The War continues inside me

"Wretched man that I am!" words spoken by the author of most of the new testament in the Bible. In his letter to the Romans, chapter 7, the apostle Paul talks about the personal internal war between good and evil. He writes about the struggles of the spirit and the flesh, how his flesh does not do what he wants to do...he wants to be doing good. In the end of the chapter he asks a great question, "Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!".

Reading this helps me understand that I am not alone and this struggle is not new for us in 2009. The struggle to do what we know is right. Paul describes it as a war between the flesh of our body and the Spirit of God that wants to lead us. The constant conversation for me between my heart and my head. My mind is the battlefield. I know I am weak but Christ, He is beyond my understanding of strong. Being "born again", this new creation that he made me almost 3 years ago by His grace, has changed so much in my life but the Bible tells us that this battle is a daily war.

So what do I do? As Jesus prayed " Father give us our daily bread", I must get fed everyday. His Word is food to me, it rebukes me...causes me to confess and repent...guides me...fills my heart with joy...gives me GREAT hope...God speaks to me through the Bible and Prayer!

I am weak but He is strong, thank God for our savor Jesus Christ.

Big Love from this fallen man.

Cuba Mission Update 2009

Dear brother and sisters:

Amazing, what our Lord is doing in Cuba is truly amazing. The faith and boldness we experienced by the Christians in Cuba makes me question our strength of our faith in the “Land of the Free”. On this Veteran Days I write to update you on my journey and thank you so much for your prayers and generous donations supporting the mission activities that God has called me to serve. Thank you for our Vets, Lord.

Our first destination was Pastor Carlos young growing church in San Luis Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. Several of the church members were there to welcome us with open arms. San Luis is located in the agriculture part of the country and grows much of the local produce and tobacco. Sunday we had about 90 people in a little church and later worked with 32 children on a bible lesson and craft, they loved it. The next day we had over 100 children. The big smiles and gratitude on everyone’s faces, they accepted us as if we were long lost family that had returned. It still amazes me how God’s people, no matter where you go, all show love for others…it’s Christ love inside that must shine through. Way Cool!!!

Pastor Santiago would tell us stories every morning about the Church in Cuba and how the Holy Spirit was working to grow the Kingdom of God. At the end of the week he told us “Vale La Pena”, It is worth It.

One shining light was Jose Manuel (13yr old), my young brother in Christ. He was practicing his English and I am still working on my basic Spanish, so we attempted to tell each other about our lives, joys and families. We would chat ever night. The last night after service Jose came to me with $3 peso (local currency) and said something I did not understand. After getting our translator Guillermo’s help, he was attempting to give me a gift of great value and said “Remember me”. I want to return this gift but instead gave him my Bible. Jose and I sat down and filled in his name in the first page and I told him that this will help him learn more English and “not forget me”.

We met with Pastor Able in Havana city and the Holy Spirit was with us all night long. We gathered in Malecón along the tourist waterfront with about 150 of his leadership team in his church. Understand they meet in a park, in a country that you are prohibited to preach on the street… and they don’t have a building. That’s right, 500 Christians getting together, read the Word and pray to our Lord. They gather in homes, parks, on the streets, anywhere and to tell others about the Good News. I keep hearing that song “God of this City” in my head. Thank you Lord!!!

The men read from Luke 12:13 The Parable of the Rich Fool. They told stories of lives spent chasing after money, drugs, yet always a feeling unfulfilled. One man said “why ask God for 10 pesos when you can live on one”, the other said “if you can’t live with a few things how are you going live with a lot”. No one knows when our last day will come…we all fall into what I call the “pit”, a dark place that takes our life and breaks our heart. Then somehow our savor holds us up through God’s gift of grace and Life Change begins with a new heart. As new creations, we are focused on God and the Spirit to guide us through His Word and Prayer. The Word of God is now food to me, I can go to long without it.

Thank you for all you support, prayers and obedience to His call.

“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Dios Te Bendiga,
Alberto