonderful tour guide northward.  We passed several spectacular snow-covered volcanoes (Volcán Cotopaxi, Ecuadore’s 2^nd highest peak at 19,340 ft.).  And, of course, what trip to Ecuador would be complete without crossing the equator at 0 degrees latitude?  Ibarra is nicknamed “The White City” and is famous for its ice cream and strange racquet game called pelota de guante.

1.     Hotel Nueva Estancia (New Abode) was a lovely mixture of beautifully well-crafted tiles and antique furniture.  The food was excellent and plentiful, and the costs of the room and food were very reasonable.

2.     The conference got off to a late start due to technical difficulties, mostly because we wanted to accommodate the local readers by projecting the power-point presentations on a big screen.  (Somehow everything that was necessary was present well to the 85 people in attendance.)  Again, the interest of the many remaining visitors after the conclusion to look at the books and information displayed on the table (actually a piano) was intense.  We just didn’t have enough books or coupons for everyone interested.  Even the local reader complained of not having enough books or brochures.

3.     There was a dinner at the hotel afterward with over 40 people in attendance.  Despite the racial/cultural/language differences there was a great sense of camaraderie amongst all in attendance; with a sense of Christ Michael in our presence.  Books and coupons were gifted to those perceived with a special thirst, and t-shirts given upon request.

 

B.    “On the Road Again” this time south to Ambato.  Carlos continued to

guide us through the countryside, stopping at wonderful markets and restaurants (one restaurant had this delicious desert of soft figs marinated in molasses).  We also stopped at a lovely lake-filled volcanic lagoon designated an ecological preserve by the government. 

     1. Carlos and the Study Group in Ambato arranged for us to stay at the

         Hosteria Viña del Rio (Vineyard of the River).  It was a beautiful

         retreat hotel 45 minutes out of town but because we arrived late

         and the conference was in town it presented some challenges.

         Several of us stayed in town to get the equipment set-up and do

         introductions.

          2. We were very late with presentations and spoke to 85, of the

              original 125 in attendance.  Again, there were many well-defined

              questions, and the discussions afterward were many and varied.

              Carlos and their Study Group did an excellent job of getting flyer

              out to the community, and our presentations were listed on the

             community calendar. They said they had a “special treat” for us.

    3. What a treat it was!  They took us to the ROKA Resto-Bar, with

       printed placemats that read:  “La Entrada a la diversion…la escoges

       tú” (the entrance to the entertainment…the choice for you).  The

       Diversion Directors took over, and we were completely “wined and

       dinned” as the cliché goes.  The restaurant was an old church or

       castle, and the live band featured a lead-violinist (and fervent Urantia

       Book reader) with 2 guitars and a keyboard/percussionist. They

       played an incredible range of music from classical to Latin to Jazz to

       pop.  We were all clapping, singing, and dancing.  Of course, the

       food was fabulous followed by toasts to all.  And, it was gratuito!

       Thanks you Ambato Study Group.

    4.Of great significance and importance was a meeting we had the next

       day before departing.  Carlos and 3 study group members met with

       us at the retreat hotel for a very fruitful question and answer period.

       They were very interest in study group information and wanted to

            “pick our brains”:  How big should a group be allowed to grow

            before splitting into another?  Can you talk about other material

            beside the Urantia Book?  What about support from the Fellowship?

            Can we get support, and of what type?  What about library book

            placement, and contact information inside the covers?

       Is there an email list or site to communicate with other Latin readers?

       It was significant because they were mature enough to ask, and

       important because we imparted seasoned information.  We

       reluctantly said our goodbyes to Carols and the Ambato Study

       Group.

 

C. On the Road to Guayaquil:  The final city of our traveling conference was

    Guayaquil – the largest city in Ecuador and their economic capitol – and

    Nelida’s hometown.  It is a very cosmopolitan city and, located at the

    mouth of the Rio Guayas as it drains into the Pacific Ocean, has

    historically been the source of Ecuador’s contact with the outside world.

    National newspapers ran 2 full page articles on two subsequent Sundays

    about the Urantia Book and our presentations (similar to the “Parade

    Magazine” in our Sunday papers).

1.     We stayed at the Hotel Ramada (not connected to the chain in the USA) which was upscale and with reasonable priced.  Free internet access was provided, a continental breakfast, swimming pool, and it was located across the street from the Malecón – Guayaquil’s waterfront promenade.

2.     For the conference, Mario Ferreyra from Argentina joined us.  He was a welcomed addition, adding a dimension of humor and inner comfort to the team.  He did express disappointment over the cancellation 4 months ago of the Argentina conference = he had some logistics already in place.  The presentations went well, and the questions and answer period extensive.  One of the local readers did field the questions of the books origins and responded with a story that was very far from what most of us understand to be accurate.

3.     The next day we departed for some fun in the sun.  We stayed at the beach home of Fernando Naranjo, a few kilometers south of the major resort town of Salinas.  Fernando is a UB reader, professional writer, community (using his own funds to restore a local church) activist, artist, and all-round good guy.  His near-private beach provided us all with much needed relaxation and “down time”.  He served lunch, drinks, and even gave away one of his paintings to the person in our group drawing the piece of paper with “the Urantia Book” written on it.  We also held an impromptu study group – as light music and soft breeze filled the air and a true feeling of brotherhood prevailed.

