Cuba

Granest Publications

Site Index Newsletter

Cuba

From July 1st 2004 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Once again I greet you in the name of the Lord Jesus.

As I write to you I am enjoying a quiet rest with friends who live on a farmlet in the middle of the Withlacoochee Forest in Florida.

My time in Cuba was one of rich blessing as I saw the lord at work in the lives of so many people.

Originally I was to be one of a team but owing to a number of visa complications the rest of the team had to pull out. This meant that I made the trip alone. The original plan was for me to teach two courses - one on "Women's Ministries", the other "Christian Education - The Development of Sunday Schools.

You can imagine my surprise on arriving there only to find that as the team was unable to be there, I was scheduled to do all the preaching. This involved some time spent with the Lord in preparation as some days the schedule included three services. In the twelve days there I preached 15 times plus taught four Bible studies.

I am so thankful to the Lord for enabling.

During this time there were many first time decisions for Salvation as well as those who wanted to commit themselves to the deeper commitment of living a life of Holiness.

(La Esperanza church)

I just want to thank God for His enabling and what He is doing in the lives of the people of Cuba. These people have great needs spiritually and in many other areas of life.

When you pray please uphold those who so earnestly desire to live their lives so that their country will be a country where God will be honored and have His way in the lives of their countrymen.

Yours in Christ

Nesta

A letter from Jere Gowin who was mainly responsible for Nesta going to Cuba

Sister Savage left Chicago June 1st traveling to the Cayman Islands and then Camaguey Cuba. Initially a team of 8 to 12 were going into the eastern regions ministering the Word and working on a Bible Institute which has been functioning academically for a little over a year now. The Lord closed the door on the Americans going into the country; but opened the door wide for an elderly little lady from Melbourne Australia. Sounds a bit like the story of Gideon when the Lord narrowed the participants down considerably before sending a small group out to defeat a large army --- all for the glory of God.

You must understand the plight of the Cubans. They have been under atheistic communistic rule for 40+ years. They have been persecuted for their faith, denied basic rights because of their allegiance to Christ, and suffered through the spiritual and physical poverty of the nation in which they live.

The government boasts of giving their people the food they need to live on. Here's the allowance given them.

Coffee 4oz. per month

Rice 5 pounds per month

Beans 20 oz. per month

Sugar 4 pounds per month

Salt 1 pound per month

3 to 4 eggs per month if available

1/2 bar of body soap every 2 or 3 months

1/2 bar of clothing soap every 2 or 3 months

1 bread roll each day

Milk children under 6 receive 1 pint per day / no one else gets the government milk

1 tube of toothpaste every 7 months

1 box of matches 2 or 3 times a year

1 pound of potatoes occasionally when in season

NO meat or vegetables from the government

The average government job pays $10 (U.S.) per month. Free enterprise was non existent until a few years ago and now ,for the most part, is done behind the scenes. Any little legal business is totally regulated by the government who gets the largest share (by far) of the profit. For example, in 2003 sugar cane became available for the first time, for public use, since the early 60's. A fellow in Camaguey with the right government connections obtained the sugar cane and presses the juice out to obtain a juice that the populace is nuts about. I'm not so keen on it myself. The man gets a little money for his work and the government profits the lion's share. Those who live in the country may raise a garden --- though those in the city have no place to grow one. Even the physicians have to moon light to get enough money to survive. Jose's brother is doctor and also a taxi driver to help him get by. He made more driving me around one day than he made as a vascular surgeon in several days.

Through two gifts of money from southern Illinois and my local church sister Savage took in $1000 which is a huge sum to them. With that money Jose' can purchase a horse for two to three hundred dollars, help some poor widows, and begin work on the Bible college. That is a big help to them there. He will also obtain a blue print for the Bible Institute which he will send to me so that next years team may know what it will be able to do and make preparations.

