Final Thoughts

 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Hello from the beach!

I have decided that this will be my last blog, even though we won't leave until Monday, July 17th. We have spent time everyday with friends and acquaintances, catching up without actually saying good-bye. That would be too hard.

         Yua and Diana

We took Yua and Diana to McDonalds one more time. They just love it, specially McFlurries! There is a brand new McDonalds that opened in January only an hour from here. It is very nice with all the latest technologies. They don't have a car, so they don't get out of town much. They are the last couple to get married at our place here.

Pastor Alejandro and his wife, Alba, came over for dinner the other day. They pastor the church plant near here. Alba keeps in touch, occasionally asking  for prayer; therefore, I knew that they have gone through very hard family problems. This last year has been very hard for them. Just a month ago, their son was riding a quad with his daughter and got into a serious accident. They both had multiple fractures. Their son had to use a wheelchair for a while, but he is walking again. The granddaughter was taken to the children's hospital in the capital for a month of multiple surgeries. She is 12 years old. She still cannot walk, and has to go back to the hospital for more surgeries. Please pray for Brianna. We talked about the ministry. The church plant is not growing much, but he has two Bible studies going on in two different towns. He works full time in his business (he builds swimming pools) and tries to pastor these groups. We always try to encourage them. They thanked us for that. They say it is always a respite to spend time with us. We will still see them on Sunday at church.

             Yunior and Glenys

We also had dinner with the Cuban couple who live here permanently and are supposed to take ove the ministry in town. If you see my last blog in 2020, I stated that I was not sure they were even going to last here because I did not see a call to missions (apostolic spiritual gift), nor the gift of evangelism. They are very nice people. Since they are Cubans, I enjoy their company, but they have not done anything in three years. We, of course, introduced them to the couples group, but then COVID came, people couldn't get together, and the group disbanded. Everybody in town says that they are very nice people, but that's it. The reason they are still here is because they bought a lot in town and built a house.  His brother is a pastor for the Spanish congregation of a big church in Texas. The missions committee of that church has organized short-term trips here, they helped building their house (presented as a house for a missionary to their church), and they are now building a small community center and a house for hosting visitors. It is the old fashion belief that if you build a building, people will come. The brother is actually arriving here Saturday with another group. This time they got permission to do an activity in the town hall, like we used to do. This town is very hard. One must make friends before trying to talk about Jesus.  It is still our hope that the Lord will use their efforts and build His church here.

          Christian, Daniela and girls

         Walter and girls

The town itself has changed. Here in the Hacienda, they are building over 100 houses. All those workers have temporary housing in town. At night they wonder around with nothing to do. There are a lot of drugs and alcohol. The women do not walk alone after dark because they get harassed. In fact, even some of the men say that they do not go to town after dark to avoid problems. 

I know that all of the above is kind of depressing, but we still know that the Lord is in charge. He will bring His work to completion. As far as we are concerned, we know that our season here has come to an end. We feel that we would be interfering with what people here are trying to do; therefore, we are not planning to return, unless the Lord brings us again.

John went fishing with the guys one more time

       We had fish tacos at Francisco's house that evening

Praises:

• We praise the Lord for all the years of ministry and blessing in this area
• For the people that the Lord allowed us to meet and fellowship with
• For the privilege of living in this beautiful place 

Pray:

• For complete healing for Brianna and her father
  
• For Pastor Alejandro and Alba
• For Yunior and Glenys
• For all the couples who we were able to disciple and love

Thank you for all the years of prayers and encouragement!

One last time … from the beach...

Playa Avellanas

Old and New Friends

  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecc 3:1

Hello from the beach! 

