What a story!

I heard a report on my way to work yesterday about a baby Jesus that was stolen from one of the displays at a local shopping establishment. Following the report, one of the radio personalities commented: “Whoever steals a baby Jesus at Christmas is in for some really bad Karma!”.

Every Christmas I ask the Lord to impress upon me a new aspect of what celebrating our Savior's birth means to this world, my family and my own life. Following the “kidnapped Jesus” news report I found myself reflecting on the Gospel storyline, and how it’s packed with drama, intrigue, harrowing escapes, betrayal, dirty politics, supernatural events and dazzling ghost like appearances. It has all the makings of today’s best sellers or a blockbuster movie, yet we are (or at least I am) so VERY familiar with “that baby in the stable” that the event loses the crushing impact that it truly deserves. If the reality shattering power of what Almighty God did through an event that literally defines all prior and succeeding history can be so easily lost for someone like myself that was raised in the Church, it’s no wonder that the world sees little more than a plastic light up baby and good or bad karma during the Christmas season!

So what does Christmas mean for me as I dig through e-mails, respond to phone calls or converse with pastors regarding Cuba ministry? This year I am especially drawn to the name of “Emmanuel” or “God is with us”. The name that the Angel gave Mary for the baby she would give birth to (see Matthew 1). His name exemplified the unthinkable idea that the All Powerful-Creator God would literally be with us in a new, very tangible, and eternally significant way.

I have always been moved by Old Testament passages where God shows Himself to “be with” his people. I think of uncompromising Daniel as he is thrown into a cave filled with lions (Daniel 6); of David as a boy standing before a battle hardened, giant warrior with nothing but a few small stones (1 Samuel 17); of Gideon and a few ill equipped men before a mighty and experienced army (Judges 6-8); of Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego seconds before being hurled into a fiery furnace (Daniel 3); and of Abraham ready to sacrifice his only beloved son –the miracle child that God had finally given him in his old age (Genesis 22). God was with each of them in the midst of unimaginable fear and uncertainty. They couldn't know how things would turn out, and by human standards could only anticipate unimaginable pain, suffering and death. But He was there, exemplified in undeniable movements of His mighty hand. Still, all those things -in fact all of history itself, lead up to that precise moment when God took on the very form of His own creation and was physically “with us” for the specific purpose of salvation in the definitive, ultimate and final sacrifice of His Own Blood.

May the Lord impress upon your heart a new, fresh understanding of what Christmas means and an overwhelming joy of what we have to celebrate in our Lord's birth.

Cuba Pastors Book Project

The average Cuban pastor that we work with will have at his disposal a Spanish Language Bible equating to the English King James version, and a basic Bible Commentary (which can be for the better or worse depending on the author). In the past we have found that shipping materials from the U.S. is very complicated given the state of affairs between our two countries. Nearly any literature arriving to Cuba from the U.S. is seen as highly suspect, often resulting in confiscation or “disappearance” en route.

Thankfully though, our ministry has hundreds of “associate ministry” partnerships throughout Central and South America including various publishing companies that are willing to assist in our goal of providing literature to those pastors who don’t have access to the materials they need.

As we get this new project off the ground we are seeking donors who would like to help offset the cost of printing the materials and mailing them directly to these pastors. If you are interested in hearing more about this project, praying for it or becoming a financial partner, please do not hesitate to contact us or make a donation (see Missionary Support & Financial Gift Links at upper right of page).

Here Comes Christmas!

Just the other day our two year old Nicholas walked into the living room where I was struggling to get the Abegg Christmas tree into its proper corner. As he gazed at the lights, he began to smile from ear to ear and exclaimed: “Daddy, that’s a lot of Christmas!” Both Nico and older brother Jeremy are excited about Christmas, especially the gifts…food…gifts…lights and of coarse…gifts. Claudia and I hope that this year will bring a deeper understanding and wonder of the true meaning of Christmas for the both of them. We do realize that we have to be very intentional to balance out the things they see in the stores or while watching TV with the Historical and Biblical reality of what Christmas means today.

We have found the testimonies of those we serve in our ministry to the Cuban Churches to help in giving our boys a better perspective on Christmas. It was only 10 years ago that any celebration of Christmas was illegal. When Claudia and I first visited the island in December of 1999, only a few lights or ornaments were visible in homes, yet there was an almost tangible sense of awe that permeated the churches as they anticipated celebrating our Savior’s arrival. Today, more lights and decorations can be seen, but still no post-Thanksgiving “black Friday” rush on the poorly stocked stores, no traffic jams around the non-existent shopping malls and no internet access means no online purchases for the perfect gift, even if a $14/month salary could afford them.

