After April 2024, Venezuela had been without a National Committee. This made it difficult to plan for the election of new leadership this year. However, a true Subud miracle occurred when, about two months ago, testing indicated a positive result for a visit from the International Helpers. From that moment, energy began to flow favorably, and members around the world came together to raise the necessary funds.
Zone 8, of which Venezuela is a part, quickly launched a fundraising campaign, while the International Helpers reached out through their networks so that we could receive abundant good energy and loving support from the Americas, Asia, and Europe. We remain deeply grateful to all who contributed — their help arrived at exactly the right time to support the physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal of the Subud brotherhood in Venezuela.
After more than ten years without such a visit, the Subud Association of Venezuela was blessed to welcome the International Helpers once again. This was a valuable opportunity to strengthen harmony and unity in the country, and to receive guidance for both individual and collective spiritual practice.
The visit also coincided with our National Congress, where sister Sandra Diez Parra from the Caracas Group was elected President of the National Committee for the June 2025 – June 2027 term. In Kejiwaan matters, sister Elena Godoy tested positive to begin her preparation period as a Helper for the Caracas Group.
The meetings were held at the Hotel Chacao & Suites during the day, with evening gatherings at the home of our newly elected President. A total of 19 people took part, including three International Helpers from Area 3 — Helena Gruner (Argentina), Kohar Parra (Colombia), and Manuel Potes (Colombia). Participants also came from across Venezuela: from the east — Lizandra Cadena (National Helper, El Tigre), Jan Cadena (Isaac) (Local Helper, El Tigre), Aluska Barry (Local Helper, El Tigre) and her father from Puerto La Cruz; from the west — Cristina Michelena, widow of Mudarra, from Mérida; from Falcón — María Martínez, Orlando Vargas, and Jhon Martínez. From Caracas we had the Parra family — Silvia (Honorary National Helper), Eloína, and Sandra Diez Parra — along with Honora Barón (Kedjiwaan Counselor), Miranda Ferrer Dupuy, Elena Godoy, Augusto Carrillo, and Ricardo Silva. Two prospective members close to the Parra family also joined us for the Selamathan.
The program combined Latihan and Testing with the reading and discussion of Bapak’s Talks — a tradition in our groups before doing the spiritual exercise, enriched this time by the insights of the International Helpers. These intense days brought an invaluable boost to our spiritual work, both individually and collectively.
Looking ahead, the priorities are to complete the formation of the National Committee, launch an internal fundraising campaign to sustain administrative operations, and update the legal status of our membership.
The words that best capture the spirit of this gathering are: Unity, Harmony, and Gratitude.