Last week Carlos and Rosario came from the capital to spend a few days with us. We always enjoy their visits they are such good friends! Those of you who followed the blog in the past may recall that in February 2020, a non-profit organization called "Valores" was formed to facilitate the work here. Well, due to COVID and actually problems in the lives of the leadership, the organization was not active at all. Carlos suggested that we transfer the non-profit to another area where the ministry is flourishing in the community; therefore, we had a Zoom meeting in 2021 with all the original board and the leadership of the new group. It was all done according to the laws of this country. We all simply resigned and then a new board was elected. Our lawyer friend, Patricia, recorded everything according to the law.

Carlos suggested to take us to meet the new group in person. They have a very active community outreach. They have sports, a ministry to unwed pregnant girls, and evangelism. Carlos drove us on Wednesday. We met with the group that evening, spent the night at a hotel and drove at our leisure back on Thursday. Both the pastor and his wife are very active. The pastor's wife leads the ministry to pregnant girls. It is a one year program. They are given a book with daily devotionals, and the pastor's wife meets with each girl individually for about 45 minutes every Thursday. They get points for doing the devotionals, memorizing Bible verses and other things. Then they can "purchase" items such as diapers and baby clothes from a "store" of donated items. One of the women at the meeting Wednesday night had gone through the program and continues to attend the group Bible studies now. One interesting tool that she has is a set of dolls featuring the baby's  gradual development in the womb. Girls that are considering abortion are given a talk using these dolls. The actually very in weight, as well as size, giving a feeling of a real baby. We came back feeling better about having to let go of the non-profit at our town. We know that this group will take advantage of the legal status for the glory of the Kingdom.

Wednesday night worship

Pregnancy stages dolls

While at dinner at a restaurant, John mentioned to our waiter that I was from Cuba. He said that his boss was from Cuba also. So, he went and got his boss to come and say hello. The man was very friendly. He talked to us about a local Cuban connection from the time of the war of independence from Spain. It is a school named after one of our historic. Since Friday was the last day of school  before a tow week vacation, Carlos insisted that we had to go to this town, about an hour from here to visit the place. So we went on Friday and were allowed to visit the school and were given tour. The locals are always polite and friendly. The children were playing games and being entertained by a clown and Spiderman. I personally had a great time. Carlos, always looking for contacts, found out were the local evangelical churches were located. Couldn't meet the pastors, but I know he will follow up.

Antonio Maceo

The school was the Maceo residency

We visited three families with Carlos and Rosario.  They left Saturday morning. We had a family over for hot dogs and pool on Sunday and will have another family here again for pool and hot dogs today. After all, today is July 4th. The only way to celebrate here!

Hot dogs and fellowship

So, happy 4th of July!

Until next time...from the beach...

Three Years Later...

 2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

We arrived last Thursday morning after a very uncomfortable flight. The temperture in the plane was very cold. This was our first time flying Alaska Airlines, and I think it will be the last. We arrived cold, tired and hungry!  After picking up our rental, we drove a few miles until we found our favorite cafe for breakfast. We were so glad that it survived COVID. The Argentinian owner was very glad to see us back and gave us hugs. We continue to the Hacienda after being fortified with and excellent breakfast.

I sit outside to read my Bible every morning. This is my view.

There are changes everywhere here. Even the front gate is new and improved! Instead of being a problem, COVID resulted in a big boom for the Hacienda. There is construction all over the place. New condominiums are being built, homes, new developments, etc. This is a 4,500 acres compound, so there is a lot of room. We had to go to the office to get the keys because we sold the place three years ago. It is a little strange to be back to our old place, but as guests. Our friend Luis Carlos, who works in the office, met us there and went with us to the condo to help us with the suitcases. PTL! We were wondering how we were going to take the suitcases upstairs without hurting John's shoulder. One option was to unpack on the first floor, and then take things little by little upstairs! Once settle, we started visiting friends and catching up. I keep fortgetting to take pictures, but we have seen most of our closest friends so far.

                                  Francisco, Luz and Maridelia

Sunday we went to church, of course, but the pastor and his wife were at a youth retreat. We were disappointed. Attendace was very low. But we were received warmly. One of the ladies had tears in her eyes when she saw us.