As a Cuban pastor once told me: “For us, Christmas isn’t in a box with ribbons, we just can’t do that. It’s found in a simple, dirty manger that shepherds and angels once visited”. –This is a good reminder for my own family as we enjoy the abundant blessings we have this Christmas.

With the year coming to a close, we want to thank those of you who partner with us for your faith and trust in the Lord and what He is doing in the Cuban Church. Thank you again for your support and your encouraging friendship and we hope you have a very profound and merry Christmas

Lessons We've Learned From Our Kids

12-2-07 Lessons #6

1. Fish tanks and cell phones don’t mix. Neither do fish tanks and puzzles, keyless remotes or battery operated toys.
   
2. Unexplained hair loss in a 2 year old does not necessarily mean a disease, just that his older brother is now tall enough to reach the scissors.
3. At the most inconvenient times a small child can have a very long memory and a very loud voice.
4. "Teachable moments" are more like "teachable milliseconds" with three year olds.
5. In the hands of a four year old, a yo-yo holds a strong resemblance in appearance and practice to a certain medieval weapon known as a "mace".
6. Think long and hard before teaching kids how to: -Juggle: they will not necessarily choose soft items (as grandpa Abegg found out); -Fish: when a lake isn’t available, the fish tank is very tempting; -Use volume controls: clock radios become early AM time bombs; -Use flashlights: they will never be there when you need them; -Turn off a garden hose: they are smart enough to turn it on again when you aren’t around.
7. If you want to use the bathroom in private, hold it until the kids are in bed for the night…but even then there are no guarantees!
8. God can, and will speak through toddlers when He so desires, and the faith of a child that Jesus spoke of in Mark 18 is a very real and powerful thing.

For all of our previous "lessons" plus pix please visit our "Lessons from Kids" page.

Post Furlough Thoughts: Our Focus and Passion -The Church

We had just returned from our two month furlough when a friend asked: “So how was your vacation?” I no longer cringe as these questions, but use the opportunity to describe the visitation schedule that a missionary family must keep in order to see the numerous churches and individuals that partner with us. After an explanation, the response is generally along the lines of: “Wow! So are you going to take a vacation now that you’re back?”

The word “furlough” isn’t often used in every day conversation, but the definition relates to a leave of absence, usually from the military for the purpose of recuperation and rest, or to deal with personal matters. Over the years, I’ve had various friends in the armed services and have noted that whether they are on active duty or furlough (aka: service leave), there is an understanding that they are at all times soldiers, under authority, representing their country and responsible for their actions. Yes, we’ve all seen saddening stories of those that do not have this conviction; but the majority take their positions very seriously and with respect. They may be away from their “post” but not their vocation or “calling”.

On this furlough, I was reminded more than ever that our ultimate calling is to the Lord’s Church and His great commission of “making disciples of all nations”. Our specific, immediate duty within that calling may vary, such as visiting partner churches, ministries or individuals as opposed to communicating with Cuban pastors or other Latin Churches. However, at all times we are called to build the Lord’s Church and make disciples, representing Him wherever He places us for long or short periods of time.

During this trip we had the privilege to fellowship with many pastors, leadership teams and church members outside of our normal ministry realm. We come away from this time with our faith encouraged at God’s providence and sovereign handiwork, an increased sense of hope in what He has prepared for our family as well as the Churches we visited, and ultimately a deep love for God’s kingdom expressed through people of all walks of life. Many of the pastors mentioned how they struggle to help those in their care fall deeper in love with God’s work and plan. To make sure that they give Christ the place in their heart that only He disserves, and say “no” to the countless worldly suitors and distractions that compete for their love.

Although many of the external struggles are very different, ultimately the struggles within the US Church and the Cuban Church are the same: Do we Love God more than _______ (fill in the blank), and do we trust Him or are we relying on ourselves? My prayer for the Pastors of Cuba, as well as those we were blessed to spend time with in CA is is essentially that they would have a deep, passionate love for the Lord and His work, one that spills over in discipleship of those under their care, and then is reproduced as their own disciples “Go and make disciples of all nations…”. Please join us in praying this for the Cuban Church, as well as the churches in your own community.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

California Furlough -Tahoe

Jeremy has been praying for snow for the past two weeks. We drove up in clear skys, spent the first day in 70 degree weather and then woke up to 8" of snow followed by two beautifully clear days! And to think daddy was telling him not to get his hopes up. I have a lot to learn from the faith of my child!

Picknick on top of Heavenly Valley Ski Resort

Jason Tumlinson, Lana Tumlinson (Kevin's sister), Ty Tumlinson, Bob & Bitta Abegg (Grandma & Grandpa), Jeremy, Kevin, Claudia and Nicholas.

