One must understand: travelling to Cuba means leaving early, very early (6:15A.M.), and arriving home a week later very late (11:55 P.M.).  But that is exactly what J. V. Crockett, Nancy Jones, Mike, Pam and Steve Shampain, Tom Walker, Amos Wilson and Dixon Witherspoon did on F.P.C.’s most recent mission trip to Cuba April 24 – May 1, 2009. Mike and Pam Shampain were splendid leaders of a very congenial group.   

The purpose of the trip was to check the progress of our mission work in partnership with the Dora E. Valentin Presbyterian/Reformed Church of Varadero, Cuba.   We want to assure you that the work is timely, efficient and faithful to our Lord’s Great Commission.  It provides tangible assistance to new church developments, theological education for ministers and laypeople, and needed help for pastors and their families.  New ministries that have emerged over the past two years include support for a special school for challenged children and the Santa Martha Senior Home, obviously for older adults. 

A quick review:  The Guasimas Mission is in a ghetto.  We have supported this mission since our initial involvement in Cuba in 2002.  It is a beautiful building to which we added a new roof and, in company with other P.C. (USA) churches, we have almost completed a new wing for a kitchen and classrooms.  Our Cuban partners sponsor a baseball team among the boys of Guasimas and we have contributed equipment for that wonderful endeavor. 

The Perico Presbyterian Church is farthest removed geographically from Varadero.  The Pastor and his family have been there a year.  We contributed a new bathroom to the manse which is presently under construction.  Additionally, a new wing of the church is under construction which will contain a kitchen, bathroom and classroom space.

 The Dora E. Valetin church also sponsors several house churches that are vital to the communities (ghettos) in which they reside.  They are led by deeply committed and capable lay pastors and the small, enthusiastic congregations are multi-generational.

 The Evangelical Seminary of Theology (SET) has a tremendous ministry among Presbyterians as well as the larger community.  It is owned by Presbyterian and Episcopal churches of Cuba, but also trains Quakers, Baptists, Nazarenes and Pentecostals.  The Seminary is involved in superb community ministry and offers training to Christian Educators and Lay Pastors.  It is a most worthy recipient of support.

 On a previous trip, Judy and Jaylon Fincannon challenged the Cubans and us about ministry to children with special needs  Time and space do not permit adequate description of the terrific ministry of a special school we now support in company with the Cuban church and the government.  All of us are convinced that the children receive quality care as do the older adults in the Santa Martha Senior home.

 The above is only a brief  summary of our programs and activities in Cuba.  It is important to remember the word PARTNERSHIP.  Our ministry continues to be assistance to Cuban Presbyterians in the fulfillment of their ministry.  And it is obvious that God is powerfully at work among them.  They are excited about their faith and they uniquely proclaim the gospel through word and deed.  You may be absolutely assured that your mission dollars are handled with utmost faithfulness and that we have personally witnessed people being baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

 To God be the glory!