Be Strong and Courageous

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

On my way to the police station for questioning. 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40 John obeying God and sharing His love with a young man in a marginal neighborhood in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.

Lou, Sugeily, Naka, Reinier, Briana, Nicole and Beatrice speaking with the people and sharing the love of Christ with them. Many of them remembered us from last year and greeted us warmly.

This was Briana's first mission trip; she was so excited. Her love for Christ and others was evident in the way she served. Have you ever done something that you later realized was preparation for what was to come? Well, that's exactly what happened this morning. It was a beautiful clear morning. The birds were singing as Sugeily and I made our way to the dining room for breakfast. We were refreshed after a good night's sleep and were ready to face the day. My sister Emilia and I were going to visit my niece, Vilma. She had lost her mom a couple of months before and I wanted to spend sometime with her alone. As I was approaching the room where we were meeting I ran into Margarita; I explained to her that I didn't know how to comfort my niece, because I had never felt that kind of pain. As we were doing our morning devotions there was a knock on the door. It was a hotel security officer; he had a message for me (Lou). My cousin had called the front desk and had left a message that my daughter had a sinus infection and wanted me to call her. Well, I know Suheily. She would not ask me to call over something so minor. Fear gripped me and I began to sob. After the team prayed over me I made my way to the front desk. I called Suheily's cell phone, there was no answer. I left her a message telling her I would call back at 12:00 noon. An enormous sense of peace covered me as I made my way back to the meeting. Margarita then pointed out that God had just allowed me to feel excruciating pain, pain I could refer to when speaking with my niece. Amazing! This morning's verse was Joshua 1:9. My sister and I had a wonderfully intimate conversation with Vilma. I was able to share with them the hope I have that my sister and I will be reunited in heaven. They listened, but did not commit. Before I knew it, it was time to go meet the missionaries. Today was the day we had chosen to finish the work started last year. We gave away backpacks with toiletries and tracts, but ran short and missed approximately 40 houses, we had agreed we would go back this year. When we got there, the sky was blue and there was joy in the air. Many in the neighborhood remembered us and came out to greet us. The mood was festive and we were thrilled to be there. Suddenly, a dark cloud began to cover us. We had finished passing out the bags and were talking to the people when I heard -"Lou, the police is here and they want to speak with you". For a moment, the fear returned, everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. I said a prayer under my breath and calmly turned to the officer who was walking toward me. He asked me for my documents. I explained that I had left them in a house at the other end of the street and began walking toward the house. They followed. I gave them the documentation and they asked me to go with them to the station. Beatrice and Margarita came in. I felt weak and scared and it showed. Beatrice looked at me and said words that encouraged and strengthened me. I got on the motorcycle and off we went to the station. On our way, I felt the Lord asking me to sing, so I began to sing "Better is One Day". We got to the station and the police officer checked my passport. He asked me what we were doing and I told him. He then informed me that I could not do this kind of activity with a tourist visa. I apologized and explained to him we had no idea this was considered religious activity. I further explained we had done the exact samething the previous year and had no trouble. He reiterated not to continue. I promised him we wouldn't. They took me back to where the rest of the team was and we thought that was the end of that. Much to our surprise, it was only the beginning. A few minutes later a man in uniform showed up to the house asking for me. He identified himself as an immigration officer and told us the whole team was to be at Immigration at 2:00pm. It was approx 12:00 noon. We did not want to be late, so we got on the buggies and asked the drivers to take us to immigration. We arrived an hour early. We checked in and I was ushered into an office where an officer by the name of Ricardo was waiting. He was pleasant, but I could tell he was irritated. He asked what we were doing. I again explained it in detail. He informed me that we were in violation of our tourist visa and told me to go back to the waiting room. A few minutes later I was again called in to the office, at this time there were two additional males as well as a female. The older male in plain clothes identified himself as a representative of Religious Affairs in Cuba (I don't remember his name). He addressed me as a sister in Christ and portrayed himself kindly. He wanted to know who had organized this group, what church was behind it, how we acquired the goods we were passing out, how much it had cost us to go to Cuba, how we had raised the funds, why there were so many young people, where they university students, etc. etc. I answered all his questions truthfully, but I detected skepticism on their part. Ricardo explained that it was their responsibility to safeguard the country, which I fully understood. He also made a comment which sent chills up my spine. He said, you remember 911, don't you? Well, all those terrorists were in the United States with tourist visas. I didn't know what to think at this point. I was concerned about the team, my family, myself. I was praying they would believe us. After what seemed like a very long time, I was told to get the team so they would know what this was all about. The team came in to the office and Ricardo appraised them of the charges "Violation of Tourist Visa" and further explained the limitations of such visa. He then told us to go directly to the hotel and wait for their decision. We did as we were told. We noticed we were being openly followed. At the hotel I called my aunt and informed her of the situation. She said she would send lunch (which she did). About and hour and a half later I was called to the reception desk. There was Ricardo with another officer. He told me they had made a decision. We were to leave the country within 24 hours. I explained to him, that we had purchased a travel packet and we did not have a way to leave the country until early Sunday morning. He told me to contact the agency and to pass on the information, but regardless of the outcome, we had to leave Sancti Spiritus by the next morning. I asked the officers if we could visit my family and he said yes, you can visit the family, walk around town, and do all tourist activities, we just could not share the gospel or pass out anything religious. You can imagine the stress the team was feeling. I contacted our representative in Cuba, who then contacted Taino Tours owner, Omar, in Mexico. He called me right away. He told me the bus would be at the hotel early the next morning to pick us up and they would figure out where to lodge us in Havana. After these arrangements were made we decided to go back to my aunt's house. Margarita said to me, don't worry Lou. God has this. If we can't go out, the people will come to us. Well, the Lord did!