C. At the hotel the next day, after lunch, we conducted our final meeting.

     Each person was allowed to express their feelings and stated their

     thoughts on the good and bad parts of the “traveling conference”.  The

     process was enhanced when Jaime “Jimmy” Rodriquez arrived and stated

     he is in the television and communications market and would like to

     do a one –hour Direct TV show on the Urantia Book.  It would be world-

    wide, and he would give contact information for those interested in the

    Urantia Book.  He said he needed a “point person” to field all the

    inquiries.  (It was understood Neldia would be this “point person”, but the

    Fellowship needs to decide if we want to partner with this project.  This

    project is going to happen, with or without the Fellowship participation;

    the ramifications of which could be enormous.)

D. Some reflections on the “Traveling Conference” model:

1.     In all, we gifted 50 El Libro de Urantia books, 8 coupons, 45

          conference t-shirts, several “Timeline” and “Paradise Ascension”

          posters, 75 Los Frutos del Espíritu book markers, and numerous

          Fellowship business cards (in Spanish).  And every study group

          received a CD “El Evangelio de Jesús” copy of the presentation.

2.     Thoughts for improving the model:  most expressed the importance of

     having a group decision-making process for conference planning (at

     least one presenter did not realize this was an introductory-type

     conference), with each person assigned specific tasks (to avoid the

    one-person-burnout syndrome Nelida expereinced); more prep time

    before each presentation, to include preparation time at locations when

    making arrangements (in Imbarra, we experience an equipment

    overload resulting in a breakdown of the electrical system);

    have a prepared response for “Who wrote the book?” (it can be a

    spontaneous response, but know generally what to say); better time

    management (more group prayer time before starting); have

    handouts for every participant; decide before the presentations how

    much material – and especially books – will be distributed;  limit length

    of questions/answers, decide who will coordinate and moderate

    responses to questions, have only one person answer one question;

    more coordination with speakers regarding topics, and all presenters

    send conference coordinator outlines of presentations before

    conference begins; review Jesus’ organizational style.

3. Larger thoughts: develop a better communication system in Latin

    America (start with a list similar to SocAdm or Intdev); the need for a

   “conference calendar” and someone to coordinate it (there were three

    conferences being planned for the same year in Central/South

    America), schedule conference calls once a month to coordinate

    activities; investigate book distribution problems until resolved;

    have more definite criteria before dropping a planned tour; have

    increased communication with the in-country coordinator, with a

    contact person from the Fellowship work on scholarships and travel

    (Buck used the MoneyGram system to get money to Africa cheaply and

    securely); before leaving the country, designate a follow-up person for

    each local host; and we can do follow-up packets; all Latin America is

    in desperate need of an index (the new Uversa indexed book presents a

    slight problem because the page numbers are different from El Libro) .

II.CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Conclusion: The sense of unity we experienced was fantastic.  Everywhere we went, the people of Ecuador exuded “…the aroma of friendliness which emanates from a love-saturated soul.” (171,7)  The experience of a “Traveling Conference” was at the same time strenuous and exhilarating, challenging and enriching to all participants.  The Revelations is in good hands in Ecuador because Nelida Oliver and Carlos Pozo exhibited tremendous leadership qualities.  Direct contact was made with over 200 people, with many more becoming aware of the book from the media, flyers, and impromptu discussions.  (Dolores told this story of a young man she met who showed her the well-worn pages of Urantia Book material he had downloaded from a website.  He told Dolores he shared them with various friends and that they took turns keeping them.  When she presented him with a book an expression of pure joy came over his face. Susan had a similar story.  For us, here in the USA, it is important to know how much a gift like this means to readers in South America, where the cost of one Book is beyond a full months wage of an average citizen.)

      A. Recommendations:  We simply must have more people, books, and

          resources on the ground in Latin America.  To not do so may create a

          missed opportunity for the Fellowship of historic significance. There

          is a tremendous desire for an alternative to the Jesus of Catholic and

           Christian organizations in Central and South America; as witnessed

           by their HUGE interest in J.J. Benetiz material.  To identify and

           support emerging Latin leaders is crucial to their infrastructure.  It

           would be very beneficial if Latin American representatives were

           active participants of the General Council; to share first hand their

           activities and needs.  A well-organized system for distribution and

           translations of brochures, flyers, and secondary materials will greatly

           assist the spread of the Revelation. Building relationships, readers to

          foster a community of believers, and sharing resources with our Latin

          brothers and sisters is necessary overcome lingering  USA social-

           centrism, and prepare us for that (inevitable?) time when the

           mantle of leadership will be passed to Latin Americans.

     B. We wish to thank the Urantia Book Fellowship General Council and 

          the International Committee for the assistance provided us in the great

          honor and privilege of this experience.  And for all who participated:

          “We’ll always have Ecuador.”

 

 Respectfully submitted by:

 

Susan Ransbottom

Dolores Nice

Lynn Chapman

Arlene & Buck Weimer

 

 

Addendum:  Peru Report