The building to the right is the Sunday School.

Morining traffic jam

Today Carlos and Rosario are arriving from the capital and will spend four days with us. 

I will keep you posted about once a week. Thank you for praying for us.

Unitl next time...from the beach...

Last Week

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..." Ecc. 3:1

Find the monkeys

Playa Avellanas

It is time for us to leave. The suitcases are packed, pantry and refrigerator cleaned. We have said our goodbyes to everybody. Yesterday we said goodbye to the Cubans. Glennys hugged me and cried. Now they are truly on their own. As I said before, I do not think they are going to make it in this dusty little town. Even though they did not know us, I am Cuban, so we speak the same and use the same idioms. Our culture is the same. I asked them about different places around my hometown because they are from the same area. We really had a good time together. Pray that the Lord will make His will clear to them.

Yunior and Glennys

I think Glennys looks like Frida Kahlo

You may recall that the A/C upstairs went out the first week we were here, as well as the washing machine. This week the downstairs A/C also went out and the washing machine again. We have had to spend a lot of money on repairs. The washing machine needs a new motor, but we are going to get a rebuilt one. All we need is everything to be in working order to sell the place.  Pray that all the appliances will hold. John decided to get a surge protector for the condo. We should have done it when we first bought it. Hindsight is 20/20.

Sunday I got a call from Walter's mother asking to go talk to Yesenia, who had decided to go to Spain to work for a year. She was to leave the next day. We immediately got in the car and went to her house. It was supposed to be a secret, but I had already heard a rumor earlier that day. I just could not believe it because her mother is very ill in Nicaragua. I did not think she would go so far away from her. Anyway, we went for a walk to have some privacy. I was very straight forward with her, pointing out first, that it isn't the Lord's will for a wife to leave her husband and their two little girls for a year. I told her I couldn't pray for her success  because she was outside the Lord's will. I told her all that was wrong with that decision and possible consequences. She told me she would think about it. Well, Walter also called her father, and I guess her father also talked to her. She has decided to stay. PTL! I think maybe the whole purpose of this trip was to be here for this particular emergency. It has taken us 10 years working with the couples to have their trust to call us in emergencies. We are grateful to the Lord for this privilege.

Prayer requests:

• Pray for traveling mercies. We are leaving tomorrow.
• Pray for Yunior and Glennys.
• Pray for Walter and Yesenia and their two precious little girls.
• For the board of directors of Valores, that they will make wise decisions.
• For all the couples, may the seeds planted bear good fruit.
• For the sale of the condo.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Until next time...from the beach...

Fifth Week

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them." Mathew 6:26

Wild parrots

Life continues to go on at the beach. John has been able to golf a few times. Yesterday he played for the last time here. He saw these wild parrots while golfing. 

We continue to do have different couples over for dinner. So far we have had everybody over at least once. Our purpose is to let each couple know personally that we have the condo for sale, and that we are not planning to come back until next year anyway, whether it sells or not. We have been trying to get rid of a lot of "stuff" that we have here for ministry. Everybody leaves our home with a box with something. Eduardo and Arelis came over with their son, Evans. They are the only couple who is not married. I brought a wedding dress from the US for her about two years ago, but I had kept it here because she did not want Eduardo to see it. Well, they have been together 18 years, and they are still praying about getting married. What is there to pray about? They are afraid of divorce. It does not make any sense. We give up. We have talked to them, as well as Carlos, our friend Luis from Bolivia and other people. Even under the local law, they are considered common law marriage. If they separate, the same laws apply as a married couple. Anyway, I kept the dress on a hanger and put a trash bag over, tied it at the bottom so that Eduardo would not see it, and gave it to her.

