Great trip to Alamar community where 3 teams participated in a medical clinic, youth camp, and baseball clinic. Over 200 in the community were seen by a Cuban medical physician and assistant. A team from South Carolina brought an ophthalmologist and glasses were provided to many who could not afford glasses at that time. The youth camps were awesome relationship building opportunities and allowed them to share what Christ is doing in their lives. The baseball clinics provided instruction to younger players and afterward each day a baseball game was played with players and coaches. The mango and papaya were in season and nothing is more refreshing than a cold plate of fruit after a hot day!
I wanted to update you regarding the two trips we took this spring, one in February and the other in April. But first, asking for prayer for the many people who are suffering, there in need of basic food and medicine. Power outages occur every day, lasting from 2-3 hours at a time or for days, depending on where one lives on the island. Specific prayer for Dr. Johanna, who is battling cancer, Roberto and Dulce, who tragically lost their son, Luis, in heartbreaking fashion, and Hector, who is undergoing dialysis 3 times per week while waiting on a kidney transplant. Suffering is universal, l understand that, but we can pray for God’s sustaining power to lift them up in these difficult times. Thank you for your prayers and also giving so generously over the years. You have helped in so many wonderful ways. We finally had our 2 containers delivered this past week! They arrived in the port of Mariel in Havana, the first week of March, and due to government bureaucracy, it took longer than ever to be delivered. The first one was loaded with food donated from our friends at Lifeline Christian Mission, 286,000. The second was loaded with medical equipment, food from “Love The Hungry” here in Louisville, medical supplies, and other items needed for the church to distribute throughout the community and various provinces throughout the island. Yes, this is wonderful, and it gives the people hope and puts a smile on their faces, but the best part is the church lets them know it’s from the love of Christ. Mark 9:41, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. We do everything out of love, Christ’s love in and through us. Our February trip was fantastic as we had a team of 16 awesome friends that conducted 4 medical clinics, seeing over 400 people, house visitations sharing Christ, evangelizing in neighborhoods, and teaching house church leaders. We did AA meetings for those struggling with addiction, a Saturday morning youth study program, preaching in house churches on Sunday morning, and meals at the homes of church leaders. We loved every minute of it! The April trip was just the two of us taking things down that we were asked for in February. Water pressure pumps, medicine for 3 house churches, and funds for a mom with 2 teenage daughters who needed their own apartment. Members of our sweet team in February saw the need, and everyone pulled together and raised the money necessary. Just a beautiful response to the Spirit of God. I really can’t get into details, but the mom was just blown away and was incredibly grateful. You would have to see it to believe it and understand the joy of giving and focusing on others.