Churchnet May 2016 | Page 8

Cuba Trip

by Steven Jones,

President of The Baptist Home

An exploratory trip into a new mission

field requires a lot of preparation. Before

the trip, I read the briefings provided by

our team leader, Roger Hatfield, and I

gathered as much information as I could.

I knew about the aborigines being mostly

eliminated by the Spaniards and the

enslavement of Africans. I knew about

the pillaging pursuits of buccaneer Sir

Henry Morgan and the pirates. I knew

about Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough

Riders storming up San Juan Hill in

Santiago. Furthermore, I knew about the

Cuban Revolution and the ensuing Cold

War embargo. Now, after 56 years of

American prohibition, God has opened

the door and provided new opportunities for us to encourage our brothers and sisters on this island that has been so near to our borders, yet so far away.

After departing the plane, I fully expected to leap back into the 1950s, and that I did. Cars that I have not seen in ages, except in museums and at car shows, colored the crowded streets with the smog that followed them. Modernity was a rare sight. Sweltering tropical hot weather, noisy horns, the hustling and bustling of people going back and forth, festive music in the background, buildings in need of fresh paint and repair, and people sitting in their doorways, on their rooftops, and on porches. It was everything I expected.

What I did not expect to see were Cuban Baptists not only surviving, but also thriving on the island in the face of meager circumstances. Churches were busting out of their seams with people and new church starts were blooming in many neighborhoods. There were churches in the middle of remodeling and construction to make room for more people. Nothing fancy, but adequate. Our team worshiped with the people. We were packed-in like sardines, but we enjoyed every minute of the music, the sharing of scripture, the testimonies, the preaching, and the fellowship. We visited with pastors, listened to their passions, and watched as needy people knocked on their doors for help: one for advice, one for a friendly greeting, and another for a cup of cold water.

(continued on next page)

Steven Jones preaching at

1ra Iglesia Bautista (1st Baptist Church) in El Caney.