One of the ways we can help our Christian brothers and sisters in Cuba is through prayer. PC(USA) mission coworker Tricia Lloyd-Sidle received letters from church personnel in Cuba and has shared this information and requests for prayer.

"We have lived through intense days of anguish and fear as a result of the passing through of two terrible hurricanes. Thanks to God the loss of human lives has been minimal, but the daily life of all our people has been harshly affected. We are facing a painful human tragedy and so as to be able to move forward the hands and hearts of all are needed.

"Many of our fellow citizens have lost their homes and are struggling with the scarcity of foodstuffs and other calamities. Massive and urgent help is needed, but the church is not materially prepared to be able to assist in providing for all the needs our people are suffering at this time. Whatever help, whatever gesture, small as they may be, are valuable.

"Our buildings have served as temporary shelters for those who need support and solidarity. We are a church of the people and for the people. Now, more than ever, God is challenging us to prove ourselves as Christians and to truly be messengers of “good news” for those who suffer and those who are overworked and are tired.”

Rev. Francisco Marrero
General Secretary
Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba

"Many thanks for this solidarity message. We have had in our Seminary refugees from Ike hurricane until yesterday. The situation is very difficult. There are thousands of families without homes. Only today we recover electricity and water again. We lost many trees in the Seminary but the buildings didn’t suffer damages.

"The situation of food will be difficult in the next months because we lost fields of rice, bananas, citrus and many others. It is really a humanitarian disaster. We are asking the churches in the United States to write letters to de State Department of the United States to give permission to the Cuban government to buy food and construction materials through private credits.

"We don’t need any evaluation committee from their side to analyze the damages. We have many competent people here to do so. We are praying for this possibility,

"With love, Ofelia"

Rev. Dr. Ofelia Ortega
Vice-moderator Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba
Vice-president, World Alliance of Reformed Churches
Co-president, World Council of Churches

"We are once again in electronic communication, after having lived the effects of Hurricane Ike on Cuba.

"In afternoon and the night of Monday we had winds of more than 180 Km/h, although the hurricane itself was about 100 km south of the city of Santa Clara. We were scared. On Monday night, the winds were so forceful they blew open the doors of the sanctuary.

"Thanks to God all we are well here in our Church in Santa Clara. All the members of our Church are well, although some suffered damages to their homes. The sanctuary of our Church suffered water damage because a lot of water entered through the windows and through a section of the ceiling that was in poor repair.

"THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING. PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF CUBA AND ALL THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS HURRICANE. Greetings and blessings,"

Rev. Omar Maren Turcaz
Pastor, Santa Clara Presbyterian-Reformed Church