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A Message from Rev. Noel Fernandez
(Noel is pastor emeritus and still very active member of our partner church in Ciego de Avila, Cuba, Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel)
As has been reported over recent months, our neighboring country of Cuba is facing some of the most dire economic and humanitarian conditions that have ever existed in the lifetimes of our oldest friends there. From our observation, “things” in general are worse than during the early 1990’s which were euphemistically dubbed “the Special Period” which followed the loss of support as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. The going-on 70 year-old blockade has helped sustain and exacerbate these conditions, but by no means is the only cause. There are myriad intragovernmental problems as well as various international crises that have worked along with the US seemingly ignoring what is happening to create close to unlivable circumstances for most Cubans.
The list is long, but it includes many things that would be taken for granted, i.e. electric power for fewer than 2-3 hours per day, resulting in spoilage of precious food which is difficult if not impossible to come by (most folks never have meat, eggs, milk and other staples of our kitchens), virtually no medications and other materials used in healing, absence of ordinary household items such as toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, etc. And on and on…
On top of all this, there has been an outbreak of a mosquito-borne virus, Chikungunya, which has rendered nearly everyone we know very sick for weeks. (no vaccines, no insect repellent, etc.)
In the midst of every concern and every joy, Noel has faithfully reported to us a vivid description of what is actually happening through his emails. This is a paraphrase of his most recent:
Cuban peasants have a saying: “The last thing that is lost is Hope.” We (Just as Northminster is doing—my parenthesis) are therefore devoting our Advent focus to be on Hope. A hymn composed a few years ago by a young Baptist pastor says in the chorus: “Even if everything is lost, I believe in God.” I write this because the situation in our country is at the worst stage ever, since the existence of a country called Cuba—outrageously high cost of living (inflation through the roof), lack of basic items for simply subsisting, deterioration of an already inadequate health care system, schools unable to teach effectively, not due to a lack of qualified teachers, but due to lack of the basic necessities of running an education system. On top of all this, the country was recently heavily damaged by Hurricane Melissa.
Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel remains an example in the community, while several churches in the city have suspended most of their activities except for Sunday services, due to the negative impact of the virus (Chikungunya) that has ravaged us. Though our attendance has been understandably small, we have managed to continue most of our activities. About 90% of the congregation has suffered from the virus which produces extreme malaise, severe muscle and joint pain, and prolonged fatigue. Our November anniversary, normally a big, happy event, was well prepared, but poorly attended. We maintain our hope and are enthusiastically looking forward to the Advent of the Prince of Peace (Justice).
The news of your upcoming visit by a large contingent has lifted our spirits greatly. We have no doubt that it will be a new adventure of faith. We pray that it will be so. I also finally pray for guidance from our graceful God and the Holy Spirit for us and for those who govern both our country and yours to see these problems and allow their humanity to guide their decisions.
In the love of Jesus Christ.
Noel
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