In April, three teams were sent to visit the churches in Cuba: two teams from the United Kingdom and one team from Canada.  We had an amazing time! 

 

We were privileged to capture a glimpse of what the Holy Spirit is doing all across the Island with our Cuban brothers and sisters.  As we went from place to place, we found believers full of faith, love for Christ, optimism, generosity, good humour and expectancy.

 

When we reached Santiago, our team was separated into three groups to visit a number of churches.  I squished into an old car with four others and were brought to one of the rural churches on the outskirts of Santiago.  One of the church members had given up the shed beside their home for the church to meet in and about 100 people were packed into it waiting for us to arrive.  

 

We spoke about living life in the Holy Spirit and how God gives us wisdom in every circumstance.  Then we prayed for God to heal people.  When we asked for testimonies of healing, about seven church members testified that God had healed them – some during worship and some when we prayed for them.  One woman was pregnant and had high blood pressure.  She had just been released from the hospital that day; she testified that God had touched her and she was feeling much better.  Another woman was completely freed from pain in her jaw and other parts of her body.

 

Our translator for this meeting was not a Christian, however, as people began testifying about God’s healing power she became more and more excited to tell us in English about what was happening.

Throughout the trip we were able to encourage families, particularly church leaders, who were isolated in rural villages and facing discouragement.  We visited one church that met in the pastor’s home – the building had been flooded the night before and all their belongings were hanging out to dry because they had holes in their roof.  The wife was visibly discouraged and I asked God to tell me something to pray for her, or tell her, to encourage her.  God told me to speak hope into her life.  When I did she just started crying and crying.  I told her that God was restoring her hope.  Afterwards, she told us that earlier that morning God told her He was going to bring hope back into her life – the same word had been confirmed!

 

 

In Santiago we stayed with the Superintendent, his wife, and their two wonderful children for two nights.  This family was amazing because they gave so much to us; they even gave us their own bedrooms.  One night, Riddell (the Superintendent) and our team went up on his roof with him to pray and worship God.  He shared with us quite personally about the burden he carries.  He oversees many churches and pastors, he leads the church in Santiago, and he leads his family.  He said that when he feels overwhelmed he comes up to the rooftop to pray and worship God – just God and him.  He is such a faithful hard worker for God’s Kingdom.  I believe it’s important that we as churches help each other and encourage each other in the work God has given us to do.   


One of the most significant moments for all the team members was when we brought three sewing machines to a group of women in Havana who sew wedding dresses for women in the churches across the country.  They also sew gifts for the pastors and superintendents for encouragement as well as mending clothes to meet people’s needs through their sewing.  They were not expecting us and when we brought them the new sewing machines they were absolutely thrilled!  There was one woman who was very old and she was so excited at the gifts that she kept standing up!  We would tell her to sit down because she was so frail, but then she would stand up again because she was so excited!  She was kissing the sewing machines and thanking us.  We prayed with them for God’s blessing on their ministry, and continued health for their eyes and fingers as they do their work.  After we stepped out the door we heard them singing and praising God – their immediate response!  

 

 

 

Throughout the trip we saw many wonderful examples of how Keri and others have identified and met the needs of the Cuban people through ministries without borders.  Over and over again we witnessed the impact that the dollar a day program has on the churches in Cuba – the program means a plumbing system and running water for one church, a new floor for another, supported pastors and superintendents… practical needs met so the leaders can continue their work and so the Kingdom of God can expand in Cuba.