We know you are praying for our Cuban brothers and sisters, their families, and friends. This is so appreciated, especially knowing that all of you are also going through your own challenges during this pandemic.
On a very positive note, in spite of all of the restrictions in the world today, our radio programs have not been silenced, not even in Cuba. We continue to broadcast hope filled messages that are desperately needed in the lives of our listeners.
As you can see from this picture, precautions are being taken in Cuba.
Click on the picture to enjoy a Mission Minute focused on prayer for Cuba.
The following is an update from an elder of the church in Havana, Cuba. You will find it encouraging and yet challenging. Please take time to read how our brothers and sisters are doing during this pandemic.
Dear brothers,
We thank God for protecting us throughout this time, and for allowing us, even in the most difficult times, to continue to worship our God in the houses, and to maintain faith that our Lord is in control.
The situation today announced by the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba, at the close of, July 19, 123 patients testing positive to COVID-19 were hospitalized. The country has amassed 2,446 cases since the pandemic began in mid-March. Yesterday no positive cases were confirmed, which happened for the second day in a row, indicating that the pandemic is controlled, thanks to the measures taken by the health authorities, and the government, but above all by the constant prayers, to our Heavenly Father. Many brothers and sisters are in the groups of risk from this deadly disease, but we have received no news of infected brothers. Only, Santiago de Cuba’s preacher, Enoc Mustelier, reports that his sister is infected. Her source of contagion was in Mexico, detected upon arrival in the country at the end of June.
The provinces have already moved on to phase 2, but Havana is still in phase 1, for this reason we have not been able to start the meetings in our premises. We already have positioned the seats to keep the distance that is necessary and to apply the disinfectant for the hands and shoes when entering. and we only hope that the transmission event in the neighborhood near the building of October 10 #64, will be declared closed. The street where I live, it’s closed. This isolation is due to an outbreak in a nearby area, but thank God, it is also controlled.
The most difficult situation of the brothers of the Church now comes with food shortages, as there is a shortage of basic foodstuffs, such as milk, meat, oil and toiletries, in the markets. This situation is compounded, as several brothers have been left without the work they regularly did. Only those who work for state-owned enterprises receive a percentage of their wages that are already very little, and those who had private businesses, have had their licenses withdrawn for the duration of the pandemic, or have been affected by the lack of supplies of products of all kinds.
The funds that we had in reserve, were used to meet the needs of many brothers, both in Havana and in other provinces, to which were delivered to Villa Clara, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, and Pinar del Río. In addition, the products that existed on the Matanzas farm, beans, bananas, and Yuca were distributed, but at a very low level, especially in Matanzas and Havana. All this was be done in March or April, but since early as May and June, we have not been able to provide any more aid to those in need, because the funds have run out.
On the part of the Bible Institute, the funds we had for classes in the classroom, and to print literature, have been sent to all the students to help with their financial situation. We want to help meet some needs and but maintain communication by studying at a distance since March. At the moment, students in the bachelor’s group have kept studying in the long-distance mode. I do not believe that we could resume face-to-face meetings for the remaining part of the year, due to food shortages, transport problems and also as a preventive measure against the pandemic.
It is urgent for our brothers and sisters to receive aid so that they can meet the needs in the face of the food and toiletries crisis that exists in our country. The government has taken some action in the face of this crisis, whose results of being positive. However, in the absence of financial liquidity, markets opened this month where only USD dollars could be used to purchase things, a currency to which only those who receive money from the United States can access. Although you can actually buy products in other strong currencies like Euros, British Pounds, etc. But we know that most Cubans who receive remittances from abroad, the money comes from the US.
Since our brothers in the USA are faced with travel restriction, as well as the dangerous nature of traveling through airports, hotels, etc. where they may contact Covid-19, receiving funds from them is not possible now. We are looking for some ways by which we could receive the necessary help, and perhaps even support for the families of the preachers.
If you are interested, please email CPI at cpioutreach@icloud.com.
