Despite Superstorm, Church of God Holds Conference in Cuba
Just hours before Hurricane Sandy slammed the eastern part of the Cuba, a team from Cleveland, Tennessee, arrived in Havana and traveled five hours east to a Methodist Campground in the city of Santa Clara. There the Church of God held its annual Evangelism and Missions Congress. Pastors, missionaries, praise and worship leaders attended the Congress, staying in dormitories and ate their meals at the campground.
By Willa Smith, Church of God Missionary
Many decided to make the trip regardless of the impending weather. Some of the delegates traveled more than twelve hours in cattle trucks to get there. One pastor insisted that his wife leave Santiago de Cuba and come to the meeting with him. They returned home to find their home blown away by the storm. They praised God that He had spared their lives.
Following the Congress, the team ministered in two churches in the city of Havana. On Sunday evening, the team ministered in the 2nd oldest Church of God in Cuba, the Buenavista (Marianano) church which is currently being pastored by Elena Querol, the daughter of Mario Benites. The team also ministered in a new church in Fontanar, Boyero near the Havana airport. Pastor Casimiro is seeing tremendous growth even though the building they worship in is very small and is constructed with chicken wire and styrofoam. The church pews are made from wooden pallets.
Pastor Casimiro and his family now live in the unfinished house that was begun in May 2004 by a team from Westmore Church of God. The house will one day serve as the overseer’s office and ministerial training center. This pastor is living in horrible conditions in order to be close to the church that is a church plant from the 2004 team’s first convert. Funds have been collected to help improve the living conditions and have been taken by a Cuban pastor as he returned recently to his country.
The highlight of the trip was when nine people were baptized in the ocean. These nine candidates had hoped to be baptized in October 2011, but conditions did not permit the baptismal service.
God is moving in Cuba. It seems that the door of opportunity is just beginning to crack open. It is NO secret what God is doing and will do in our neighboring country of Cuba!
Meanwhile, in a report received from Daniel, a minister in Cuba, the city of Santiago de Cuba is a disaster area after Hurricane Sandy passed by. This is the first hurricane to hit this area since 1963. The congregation and pastors in that area are all safe, but many homes have been destroyed.
The storm severely affected power lines and we are now without power. The church has one small gasoline powered generator. Most phone lines have been affected also; however, cell phones seem to be working. Many streets have been closed to traffic due to fallen trees and electrical posts.
Many homes were affected, and personal items within the homes have been lost or destroyed due to water damage. Very few stores are open, and there are long lines to buy bread, food, and fuel.
Hurricane Sandy Relief
Project Number 765-0047-020
© 2012 Church of God World Missions