Upon arriving at Tia's, we noticed the house was packed with people. I was sitting in the backyard with Beatrice, Margarita and my cousin Victor, when all of the sudden Beatrice looks at my cousin and says: "So, when is my father-in-law going to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior?" (This is a running joke with them). I nervously laughed. You see, my cousin Victor is a hard nut to crack. Last year, Elsa witnessed to him, but he wouldn't commit. We've been praying for him the entire year. His wife's desire was that her entire household be saved and he was the only one left. My cousin told Beatrice that he would do it one of these days, and she asked, why not today? She then gave him a booklet on The 4 Spiritual Laws and asked him to read it. As he read his countenance began to change. She asked him a couple of questions which he sincerely answered, she then looks at me and says softly, I'm winning. I knew she was. I could see the Holy Spirit at work. I excused my self and walked into the living room, where I encountered my niece Vilma and her daughter 15 year old daughter, Rosanna. They came to ask for healing; Rosanna has a problem with her heart and the only way to repair it is through open heart surgery. I asked Elsa to explain to them that healing is only through faith and that you must be a believer to receive it. I walked to where a young man was waiting to speak to me. We met him last year. He is studying to be a pastor and wants to partner with Sancti Spiritus Ministries. As we were chatting, Beatrice came in to tell me that Victor had accepted Christ. PTL. A minute later, Elsa came in. She wanted me to join them in prayer for healing. Vilma and Rosanna had accepted Christ. The Spirit of the Living God had fallen upon this household. That night, nine people were saved. It was reminiscent of the event that took place in the home of the Roman Centurion, Cornelius. Read for yourself in the book of Acts.

Acts 10:34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God. Then Peter said, 47"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

It was the most powerful scene I've witnesses in my entire Christian life. We were giddy with joy. We were there until after 11:00pm.

To cap off the day, the Lord answered our prayer. We had asked for a legion of angels to encamp us and God, in His infinite mercy sent them. And at the forefront we believe was Michael, the archeangel. It seemed like there was a Michael, everywhere we turned. Our horse and buggy driver, the security officer at the hotel (who not only introduced himself, but told us to call his extension #706, if we needed anything). And there was another Michael, but I can't remember where. We did not connect the dots until we were doing our nightly devotions. We rejoiced knowing that our faithful God had sent His mighty warrior to protect us. All Glory and Honor and Power is His forever and ever. Amen