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THE DOOR IS OPENING WIDE IN CUBA
When Reggie and his Grandson Micah were in Cuba during December 2014, they visited the home and “house church” where Joel Perez, his wife Iraida, and son David Daniel live. They were shocked and saddened to see how the house had deteriorated so badly that the roof had big holes in it and the walls were crumbling. Sister Iraida pleaded with Reggie with tears in her eyes, “please help us to have a home where we can live and be protected from the rain and where our church members can worship.”
This heartfelt plea has been heavy on Reggie’s heart. He has prayed much about this need. You can imagine how thrilled Reggie was when his friend Evangelist Larry Jamison contacted him and said, “Reggie now that Cuba is opening up I would like to build the first church building that has been built in Cuba for 56 years.” Larry presented several thousand dollars that his supporters of the GTO Evangelizing Association had raised for the purpose of building a church building in Cuba.
This was the main purpose of Reggie’s visit to Cuba starting July 7. Reggie was carrying Larry Jamison’s cash offering to take to Sagua to make arrangements for the new church building. Keep in mind that as far as the government of Cuba is concerned it is still illegal to build a church building in Cuba. However we had heard that the government of Cuba is relaxing the rules under the new agreement with the United States. So we asked the preacher Joel Perez to make formal application with the Cuba government for permission to build a church building and house for the Minister in Sagua. PERMISSION WAS GRANTED. THIS IS A DEFIINITE ANSWER TO PRAYER. DURING REGGIE’S TRIP HE SAW WITH HIS OWN EYES THE LEGAL PAPER GIVING PERMISSION FOR THE CHRISITIAN CHURCH IN SAGUA TO BUILD THIS BUILDING.
So Reggie handed the cash offering from Larry Jamison and his supporters to Brother Joel Perez and his wife Iraida. And in consultation with a qualified carpenter George Tower, Reggie was able to formalize working arrangements to start immediately building the new church building and parsonage in Sagua. The carpenter estimates it will take him 5 months to complete the building. PRAISE THE LORD.
GOD MULTIPLIES THE GIFT
A second need appeared. Many years ago Victor Knowles raised $500 and helped to build a rooftop metal shelter, similar to a pole and metal-roof porch that many people in America attach to their homes. This rooftop metal shelter has served as the worship place for the ‘house church” at the home of Luis Perez in Havana for all these years. Recently time, wind, rain, and storms that strike Cuba often have taken their toll on this roof-top shelter. Brother Luis made a desperate appeal to Reggie for help in repairing this shelter. God amazingly multiplied the gift given for Sagua to include the need in Havana.
A third need then appeared. Preacher Jose Raphael Episinosa started a Christian Church in Boyeros Cuba 6 years ago. The congregation has worshipped in their home ever since. The preacher’s home is one of the poorest most dilapidated houses I have ever seen in Cuba. Brother Jose and wife told me that they made a covenant with God that they would sacrifice and continue to live in this poor house with no conveniences and use the money that God gave them to build a Church House for the congregation. They have done this for the past 6 years. They did not have permission to build a church house, but they risked their lives and did this work slowly. The government paid no attention because their property is so run-down and shabby.
But when Jose took me to the new church building that he is building with his own money, while he and his wife continue to sacrificially live in terrible home conditions, I was amazed to see the beauty of this new building. He has now applied to the government for official permission to build a church building and they have granted permission. But his money has run out and they still need to put glass in the windows, which is very expensive in Cuba. They also need to complete the plastering of the walls and then paint the walls. They also need to lay the tile floors.
God multiplied the money Larry Jamison gave and all three buildings are completely paid for.
A summary of Reggie’s trip to Cuba:
- Reggie was able to visit all of the Christian Churches and Preachers during his December and July trip.
- The purpose of these visits was to learn all possible about each congregation and to encourage the Preachers.
SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST
On Sunday morning July 12, 2015, Reggie was invited to preach for the Vibora Church in Havana. This congregation was started 16 years ago. The founding member of the church was Maricella, a widow lady who lives next door to the church’s meeting place.
Marcella wrote a letter to Reggie prior to his July visit. She described the terrible condition of her house and begged for help. During Reggie’s visits with all the churches and preachers he paid a visit to Marcella and was saddened to see the condition of her house. After consulting with a carpenter it was discovered that the original gift for the church at Sagua had multiplied by a special blessing of God to include the repairs needed on Maricella’s house also. Praise God.
REGGIE PREACHED HIS FINAL SERMON IN CUBA ON SUNDAY MORNING TO A CROWD AT THE VIBORA CHURCH THAT NUMBERED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 40 AND 50. WE COULD NOT COUNT ACCURATELY BECAUSE THE BUILDIING WAS PACKED AND THERE WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY. IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST THRILLING, INSPIRING, EXCITING, INSPIRATIONAL WORSHIP SERVICES I HAVE EVER ATTENDED. WHEN REGGIE GAVE THE INVITATION 12 MEN AND WOMEN ANSWERED AND ACCEPTED CHRIST AND WERE BAPTIZED IMMEDIATELY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS. IT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST DAYS WE HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED IN CUBA.
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