Cuba, Page 4

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"...just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort." 2 Cor. 1:7b

	Pastor Jorge and Aylin Marcos and their sons Jorge Jr. and Aarron

Cuba (continued)

Most of his congregation were in their 20's and 30's. Raul expressed his gratitude that we traveled the distance to come to encourage him and assure him that he had not been forgotten. We promised him that we would continue to pray for him and support him. We left him with a teaching book to help him instruct new believers. Besides his Bible, it was the only complete book he possessed. We also helped meet some of his immediate basic needs. Despite the conditions and the difficulties in reaching the people for Christ, Raul had successfully planted a church--and he was grateful to God for that tender plant God had entrusted to his care.

ICC also visited family members of one pastor whose home and possessions had been confiscated by the police. Jorge Marcos Ferrer and his wife Aylin returned one evening to their home in Las Tunas to find that the police, without warning, had raided their home. The police forcibly removed their two children ages 9 and 12, along with their 70-year-old grandfather. They were told not to reenter the house. The reason given by the police was that the family had been holding "Bible classes" in the house. The number of believers attending the house church had been growing steadily. In spite of orders not to re-enter their home, the family, having no place to live, has reoccupied their home. The police refused to return the family's possessions.

Because of the perseverance of the Cuban Christians and the unity among the various denominations, the church in Cuba is experiencing growth and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The effectiveness of the Cuban missionaries, having no church building of their own, is perhaps equal only to that of the house church movement in China where similar circumstances force believers to cope with persecution. In Cuba, the Assemblies of God churches are the largest in number. During the past nine months, among only 60 Cuban missionaries, each averaged 20 new converts. Not too bad considering the difficulties in communication, transportation, and restrictions imposed by the government. The recent trend shows that there are a growing number of educated professionals who are coming to know Christ as their savior. A hand-printed sign hanging at the front of one church best summarizes what our team witnessed in Cuba--"The Word of God is Living and Active" (Heb. 4:12).

(Click here for more information on Cuba.)

POSTED:  February 10, 2001

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