The Art of the Filter

Lives are pieced back together in Cuba

There are important scientific features of the Filter of Hope water filter. And, the filter also makes for a great illustration for the spiritual principles of the gospel.

But, what about the art of the filter?

Cru staff members from the Arts and Culture ministry made a recent trip to Cuba to share the beauty of clean water and the gospel.

Dan and Nancy Butkowski joined the adventure to this communist country just 100 miles off the coast of Florida. They would be using the metaphor of the water filter and clean water to share the gospel with many who had never heard it before.

Metaphors Convey a Message

Using a metaphor is nothing new to artists. Dan is a potter who likes to use various methods to create unique designs. In kintsugi pottery, he molds the pottery, fires it, and breaks it. He then pieces it back together. This is Dan’s metaphor for the gospel. Christ takes the broken shards of our lives and rebuilds us, still flawed, but redeemed.

An example of kintsugi pottery

Dan and Nancy were ready to try out a different metaphor for God’s love and forgiveness while on a Filter of Hope outreach in old Havana. But Nancy said they were just a bit overwhelmed their first night. “We prayed, ‘God, build our confidence as we enter unfamiliar territory on so many fronts. Make us bold as we share Your Gospel with these dear people.’”

“We prayed, ‘God, build our confidence as we enter unfamiliar territory on so many fronts. Make us bold as we share Your Gospel with these dear people.’”

The First House in Havana

The next day, the Butkowskis, Cru staff Santiago and Alyssa Rodriguez, a local church member and a translator walked past beautiful, but neglected, buildings as they navigated the city. The church member guided his small team to an apartment with a father and his two sons, one who was eighteen-years-old and the other eleven.

As the team got to know the family they learned that the father was a taxi driver, but his taxi was broken down. It’s a likely occupational hazard for many taxi drivers who drive 1950's era cars, a remnant of the time before Castro came to power in 1959. This father owned a 1950’s Chrysler Desoto. “Several times throughout the week we would see him and his friends working on the car.”

A proud Havana taxi driver displays his pink beauty from the 50's.

A Disinterested Son is Drawn In

The father and younger son paid close attention to the team and the installation of the filter, but the older son was off to the side creating graphics on his computer. He was ignoring the Filter of Hope team.

Dan wanted to change the dynamics. “As I began sharing the Gospel, I wanted to make sure I was engaging both of his sons, so I directed my conversation to all of them.”

They all said they believed the Bible, but they really didn’t understand much about it. Dan shared how our lives are like the dirty water in the bucket before it is filtered and how Christ came to die and make us clean before God.

The older son continued working with his back to the rest of the group.

Then Dan told his own story of how he had put his faith in Christ. “I shared how I came to understand the Gospel and what Christ had done for me, giving me a desire to know Him more personally. By faith I prayed a prayer asking God to forgive my sins and become my Lord and Savior.”

“The more I shared about my testimony, the more it seemed to pique the interest of the older son, causing him to turn and leave his table in order to listen more intently.”

Soon Dan gave them an opportunity to respond. He was somewhat startled by their short, but sincere responses to his questions.

“When I asked them if they had ever placed their faith in Christ, they all said, ‘No.’ Then I asked if there was any reason they would not want to trust Christ at this time. They said “No”. So, I asked them if they would like to ask Christ to come into their lives, to forgive their sins and give them eternal life. All three responded, ‘Yes.’”

Dan witnessed a dramatic change. “What started out to be a somewhat reserved introduction to these three people had now become personal and warm as the three of them invited Jesus into their hearts. Wide smiles spread across their faces.”

The team also explained some ways the father and his sons could grow in their new faith. “The local church member took down their names and contact information and invited them to attend a home church that was a block down the street from where they lived. We gave them a Spanish Bible so they could continue learning about God.”

A Masterpiece by the Master Potter

Dan, Nancy, and the rest of the team saw God open many homes and hearts to Christ. One woman received Christ with Nancy and soon brought her friend to also receive a filter and yes, Jesus too.

The honesty of the Cubans and God's work in their heart touched Dan. “We were told that Cubans don’t have a problem saying no. If they make a decision for Christ, it is usually their genuine desire. New names were written in the book of life … how amazing!!”

"We were told that Cubans don’t have a problem saying no. If they make a decision for Christ, it is usually their genuine desire. New names were written in the book of life ... how amazing!!"

The two metaphors intertwine perfectly. Lives are made clean by the Living Water and broken shards are being pieced together by the Master Potter. It truly is a work of art.

Would you like to help families like these Cubans who need clean water?

Did you know you can give any monthly amount so more families will have clean water and the gospel?

And, right now, your first three months' gifts will be matched!

We'll send you photos of families who are receiving filters. You'll be helping share clean water and "Living Water" with people in desperate need of both.

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