February 2009

This month has been that of ups and downs.
Alexander was sick for two weeks with Dengue Fever – but thankfully he was well enough in time, to head to Cuba as planned to meet with leaders about Children’s programs in there country.

While Alexander was away, I was holding down the fort here in Belize City. A couple of days into Alexander’s absence my sister Becky came out to keep me company since she was on spring break. I spent the time alone preparing for a workshop I was asked to do at a Belizean Youth Conference in Balmopan. Last minute they didn’t end up needing me, but my sister and I hoped on a bus to Balmopan anyways. It was a good chance to meet other youth workers in the country and connect with the youth we’ve been working with over the past year.

Alexander’s adventure in Cuba was a bit more interesting. I’ll let him tell it in his own words:

(*above: I flew from Cancun; I got to Havana and ride the bus for 12 hr to the City of Holguin. Then I visited churches and camp site on all the Orange Stars. I visited 4 cities and 2 were poor. I also got taken into place where the Government do not allow foreigner.)

"Thanks to God for the opportunity to represent CCI in Cuba. It happens that I was going to meet with Ray Wieler and Steven Zacharias in the City of Holguin and the Representative of World Server - the Organization CCI is partnering with to reach Cuba.

Unfortunately Ray and Steven missed their flight because of a snow storm. So I got to observe the Cuban Church on behave of CCI with goal of planting camp ministry into the heart of the Cuban Church.

Some things I got to see in the church: their were more youth than children, their were some children programs and lots of interest on the development of children outreach, need of Children resources and training, the churches are oppress by the Government however there is a big movement through house church plant, 95 % of church are poor, a pastor gets 35$ U.S dollar a month full time ministry. (*above: Small village of Cacocum. 1 hr drive from Holguin we visited the Church by Name of “En Espiritu Y Enverdad” 200 hundred members not including the children. )

I visited 4 cities in Cuba with ministries and I meet the most outstanding leaders and pastors of two denominations. I visited many churches and camps site that were run down. House churches in Cuba were 18 ft by 24 ft with an average of 200 people. Cuba government does not allow building churches on empty property. The only way to have a church is in a house.

(*above: "Play Guardalvaca was where I visited the church that was hit by the hurricanes 6 month ago. To Sad to say that the church does not have any roof since then. Lack of mullah")

In other words, Cuba Church is trusting in the Lord, and doing good, and they feed on God faithfulness."

Since being back Alexander spoke at a Children's Rally that had been planned for January but was postponed to this past saturday.

Also: this past weekend Spanishlookout youth visited us again and here Elsie and Nancy are doing the object lesson for the kids.

Coming up:
Training in Blue Creek this saturday
Soccer camp on March 9th Baron Bliss day
Cross-current comes on March 27th
Easter camp, April 6-9th