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Canadian Salvationists partner in practical projects in Cuba.
The Salvation Army Ontario (Canada) Central-East Division is planning its fifth missions journey to Cuba to build churches, network with officials and develop relationships with The Salvation Army there.
Brainchild of then Territorial Commander Commissioner William Francis, “Mission: Cuba” was conceived to strengthen partnerships between the Canada and Bermuda Territory and The Salvation Army in Cuba. Francis officially launched it at the Harvest of Hope Congress in 2008 in Toronto.
“From the outset, God had a special plan for Mission: Cuba,” said Captain John Murray, public relations and development secretary, Ontario Central-East Division. “Quite simply, he used it as a spiritual awakening for our team members.”
In 2009, 23 Salvationists and friends, led by Captains John and Brenda Murray, completed three building renovations and three smaller projects. They also delivered six washer/dryer units from a private donor to Salvation Army officers in Havana. Paul Robertson, Cutting Edge Carpentry, directed the work of roof replacement, tiling and painting.
Mission: Cuba members held worship services at seven Havana corps, conducted a vacation Bible school program and led workshops at Cuba’s College for Officer Training in Havana.
The Murrays interacted with Cuban government officials, even accompanying Colonel Oscar Sanchez, territorial commander of Latin America North Territory, to a meeting with the director of religion of the Central Communist Party Committee.
“This was an extraordinary opportunity to build relationships with government, discuss the purpose of Mission: Cuba and propose our long-term desire to work alongside Cuban Salvationists in the future,” Murray said.
Francis and his wife, Commissioner Marilyn Francis, flew to Cuba to dedicate the completed projects. They did so the following year as well after a six-member team transformed a 720-square-foot concrete pad into a new church building in Baragua.
The “Mission: Cuba 3” 26-member team worked on five construction sites in Banes and Holguin. A 40-foot shipping container delivered $40,000 worth of building materials donated by Home Depot.
In 2011, the “Mission: Cuba 4” 23-member team built a new three-bedroom quarters and renovated the old one into a community outreach center.
See more on the upcoming fifth mission at salvationarmy.ca/ontariocentraleast.
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