California Furlough

Upcomming Visit Dates in CA
Contact us for Details (e-mail: kabegg@lam.org)
10/7 Sun: Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
10/12-14 Sat & Sun: Tahoe Forest Church -Truckee
10/19-26 Santa Cruz @ Mt. Hermon
10/21 AM-LCF Santa Cruz.
PM- Open House @ Crawfords in Santa Cruz (contact us for directions)
10/28 Sun: PM: Open house in East SF Bay.
Location TBA

Note: if you would like to hoast a "Cuba Talk" for friends or Bible Study Group etc, please let us know.

California Furlough

Fun in CA. Kevin Trimming Redwood Trees!

ELL 9-07

Abegg Electronic Love Letter 9-07 Link:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfh84558_116fbxmdw

I've had an amazing amount of difficulty sending our most recient news letter while on the road, so I hope those of you who usually receive this in your inbox will not find this too much of an inconveniance. Thank you for your understanding!

California Furlough:

The Boys at Yosemite

California Furlough

Jeremy and Nicholas help Daddy Teach

"Jesus Me Ama" at a Homschooling Geography Club

meeting in Walnut Creek, CA.

Immigration Debate

As the political debate rages over immigration, we hope that our own family immigration drama will come to a close in the near future. Claudia and I will celebrate our 10th anniversary this October. That means we started her residency process 9 years ago in Chile before we ever moved to the US. For a few years she had a temporary residency card but “surrendered” it upon request of the INS (now Homeland Security) since she was to receive her permanent residency card “very soon”. That was five years ago. Since then, responses to our letters and phone calls have transitioned from “approval” to “we have no record of you” to a verbal “the files are lost, you will need to start over”. All I can say (without sinning) is: WOW! And to think that the current immigration debate on is how to track those that DO NOT want to be found. Please pray that our leaders would have wisdom and understanding as they consider changes to an immigration system that is painfully flawed. Thankfully we have copies of all our documents, and at this point we have decided to skip residency and apply for citizenship, having sent in the before the cost moves from a $400 non refundable fee to $800. Please join us in prayer as we await what we hope will be a positive response, and that the rest of the process would move ahead smoothly.

On the Cuba Connection of SiCKO

This one I just can’t pass up.  Let me start out by saying that I am no friend of the current U.S. medical and insurance system. It is better than many, but a far cry from anything I would call “just” or even “well constructed”. Now that we got that out of the way, let me address one aspect of Mr. Moor’s recently released documentary “SiCKO”, or rather some of the specific Cuba noise surrounding its release.  From the plethora of articles available, most of which focus on his traveling to Cuba without a license, I see that Moor has chosen Cuba as a comparison to hold up against the US health system.  To quote a Reuter’s article:

Balaguer [Cuba’s Health Minister] said Moore's portrayal was accurate and denied that Havana collaborated with him to tout the Cuban health system. "Our country ... is always open to those cases that, from a humane point of view, may need the services of our public health care," he said.

Or another IPS Article by Patricia Grogg:

Most Cubans receive free care and housing and enjoy heavy subsidies on basic food, transportation and utilities.

The problem is that Moore (and most of the journalists who are writing on the topic) encountered only one part of Cuba’s dualistic health care system, and the media in general hasn’t bothered (wanted?) to check their facts. Yes, a Cuban is able to walk into a clinic and be seen by a doctor, or more recently nurse practitioners since so many doctors have been shipped overseas to key countries like Venezuela, something the Reuters article touched on but didn’t get the whole picture:

Besides providing universal coverage for its own citizens, Cuba has sent doctors to more than 70 other countries. Most recently, it has sent as many as 15,000 doctors to work in the slums of Venezuela, its main political ally, in exchange for oil supplies. 

Essentially, a Cuban can see a doctor, but if actual care is required, such as x-rays (as in the case of my wife on one of our ministry trips), or simple blood tests (as in the case of a pastor who recently came to the US for testing he was denied in Cuba), or heaven forbid the actual need for medication, these clinics are less than helpful. So, in a sense there is universal free medical available to all who want what amounts to a cursory consultation. In the case of my wife’s visit we did get to see an actual doctor, but were told that we needed to go out and purchase x-ray film on the black market before he could do the necessary x-rays.

Then there’s the second part of the Cuban Health Care schizophrenia, the clean, professional and presentable sister to the messy one I just mentioned that’s kept hidden from foreign eyes like Moor’s. This is where you can find the touted, top ranked doctors and high end machinery –all available to those who can pay the price for treatment, or provide promotion of Cuba’s medical system to the world. As for the Cubans, their $15/month average salary relegates them to the “free clinics”, where they unfortunately get what they pay for.

I do echo Moore’s question as reported by the Miahael Giltz article:

"Why would we let 50 million Americans not have health insurance, 9 million of them children?" Moore asked. "We're the United States! We can do better!"

