Dear you,
I got home from Cuba this past week, and I just have to share with you what God is doing! First, it’s clear to me in a whole new way the importance of the work WorldServe is doing in these communities; we have such a different idea of church in North America than they do in impoverished nations. I have been going to church my whole life, grew up in a Christian home, I went to Bible College…and I have never experienced a community of believers like I did this past week! The Cubans’ faith in the face of the social and economic struggle they deal with every day is just amazing. We met so many Cuban Christians who were struggling with poverty, family troubles, a government who’ll use any excuse to cut them off from travelling, expel them from school, and even put them in jail. In the face of all of it, they rejoice. They know that all they have comes from God, and they rejoice. They’re faithful to God, and ask for more blessings by fasting and praying earnestly. Seeing their faith in action, experiencing church services and fellowship with them…it really influenced me in my Christian walk! God showed me what our relationships and our church services could look like…and it gave me hope. I want to share what I saw with everyone I meet!
The biggest thing I realised while in Cuba is how we could use some more Cuba back home. I’m really looking forward to sharing what our group experienced with churches, youth groups, women’s groups and anyone else God sees fit to put in my path. We have some events set up for the next few months where I’ll be speaking on what it’s like to be a Christian in Cuba, as well as how we can all get connected to believers in other countries as the body of Christ. I have so many stories to share about how God is providing building materials, food and ministry opportunities over there in spite of what seem to be insurmountable odds. Cubans don’t see them as insurmountable though…they see them as bumps in the road that God will navigate for them. And they’re right!
The kind of things I’ll be sharing with churches and small groups will be stories like meeting Lucianno, a prison Chaplan, at the Assemblies of God office. Lucianno used to be supported by WorldServe until his supporter stopped giving, and when he stopped receiving a wage he continued to faithfully minister to prisoners as the denomination gave him what little they could spare so he and his family could eat. He gave us a letter thanking him from one of the prisoners who’d come to know Christ because Lucianno was there. Yesterday I shared his story with a donor on the phone as an example, and she decided to sponsor him along with 2 Chinese pastors, just like that! God has a plan to care for his people…and we really do get to be a part of it!!! The more people here I get to share these stories with, the more men and women like Lucianno will be provided for. Just think of the impact that could make!
I’m still raising support for myself here at WorldServe Ministries; I need 50 people to be giving $100 per month, and this is including all expenses. I know that God has a plan to provide for my needs as well as the needs of the Cuban and Chinese believers we’re working with…I also know that 50% of the people who receive this letter will respond. Has God chosen you to respond? I have enclosed a card should you choose to reply, and thank you for taking the time to read this even if you don’t. I would love to have you be involved in the evangelism, church planting and development that will be going on this year…hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Brianna Carson
Brianna Carson's Blog 