Blog one: The Power of Testimony

Blog one:  the power of testimony

After a somewhat difficult journey getting to Cuba, we have spent the last two days visiting three different missions churches (homes where churches are being planted in new areas) as well as sharing at four worship services of the local churches we are partnering with in Remedios and Buenavista.  We are blown away by the Church in Cuba!

The Church here is growing and vibrant.  The Pastors preach fervently, but just as important, the people eagerly participate in worship.  This was probably most evident when a woman who could not speak got up at the Senior Adults Celebration service on Saturday and did a pantomime to a worship song.

It would be rare to see something like this in our U.S. churches but Greg and I were brought to tears.  Her testimony was very powerful…though she didn’t speak a word.  The truth is, in every service, there has been a time for the Church to briefly share and give praise to God.  Gloria a Dios!

Greg and I shared some of our testimonies and led worship. Oscar and Rachel also shared and Oscar preached some (he was good!), but we were the ones blessed by the testimonies of the people in Remedios and Buenavista, Cuba.  It will be our joy to continue to bring their stories and testimonies to you in this blog.  Keep reading!

~Christine

From Pastor Greg

Dios Los Bendiga! Greetings from Cuba! What a fantastic time of ministry here. God is moving and doing great things! We have been running non-stop since we arrived. From sharing in the Saturday night and Sunday services in Buenavista and Remedios to visiting home groups during the day, I have truly been blessed by the Spirit in these people.

It was a powerful experience when Christine and I led “How Great Thou Art” in Spanish!

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This week, some of the things we will attend a Pastors meeting on Small Groups, share with Seminary students and visit Home groups in the evenings. Food is very scarce, but yet they go out of their way to give us the best of what they have. I am truly humbled. We also continue to help the construction project here in Remedios and it is really coming along. This extra space will be huge for the church.

The need is great for influential churches in Cuba. Those lives that are being touched by them are being transformed and the servant leaders they produce are making a difference. Please continue to pray for Pastor Omar in Buenavista and Pastor Alexis in Remedios that God will continue to provide much needed resources.

Dios Es Bueno! (God is good!)

~Pastor Greg

Worship time in Buenavista

 Jose Daniel was baptized on Saturday night

Buenavista’s Pastor Omar, wife Zenia and son Jonathan

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Serving lunch at Senior Adult Celebration

  

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Worship Service on Sunday in Remedios

Christine with Remedios young people

Construction update

“We promise together not to neglect the Temple of our God.”  Nehemiah 10:39

Construction is picking up speed at the church in Remedios and it looks like they are making good progress.  Here are the latest photos.

From the end of the patio towards the sanctuary.  

The light green door you see in the background is the door leading to the street.

Looking from the sanctuary to the end of the patio.  

The new rooms will be wider, taking up more of the patio area.  The narrow doors on the back are existing bathrooms (one of the doors is blue).

This is a side view.  The two bathroom doors are to the left.  The kitchen will be where you see the red pipe.  The pipe marks where the old kitchen wall was. 

~ Rachel

GOING BACK TO CUBA

CUBA SHORT-TERM MISSION

FEBRUARY 20 – MARCH 1,  2014

In three weeks we will be going to Cuba to visit the churches in Remedios and Buenavista, continuing our support of God’s work there.

Remedios has started tearing down the part of the church they want to rebuild.  We will be taking some equipment and materials they need for construction along with a few hands to help their construction crew.

Their small groups (grupos de vida) have more than doubled in the last three years and we will visit them, hear their stories, and share ours.

As we prepare to go we would appreciate your prayers for

• God’s guidance during our time there to use the time wisely and productively;  
• our luggage full of medicines, trinkets for the children’s ministries, and construction materials to arrive safely;  
• the flights to be on time since we have some tight schedules; and
• our health – no one wants to be sick during a mission trip. 

We also need help with finances to carry out our mission and take the resources.  You can donate to the Cuba Mission using the link below.

http://www.easytithe.com/f/?k=VEFJRW1Z6MDLAEH0

Now……meet the team

My name is Christine Vatuone and I am the Discipleship Director at South Valley Community Church. 

I became interested in joining the Serranias in Cuba after learning that the church in Remedios has a strong and vibrant small group ministry.

I am excited to meet and exchange ideas with group leaders, hear the Cuban people share their stories first hand, and share my story with them. I also look forward to sharing in worship.

Be watching for our blog which I will be helping with and for pictures of the construction progress on the church in Remedios (which I probably won't be helping with all that much!) :)             

Gloria a Dios!

As the Campus pastor for SVCC's Kelton campus, I am looking forward to being a part of our Cuba mission team in February. I not only am excited about  experiencing the culture and the on going work there but also playing a role in impacting lives for Christ. 

Pastor Greg

…and 2  makes 4

Oscar & Rachel

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATIONS

Christmas and New Years is always a good opportunity in Cuba (as in many countries) to share with others the hope that is Christ. The churches in Remedios and Buenavista organized several events to celebrate Jesus’ birth and welcome the new year.

BUENAVISTA

They set up the stage to represent a poor farmer’s house and their play center around the news of Christ’s birth given to men who tended the fields.

(notice the detail of the animals)

New Year’s Eve Festivities in the patio of the church building

Dinner

Bonfire

Waiting for the New Year in prayer

Happy New Year -   Blessings

REMEDIOS

They did not make the News, and no one might have noticed that on the 27^th and 28^th of December a group of children and their teachers left Remedios before sunrise.

 

They traveled more than 125 miles in a rented bus to share with children in 5 small communities the message of love and hope that is Christmas.   

The breeze of the fields, the shade of a banana tree and a tin roof were their cover from a hot sun.  

But the joy of taking the message of the child of Bethlehem and serving some refreshments was enough to revitilize the travelers. 

They returned to Remedios knowing that experiences like this are necessary to feel how we are strengthened by a wonderful God and generously share what we have. 

~ Oscar and Rachel

Remedios Celebrates Its 77th Anniversary

On December 10, 1936,  the church in Remedios was organized.  

At 77, it is in excellent health.  These are photos of their anniversary celebration

  

Today they are a church that is true to its mission: 

"Reaching people for Jesus Christ through small groups."

  

Geographically they work in 4 districts and several missions through 82 small groups.  

They are a great family, with a community of more than 1600 people. 

In this community everyone has troubles, temptations, victories and failures.  

But everyone is committed to the Kingdom, 

desirous that every Cuban knows about God's love.  

And Pastor Alexis says, 
"Everlasting glory to our great God who leads us from glory to glory and triumph to triumph."

 ~Rachel