Update on Doug Springer’s Trip to Cuba April 3rd to 12th
On April 3rd, I flew to Houston and then into Havana where I was met at the airport by Joshua, our long-time supported pastor in Havana.
Customs and Immigration went smoothly with no difficulties or duty charged. My two large suitcases were filled with two laptops and the many items donated by supporters in Canada to give to the pastors I would visit. This included items such as over-the-counter medical supplies, personal hygiene items, and much more that are almost non-existent in Cuba.
On April 4th, Joshua and I met with a Jewish man named Rey who has become my friend. Since it was Passover, I took some Kosher Matzos (Passover hard bread) and Matzo ball mix to give to him. He was thrilled to receive these gifts as there is nothing Kosher available in Cuba except fruit and vegetables.
It was nice to be able to bless Rey at Passover. He said that at one point, there were about 10,000 Jews living in Cuba, but now there are approximately 250. Rey is very poor but does not beg. God provides.
On Saturday, April 5th, Michel, our IT person and friend, arrived in the morning from Cienfuegos 2 1/2 hours away in a taxi. He arranged to take us 3 1/2 hours to Santa Clara for two nights. Upon arrival, we were invited for dinner at Chaplain William’s home. William and his wife and 21-year-old son live in one room and were quite happy to serve us dinner and have a visit. Such servants! The meals we are served in homes in Cuba are the “once or twice a year” meal they would have at Christmas or a special birthday.
Sunday morning was spent at a small house church without power once again. Power outages are common, especially outside of Havana. Near the end of the service, a cheer went up as fans came on because the power was back on. After church I took out the local pastors and spouses and a few of their children for lunch.
The restaurant we were going to go to was closed because there was no power, and so we went to a government hotel that had a generator. For $60 US, fifteen people had a nice meal including a soft drink and tip.
Afterwards we had a great time visiting together, and the pastors all shared stories of how their churches were growing. The evening included dinner in another pastor’s home.
On Monday the 7th, a taxi took Michel and I to Cienfuegos, and evening dinner was at his home with his family. Tuesday was spent at the Baptist Seminary where again pastors shared their church and family stories. Lunch that day was prepared by the ladies and was delicious.
Having lunch with us was a group from Sugar Creek Church in Houston Texas. This group was teaching local pastors leadership skills, and we hope to develop a close relationship with Sugar Creek in the future to see how we can work together for the betterment of the Cuban house church movement.
Five pastors received jump drives with nine seminary courses that are playable on their cell phones or TV’s. Two pastors received updated laptops.
I returned to Havana in a communal taxi on Wednesday the 9th, then travelled back to Canada on the weekend. This ministry trip had its challenges, but it was encouraging for me to hear the pastors thank you – the CMRC supporters – for their ongoing support and prayers. I am always amazed to hear the pastors express gratitude for the help we provide. A grocery bag with vitamins, pain killers, shoes, underwear, toothpaste, soap and more was distributed. Thank you for what you do for the Christians in Cuba.
Prayer Requests
- Please pray for Israel. Terrorists are setting fires to the forest areas across Israel but more around Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, the return of the hostages and an end to the terrorist attacks against Israel.
- Pray for our supported pastors in Cuba that God will provide food for them and their families and their church members. Pray also for continued growth of their churches.
- Pray for Karen and the young ladies in the education program in the Peruvian Amazon.
- Pray for Doug Springer’s upcoming trip with one other man to Guatemala to work at finishing the studios at Guatemala Bible Seminary.
