Soon I will be on the road, and I will see some of you before long...
In just 2 days I will be on a plane – first to Seattle for my grandma's memorial service – then to Florida to visit relatives before I head back to Cuba. I cannot share many details due to the nature of the trip, but I am so excited to return! Just several months ago I was there for the first time – and it was quite the experience... I saw a little bit of how the country works, I met many people, figured out how to get around, and at the end of the day I fell in love with a nation in desperate need of the truth. There is something about Cuba, and her people, that breaks my heart, brings me to tears, sparks a passion in my being, and lights up my eyes – all at the same time! While my first trip was tourism, this one will be focused on giving: I will give of my time and also specific items that I know are needed. I plan to have several days to visit friends I met on my last trip, and I will also join a team working with young people in rural areas of the island. I can share more details in person. One thing is certain, I will be praying hard, serving in any way that I can, and sharing my own personal story, as well as God's Story of hope and redeeming love.
If you want to help, I am accepting financial donations to help cover the cost of the trip, as well as items that I will be purchasing to leave there (soccer balls, baseballs and bats, Bibles, other books, sheets, towels, clothing, toiletries, etc). You can reach me over the next few days, but once I leave Washington, I will not have my phone with me, nor internet access once in Cuba... I will be back in contact August 5th. Checks can be made out to me, and anything by mail can be received at my parents' address and added to my account :)
Stephanie Miller
1125 Geneva Street
Bellingham, WA 98229
Please remember me in your prayers – and even more so, the people of Cuba. If you can commit to pray a certain day between July 10th and August 5th, please let me know. I would like to find at least one person to cover each day :) Prayer points include safety while traveling and moving around, health and well-being, the nation of Cuba, the government, the church there, and the work that will be done with young people (teaching them, building relationships). Cuba has opened up a lot, but is far from “free” in the sense of how we live in Western countries. The people have very little, news and media is limited and censored, and everything is controlled by the government. Even the education only conveys one-sided information: whatever aligns with the communist party, and nothing else. The average Cuban has material need, but even more so, there exists a need – and a hunger – for books and literature and education that reach beyond what their government allows and bring a greater understanding of life and truth. The truth that human life is valuable, that they were created with purpose and meaning, and that there is hope for a brighter future. Keep these things in mind as you pray for this special nation.
I hope to see any and everybody who is available over the summer: August and at least part of September I will be in Washington for sure. Beyond that, still to be determined...
Thank you!!!
Love,
Stephanie
