March 29, 2006

Praise Cannot Be Rationed

Pastor Israel preached the sermon, accompanied by praise and punctuated by enough "amens" to raise the roof of a normal church!

The exclamation point in the service was the delivery of 15,000 copies of the book on Christ's life, "The Desire of Ages." These will be distributed to church members throughout the island. New Bibles, along with a common language version of this book and a new set of Bible studies on Jesus, will be the spiritual focus of the 29,000 Adventist church members for 2006 and 2007. When they've given away all 15,000 copies of "El Deseado de Todas Las Gentes," more will come. As many as are needed!

Tears of joy flowed with the "Amens!"

Sabbath morning we traveled 6 hours by air and bus to dedicate the newest - and safest - building in Pilon. When this church was being constructed the local housing authorities asked that it be made "strong enough to match the quakes and winds that come to this part of the island." The members agreed, and the nearly-completed building was a sanctuary of hope when Wilma and Katrina blew through.

This Sabbath I wondered if the roof might blow off as the "Wind of the Spirit" blew praise through the crowd of more than 200 worshippers who had come to dedicate their new church sanctuary in Pilon.

I find these statistics amazing:

One million new Spanish Bibles distributed in 2005.
30,000+ new members joined the church in the past 5 years.
A new seminary with 100 ministerial students. Built. Staffed. Operating.
Thousands of hearts who sing, speak, read, and sing God's praises clearly - above their ration cards.

I photographed bougainvilleas, '53 Buicks, enormous cigars, smiling children, a '59 Chevy, and a glorious sunset from El Morro. I bought a painting of "Noah and his ark," a home-dreamed design that includes a monkey holding an umbrella and a pair of the brightest-colored tigers on record! And I met Julio, Eduardo, Christina, Abuela Violeta, and dozens of others whose love for Scripture has given new energy to my study.

From Havana to Pilon and back to Havana Brenda and I praised God arm-in-arm with new Cuban friends, a rapidly-growing crowd of Christians whose only goal is to introduce others to the hope that is in Christ.

As Paul said from his home in a Roman prison, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice! The Lord is near." Philippians 4:4

Dick Duerksen
Assistant Vice President
Mission Development
Florida Hospital