STRETCHING RESOURCES

Life itself is an underserved gift; a sacred gift to honor, not only in ourselves but also in others.

Once we realize this, it takes us from thinking of ourselves as individuals separated from one another to realizing we are connected to the whole of humanity.  When we do good, we reach humanity. And when we do good together we can overwhelm the world with good. We can overwhelm Cuba with good. 

This good was at work a few days ago when Gustabo knocked at Sadiel and Zady’s house. Gustabo is a pretty good handyman (In the photo below he is repairing a rice cooker). He is deaf and has trouble finding work. He had not eaten for a day or so when he knocked, hungry, at their door. She was making soup for her and Sadiel, but it stretched for Gustabo as well (pictured below with Zady).

Connected to the people in their town, Sadiel and Zady reach out to the destitute, the ill, the orphans, and those who are hungry. And people in the community know that when they go to them, they will be heard, cared for and loved. Aliento Cuba partners with Sadiel and Zady in their ministry.

CUBA TRIP Update - Prayers and a miracle

Luis is a cowboy.  But he is the kind of “vaquero”who is more into horses than cows.  He likes horses and likes to handle and train them.  In April he was handling a particular feisty horse.  Somehow Luis ended on the ground and the horse backside fell on his abdomen causing a lot of internal damage, as you can imagine.  When his good friend Adolfo arrived at the hospital, the doctors had pretty much given up on Luis.  Adolfo called the family to let them know of the extent of the injuries but he was hopeful.  “Do not light candles to the idols or start doing any kind of Santeria rituals.  I am going to pray and he will heal.”

And that is exactly what happened. Adolfo prayed and Luis’ condition improved. Not only did Luis heal physically, but spiritually he has new life.  Last Sunday Luis using crutches walked into the church to worship God and this time committed his life to following Him.

This is the type of ministry Aliento Cuba supports through the pastors in remote rural areas who visit people who are hospitalized, pray for their recovery and bring them food.

May Cuba Trip - Osvaldo's Gift

Sunday in Buenavista.

In the last year the ministry in Buenavista has extended towards even more remote rural areas.

Osvaldo, Marisel and their son David are the first family in their small village to join the community of faith of Buenavista.  We see how God is revealing himself in very specific wonderments to the people in these villages. 

A small fire started in the fields where Osvaldo works.  The foreman and other workers could not get the crank in the water pump to turn over so they could put the fire out.  After several tries they started calling Osvaldo who was nearby and surprised they would call him since he is not involved in that particular task. Osvaldo told them the only thing he could do was pray and so he did.  There, in the middle of his co-workers he prayed for God’s help. After the prayer Osvaldo turned to the foreman and asked him to try starting the pump again. 

 It started.  People clapped and gave a sigh of relief.  

This was God’s gift to Osvaldo.

May Mission Trip - Loving our Neighbor

What does “loving my neighbor” look like? I often grapple with this question wondering how to best put it into practice. For me, to love my neighbor is to understand their struggles, to have empathy, to share their joys, sorrows and burdens; to see and respect them as a person. Sometimes love is just being there, giving them an opportunity to talk and really listening. The hardest part of listening is to turn off the “me” filter so that I do not assess everything from my point of view and my reality, but enter into their reality.

This is what we do in Aliento Cuba’s Mission Trips. No VBS. No grand events that keep us too busy to take a breath. Just taking our time, being there, listening, being in their shoes, discerning God’s purpose.

Food is scarce and medicine difficult to find. Travel is like moving in slow motion. It took us one hour to go 15 miles because of the condition of the road. But at the end of the road we found the richness of the people and the countryside. We’ve met dedicated people who want to serve their community and together with you we have helped them accomplish what God is calling them to do.

Now Pedro has a horse and cart to transport and visit families in the four villages he ministers in.

Isidro can ride a bike instead of walk to visit the families in the many locations where he is starting a faith community

Angel can travel 80 miles roundtrip with a team of pastors and lay individuals who minister in villages along the country roads.

Keti can continue to feed the destitute people in her town.

Zenia uses puppets to enhance her talent for telling children about God.

Yhosvanni ministers to people who are hospitalized; Alexeis to families torn apart by alcohol addiction; Sediel works with a fishermen’s families close to where he lives, and Felipe was able to repair homes for the elderly damaged by Hurricane Irma 2 years ago. All of them supported by you; by your prayers and your financial help.

On May 1 Oscar and I will be in Cuba for another mission trip. Pray that God will show us how to love our neighbors in these often forgotten places in Cuba and to support them in God’s purpose for them .