Children's Bible Ministry in Guanabacoa, Cuba - March 2021 Update
The Children’s Bible Ministry of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Guanabacoa, Cuba, began as a pastor’s dream shared with a group of visiting American missionaries from Thomasville, Georgia. Guanabacoa, a suburb of Havana, is a poor but proud and bustling community teeming with young families with children. Pastor Yoelkis Sierra Gonzalez knows this neighborhood well, and he saw firsthand the great need for a safe place for young children while their parents are at work. Pastor Yoelkis imagined the day when his church would welcome those children, feed and care for them, and teach them about Jesus.
Now, nearly three years later, Pastor Yoelkis’ dream is becoming a reality. Soon after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, construction began on the building that will house this ministry, and fall 2020 was set as the projected launch date. Unfortunately, the plan and timetable did not factor in the effect of a worldwide pandemic. The past year has been one of great challenges to the people of Cuba. Massive shortages of virtually every imaginable commodity, accompanied by unprecedented inflation of prices for all goods, have combined to decimate the original project budget and timeline.
Nevertheless, we are not discouraged and neither is Pastor Yoelkis. Despite the economic and market hardships, great progress has been made and Pastor Yoelkis and his Session have been excellent and faithful stewards. As you can see in the accompanying photo, the facility is roughly 80% complete. What remains is finishing work such as wall coatings, glass panes for doors/windows, sidewalks, as well as electrical installation and lighting. Our best estimate is that $12,000 is still needed to complete construction and acquire all the items needed to equip and furnish the space for a new launch target of fall 2021.
We are confident that it was God himself who gave Pastor Yoelkis the “dream” for this children’s ministry, and we pray with grateful hearts that many children and young families in Guanabacoa, Cuba, will soon be learning about Jesus.
Joyfully,
David Crane, First Presbyterian Church, Thomasville, GA
Read more about the Children’s Bible Ministry in Guanabacoa, Cuba HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling $10,000 for the Children’s Bible Ministry in Guanabacoa, Cuba. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.