Eduardo's father passed away recently. He is sadden because his father never accepted the Lord. Arelis has been talking to Eduardo's mother and to his brother's girlfriend. She even got them to bring out and burn all the images of the virgin that they had at home. She said they brought stuff out by the armfuls. There is a strain with the rest of the family, especially his father's brother because they would not allow a novena to be prayed for the soul of the departed. It is nine evenings of rosary praying in a row. Eduardo and Arelis attend church on Sundays, but they are not baptized, nor can they take communion until they get married under the church's rules.

Irene came to see me the other morning. We talked for three hours. We used to have the couples' meetings at her house for years. She and Luis Carlos were living together and have a boy together. Luis Carlos left her three years ago. She has struggled a lot during these years. Her behavior has not been stellar, and the tongues in town are wagging. She is now living together with somebody else. They got engaged on Valentine's Day and plan to marry soon. They have to pay a lawyer for the civil ceremony, and they are planning to do that as soon as they get the money together. She plans to have a religious ceremony, probably with Pastor Alejandro much later. By the way, Luis Carlos just got married Saturday. Pastor Alejandro did the ceremony.  😃 Luis Carlos and his new wife went to his native Colombia for their honeymoon, but they took Luis Carlos' son with them! If this were a Hollywood movie, people would not believe it possible.

The Moras are doing well. They got their IDs and work permits. My neighbor next door approached me the other day asking for a phone number of a lady who used to clean her house. I gave her the phone number, but told her that if that lady could not do it, I knew of somebody else, thinking of Glennis, of course. Well, that other person already had a job, so she called back about Glennis. She started working Monday. She will work three days a week. Our neighbors are a young couple who live here permanently. He is an American, but she is a local girl. They have three-year-old twin boys. She works part-time. They also have a side business of renting baby equipment to tourists. She told us that she is overwhelmed, desperate for help so that she can spend more time with the twins. I am praying that Glennis can bring the light of Jesus to this couple. They are very nice neighbors. So, Glennis has a job, Yunior is still looking. While they were in the capital, they receive the motorcycle donation. It is from a Christian organization that does this kind of thing to help pastors and missionaries. They donated a total of four motorcycles. Carlos will bring the motorcycle next week, the day we leave.

No offers for the condo yet. We are concerned now because of the stock markets diving world wide, not just in the US. People do not buy property in times like this. We also hear that the Houston airport is very tight about the coronavirus. Please pray that we will not have delays. I am already praying for protection as we travel back. We are leaving on Thursday next week.

Prayer requests:

• Good health and protection for both of us.
• Safety for Yunior as he learns to drive the motorcycle.
• That Glennis could be a light for my neighbors.
• That Yunior finds a job soon.
• That the Holy Spirit continues to work in this town.
• Pray for the couples that the seed planted will grow.
• That the condo sells soon.

Until next time...from the beach...

Fourth Week

 Matthew 6:26 New International Version (NIV)

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Last Saturday we have the first meeting to formalize the new non-profit, "Asociación de Valores." "Valores" means "values." We have used the name "Valores" in the past when we had sports clinics in town, but now we have a legal non-profit entity in this country with a constitution (16 pages!) and a board of directors. We have a logo and soon we will have a website. I already purchased the domain name. We met here in our condo. The Moras cooked a nice Cuban meal for all of us, and we had the formal meeting after dinner. Carlos and Rosario came from the capital with the lawyer and two other ladies, who agreed to be on the board also. We hope that this organization will facilitate community work in town, as well as sharing the Gospel when the opportunities open. Yunior's brother, who is a pastor in Texas, plans to bring a group the first week in July to do some community work. That might be the first activity under the new association. We did not include the town's name because Carlos, the dreamer, wants to work in other communities in the area, as the Lord provides.

Patricia, the lawyer, reads the constitution

Sergio is the treasurer

Gardy is the president

John is just a board member

Carlos is secretary

Yunior is also a board member

The whole board

On Sunday we met with the couples, now at Gardy's house. Since we were celebrating Saint Valentine's Day, however late, we talked about the Song of Songs. The love between a husband and his wife is sanctified by the Lord and celebrated in the Bible. We had a good discussion about their relationships as husbands and wives.