Sister Savage not only took in money she took in a wonderful ministry of the Word to the people there. The adversary saw to it that she was hindered plenty but she kept the faith. Jose' used the little lady in ministering to his two primary churches and three of his six satellite house churches scattered throughout Camaguey. Jose's old Chevy will not run now as it needs several parts and the horse that we were able to help him obtain last year died. Therefore sister Savage either rented a carriage pulled by a horse or one pulled by bicycle and got around as she was able. The 70 year old precious Aussie did a lot of walking though and lost a good deal of weight. Her primary ministry was to women and children though the men were ministered to as well. A number of souls were at the altar responding to her testimony of God's grace and the power of His Word. One lad of 14 was saved and before she left he begged her to come back to minister again. Who knows how deeply the Lord touched the souls there and what the fruit of her labor will be. Later Jose' took her to Punta Alegre on a train that sister Nesta described as having "square" wheels and she ministered in two churches there. Most days in Cuba this precious lady ministered 3 or 4 times and enjoyed the opportunities that were given to her.

Of course she was exhausted when she returned but was just bubbling with enthusiasm at how the Lord is moving in Cuba.

Keep praying and planning for our trip next June please. Lord willing, we will obtain a religious visa and according to the Lord's time table accomplish the wonderful job that he has for us to do. I will keep in touch with regards to the process and seek information from you in the months ahead.

for His Kingdom,

Jere Gowin

One of the small house churches in Camaguey area. This dwelling's largest room was 9'x9' and this group of young people were blessed with sister Savage's ministry. The floor was dirt but the praise reached the golden streets of Heaven. ... Jere Gowin

A map of the eastern regions of Cuba. You can see the arrow pointing at Camaguey. In the upper left hand corner you can see an arrow pointing to a place on the coast named Punta Alegre which is where Sister Savage traveled to spend a few days with Jose's parents. She ministered there effectively.... Jere Gowin

An important transportation source ---- horse and buggy.

Soul winner deluxe in Camaguey She walks over the City ministering in peoples homes and leading many to Jesus ...Jere Gowin

We have been able to add a few more photos in the new Granest Pictorial Albums. Please find it located at:

