Apr 23, 2020 A message more contagious than coronavirus in Cuba

By Enit Chamizo, Interpreter

The day before we were scheduled to meet the Quiet Hour Ministries missionaries, my friend Anny heard from another friend: We were also expecting a group of missionaries at our church, but they couldn’t come because of coronavirus.

Anny and I were excited to meet the QHM mission team that was coming to Niquero, in the Eastern part of Cuba. We had been asked to support them as interpreters. It had been a long trip from our provinces to work with the team. We were very nervous that they would not be able to come. We soon heard that the QHM missionaries where still coming! We were very excited and thankful for the opportunity that God had given us to preach the gospel.

The next day we met a smiling group of very nice people. They were really happy to be there, and ready to do their best for spreading our God’s Word. Over the next ten days, we would get the opportunity to get to know each one of them.

The team members had all kinds of occupations and were of different ages; some of them came with relatives, others came with friends, and others by themselves. Nevertheless, in spite of any kind of difference, in the following days we all became one in purpose: to tell others about Jesus and his love.

In the mornings, the group divided into two big teams: the one that stayed to do construction and the other one that went to the different churches to do clinics. The team that stayed at construction had very hard work to do –to rebuild the main church of Niquero. It’s roof was almost falling down and really needed to be fixed.

The whole team seemed to be supported by a mighty power and the delight that only service provides.

At nights, the group was divided into five teams because five different churches were hosting meetings. Each night, more visitors attended to the worship services, attracted by the sermons, the health talks and the children’s programs. Lots of people were listening and learning about Jesus and we were happy, but the devil wasn’t.

One night, one of the teams said a very strong wind whipped the small church where they were preaching but it seemed to disappear every time they prayed. Ernesto–the interpreter of pastor Wes Peppers at that church–said to me, The wind was so strong and sounded so loud that I had to ask the pastor to speak very loud to hear him, even though I was near him.” Our enemy tried to disturb, but we praise our Lord because he couldn’t prevent precious souls from getting to know Jesus.

On Thursday evening, Anny and I were walking to the hotel where the bus would take us to the different churches for the evening meeting. Suddenly, Anny’s phone started ringing. When she answered I could read in her face that something bad was happening.

When she hung up she spoke with the saddest tone I had ever heard her to speak. The missionaries have to fly to the States before they expected, tonight will be our last night in the churches.

When we arrived at the hotel everyone was very sad. I could smell the sorrow in the air. The US government was asking them to go back because they would be shutting their borders due to coronavirus.

I wanted to seem strong, but I couldn’t hold back my tears. Because they were leaving early they wouldn’t be part of the baptism ceremonies on Sabbath. I was also crying because it is always difficult to say goodbye, especially when it happens suddenly.

While some of my tears were caused by sadness, some of them were caused by thankfulness. We had been so blessed! While the whole world was undergoing depression because of coronavirus, we had experienced a peaceful time working for God and lots of people had received hope.

After the QHM missionaries left, 23 people were baptized and 68 are studying to being baptized. God, because of his mercy, decided to give us a week to share something very special–and more contagious than coronavirus: a living gospel.