However, if Mr. Moore had done a little more homework on the reality of Cuba’s healthcare system, or simply walked into any of the public clinics throughout the island, I think he would have looked elsewhere for his examples, not to mention avoiding the problems he is now facing for traveling to Cuba without a license. What a waste of a trip.

Date Nights and Answers to Prayer

I’ve never been an actor and usually try not to sing too loud out of respect for those around me, but two nights ago I found myself onstage for the curtain call of “Forbidden Broadway” playing at the Carnival Center for the Performing arts. What a surreal experience! Well that’s the latest in a series of blessings I want to share with you in order to give testimony to God’s faithfulness. Just before Christmas ’06 I had committed to having more “date nights” with Claudia so that we could step away from the normal routine and do the marital maintenance on the wonderful relationship that the Lord had blessed us with. The only problem was that we had precious little “discretionary income” to put towards these nights. I remember praying and asking the Lord for the means to do a little more than a cup of coffee every now and then. I had no idea as to what the Lord had in store!

Only a week or so after that prayer I was leaving for work at 7:00 AM, about ½ hr later than usual, when the home phone rang. The woman calling asked: “This is going to sound strange, but are you Kevin Ayebeg?”
“Yes, who is this?” I asked.
“That’s not important.” she said hurriedly, “I found your name in the directory. You need to call WIOD (local AM News station) right now! They just announced your name as one of the Christmas prize winners and you’ve got 5 minutes left to call in!” She quickly gave me the station’s number and hung up. I never even got her name.

Sure enough, I called the station, gave them my name and they told me that I had won a $100 American Express gift card (and a Rush Limbaugh bobble-head doll). Claudia and I got two really nice date nights out of the card and blessed our mailman with Rush.

It was about two months later that I called in on the same station’s early AM commute trivia show and got through on the second try, only to win yet another $100. certificate for a local Seafood Grill, resulting in another wonderful pair of date nights for Claudia and I.

Since finances have been tight, I’ve been doing various home repair projects for friends and neighbors to make ends meet. I often find myself in the garage working on pieces of furniture or simply getting the tools together I will need for the next project while listening to the local “oldies” station Majic 102.7 which also has various games and contests. I occasionally (maybe two times a month at most) will attempt to call in but only take time to dial up to two times in a row figuring that any more than two tries is a waste of time. Well, again, I got through and won a dinner for two at the local NYPD Pizza Parlor and was entered into a drawing for a new Lexus. I was relieved to not win the Lexus since we couldn’t have afforded the taxes, licensing, registration or insurance, not to mention how to reconcile a missionary driving a brand new Lexus, but we sure enjoyed a nice meal out once again!

It didn’t stop there though. From a local hardware store that I shop at we won a drawing for two tickets (usually $50. each) to the Weston Food and Wine festival, yet another great date afternoon. The most recent answer to my date night prayer came in an unsolicited phone call from another local radio station informing me that I won their monthly birthday drawing which included four tickets to the Broadway show I started with. Since my parents were in town we got to treat them to a night out (and I even looked generous doing it! :-)

God bless!

Lessons We’ve Learned from our Kids

7-8-07 Lessons #5

1. Highlighters are non-toxic but extremely messy when bit just right.
2. The liquid inside of glow sticks is also non toxic, but makes a child’s mouth look really, really creepy.
3. All songs should be sung at the top of your lungs even if you don’t know the words.
4. The "happy birthday song" is applicable on all occasions, especially Sunday morning worship if you apply lesson #3.
5. The alphabet song can be substituted for the Birthday song in a pinch. Again, apply lesson #3.
6. Libraries have a sense of humor. Sign #1: “Please maintain a quiet atmosphere for our patrons” Sign #2: “Children’s section this way”.
7. Squirt guns will never go out of style.
8. Question: “Jeremy, how do you talk to God?” Answer: “With my mouth.”
9. Under the right circumstances, a 35 lb child is capable of producing 4.86 gallons of barf in a very short period of time.
10. Their names aren’t “Superman” or “Batman” daddy, its… “SEWER-man” and “BAD-man”!
11. When the car ashtray is vacant of coins, don’t be surprised that the CD player no longer works, the AC vents rattle, you hear at least three clanks the next time each window is rolled down and the seat belt will not lock into its designated, “quarter sized” slot.

For all of our lessons plus pix please visit our "Lessons from Kids" page.

Welcome to the Abegg's Blog

Over the past two years I've been thinking about getting a site going that can accompany and enhance our "Electronic Love Letters" (our news letters on ministry to Cuba). Well, this is our first attempt at actually getting it rolling, so thank you for your patience at my lack of cyber experience. Please check out the photo albums, news links and web links and let us know what you think. Eventually we will get some discussions rolling and we would love your input. God bless.