Granest Pictorial Cuba
More pictures to come


	Granest Publications Site Index Newsletter Cuba From July 1st 2004 Newsletter Dear Friends, Once again I greet you in the name of the Lord Jesus. As I write to you I am enjoying a quiet rest with friends who live on a farmlet in the middle of the Withlacoochee Forest in Florida. My time in Cuba was one of rich blessing as I saw the lord at work in the lives of so many people. Originally I was to be one of a team but owing to a number of visa complications the rest of the team had to pull out. This meant that I made the trip alone. The original plan was for me to teach two courses - one on "Women's Ministries", the other "Christian Education - The Development of Sunday Schools. You can imagine my surprise on arriving there only to find that as the team was unable to be there, I was scheduled to do all the preaching. This involved some time spent with the Lord in preparation as some days the schedule included three services. In the twelve days there I preached 15 times plus taught four Bible studies. I am so thankful to the Lord for enabling. During this time there were many first time decisions for Salvation as well as those who wanted to commit themselves to the deeper commitment of living a life of Holiness. (La Esperanza church) I just want to thank God for His enabling and what He is doing in the lives of the people of Cuba. These people have great needs spiritually and in many other areas of life. When you pray please uphold those who so earnestly desire to live their lives so that their country will be a country where God will be honored and have His way in the lives of their countrymen. Yours in Christ Nesta A letter from Jere Gowin who was mainly responsible for Nesta going to Cuba Sister Savage left Chicago June 1st traveling to the Cayman Islands and then Camaguey Cuba. Initially a team of 8 to 12 were going into the eastern regions ministering the Word and working on a Bible Institute which has been functioning academically for a little over a year now. The Lord closed the door on the Americans going into the country; but opened the door wide for an elderly little lady from Melbourne Australia. Sounds a bit like the story of Gideon when the Lord narrowed the participants down considerably before sending a small group out to defeat a large army --- all for the glory of God. You must understand the plight of the Cubans. They have been under atheistic communistic rule for 40+ years. They have been persecuted for their faith, denied basic rights because of their allegiance to Christ, and suffered through the spiritual and physical poverty of the nation in which they live. The government boasts of giving their people the food they need to live on. Here's the allowance given them. Coffee 4oz. per month Rice 5 pounds per month Beans 20 oz. per month Sugar 4 pounds per month Salt 1 pound per month 3 to 4 eggs per month if available 1/2 bar of body soap every 2 or 3 months 1/2 bar of clothing soap every 2 or 3 months 1 bread roll each day Milk children under 6 receive 1 pint per day / no one else gets the government milk 1 tube of toothpaste every 7 months 1 box of matches 2 or 3 times a year 1 pound of potatoes occasionally when in season NO meat or vegetables from the government The average government job pays $10 (U.S.) per month. Free enterprise was non existent until a few years ago and now ,for the most part, is done behind the scenes. Any little legal business is totally regulated by the government who gets the largest share (by far) of the profit. For example, in 2003 sugar cane became available for the first time, for public use, since the early 60's. A fellow in Camaguey with the right government connections obtained the sugar cane and presses the juice out to obtain a juice that the populace is nuts about. I'm not so keen on it myself. The man gets a little money for his work and the government profits the lion's share. Those who live in the country may raise a garden --- though those in the city have no place to grow one. Even the physicians have to moon light to get enough money to survive. Jose's brother is doctor and also a taxi driver to help him get by. He made more driving me around one day than he made as a vascular surgeon in several days. Through two gifts of money from southern Illinois and my local church sister Savage took in $1000 which is a huge sum to them. With that money Jose' can purchase a horse for two to three hundred dollars, help some poor widows, and begin work on the Bible college. That is a big help to them there. He will also obtain a blue print for the Bible Institute which he will send to me so that next years team may know what it will be able to do and make preparations. Sister Savage not only took in money she took in a wonderful ministry of the Word to the people there. The adversary saw to it that she was hindered plenty but she kept the faith. Jose' used the little lady in ministering to his two primary churches and three of his six satellite house churches scattered throughout Camaguey. Jose's old Chevy will not run now as it needs several parts and the horse that we were able to help him obtain last year died. Therefore sister Savage either rented a carriage pulled by a horse or one pulled by bicycle and got around as she was able. The 70 year old precious Aussie did a lot of walking though and lost a good deal of weight. Her primary ministry was to women and children though the men were ministered to as well. A number of souls were at the altar responding to her testimony of God's grace and the power of His Word. One lad of 14 was saved and before she left he begged her to come back to minister again. Who knows how deeply the Lord touched the souls there and what the fruit of her labor will be. Later Jose' took her to Punta Alegre on a train that sister Nesta described as having "square" wheels and she ministered in two churches there. Most days in Cuba this precious lady ministered 3 or 4 times and enjoyed the opportunities that were given to her. Of course she was exhausted when she returned but was just bubbling with enthusiasm at how the Lord is moving in Cuba. Keep praying and planning for our trip next June please. Lord willing, we will obtain a religious visa and according to the Lord's time table accomplish the wonderful job that he has for us to do. I will keep in touch with regards to the process and seek information from you in the months ahead. for His Kingdom, Jere Gowin One of the small house churches in Camaguey area. This dwelling's largest room was 9'x9' and this group of young people were blessed with sister Savage's ministry. The floor was dirt but the praise reached the golden streets of Heaven. ... Jere Gowin A map of the eastern regions of Cuba. You can see the arrow pointing at Camaguey. In the upper left hand corner you can see an arrow pointing to a place on the coast named Punta Alegre which is where Sister Savage traveled to spend a few days with Jose's parents. She ministered there effectively.... Jere Gowin An important transportation source ---- horse and buggy. Soul winner deluxe in Camaguey She walks over the City ministering in peoples homes and leading many to Jesus ...Jere Gowin We have been able to add a few more photos in the new Granest Pictorial Albums. Please find it located at: Granest Pictorial Cuba More pictures to come