Mar 25, 2020 God’s perfect timing: Blessings in Cuba

Two Cuba mission teams were all in and making their way to the cities of Pil—n and Niquero where they would be working as scattered reports of Covid-19 began to pop up around the United States. Little did they know what was about to happen in the days ahead! But God knew and He had a plan!

“We are praying for travel mercies for all of you.” Randy Bates, QHM president and CEO wrote the departing team. “I invite you to claim the promise in Proverbs 3: 23, 26: ‘then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble, for the Lord will be on your side.'”

Over the next few hours, mission team members from around North America began to check in on the WhatsApp group chat. “We are almost off to Cuba!” reported team member Moraa, unaware of the incredible week that lay ahead of her!

On March 12, the teams arrived safely. One team in Pil—n and the other in Niquero. Amazingly, all of the evangelism supplies made it through customs quickly. They weren’t even opened, as is common in Cuba! The teams could now focus all of their energy on their work.

The team began to tackle construction and hold free clinics, sharing Jesus with hundreds of people along the way. In Pil—n, team member, Linda, reported that attendance at the children’s program had jumped from 26 the first night to 54 the next. At the first clinic, the team served close to 200 people in four hours. In Niquero, they also had packed clinics and excellent progress on construction.

But back in the United States, Coronavirus was rapidly overwhelming the news as its seriousness came to public attention. Back in the Quiet Hour Ministries office, prayers were going up for wisdom. Should we bring them home? Or should they continue the work?

Randy wrote the teams: “We are so excited as we hear how God is blessing your work in Cuba. We don’t want to bring you home early if we don’t have to.” The team was relieved! They wanted to continue, praying they’d be able to finish what they started.

As the week went on, there were small challenges. In some places there were whispers that the American’s were sent to spread the virus and to not attend clinics. But people continued to flock to the clinics and the meetings.

However, by Thursday things began to change in earnest. When the US State Department issued a level 4 travel advisory for US citizens, it was time to bring the teams home, a few days early.

“As you have all heard,” Pastor Wes wrote, “it’s likely that we will need to leave for home as early as tomorrow. If you are planning to leave anything behind for the churches, do that tonight. “

At home, the office team was scrambling to make arrangements on short notice to get the whole group safely home! The teams would take a bus 20 hours back to the airport in Cuba, and then fly back to the US from there. The team was prepared, yet heartbroken to leave.

But the miracle is this. The night before the teams left, they were incredibly blessed to witness baptisms from their work already! With even more to follow! While the final numbers are still coming in, this team knows they got to be part of something extra special.

Sunday evening, with everyone home safe and sound, Pastor Darryl shared with the group:

The conference president in Cuba said that these two mission teams were the most impactful of any team from any group, in his conference. Between the turn out from the clinics, the requests for Bible studies, and harvest of those ready for baptism, he said he was just overwhelmed by how the Lord worked.

That affirms to me that we did the right thing by staying the course and conducting our mission as the Lord directed us. I believe the timing to make it into the country and the timing to get everyone out was just as the Lord wanted. The enemy tried hard to derail us, but our teams stayed the course and the Lord got us through it all.

God had a plan. A plan with perfect timing. An He used it all to His Glory.

Team member Janice shares, “Praise God! We came from Niquero where we were infused with love and peace through our experiences. May the peace we have stay with us as we come back to America during this chaotic time.”