Cuba in Crisis

What a surreal experience my son Jonathan and I had last week in Cuba. This is a country completely controlled by Commandant Fidel Castro, who has turned one of the most prosperous jewels of the Caribbean into a collapsing communist dictatorship. The stories of how people are trying and dying to get out are both humorous and horrific.

One man pole-vaulted into the Venezuelan embassy to seek asylum. An Olympic kayaker paddled her way to Key West 90 miles. Wow! Another man turned his 1957 Chevy into a boat and “drove” to the United States. The reason people want to escape is simply due to over-control—the government does not allow anywhere near the freedoms of life we as US citizens enjoy. The people of Cuba have to live with what the government decides. A family receives one pound of rice per week with a bag of beans, and corn oil, and their regime provides an education if you are willing to study what they choose for you.

In the midst of all of this, the Gospel is flourishing, despite not being allowed to advertise or build (existing churches may only be remodeled.). People are coming to Christ and coming to church. It is amazing to see so many walk and ride bicycles to attend a weekday worship service, and they stand for two hours, some outside because all the seats were taken.

My lasting memories will include those of preaching with Jonathan in churches that average 200 members, yet only collect 15 dollars per week in offerings (the average income in Cuba is one dollar/day).

You can help if you like. Manual Morales’ church was devastated just months ago by hurricane Charlie (see photos). They need $2,000 to rebuild their facility. Join me in praying for them, and thank you for your concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ under communist control.

Pastor Mark