Skip to main content

highlights from Cuba

 


Isaiah 52:7  NLT  

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!


Hello from beautiful, a bit wet and cool Virginia.  Yes, I am home.  My travel partner, Roberto Texidor, and I left Cuba Tuesday morning headed back to the states.  It was a balmy 90 degrees with a touch of high humidity and the lake of electricity for air conditioning.  That means as I am writing this it is 58 degrees back at home.


Let me give you just a few highlights from this most recent Cuba mission trip.  First of all a huge THANK YOU to all who supported, financially and prayerfully, this endeavor.  It was a success on so many levels, and it also revealed increased difficulties that our Cuba family and friends continue to deal with each day.


The purpose of this trip was to connect with families who serve with sports ministry.  That was awesome as we got to be in the homes of all but one.  That one was due to sickness.  Please pray for him and his family.  All the others were so, so good.  Time to catch up, some teaching and praying as well as sharing a meal.  These awesome people are committed to sharing Christ with others and are making it happen.


One lady commented that this trip was not only timely but a great blessing for each family because we got to be one on one with them, encourage them and bless them in several ways.  Another family that we had never been in their home before showed us with so many great stories and love that we have lots to praise God for.


This past Sunday we were part of Alex’s church for a very special day of baptism.  I was only supposed to baptize one dear friend, but I ended up being blessed to baptize 18 people, men and women, who have recently followed Jesus.  It was over the top awesome.


Why do I choose to serve in Cuba?  It is because of invitations and opportunities like this.  I am grateful for Alex, Daine, Richard, Yaylemi, Diocelis, Belkis, Lazaro, Jeannette, Valdimir, Ovinana, Julio, Arelis, Uvaldo, Idania, Angel, Wilquer, Daniuska, Alfredo and all of their families.  Pray for them with me.  Will you?


As to the difficulties; first, gasoline is finally some what cheaper and available.  Electricity is sparse and rarely on.  The first part of our trip we only had a couple hours each day.  Toward the end of the trip we had electricity a few times each days for a couple hours each.   Cooking oil and propane is difficult to find as is some foods.  Solar energy is much more being used through small panels and backup generators powered by solar.


That is enough for now.  I have stories to share and will do so.  I am grateful for this ministry, for all God is doing, for the growth of the churches we are connected to and the persistence and love of the people who I get to partner with.  There really is more to come with another trip in December and even more in 2027.  


Please continue to pray for the people I named above and for the freedom and growth of the people of Cuba.  God is good!


Colossians 1:6  NLT  

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan.  His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God.  Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st.  The book is Forgotten God .   This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into.  All of it is within the Holy Spirit.  Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people.  It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about.   And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts.  We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things.  It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...
Post a Comment
Read more

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share.  For me C.S. Lewis is one of those.  He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class.  It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before.  He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born.  It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian.  He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...
Post a Comment
Read more

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!
10 comments
Read more