COUNTRY REPORT: CUBA
COUNTRY REPORT: CUBA
God is at work through the mission of Gleanings For The Hungry in the country of Cuba. In May, Jesse Correll visited several churches across the island of Cuba with Gleanings’ partner, Mission Esperanza. As a team, they were able to strengthen relationships with pastors and churches who receive Gleanings’ soup mix.
Church Growth Despite Economic Challenges Despite economic challenges and government control, the church in Cuba is growing. Praise God! In Guanajay, pastors transport soup to neighbors in buckets, calling each person by name as the food is handed out. “When the translator started to talk about Gleanings soup mix, the mood changed in the room. The faces of the people were sincere with joy and excitement. They know how this soup mix has made an impact,” said Jesse. Against all odds, churches are growing in this region. Multiple reports were given that new churches have sprung up, and existing churches are receiving new members. When the government can’t provide enough, the church is providing hope through soup.
Feeding Physically and Spiritually Each of the churches visited by Mission Esperanza has a feeding ministry, feeding 80-200 people several times a week. “The soup feeding ministry is not just physically nourishing, but also spiritually nourishing,” said Pastor Alexander from a region called La Fe. It’s difficult for elderly people to wait in line to collect their government food rations. Many Cuban “ancionos” (seniors) fall through the cracks. One woman received food after multiple days of having nothing to eat. She had a vision of people coming with “manna from heaven.” Then it happened. Pastor Arturo said people have begun to receive the words of the gospel, because they feel like the church is living out the gospel, instead of it being simply words.
Meeting Needs in Cuba The heart of Gleanings is to live out the gospel in word and deed, as well. There are abundant ways to partner with churches in Cuba. As feeding programs expand, the gospel message is being introduced in new areas where it was previously unavailable. Gleanings is looking into future possibilities of connecting quilt room products and peaches to Cuba, in addition to soup mix. Thank you for praying that God would continue to meet the needs of the people of Cuba, physically and spiritually.
