<![CDATA[Classis Alberta North - Cuba Connection]]>Fri, 15 May 2026 07:02:22 -0600EditMySite<![CDATA[2021 updating... cuba 2022]]>Thu, 13 Jan 2022 02:35:31 GMThttps://www.classisalbertanorth.ca/cuba-connection/2021-updating-cuba-2022The Cuba Connection Committee was encouraged to receive an extensive report from Pastor Rev. Yordanys Díaz,  President of the Christian Reformed Church in Cuba. Included below is the intro and conclusion of the report but if you would like to read the whole report, contact any member of the committee and it can be emailed to you. It is a really great update and in it's original format you will be happy to see you can also chose to read it in english or Spanish!

Greetings from Havana / Cuba, 
​Brothers, the year 2021 is almost over and with it the testimony that our God continues to be faithful to his Church. As the Christian Reformed Church in Cuba, once again, we can proclaim Eben-Ezer.
I am sending you an update on our reality as a Church in Cuba. If you would be interested in having a topic expanded, feel free to write to us. We are also open to questions, comments, suggestions...

​CUBA AND COVID19. The situation in Cuba with respect to Covid19 was reduced to 122 daily cases and sometimes lower figures, but in this month of December a slight rise in Covid has begun. This was predicted with the opening of international tourism. 

DIACONY. The Reformed Christian Church in Cuba through the Ministry of Diakonia we have been able to reach each member of our Work on 5 occasions this year with a bag of food. This help has been possible, thanks to financial donations from our foreign brothers. Much gratitude is noted in the Churches on the part of the brothers and their families. We have also been able to assist several non-Christian families. It is estimated that the 5 grants have benefited around 18 thousand people. The witness of the Church in the community has been very impressive and in some places it has caused people to approach the church. Recently, medicines were able to enter the country and this helped many people, since we estimate that more than 1700 people were benefited.

INCREASE. After the reopening of the Churches in August, growth has been noticed in most of our Churches. This motivates us to continue working in evangelism and providing for this vision. There is an awakening in the churches and missions to preach the gospel and new people are approaching the Church. The year 2022 will be a year where the Church will face great challenges, but at the same time the Lord will allow us to continue expanding his Word.

SANTO DOMINGO. This mission after several years closed reopened its doors and the results are already showing. This mission is being attended directly by the National Executive Committee and the National Evangelism Ministry with the purpose of providing everything necessary for its development and growth.

​SCHOOL OF MISSIONARIES. With the objective of filling the deficit of workers, the National Executive Committee created the School of Missionaries. The purpose is to motivate young people to prepare for the Mission and begin to attend a mission field. We already have several young people involved in this vision. We are confident that this will help us meet, at least in part, the need for workers that we have for the care of the churches.
...More info in the middle section at request of committee (or via contact us button)... 

OUR DREAMS. We continue working so that the Reformed Christian Church in Cuba continues to grow and spread in our country. We long to arrive one day in Eastern Cuba and in every province of the country. The Church in Havana works to achieve 15 missions in the city. 4 of them have already been achieved. Another dream is to continue developing self-sustaining project programs. We have a group of women entrepreneurs, a mechanics workshop, an organoponic and a farm. These programs support local projects of their churches.

SPECIFIC NEEDS. Our main need is to extend and grow the Christian Reformed Church in Cuba, under the grace, power and care of God. To do this, we plan to extend to the entire center of the country, initially reaching the cities of Santa Clara, Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey; and in a second moment to reach Mayabeque, Artemisa, Pinar Del Río and Isla de la Juventud. As well as being able to reach the East of the country. For this, we need first of all missionaries and support for the missionaries. And the other thing that we would need would be funds for the rent or acquisition of houses for the celebration of worship and stay of pastors and missionaries. This is our need: Extend and Grow the Christian Reformed Church in Cuba in the next 5 years. What we achieve we do not know, but that we will do everything in our power under the grace of God, that if we assure you.

THANKS. To all the brothers and churches that support us in prayer. To those who have supported us and to those who continue to do so. To the LaGrave Church and its Henry Beets Missionary Society Committee for Cuba, the North Alberta Classi in Canada, the Hillside Church, the Minnesota Church and Classi, the Church in Brazil.
Receive from the Christian Reformed Church in Cuba a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
May the Grace of God always fill your lives.
​
Always very grateful, and begging you to keep us in your prayers.
Pastor Rev. Yordanys Díaz President
Christian Reformed Church Cuba
]]><![CDATA[cuba collection campaign]]>Mon, 17 May 2021 16:59:20 GMThttps://www.classisalbertanorth.ca/cuba-connection/cuba-collection-campaignClassis AB North friends,

