And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14
Over the past couple of weeks I have shared a couple of stories from my past travels around the world. I have shared moments of embarrassment and opportunities where I was able to serve those around me. Now I want to share with you the opportunity that I am preparing for in August.
In August I will be taking a 6 day trip to Sancti Spiritus, Cuba. Any alumni from the World Race have been invited to take part in this trip to serve along side a missionary contact in Cuba. We will work with one of the ministry contacts there as he leads a Cuban missions and church planting organization that has planted over 100 churches and sends out missionaries beyond their own borders. We will be working on the church farm, leading men's and women's Bible study groups, visiting and encouraging new church plants and families, joining in sports ministry for teenagers (baseball and soccer).
I am really looking forward to this new opportunity that Adventures in Missions has set up for the alumni of The World Race. After spending 11 months of our lives serving next to these people in some of the most remote places of the world, it will be nice to reconnect under the same mission once again.
It has been over 2 years since I have been blessed to go on a mission trip and given the opportunity to serve those outside of the U.S. who don't normally have the same privileges as Americans to worship freely and get to know God. In America we constantly have the word of God available to us if we choose to learn and grow in Him, but in the majority of foreign countries they do not always have this knowledge available or sometimes it is overshadowed by a more dominant religion or practice.
Cuba's prevailing religion is Roman Catholicism but it is strongly influenced by Syncretism. Syncretism is a combining of different beliefs which are often contradictory to the main religion in to which someone claims to be a follower of and in Cuba this is mainly dealing with beliefs that stem from African slaves. This typically includes communicating with their ancestors and deities, animal sacrifice, and sacred drumming and dance.
Over the years of me traveling I have encountered many different religions, practices, and cultural beliefs. As someone who was brought up in the Christian church it is sometimes hard for me to fathom how cultures come to an understanding that this is the religion they will follow and practice. It is important to remember that, while the purpose of a mission trip is to show Christ to those you are serving, it is not the purpose to shame them into belief. Yes, communicating with ancestors and sacred drumming may seem odd to those who have not be exposed or taught to believe that way, but these cultures have been born into that life. It is important to show Christ through our actions and love of the people not the religion in which they serve and practice. Working along side the Cuban people through every day life and being Christ to them can be the most profound way to spread His love rather than preaching door to door of how shameful it is to practice a religion that leads to nothing.
My prayer is that I get the opportunity to serve next to people I lived with for 11 months, meet new alumni I did not travel with, and share a bond with the Cuban people that will start a revolution in their heart and minds. It is my hope that you will partner with me in this journey and pray along side me and my fellow teammates as we prepare for this trip in August.
If you would like to partner with me financially you can visit my World Race Donations Page and donate via that website. You may also mail your financial donations directly to Adventures in Missions. All donations are tax deductible for you and it also 100% goes directly to my trip. If you do choose to send a check to AIM please let me know so I can be on the look out for the donation on my AIM account.
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
And have my full name written either on the check notes or on a separate piece of paper with the check.
Thank you again for partnering with me in prayer for this trip and please continue to pray for support as my first deadline for the trip payment is May 15th, 2015.
It is a never ending journey as we help prepare the world's hearts for the coming of Christ.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
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