Fourht Quarter 2023

Focus on Cuba...

I've been conducting online Bible classes for 50 individuals across seven different churches in Cuba, thanks to the collaborative efforts of EBI Online (Estudios Bíblicos Internacionales Online). Working closely with the program's director, Rocky Castleberry, we guide students through a comprehensive course covering 15 fundamental Bible-related subjects. My responsibilities include designing the course structure and facilitating the asynchronous sessions. The impact of these classes has been tremendous, leading to numerous baptisms and the establishment of a new church in Cuba, as highlighted in Rocky's reports. Our partnership has not only been professionally successful but has also cultivated a wonderful personal friendship. Rocky, who is overseen by a church in Lampasas, Texas, resides in Costa Rica with his wife Alicia, actively participating in a church in San José, the capital.

I've been closely connected with the Dos Palmas church in the Santiago province, Cuba. A special bond has formed with the preacher, Rafael Cedeño, through our conversations on WhatsApp calls. These interactions have sparked a dream of Roxana and me visiting Santiago, particularly the church where Rafael ministers to 50 devoted brothers and sisters. While Rafael receives support from the local church, it's noteworthy that he sustains himself by selling the fish he catches from ponds around the area. The prospect of experiencing the vibrant community in Santiago firsthand is truly inspiring.

Connecting with students in Cuba has posed a unique challenge due to the ban on Zoom in the country. Approximately half of the students have overcome this obstacle by installing the application using VPNs and 4G smartphones. However, for those with 2G smartphones, the options are more limited. They content themselves by watching recorded teaching sessions, half of which I produce in my office. To ensure inclusivity, we've implemented alternative measures, including audioconference calls on the WhatsApp platform, utilizing various devices on our end to connect with those facing technological constraints.

Another member I have developed a special friendship with is Yamirelis Copello, a Spanish and Literacy teacher in Santiago. Yamirelis is single, has no children, and was converted 27 years ago. She makes a living being a special teacher of the program "Educa a Tu Hijo." This is like a homeschooling government program. She explains to me that what she does is visit parents whose children cannot make it to elementary school. She uses her contacts with parents all over Santiago to contact the parents for evangelism. Yamirelis is also a church teacher of children and young girls, and she also keeps records for us at EBI.

Meanwhile in Heredia...

We witnessed the baptisms of two individuals, Samuel and Dina. Rodrigo Ulate, my brother, played a significant role in inviting Samuel to church and guiding him through Bible study. Similarly, Jorge Cambronero, one of our esteemed leaders, extended the invitation to Dina and led her in her studies. My part was solely in administering the baptism.

Samuel's journey is a testament to the transformative power of faith. Despite a challenging past that led to incarceration due to past decisions, he has emerged as a redeemed and renewed individual. On the other hand, Dina, the mother to a special child named Estela, relocated from Nicaragua a few years ago. Having previously worked in a bar, she made the courageous decision to leave her job due to the challenging environments she encountered nightly. Currently, she is actively seeking alternative employment.

These baptismal stories reflect the ongoing positive impact of our church members, demonstrating the redemptive and transformative nature of our community.