PTL...Visas Approved, 103rd Convention, Chick-fil-a March 28, 2012

Praise the Lord…

Thank you for praying.  The copies of the Cuban Religious Entry Visas for the April 14-21, 2012 team of missionaries have been received!  We are so thankful to have them issued early.  Now we are able to go ahead and pack with confidence. 

We have been excited to receive reports from our contacts, in Havana, concerning the Annual Convention of Baptist Churches.  The Western Baptist Convention of Churches celebrated their 103^rd assembly this week.  Many representatives from the 300+ churches attended workshops, training sessions and plenary sessions. 

We are thrilled to see the unity within this body of churches and leaders.  The Seminary hosted many sessions and was the site of all of the food preparation.  An army of volunteers gathered each morning to prepare the mid-day meal for the convention participants.  The assembly line approach worked well and efficiently.  The food was transported to ‘El Calvario Baptist Church,’ which was the site for the plenary sessions.  Each morning, many vehicles delivered the food for distribution.   We have had the privilege of serving along side of outgoing President Victor Samuel Gonzalez Grillo, for the last six years.  Many wonderful changes have taken place and we have seen God working in marvelous ways while Victor Samuel was at the helm.  We look forward to working with newly-elected Western Baptist Convention President Juan Carlos Rojas Mantilla, pastor of’ El Calvario Baptist Church,’ in Havana.  Previously, we have worked with him and are confident that God will bless him as he leads the group into the future.

Don’t forget to join us at Chick fil A on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, on Wednesday, March 28^th from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. for a fundraiser to benefit  Cuba Mission Trips.  The April 2012 Cuba team will be on hand starting at 8:00 pm to share more about our next trip. 

Thanks for your prayers and support.

More Baptisms, Baby Dedications...PTL!

Dear Friends of Cuba,

More wonderful reports are coming in from our brothers and sisters in Cuba.  The harvest is evident in many churches.  Pastor Pedro and his wife, Mercedes, sent news about baptisms and baby dedications this month.  Pastor Pedro works as the director of the mission program of the Western Baptist Convention.   Seminary students participate in mentoring and training sessions.  They are encouraged to ‘go and make disciples.’

Mercedes is actively involved in the Women’s Ministry, Orchestra and Choir.  She has developed a team of volunteers who serve in the Children’s Ministry, and in the Clown and Puppet Ministries at their church.   We have had many opportunities to serve alongside of these dear people and present Vacation Bible School programs.   The church sports ministry program is thriving and summer leagues are in the works for students, as well as, adults.  Join with us and pray for Pastor Pedro and Mercedes as they prepare for upcoming summer programs for adults and students.

Praise Report-Baptisms in Cruces

Dear Friends of Cuba,

Glory to God for the work that is continuing all across Cuba.  We are thrilled to report  from Pastor Vladimir that eight people followed our Lord’s example and were baptized in a special service last Tuesday!  Pastor Vladimir and Glenda, his wife, are very active in their community.  They led a campaign to reach out to those in their neighborhood and share the good news of salvation.  As a direct result, these eight precious souls will now celebrate eternity in Heaven.

Vladimir received his training at the Western Baptist Theological Seminary in Santos Suarez.  Besides serving as pastor and all that entails, he is also the director of the satellite branch of the Seminary working with students who will become future pastors and worship leaders in Cuba.  Glenda has always had a heart for reaching children.  She leads a team of volunteers and oversees training and discipleship classes for their children’s ministry.  Please pray for them as they continue to minister in their city.

Dear Friends of Cuba,

Thanks to Florida Gardens Baptist Church for hosting the Coco Freeman
concert, on Thursday, February 23, 2012. A special thank you goes out to Don
and Leo who helped navigate the sound board and computers for the concert!

Five local churches were represented by those who attended the
event. People in the audience enjoyed Coco's music during the two hour
presentation. Coco shared photos from his evangelistic music ministry in
Cuba. In his photos, we were able to see to the crowds who attended more than
50 concerts, in Cuba during 2011. Coco told us that hundreds responded to the
truth of the gospel of Christ as he ministered across the island nation.

