Saturday, August 28, 2010

Train the Trainer Model working in Cuba!

We are excited to report that the Train the Trainer model is working!  It is wonderful to see that the churches and groups we partner with are also facilitating trainings and sharing materials and resources with others in Cuba.  In April, we took El Tren de las Buenas Noticias--The Good News Train VBS down for our partners to use with their children's programs.

A church from the Vibora neighborhood, in Havana, spent a week presenting El Tren de las Buenas Noticias-The Good News Train VBS activities to their students.  After completing the VBS, they decided to share the materials and curriculum, with a sister church in Cienfuegos, which is about a four hour drive from Havana.  Praise God that in both locations children and many parents participated in the activities related to the VBS.  More than 100 children were in attendance everyday in Havana and Cienfuegos!

Many of our church partners are requesting prayers for more leaders to help teach and work with the children and student programs.  There is a great need to focus on students of middle and high school ages.  In an effort to reach out to more students, one of our church partners, in the Naranjo neighborhood of Havana, held a Youth Night, last week.  This was a kick-off activity for the fall.  Many friends were invited to come and check out the church.  Please pray that God will lead adults to step up and assist with the student outreach programs in the churches.

The Naranjo neighborhood is one of the most densely populated in Havana.  Many who live there are unchurched.  Our friends have chosen this key verse for 2010:
1 Corinthians 15:58--Therefore my brothers, stand firm, don't let anything move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is not in vain.

This week we have been in contact with the President of the Western Cuban Baptist Convention of Churches.  He and his wife are returning to Havana, on Sunday.  Please pray for their safe travels and easy passage through U.S. and Cuban Customs.

Please also continue to pray for the November Cuba Mission Trip.  Lord willing, we plan to share  El Rancho Vaquero-Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS with our partners while we are there.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

God continues to work in Cuba...


God is certainly working in Cuba!

We are thanking God that Rene, our Christian brother, arrived safely back to Havana with all of his luggage. He passed through customs without incident. Rene is able to share photos and experiences from his trip to the United States, this summer, with many other believers at the Seminary and in the local churches.  We look forward to working with Rene when we go on mission to Cuba, in November.




Mileidy, and her husband Eliezer, are serving in a church in Havana, that has been restored. They just completed, ‘The Good News Train’ Vacation Bible School, aka, ‘El Tren de las Buenas Noticias.’ Many students and children attended each day. Recently, they formed a team of clowns, at their church. The clowns ministered to the kids during the VBS week.



A week ago, we received Vacation Bible School reports from Santo Domingo, and Guanabacoa. The church, in Santo Domingo, made a train out of cardboard and walked through the neighborhoods using the train to advertise the upcoming VBS event. The reports from the two churches indicated that on the first night there were many new faces. Each night after that, more children came and brought their parents along, too!

We are thrilled to see churches sharing materials and know that many are coming to know Christ through Vacation Bible School activities. Please pray that God will provide more Bible School curriculum, in Spanish, for us to bring to our friends in Cuba.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Praise God!

Good Morning,

We have had an exciting week. Many of you have been viewing the web page. Thanks for sending feedback. Jay added more Cuba photos to the site gallery, yesterday. Thanks for your prayers...

Keep watching as we add and refine the site... www.cuba4christ.org

We serve a wonderful God who always provides for us! We are celebrating and are amazed at how God works. This past week, Rene, our friend from Cuba, has been visiting friends in Texas.

Last night, during a phone call, he shared that members from two Texas churches have generously provided funds for Seminary projects. This goes beyond our wildest prayers and dreams. Please join us as we gladly give the glory and honor to our magnificent God who shows Himself faithful to us in huge and small ways! It is amazing to see God working in lives. As we understand, funding had stopped for some of the Seminary projects and now we see God opening the door for the work to be completed!

Please continue to pray for Rene as he travels back to Florida today. We can't wait to see him again and hear all about his Texas adventure!

Please pray for the November Cuba Mission Trip. The deadline for submitting the application form is Friday, August 6th.