Christian Productions International: What's Going On? February 2015

Historic - Cuba - 20,000 Free Bibles

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Living in the reality of two worlds set 90-plus miles apart, Miami and Havana, gives us pause in the wake of the recent news concerning normalizing relations with Cuba. We feel the emotions brought on by years of loss, hurt, not to mention the political differences. As we take paused before getting on a plane, headed to Havana on January 17th we took inventory of what God is doing in Cuba to spread His Word across the nation and into the hearts of people that show evidence of hungering and thirsting for God’s saving message.

We have participated in training preachers, encouraged nationwide conferences for preachers, women, and young people. Through these efforts the Cubans have gotten to know Christ. Copies of our evangelistic television and radio programs have been shared, and churches have been planted. Now we continue to broadcast La Voz Alegre (The Happy Voice) every week throughout the Caribbean, including Cuba, with great response.

This time boarding the airplane to Havana, on the very week that our Deputy Secretary of State will make his first official visit to begin dialog with the Cuban government, is new and unique. Yes, there is a lot of history being made. But, what is unique about this week in Cuba is that God’s sovereignty has never been more evident. God had put a plan into action months earlier to purchase and distribute 20,000 Bibles from the western end of the island of Cuba all the way to the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba. God’s power moved the mountains necessary: the approval of the Cuban government, funds raised by the Mayfair Church of Christ in Huntsville, AL, the formation of an effective team to deliver the Bibles, and to preach the saving message of Jesus across the country in 7 different cities. The team was a united group of Cuban and North American Christians working together. Roberto and Milan and Ammiel from Havana led our US group from Havana on the road to meet up with Cuban Christians that had Bible in place. Bibles were shared in Havana, Consolación, Matanzas, Santa Clara, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, and Santiago de Cuba.

Each night God’s power was magnified as we looked into the eyes of Cubans receiving their very first Bible. Their expressions of joy were evident by they way they held their Bible tightly, thumbing their way through the pages with eager anticipation. A wave of emotion came over us as we watched people with such hunger for knowledge of what this Holy book contains. It was also quite clear that our Cuban brothers and sisters had been doing a lot of teaching before we arrived in each city. Crossing Cuba God gave the increase following all of the sowing and watering that took place. Thirty-six souls bowed the knee to Jesus through baptism as they responded to the preaching every night.

Staying in a Bed & Breakfast in Santa Clara we were greeted by the couple and their son that showed some curiosity concerning our mission. It was clear that they had taken a huge step forward in turning their home into a personal business as a Hostel. We were made to feel at home. Conversation did center on some of the hopeful changes in our country’s relationship. I was even gifted the morning newspaper that headlined on facing pages “Obama Asks Congress to Put an End to the Blockade” (Obama pide al Congreso poner fin al bloqueo). And on the facing page, “Cuba Aspires to have a Respectful Dialog, Reciprocal and Equal with The United States” (Cuba aspira a un diálogo respetuoso, recíproco y igualdad con Estados Unidos). However, before the end of our stay the most important news of the day was received by Carlos, his wife, and son, the Good News. A Bible was willingly received by Carlos for each member of his family. This is noteworthy, since Carlos wanted no part of Christianity when we entered his home.

God is almighty, sovereign, loving, and merciful. I was told by a wonderful Cuban American woman in Miami that our work in Cuba through radio, training preachers, teaching young people is the only way that we will change the hearts of a nation that so desperately needs help.

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