Alumna, Ana Areli Moreno (ACM ’12) shares about her recent ministry trip to Cuba.
This past summer, God gave me the opportunity to travel to Cuba along with a team from my home church in Monterrey, Mexico. We had heard of the difficulties the churches in Cuba are going through, so we wanted to support our family in Christ in that island.
My local church has been supporting a small group of churches financially, but God took us there so we could be His hands as well. It was evident that God wanted us there because despite the difficulties of entering the country and bringing in donated goods, we made it safe and sound. We were warned that immigration could’ve caused trouble or would confiscate our luggage, but God was always with us and none of that happened.
We took clothes, shoes, books, candy, soccer balls, training equipment (for a soccer ministry with almost 60 non-christian teenagers), and Bibles. We were so happy we could help them with material things as well as the word of God.
Since the moment we arrived, we could see God’s joy in their lives and we noticed they didn’t really need all the stuff we brought them to be content. Sure, they were very grateful to receive all that we gave them, but that happiness didn’t compare to they joy the would express when they led someone to God, or when they worshiped or even when they served us.
Every single day in Cuba, was a blessing. I feel like our team received more than we could ever give them. We worked with the soccer team and performed a few skits that God used to speak into people’s lives. At the end of every skit, everyone in the audience would make a decision to give their lives to Jesus.
The local churches have been able to launch seven new house-missions with the monthly financial assistance our church as been able to provide; and we were able to visit all seven of them. We realize that our monthly support is not very much, but they do all they can with it and have raised these seven missions in just one year. With their plan is to launch a total of ten, you can see how their vision keeps growing and they keep working, non-stop, for the Glory of God.
I was amazed to see how much they can do, with the small amount of resources they have. There, I learned that all it takes to fulfill God’s will is a humble heart and a passion for Christ.
Getting together with our family in Christ from around the world is a blessing. That’s what God wants, unity among His children. Just like John 17:22 says: “that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
It is encouraging to see how the local church in Cuba is accomplishing God’s purpose against all odds. It’s a powerful reminder that, if God is for us, who can be against us?! -Romans 8:31
Please pray for the Church in Cuba. Pray for the provision, power and presence of God to be with our Cuban brothers and sisters. Pray that God will allow the world-wide Church to see the need in this beautiful Island who needs Jesus more than ever before.
¡Cuba Para Cristo!
VideoCred: John Moreno (Ana’s brother shot and edited this video of the trip).