My purpose..

I am heading back to Cuba in a month. Once again, plans have begun to visit my church and Pastor Gustav.. Since I will be in Cuba alone for a week and a half, I hope to have the opportunity to spend more time with the church whether it be in prayer, relationnally, serving or in worship. I pray that God give me this opportunity.









As well, once again, we hope to visit the orphanage.
Last year, we had the opportunity to bring toys to these 'children of the state' and play with them for a little over an hour. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I am especially fond of this one boy Hector - whom I hope to see again this year. He took me by such surprise last year when he hugged me so tight and with such love after I gave him his Buzz Lightyear doll. I had never felt a hug like that -ever!

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In my last post a year ago..I was amazed at the providence God had over our trip. How He brought donation after donation to our doorstep. I am assured that this year He will do the same. God provides.
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What encouraged me this year is God's wonderful 'coincidences' that lead me to wholeheartedly beleive that He is once more arranging for my trip. I had the opportunity last week to meet with a couple who were visiting our church. The husband is a missionnary who travels to Cuba 5-6 times a year working with the Cuban churches. There are not many organizations in Canada that go into Cuba. His wife gave me the website of the organization he works for (http://www.worldserve.org/) as well as his email.
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They have this program in which one may 'adopt a pastor'. As well, they bring down Bibles and bring support to the churches and missions of these churches. I will definitely be emailing this man this week in order to see if we can arrange that Worldserve come to aid to my little Cuban church and to see if there is any way they could contribute to my visit or any way I can participate or support with their mission and purpose.

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Another encourager was my friend Angie. She brought me a book today called God's Smuggler. It is about Brother Andrew who's mission field was Yugoslav in 1957. Not only was the title perfect (I have often refered to my Cuba travels as smuggle trips) but what was written on the back off the book jumped of the page...
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"Lord, in my luggage I have Scripture that I want to take to Your children across this border. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, that you make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see."

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This is my prayer every time I pass through customs. On one of my facebook picture blogs in 2008 I even wrote.."Praying once again that customs turn a blind eye. So thankful for the donations and opportunity."

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Now, to anyone, these may seem like simple coincidences..that I am reading into things too much..spiritualizing. Bah!!!...time and time again, God has done this for me before a trip. Time and time again, I have been able to bring my suitcases in. And every year..God has done more than the year before. Every year, we are challenged just a little more.

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I love my Cuba trips. I love seeing family. I love seeing many whom I consider friends.I love my church. I love the fact that the kids in the neighbourhood all know that I am the Canadian that brings gifts. I love to see the smile on their faces when presented with a simple gift. These trips are one of the things in my life that brings me such joy, they fill me, fuel me, give me a sense of purpose and always brings me closer to God.

Ohhhhhh one month to go!!! So excited!!!