On Thursday, Coco clearly and carefully presented the gospel as he relayed
his personal testimony. We rejoice that God gave Coco another chance to
dedicate his life to the work of the Lord in 2000. Glory to God for the
precious sister who gave her heart to Jesus at the end of the presentation
on Thursday night at Florida Gardens Baptist Church.

Continue to pray for Coco as he prepares to share with church
congregations, in Palm Bay, this weekend. Beginning in March, Coco will perform
in churches in Puerto Rico. After that, he will return to Cuba to join his
family and continue his ministry endeavors.

Great Weekend in Ocala with Friends from Cuba

Friends from First Baptist Church of Orange Park and First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach met in Ocala at the Appleton Museum of Art on Saturday afternoon.  We were thrilled to visit with our friend Vicente, a well known contemporary Cuban artist, as he talked about his inspiration and experiences.  We were able to participate in a panel discussion event and then to have time sharing and viewing the pieces of art on display.  Sandro, another Cuban artist, was featured in the event on Saturday, as well.  Vicente always gives credit to God for his gifts and is happy to share his story.  We are thankful that he received the visa to visit United States.  This coming weekend, both artists will have their work on display at Wynwood in Miami, should you want to attend.

Coco Freeman at Florida Gardens Baptist on February 23, 2012

The October 29 to November 5, 2011, Missionary Team is backfrom Cuba!

Gayle Powell, Katie Gentry, Jim Reid, Judy Ratzlaff, Mary Daunhauer, Bud Broda, Frank
Jassir, Yla Flores, Steven Hansen-(Steve & Virginia’s 13 year-old son,) and Virginia Hansen

Thanks for your prayers and support…

Last week God provided so many opportunities for our team to meet with and serve children,
their families, pastors, their leadership teams, seminary students and their professors. Because of illness, Judy could not join the trip but we have learned that she is feeling much better.

We were two churches--FBC of Orange Park and FBC of West Palm Beach- going as one team, united to share the love of Christ with everyone we met during the week. Due to a change in the school schedule, the students were in school last week, and we left the Vacation Bible School materials with the churches for future use.

*Praise God all of our team members were granted Cuban Religious Entry Visas.
*Praise God for the Garner Family and for the use of their van and enclosed trailer to transport some of our team members and the 27 duffle bags and 20+ carry-on bags to Ft. Lauderdale.
*Praise God for the Gentry Family who drove their SUV to take and bring back team members from the airport.
*Praise God for the overall savings of $860 on the airline tickets and luggage weight charges.
*Praise God that the tropical storm did not impact our week of activities.
*Praise God that all of our carry-on luggage and duffle bags went through Cuban and American Customs without incident!
*Praise God for allowing us to meet with and begin partnerships with new churches, new missions, new house churches and new ministries.
*Praise God that we saw girls and boys participating in AWANA Programs-(OANSA).
*Praise God for the opportunity to attend two Cuban Christian musical concerts.
*Praise God for churches shining the ‘light’ in the midst of neighborhoods where ‘Santeria’ abounds.
*Praise God for the Baptist Home where 19 residents are cared for each day.
*Praise God for new branches of the Seminary being established in order to serve more students who are studying to become future pastors and worship leaders.
*Praise God for children who love memorizing scripture verses and songs as they learn about Jesus.
*Praise God for the many volunteers who lead, prepare and work with the children and student ministries in the churches and missions in Cuba.
*Praise God that all 650 pairs of underwear, 800 pairs of socks, 510 beanie babies, clothes, shoes, medicine, food and other resources were distributed to our partners at churches, missions, and ministry groups on the island.
*Praise God for the opportunities to share the gospel and for the many hearts who are now serving Jesus day by day.

Check out more details on the Cuba 4 Christ web page: www.cuba4christ.org