On Monday, we took the Moras to have a real American hamburger. What they call "hamburgers" in Cuba is some kind of patty with very little meat and a lot of fillers. They loved it! Yesterday we took them to the big town, 40 minutes from here, to catch a bus for the capital. There is a bus connection between the little town and the big one, but the bus leaves at 6:00 am and the bus for the capital at 10:00 am. We thought we could save them a few hours of travel if we took them. They were going to pick up their ID's as permanent refugees which also permit them to work legally here. There is also an organization that has donated a motorcycle for the ministry here; therefore, Yunior will be able to have transportation to look for a good, permanent job and also to visit people at night. There was some kind of ceremony today in the capital about it. Carlos was taking them. It is not clear how they are getting the motorcycle here. Carlos was working on that. Yunior needs to get a learner's permit and then take the test. It will be a few weeks before he will be able to ride it.

No offers on the condo yet. 

Prayer requests:

Good health, safety and stamina for us.

Jobs for the Moras and grace in the eyes of the town.

Safety as Yunior learns to ride the motorcycle.

For the Holy Spirit to work in hearts and minds here.

Pray for safety and health for our family back home.

Until next time...from the beach...

Third Week

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Psalms 127:1

This verse has been on my mind lately. As we look back in all the efforts put into this little dusty town, we struggle sometimes to see fruit. Surely, there is a church and a pastor nearby in another town where there was none, but our original town remains very much immune to the Gospel. We trust that the Lord will work on hard hearts because He alone can bring forth fruit.

We have spent the last week visiting a few couples and also spending time with the Moras. Sunday we tried taking them to church. Pastor Alejandro had an unpleasant experience with the Venezuelan couple; therefore, he asked me please not to bring this other couple into the church. There is a Calvary Chapel church not far from here. They have a Facebook page listing the times of their services. We also drove by one day on our way home to double check time. On Sunday, we picked up the Moras and drove to the church, arriving half an hour early. The gate was closed, so we thought we were too early. John went to the gas station and drove us around for a while, but when we returned, the gate was still locked, and there was no sign of activity. Disappointed, we took the Moras grocery shopping and drove them home. No idea of the time of the services. Of course, we listened to Pastor Ryan's message online.

The Moras were here last night again for dinner. We got into a conversation about the surge of unusual names in Cuba, such as their names: Yunior and Glennis. We started mentioning strange names until they came up with the winner: a pastor in Cuba named his daughter "Talita Cumi." Glennis said maybe they will have no trouble getting her up in the morning! It is hard for them to be away from their parents, especially for Glennis. I am not sure that they will stay here. They miss home. They can go back to Cuba without much difficulty because they did not seek asylum in the US. Stay tuned...

Monday was the first day of the new school year. It runs from the second week in February to the second week in December. There is always a flurry of activity in the stores the week before as parents buy uniforms and school supplies. Everybody wears uniform in this country. Even office workers wear polo shirts with the company logo. Below a couple of pictures of our little friends in their brand new school uniforms.

We still have received no offers on our condo. It is always difficult to keep everything spotless in case somebody should call. 

Saturday Carlos and Rosario are coming with the lawyer, Patricia, and two other ladies. We will have a meeting here to form a nonprofit organization for the town of Pinilla. Carlos has had this idea for a long time, but the Venezuelans did not want to cooperate. Any way, the idea is to have a place similar to The Anchor where the youth in town can go play games, sports, use computers, learn English, and here the Gospel if they are open. I will talk about it next time.

Prayer Requests:

• Good health, safety and stamina for us.
• Jobs for the Moras and grace in the eyes of the town.
• For the Holy Spirit to work in hearts and minds here.
• Pray for safety and health for our family back home.
• That the lessons that our grandchildren learned in camp will produce fruit.

Until next time...from the beach...