Great moves of God are usually preceded by simple acts of faith.
Jeff and a team from Camden, Alabama were on mission in Cuba the end of June. Several team members wrote a short testimony of their time in Havana that I’ll post at the end of the newsletter. The Lord used this mission to change lives and bring people into fellowship with the Almighty. It was awesome to witness.
I also got a message from our friend and pastor, Ulises, who we have been helping to evangelize his village. He is facing some struggles that we would love for you to pray about. I’ve also posted it below.
Thank you for praying for us and our Cuban friends. We are unsure how things will continue in the face of changing U.S. policy concerning Cuba…but I’m 100% sure of our God and how He has always made a way. Our plan for now is to return to Cuba in August, just the two of us, to see how these changes may effect us, if at all. Then, we’ll return in October and November with several teams and continue the work the Lord has called us to.
A quick update from Uganda. When Jeff and Craig were there in May they came across a small church that needed a roof. Our friend, Martin, had asked if there was a way TREC could help them with a roof for their new building. The Lord provided the money and the job was completed in a few months. I wanted to share some pictures that he sent. Thank you for helping us help others! The Lord uses YOU to do the good in the world that needs doing!
A message from our friend/partner in Cuba:
God bless you, dear Pastor Jeff. A big hug from Cuba. I’ve been trying to find the perfect time to write to you.
The last two weeks have been very intense, so much so that we felt the need to take a real vacation… meanwhile, we continue to serve our Lord with discipline.
The most recent development is that some homosexual neighbors who are uncomfortable with the church in our community have risen up against us. They have contaminated others, alluding to the noise from the church and have also denounced the construction we are doing on the roof.
…For our part, we are praying and guarding our hearts.
Your last visit was a huge boost to the work here. I see how little by little God’s work in our place is becoming solid. Still, there’s much to do… In the coming months, we’ll have a baptism (I’ll send you the photos). I wish I had you here more often so I could hug you and your wife, Trudy… I recognize that our lives have not been the same since we met you. Working in the ministry alongside you has allowed us to grow further; it has also developed in us a love for unbelievers and new ways of doing ministry. Not only that, but it has also matured us in understanding the process of character renewal in the people the Lord is gradually giving us. This has forced us to be patient in seeing the fruit of each person.
In November, we will be taking a missionary trip to the far east of our country… and we will be using the work format we have learned from you.
Please send our love to your beloved Trudy.
Let Malcolm know how much I love him, and that his work and passion for the lost inspire us.
Let’s continue to pray for one another. The Lord is coming soon.
Ulises
Dawn Dailey:
Words cannot describe the impact my trip with TREC to Cuba had on my life. It was absolutely amazing to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in so many ways. I went to Cuba hoping God could use me to bless the people there. However, I was not prepared for the many ways the people I met would bless me and touch my life.
There is no doubt God was right there with us the entire trip. I was very nervous about witnessing to others I had never met. However, God put me in the perfect group and in the ideal circumstance each time. I knew exactly what I was supposed to say and that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. This trip made me appreciate so many things and realize so much about myself and my walk with God. It’s true when they say half of my heart stayed in Cuba. I’m forever thankful for this opportunity. Getting to experience it with my daughter made it even more special. I know God forever changed us through this mission. Now we cannot wait to continue the mission at home!
Marcee Dailey:
This trip meant more to me than words can express. People told me before I went that I would leave part of my heart in Cuba and I definitely did! The worship night we had on Thursday with one of the local churches was absolutely amazing. You could feel the Holy Spirit moving in all of us! They taught me how to worship freely and not care what others think, and I cannot wait to bring that back home to Camden and encourage my friends to worship boldly.
The first house we visited on Friday was a single mother and her three-year-old daughter. I was outside keeping the little girl entertained while the rest of the team talked to her mom. I felt like I wasn’t doing anything important. But on Sunday, when I saw that sweet girl and her mom walk up to church, I realized it had definitely been important. I had made a connection that gave her mom the space to be ministered to. I even got to help feed the little girl during Sunday school. I was thinking later that night about how that was probably the only meal she would get that day, and it made me think about how Jesus always provides and cares for His children. She needed that nourishment that morning, just like we all need spiritual nourishment—and that is exactly what I received on this trip.
Amanda Hollinger:
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” -Isaiah 6:8
I am so thankful that when God told my husband and I to go on this mission and to take our teenage children that we listened. I saw God at work through our Cuban friends that we have known for a long time, through our new Cuban friends, and through our team. I was overwhelmed over and over again by all the unconditional love that I felt from everyone. The Cuban people face so many difficulties that I couldn’t imagine until I saw some of it myself. Their church family has no doubt that God is with them and will never leave them. Their faith is so powerful. Seeing how they always worship Him and give Him glory even in the hardest times of their lives inspired my faith. The impact on my life and the lives of my family could never be measured. Witnessing God use all of us to led others to accept Jesus as their Savior will be locked in my heart for the rest of my life. I am forever grateful that my husband, our son, our daughter, and I were able to experience love, grace, mercy, compassion, kindness, and faithfulness through our family in Christ in Cuba. Our lives have been changed! Hallelujah!!!
Callie Hollinger:
Theres so much to share and I know I can’t write all of it down but here’s a few things I learned and what God kind of opened my eyes to while I was in Cuba. Christians have such deep faith and a relationship with God. I was blessed by just being around them and worshipping with them. I can feel the Holy Spirit through their words and through their body, so much so that it brings me to tears. The way they worship is something I just cannot explain. My faith has strengthened so much in just five days.
I feel closer to God then I ever have. I understand some things that I didn’t understand before and some things I didn’t even know I didn’t understand.
They don’t have much, but they are so rich. They are abundantly filled with the Holy Spirit. I saw God change lives in Cuba. I have a better understanding of fellowshipping as a Christian. They have so much love in everything they do, they have so much love in every word they say. Even though the severity of our problems are not the same, Americans go through the same things as them, many in different ways but we have a lot of the same problems. I related with our translator, Debbie on many issues and it just made me realize that we go through some of the same situations, especially since we are around the same age. It made me realize we can help each other by sharing what we learned from our own situations to help others who are going through the same thing. She may not know it, but she helped me by just relating to me and talking to me about what I was struggling with from a Christian point of view.
It was a faith-strengthening, life-changing experience that I hope many Christians, especially teenagers like me, get to experience.
I believe God has given me peace on this trip because I have not been worried going to Cuba, staying in Cuba or leaving Cuba. It was a very special experience and I cannot wait to go again.
As we continue to follow God’s call to serve in places like Cuba, Uganda, India, and Nepal we are constantly reminded that this work is only possible through the faithful prayers and generous support of people like you. If you feel led to partner with us financially, your gift, no matter the size, will help us bring hope, encouragement, and the message of Jesus to those who need it most. Thank you for standing with us in this mission. Together, we can keep making an eternal difference.
There is no greater calling than to be in service to the King. We love you and count it a blessing to work with you.
Jeff and Trudy
