I stood before the congregation of a church in Havana, Cuba waiting for my accompanist to finish the intro to my song. Maria, the pastor’s wife, asked me to sing. Although I am not a soloist, I consented to try. Then I struggled to choose just the right piece that would uplift and encourage these brave people living under Communist rule.
Although they had the freedom to worship as a church, one never knew whether there might be an informer among them who would report to the authorities anything that might be considered contrary to the law. There is no such thing as a secure phone line, email, or fax. One must guard what one says and does at all times. One person told us emphatically, “Remember this is a police state. You cannot trust the Communists. I don’t even trust family members who are communists.”
Although the pastors are careful not to aggravate the authorities, they look for ways to share their faith with others. And the Lord has blessed their ministry.
I began, “Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father…” Reaching the chorus, the congregation spontaneously burst into song with me! I had an overwhelming sense that the Holy Spirit was indeed joining us together in praise to our Father who loves us and sees that “….all we have need of, (His) hand hath provided.”
God had directed each of our team’s activities. He had helped us through customs without any problems. He had impressed on our team leader that we should deliver certain items first thing so when our rooms were switched during the day while we were gone from the hotel, there was nothing in our rooms to cause anyone concern. And He had united us in praise as we lifted our voices together singing, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness!”
A friend who had undergone surgery followed by chemo treatments shared with the congregation the good news from his oncologist. No tumors showed up in the CAT scan he’d had that week. “But,” he said, “whether the news was good or bad, God is still faithful!”
My spirit resounded in affirmation of his statement. Yes! Whether we live under Communist rule, or suffer from cancer, or face persecution, hardship or loss…whatever our circumstances…God is faithful!