The Wall Street Journal online edition reported this week of a trip made to Cuba by members of our US Congress. The recent trip was designed to ease tensions and make headway on resolving and or dissolving completely the embargo set by the US to Cuba. I suggest you look to the web address links under Subject Links in the left column of this article and search many other places for relevant news of this unfolding event on your own. IT WILL affect our commitment. The signs are clear that this administration will chose to open more ways for Cuban-American families to send larger amounts of funds to their relatives still on the island. It is also a debate as to the abolishing of the embargo entirely. My resources tell me that the likelihood of the embargo completely being abolished is slim, at least for now. Both the humanitarian and human rights issues in general on the island are still too great for our country to simply ok, at least in such a publically viewed situation as Cuba. Politics are running this debate, and we need the mind of Christ about this situation as it unfolds. Please pray for wisdom and direction. Please also look to the sites above mentioned and do some of your own research to pray more effectively… we all need to be prepared for this open door!

As reported in our last update there are two burdens God has laid on our heart for now. Our commitment has developed to the point we need some help from you and other Churches as we endeavor in these two areas together:

#1 - We need to print more ABC's of Christian Growth in Cuba. We want to print at least 5000 copies for now and print more as needed. The cost will be approximately $1.50 a book. Total cost and details of the distribution will be reported by mail this next week.

#2 - We desperately need to send men from Latin American Countries to Cuba for Discipleship training and encouragement. This will cost $1500.00 a person a week for all expenses. This includes overage and will be reported with details in a mailing coming out this next week.

In May a trip will be made by two brethren from Venezuela and one American Missionary. Funds have been given for this trip and we Praise God for this. Will you pray for the funds to come in for the other 5 potential trips this year? We desperately need more training done in Cuba. Men have volunteered to go, we need to step in and help them along their way as they minister on behalf of us.

Intercession

To recap this update we ask that you pray for these needs specifically and look over the letter for more details asking God to provide you with illuminated insight and discernment.

· Praise the Lord of Harvest for sending Laborers into His harvest field.

· Pray for funds to come in soon for these Discipleship trips.

· Pray for wisdom of the Cuban men as they minister.

· Pray for funds to come in soon to print more materials in Cuba (ABC's).

· Pray for wisdom and preparation from the Lord as we look to a possible widening of the door of opportunity in Cuba soon.

· Pray for special insight with wisdom as to these travel plans we are making for the rest of the year.

In HIS Service,

Travis A. Jones

Associate Pastor

Cuba Commitment Director

…responding to a burden