Three women smile after receiving much-needed supplies from one of three containers to be distributed among church members and others. The initiative was fully funded by Maranatha donors. [Photo: Maranatha Volunteers International]
February 18, 2023 | California, United States | Maranatha Volunteers International, and Adventist Review
In December 2022, Maranatha Volunteers International donors helped to raise more than US$250,000 (the total has since grown to more than $300,000) to send aid to the Cuban people stuck in a desperate economic situation.
The aid, consisting of food, medicine, and other essentials, was sent in the first two of three shipping containers and arrived in the port of Havana for inspection. Sometimes these containers become stuck in port for months, and Maranatha leaders credit God with what they called “a blessing” — the fact that the first container was recently released and transported to Maranatha’s warehouse.
Cuban Union Conference president Aldo Pérez (right) helps unload some of the supplies from the first container of aid sent by Maranatha to Cuba. [Photo: Maranatha Volunteers International]
With joyful smiles, recipients said they were thankful for this timely aid and expressed their gratitude for the Maranatha donors who made it possible. The second shipping container has arrived in the port of Havana, and a third container will soon be on its way.
Many of the people in Cuba who benefited from the supplies sent were very emotional about it. The supplies distributed will help them cover some basic needs, including food and medicine. [Photo: Maranatha Volunteers International]
Since 1994, Maranatha has been working in Cuba to build and renovate Seventh-day Adventist churches. Political circumstances make work in Cuba complicated, and projects can take years to get off the ground and completed. But Maranatha has been successful in building or remodeling more than 200 churches all over the island, and even building an Adventist seminary.
Adventist church members help to sort out some of the supplies included in the first container of aid sent to Cuba. [Photo: Maranatha Volunteers International]
Maranatha Volunteers International is a support organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that since 1969 has fulfilled requests for construction assistance. Each project is carefully considered for need, overall impact on the community, and resources for long-term maintenance and support.
Currently, Maranatha is working in a dozen countries around the world. Efforts are focused on church and school construction and water wells. A portion of the projects is completed by volunteers participating in short-term mission trips.
The original version of this story was posted by Maranatha Volunteers International.