Matanzas Evangelical Theological Seminary (SET) - August 2021 Update

The 2018 Outreach Foundation team at the seminary with Dr. Carlos Ham (far right)

Below are excerpts from a recent letter sent to us from one of our strategic partners in Cuba:

Dear sisters and brothers:

We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and at the same time, we thank you for your prayers and your expressions of concern related to the current situation in our country. We are living in an acute economic crisis and a crisis of values since the “special period” (decade of the 1990s) when the Soviet Union and the socialist bloc collapsed; we have not yet recovered from those times. The crisis has become worse …

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought negative consequences: the sad death of loved ones, which has produced a great emotional impact on the people. Furthermore, the State lost millions of dollars due to the fall of tourism. Despite that, it invested millions of dollars to try to heal and save the people. A significant example of that is the development of scientific research and the production of five vaccines against COVID-19. Recently, Cuba authorized its Abdala vaccine in the midst of the worst outbreak of the pandemic. The project showed over 92 percent efficacy in the application of three doses in the last stage of clinical trials, thus becoming the first Latin American vaccine. However, we are suffering a collapse of health institutions, particularly here in the province of Matanzas, the present epicenter of the pandemic, with a dire scarcity of medicines.

The crisis has intensified because of the economic measures taken by the State at the beginning of this year. Even though salaries have increased and the government has reiterated the promise that no one will be defenseless, the truth is that the population has to pay five times more for food, electricity, water, gas, telephone, and other services. In July, there were disturbances, protests, and vandalism, mainly caused by accumulated dissatisfactions through the years that have worsened in the last few months. Even though disturbances like these have stopped in the country, there is an uneasy calm.

As churches, we are interceding for our people, giving comfort, care, and offering messages of faith, strength, and hope, as well as promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and peace with justice. In addition, we are offering solidarity and witness, providing diaconal work and service – through the Living Waters project [clean water installations], serving food to the vulnerable, and providing laundry service for elderly people.

In the case of our seminary, last month the only pediatric hospital in the province of Matanzas exceeded its maximum capacity. The Ministry of Public Health of the province requested that the seminary serve as an annex center of the Children’s Hospital to accommodate children suspected of contracting COVID-19. We immediately agreed, following the long traditions of our institution of service to civil society.

Adrianna Guerrero Enriquez (seen here with Marilyn Borst, Outreach Associate Director who leads our teams going to Cuba) is a recent graduate of the seminary and pastors the Presbyterian Church in Sancti Spiritus

On June 20, we held a joint meeting, and both institutions worked intensely from that moment on to create the necessary provisions in the visitors’ building, ensuring the protection of members of our community. We were able to supply 120 beds: some for those children testing positive for the disease and one accompanying parent, and some for those suspected of having it plus one accompanying parent. Additionally, adults who are positive or suspected of being positive are also assisted here. We also host teams of 10 people, doctors, and nurses for hospital aid. All beds have been occupied since June 21, discharging those who recovered from the disease and transferring those who needed it to the Intensive Care Unit.

As to our teaching objectives, the Matanzas campus is closed at present and our Higher Ecumenical Institute of Sciences of Religions (ISECRE) continues working in virtual mode. We are getting ready to begin the new academic year on August 30 and we are learning to conduct the process of teaching-learning in virtual mode and distance courses. To do this we have received help from partner institutions abroad that have graciously shared their vast experiences with us. We understand the great challenges we have ahead of us, for this Kairos of our nation, in a post-COVID period that will not be the same; and the proactive participation in the new society we are trying to build.

We greatly appreciate your consistent solidarity, support, and prayers.

Your brother in mission,

Rev. Dr. Carlos E. Ham, Principal

Read more about Matanzas Evangelical Theological Seminary HERE.

THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling $40,000 for programs and scholarships at SET. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.