Thank you for your support and grace as I have been processing the trip to Cuba and thinking about what to write in my journal article.  So many of you, both churches and individuals, gave financially and prayed for the team and me while we were in Cuba.  Your support and prayers were very important.  There was multiple times it seemed like God’s hand was at work providing not only the words to say but the preparing the way we were to go.

One of the concerns I had was about how going through customs and immigration was going to work on both ends entering Cuba and returning to the USA.  God had that in control.  We all made it through both points without trouble or problems.  It was really a blessing.

We spent a lot of time in country meeting churches and pastors.  I was moved by the stories and impact they are making in their communities.  A few things that really stuck out to me about the churches were:

1.       They loved God and His Word and it showed in their dynamic worship.

2.       They also love their culture and community.  They show it by figuring out needs in their community and meeting them.  It seems to be part of the key as to why the churches are growing.

3.       The members of the churches take their biblical role of being a priesthood of all believers seriously and each take part in the ministry of the church regardless of age or ability.

4.       They talk seriously and work hard at meeting the cultural changes happening in the country.  The leaders of the churches and pastors are talking seriously about the changes happening like the increasing availability of the internet and other issues.  They are trying to approach it biblically and intentionally.

In my opinion, I think we can learn many things from the churches in Cuba.  They have faced hardship, persecution, and scarcity and yet their faith is deep and their approach to life and ministry is intentional and not stagnant.  At this point I think sharing a story will help describe my thoughts behind what I just wrote.

There was one village we visited where the pastor was older and had their family helping with the services.  I am refraining from sharing the names but I hope you can get the picture.  This village was a place were living your faith and sharing the gospel was very tough.  The culture of the village was centered on alcohol and that created a lot of problems in the community and families.  The pastor was faithful to the gospel and shared it with people even at birthday parties.  On multiple occasions the pastor was arrested for sharing Jesus.  Yet this pastor was faithful for many years.  The church is now growing and the evening I preached there it was standing room only with people outside the windows listening.  The church, over many years has helped the community and the production of alcohol was reduced by about 75%!  The Holy Spirit gave me a message from Hebrews 12:1-3 and I talked about the witness of the gospel by people like that pastor and others who faced even death and loss of wealth.  It was after the service I learned that the grandchildren of the pastor were deeply moved by the message.  The pastor was really excited because the pastor recognized a calling into ministry on their life and they have not figured it out yet.  That evening, I was touched by being asked to preach and encourage a congregation that I felt ill-equipped to do because I was humbled and touched by the suffering and sacrifice of the pastor.  Yet, God does not call the equipped for ministry, he equips those he calls.  It was an honor and a blessing to be part of the narrative at that church.  Our team leader translated for me and continued my sermon and it made an impact on the teams’ lives as well as the church.

Your support has made such a difference in the life of the team, the people we ministered to, and my family. Our family can’t thank you enough for the love, friendship and gifts of support that have been given to us by so many. We are truly blessed.

The matching gifts campaign is still going, remember it will go until June 15 or until the funds pool is depleted which looks like that will happen soon. So, now is the time to send in the gift to be matched and begin supporting the ministry in the Dominican Republic and Cuba with a monthly gift. Whether it is $10 or $250 a month it makes a difference in the life of the pastors and their family whom we will be ministering to. Will you join us on this journey by partnering with International Ministries to help underwrite the expense of the ministry? Click here to give a gift that will be doubled.

I will be sharing more from the trip in the next few weeks.

May the joy of the Lord be with you!

Your Global Workers,

Peter & Sarah