As you have hopefully seen in your bulletins or online media content, the relationship between CRC churches in Cuba and Alberta continues, but there is great need in Cuba right now. The Cuban CRC needs our help: Our Cuban brothers and sisters in the 14 Christian Reformed Churches on that island are suffering doubly right now, with COVID and with worsening economic conditions that have made food harder to find and more expensive to buy. The Cuba Connection Committee of Classis Alberta North needs your help to alleviate their suffering. We are raising money so their deacons can provide food to the old, the unemployed and church staff. Watch the video below to learn more. Mark your cheques to Resonate Global Mission and make the note: Cuba Connection.  Thanks for your support!
]]><![CDATA[cuban cuc's: a Changing currency]]>Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:15:22 GMThttps://www.classisalbertanorth.ca/cuba-connection/cuban-cucs-a-changing-currency
Picture
photo from tripcentral.ca

         In 2019, John Strikwerda (Chairman), Larry Lutgendorf (Resonate), and Jim Dekker (translator/historian), visited Cuban churches for a week.  Six churches were seen.  Many discussions with pastors and staff regarding the activities such as senior services, outreach and congregational activities took place.  In all instances we were received with great hospitality.
               On the weekend we visited the Havana church pastored by, the President of the churches, Yordanys Ortega.  We met on Saturday with the new council and representatives from La Grave, Grande Rapids Cuba committee and Luis Peltier, Resonate leader for the Caribbean countries. The discussion centered on presentations relating to the work of the Cuban churches and how we can support them. The needs identified included pastoral family support, continued development of the national office, repair of pastoral houses and churches, and support for evangelism and education.
Practical needs such as vehicle repair and replacement were also tabled. One final important project identified was the desire to put in place church twinning. All of these discussions were prefaced with the reading of 1Peter 2:9.
            We joined the Sunday worship service with an exuberant congregation and an uplifting spirit.  We enjoyed a wonderful meal with the Pastor and his family and members of the council. It was a true celebration of love between members of the Church universal. Throughout all of this, a program of enhancing relationships between Classis Alberta North and the Cuban churches was developed.

Unfortunately, the pandemic put a hold on the committee’s ability to meet and pursue these endeavors.
 
         Early last Fall we were receiving indications of a change in Cuban government monetary policy. Numerous emails from Cuba confirmed the worst possible scenario for churches generally and our affiliated churches particularly. Effective January 1, 2021 the Cuban peso was being valued relative to the US dollar. The immediate result was high inflation. Coupled with the change in monetary policy was the raising of the minimum wage.
             While this move might be considered positive, the result is massive layoffs for the churches.  There is no possible way the churches can afford to pay those wages and continue their diaconal work, pay inflated prices for food, etc, and pay their pastors. More than 19 people have been put out of work. Food and drug supplies are becoming harder to get. Prices are high. The situation is very bleak for the Cuban people.
           We sent $3500 to the Cuban church in December of 2020.  Another $5000 dollars will be sent shortly. These are all a result of donations made by various churches in our Classis and we want to thank you so very much! Supporters in the USA are also sending funds. We are coordinating with our American friends in both understanding developments and responding as best we can.
         Thank you to all who have supported the Cuba Connection Committee. That support has been very thankfully received by our brothers and sisters in Cuba. Seniors are fed and housed. Children are learning the gospel. Members of each church are supported where needed. Outreach is happening.  All this at risk due to arbitrary decisions by government.

Please continue to hold the Cubans in your hearts and prayers. Where possible, hold a collection in your church and send the money to Resonate Canada earmarked for the Cuba Connection Committee. Once again, thank you for your prayers and support.
 
On behalf of the Committee,
John Strikwerda

Included below is a short newsletter from the LaGrave Cuba Committee that tells more of the story. Feel free to download and read it as well.
january_2021_newsletter.pdf
File Size: 334 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
]]><![CDATA[May 2017 Update]]>Thu, 27 Jul 2017 14:34:08 GMThttps://www.classisalbertanorth.ca/cuba-connection/may-2017-updateCuba Connection Committee
Thanks for new pastor’s home in Cuba!
May 2017 Update

Thanks to your faithful support, extra gifts and God’s continued blessing, here’s what the Cuba Connection Committee has been able to accomplish:

Torriente, Cuba parsonage project: Thanks the generosity of the churches of our Classis, more than $25,000 was raised (over and above our usual modest $5,000 annual budget) to replace a dangerous, dilapidated pastor’s home and diaconal ministry centre feeding dozens of seniors twice a day, five days a week. This project to replace a pastor’s home that was literally falling apart was completed earlier this year, thanks also to the windows and doors that were shipped in the container we sent last year. There is enough funding left over, combined with gifts from churches in the U.S., to replace a second condemned parsonage for another minister in Cuba. That project has already begun.

Pastor Antonio and his wife in front of their new home in Torriente, Cuba, in their new kitchen and with donated bicycles and many other things to make life a little bit easier – thanks to you!
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