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Cuba

"You will be my witnesses...in every part of the world.” Acts 1:8

By Laurel Ellis

June 20^th, 2018

A TALE of TWO ISLANDS

When our team of six landed in Holguín, Cuba I was struck by the similarities in climate, vegetation, foods, even construction, between Cuba and Java, the island in Indonesia where I spent my childhood as a missionary kid. I felt right at home, especially so when I met the warm and friendly Cuban people. Java is a quarter larger than Cuba but with 13 times the population. I saw much of the eastern half of the island, viewing the lush country as we traveled several thousand kilometers to cities, towns and villages.

Jacquie and pastor's wife in Guantanamo, just 20 miles from the US base.

Cuba

Cuba

Lots of pedestrians everywhere.

"With the revolution, contracts aren't signed, commitments are signed."

Pork sandwiches.

The Cubans are proud of their beautiful classic cars.

Just in time for mango season!

Cuba

A Paradigm Shift

Don and Jacquie Cartledge, AGWM missionaries to Cuba, longtime friends dating back to our early years as missionaries in Chile, led our team of six missionaries. Don Exley who was our Area Director for many years in the Southern Cone, and David and Margot Woodworth, my new Area Directors in the Andean Region plus myself made up the rest. The Cuban National Superintendent and his wife traveled with us throughout the three eastern districts of Holguin, Santiago and Camaguey.

Splitting up in to teams of two, Jacquie and myself making up one of the teams, each team traveled out to the various sections conducting nine one day workshops with a total of 965 pastors. The theme was "The Cuban Peso Will Be a Blessing to the Nations" in that the Cuban Assemblies of God is stepping up to send Cuban missionaries across the globe. They are going beyond their Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth!

Top to bottom: Jacquie and Don Cartledge, Cuban National Superintendent and wife, Laurel, Margot and David Woodworth, Don Exley

Jacquie and I outside the ninth church, the most humble but also the group of pastors with the most faith!

Cuba

One of the nine workshops Jacquie and I taught.

Pastors — Pastors "Roberto and Lali" drove us in their little car two of the days.

Assemblies of God — Assemblies of God "bus" to bring the pastors to the event. You can see the logo next to me on the door.

Pedi taxi taking David & Margot to church on Sunday.

The van broke down and needed a push start numerous times.

TWO MINUTE VIDEO

Please take the time to watch this video where I explain the amazing things God is doing in the Cuban Assemblies of God. I just ask that you NOT post it to social media, but DO feel free to show it at church.

Footnotes

The Cubans are an example of faith in action, I came away challenged. "I watched as they willingly gave what they could afford and then went beyond to give even more." 2 Corinthians 8:3 The Voice

FootNotes

The Cubans are an example of faith in action, I came away challenged. "I watched as they willingly gave what they could afford and then went beyond to give even more." 2 Corinthians 8:3 The Voice

© 2026 Laurel Ellis

Her children arise and call her blessed.

Proverbs 31:28 NIV

"Here I am. Send me!"

Isaiah 6:8

"...you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ..." Phil 1:5 NLT

Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1Corinthians 3:7

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.

He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 NLT

The Goodness of God

Taste and see how good the Lord is! Psalm 34:8 CEB

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