EBM MASA Community, Hilfe für Lateinamerika, Pastor Carlos Waldow

Mission Journey to Cuba - Part 2

The Gospel, The Power of Jesus’ Love, which brings new things into being

Dear MASA-Friends,

We had an all-day trip to Zayas, Bahia Honda, Murillo and have visited four small towns located in the north-west of Cuba at the same time. Juan Sanches and his wife Ana Iris, MASA-Missionaries, came along with us. They look after 8 missionary stations in this region. Daniel Gonzalez droved us with his old VW bus, which has always to be pushed for starting. We put 350 km back. At the same time, we could meet many people and see how Jesus works through their needs. Around 10 families are being supported by MASA in rebuilding their simple houses. These families are believers, whose homes are meeting places for house fellowships. Their kindness and thankfulness deeply impressed us. It is hard to imagine how much suffering they have to endure. They do not have the necessary means to rebuild their houses, which were mostly devastated by the hurricanes. Even if they had the means, they still would not have the possibility to buy the construction materials. It is hard going. But Jesus has his people in these towns and cities and he is building his church there.

After returning from the Isle of Youth in late afternoon, we immediately visited two Bible Clubs. It touched our hearts to see the children’s happiness and enthusiasm. This project is organised and managed by Ana Isabel, Daniel Gonzalez’s wife. The aim is to bring Jesus’ love in a practical way to children in slums, who are mostly left to their own device the whole day. One Bible Club get together at one place, it could be a living room, a yard, or any other place, where 10-20 can meet. The meetings include bible stories, games, and drawings as well as live basic values and much more. Besides the children have a shower once a week, as many of them have lice and other similar things. Finally, there is always a tasty meal for all of them. The staff also tries to reach the children’s families by visiting them and finding out how they can experience Jesus’ love in a totally practical way. This project was started with the support of MASA last year. Now there are already 7 clubs, which take place every week; further seven more ones are going to be started soon. We are thrilled about such a positive development. To see how the staff works with the children fills my heart with deep thankfulness. We keep on praying for Ana Isabel and the members of staff, who put their heart and soul in this ministry. There is one Bible Club in 7 different places, 3 of them have already a mission station, where a local married couple is in charge of. It begins with the children, often on the street, and ends up with newly planted churches. Isn’t it a reason to rejoice?

On Tuesday, the 23rd we partially attended a conference for pastors in Cuba, which was organised by the World Baptist Alliance. This conference takes place in Havana during this week. Late in the afternoon, we met the missionaries who work in projects which are supported and sponsored by MASA. It was a cordial and friendly encounter, goal-oriented and with fruitful exchanges of ideas. The purpose of the meeting was to increase their awareness that they belong together as MASA Team in Cuba and to encourage them in this position. They were very thankful for that. Next year, we will plan a non-public conference together with the missionaries and their wives. The missionary work on the Isle of Youth was the only MASA-Project until 2008. Now, five new projects have begun since 2009 (more details about it in the next report). Therefore, a new phase has begun for MASA in Cuba. Looking back now, after one year, we are convinced that we took the right decision incorporating these projects in our tasks in Cuba and shall continue supporting them. We want to meet the challenges that God has shown and confirmed to us.

We also had the privilege to visit the evangelisation and church planting work projects in the slums of Havana. We spent many hours with Franck San Juan, MASA-Missionary and some of his staff in different “solares” (slums). In the Zaldo Slum, (here began Franck his ministry a few years ago), there is already a church with 130 members. The church work has the entire slum completely changed. There are already mission stations in two further slums. The church in Zaldo has called missionaries for this work. It was inspiring for us to see how friendly and full of love Franck and his staff addressed to each one, children and adults, while we were going through narrow streets and dark corners. Most of the people in these slums know Franck and his team and appreciate them a lot. They are often overwhelmed by the changes of people who gave Jesus their lives. One of them is Alain. He was a radical Nazi who was involved in Satanism practices and lived in precarious conditions. After his conversion, he passionately lives out his faith in Jesus and lets everyone know about his experience. His testimony is convincing. In the evening we participated in the church service. Elimar preached a lively message. Cheerful cuban singing went up to God’s honour. There were more participants than the small service room could even hold. This room is situated on top of the house of a sister, based on the concrete ceiling of the house and covered by an ordinary iron sheet roof. This was the only place they found to have a church, - as they are not allowed to build churches. With the blessing of the Lord Jesus, four members of staff and six deacons are now engaged in the missionary work. MASA is helping them to cover further six houses with concrete ceilings in order to have a church service room for approximately 200 participants. They expressed their thankfulness from the depth of their hearts.

I wish I could bring all of you here, so that you experience yourself what God is doing in Cuba. Not all the churches, but many of them are breaking up. MASA takes notice of it and we are willing to continue encouraging our brothers and sisters with our prayers and practical support.

Now it is a bit late. Early tomorrow morning, at 03:30, we are going to go to Las Tunas in east Cuba. More details about it are coming soon in the next report. Thank you for every one of your prayers.

In Jesus’ love united,

Carlos Waldow

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