Cuba Appeal - September 2021 Update
With gratitude for your generous response to our Cuba Emergency Appeal, we have been able to share more than $38,000 to meet the urgent needs of our partners at this critical time on the island, due to the pandemic and the collapse of the economy.
On June 21 at the Seminario Evangélico de Teologica (SET) in Matanzas, the school opened an annex ward of the local pediatric hospital which had been overrun with COVID cases. 120 patients and their accompanying relatives were received along with 20 medical personnel. For 47 days, ten SET employees and an onsite manager provided meals for 140 people. This included their daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as two snacks and food for babies under one year of age. Disinfecting cleaning, internet access and electricity had to be supplied by the seminary, along with the staffing of the kitchen and maintenance.
Gifts for the Presbyterian Reformed Synod of Cuba were sent with our wish that the funds be divided equally amongst the three Presbyteries who could then disburse resources, as needed, to their congregations which were in great need of assisting families to purchase food and medicine. Most of these congregations are found in small towns and villages and you can meet some of your Presbyterian family here, whom your gifts have both helped and encouraged…
The church in San Antonio de los Baños is pastored by the Rev. Dora Easter Arce Valentiń, who is also the current Moderator of the Synod. This church has had an intercessory prayer ministry for over two decades, and, before the pandemic, made regular visits to two senior care homes where they became family—and the face of Christ— to many who are alone.
The “Juan G Hall” Presbyterian Church of Cardenas, with 120 members, was founded in 1900. Its pastor, Rev. Alison Infante, shares ministry responsibilities with his wife, Sarah, who is also a SET graduate. Their high energy, big vision, and warm personalities serve this community-focused congregation well, with Christ’s love infusing all the ministries of this church: from tutoring high school students to its Music Academy, with a special focus on the care of the elderly.
On any given Sunday morning at the Caibarién Presbyterian Church, worship will likely begin with exuberant singing led by the pastor, Rev. Edelberto Valdés, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Synod. During our visit in 2018, Rev. Edelberto reflected upon God’s love and care and healing over the past year for the previous year, Hurricane Irma had devastated this part of Cuba. With a vibrant Sunday School program for adults, youth and children, it was not surprising that we happened to be there to witness the baptism of 7-year old Kevin whose family were new members of the church. Rev. Edlelberto had developed a special relationship with him and I am not sure whose smile was bigger throughout this Holy Sacrament: Kevin’s, Edelberto’s, or ours!
Watch our website for news of a return trip to Cuba in 2022 – when you can meet these faithful Christians face-to-face!
Joyfully,
Marilyn Borst, Associate Director for Partnership Development
Read more about the Cuba Partnership HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking support for our partners in Cuba to aid during this time of crisis. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.
Our Outreach team visited Juan G Hall Church in 2018