Cuba Appeal - October 2021 Update
This reflection upon the current crisis in Cuba – and of the Church’s response to it – comes from the Rev. Dora Arce Valentin. Rev. Dora is not only the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cuba (the IPRC—the Independent Presbyterian Reformed Church of Cuba) but a pastor in one of its congregations, a bit west of Havana in San Antonio de los Baños.
Rev. Dora Arce (far right) comes from a distinguished family of Presbyterian pastors in Cuba. Her brother, the Rev. Dr. Reinerio Arce (far left), was the former President of Matanzas Seminary. Her father, the Rev. Dr. Sergio Arce (in white), died several years ago, but he also served as president of the seminary and was one of the first Christians elected to the Parliament. In 1990, Sergio was among a small group of pastors who convinced Cuba’s President Fidel Castro to end the governmental suppression of religion and let churches re-establish themselves with service to the people.
Dear family in Christ:
When the gospels tell us the stories of Jesus' miracles, sometimes our rational minds fail to understand the true message of those experiences. And, indeed, even the disciples, who walked with the Master every day of his ministry, never fully understood him until after the resurrection. However, there are times when we can see those daily miracles relived in the solidarity between sisters and brothers of faith, in small or large acts of generosity, of those who speak to us of love and demonstrate it by sharing what they have, as you have done.
Amid the crisis that the pandemic and other situations have created for us, the IPRC gives thanks to God every day, for the solidarity received from those churches and individuals that we call “family.” You have been family accompanying us in prayer, through words and gestures of love, and in the financial support to cover some of our most immediate and urgent needs. Food and medicine deficiencies have been addressed with this help.
Our projects to support the most vulnerable people around us have been part of the ministry of our churches although our buildings have been closed for many months because of the pandemic. The church has turned its diaconal vocation to the streets and has reached those people in our radius of action. Food, drinking water, and medicines have sometimes traveled many kilometers to get to those who most need them. Thus we have embraced the mission in the middle of the confinement.
Praise and prayer have not been lacking either. Through WhatsApp and Telegram groups, youth groups, pastors, local churches, ecumenical groups, and even our General Council have managed to maintain liturgical and institutional life and formation, at the service of those who have been able to access the tools that technology has given us. We have been able to participate in meetings, events, and celebrations. We have also been in contact with many of our sister churches and institutions, like The Outreach Foundation, so they have been able to hear the voice of and experience the love of our communities. All this, too, thanks to the support of sisters and brothers who have provided us with the financial capacity to use these internet tools.
We thank God because, as a song that we use a lot in our liturgies says, “in trials and struggles, our love remains the same, we are a family in God and we love each other.” With all your heart, receive all the love and gratitude of our congregations, sessions, and pastors because, amid difficulties, miracles have happened daily and we can say with all conviction that God has shown his face to the Church.
To the family of God at The Outreach Foundation Outreach: may God bless you today and always.
Your sister,
Rev. Dora Arce Valentín, IPRC Moderator
Read more about the Cuba Partnership HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the Cuba Appeal. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help brothers and sisters in Cuba during this time of crisis. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.