Update: Pastoral Conference

It’s been a wild few weeks! Ten days ago I began an update to you describing my disappointment at the news that Cuban exit visas had been denied to all of the pastors who we had hoped would attend the conference. As usual, no explanation was given by Cuban authorities. Thankfully I wasn’t able to get that letter out before receiving news only a few days later that there was still hope via a few untapped channels, and miraculously by the end of last week I received yet another phone call that each every one of them are “verbally approved” to obtain exit visas! Praise the Lord, but please keep praying them through to the conference which starts in a few weeks. We’ve coined the phrase: “Don’t count your chickens until they’ve hatched or your Cubans until they’re at the conference”. Pray that they would receive the actual physical visas in hand in the next few days and that there would be no “hangups” in the airline ticket delivery, Cuban passport control, and entry into the third country. I plan to fly to the conference half way through the seminar since I will be staying with the pastors for 5 days afterwards as we conduct various follow-up meetings and visit some churches and ministries that they can learn from and build relationships with. Please also pray for safety in travel, that the Lord would direct this key time with the pastors and His care for Claudia and the boys while daddy is away. Upon my return the family plans to make a quick turn around and spend some time with Claudia’s family in Chile (see “Going South for the Winter” entry). We want to thank each of you for your faithfulness in prayer as well as the generosity of those who have contributed toward this program. If you would like more information on this program please visit the Pastor’s Conference entry on our website.