CUBA’S POPULATION!
When our family was on deputation back in 2000 – 2002, the population of Cuba was 11,000,000 people, but it was slowly decreasing. The reasons for that were (1) couples were having only one child and (2) Cubans were leaving the country for political reasons and economic difficulties.
Since 2016, Cubans leaving their country has moved at rapid pace, and with the COVID pandemic, it has accelerated to its fastest pace yet. As we knock on doors, we find a lot of empty, locked doors on houses for sale. Cubans want to sell their houses to have the money to leave the country. Almost every week, I hear of someone who has left or is getting ready to leave. If this pace continues, we will be left in this country with only older people. I am trying to win as many as I can for the Lord before they leave.
DRY SPELL!
There has been a dry spell in the central provinces of Cuba since last year. That has led to a shortage of potable water. Some people are drilling water wells in their homes. “There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” (John 4:7 & 10) Using these passages, we are witnessing and getting people saved for the Lord, so their souls will never thirst again. “But whosoever drinketh of the living water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14) Thank God that there is no shortage of the Living Water!
The attendance in the church in Cienfuegos City has taken a hit. Wanting and working to grow the church again, my Cuban partner in the ministry and I are following up on the people who have gotten saved.
We are planning to restart the Bible institute in the fall and are already making plans and letting one church know that is close to us. Hopefully, they will send someone to study with us.
My wife and I are spending more time together in daily activities at home and in the ministry than ever before, and we are both very happy and enjoying each other’s presence.
Please pray for:
1. God’s wisdom for daily decisions.
2. God’s power for preaching and soul winning.
In His service,
Ricardo Leyva
