We're Off!

Everything has finally come together! We're headed to Cuba tomorrow morning. We've had a busy couple of months. We truly enjoyed having Pastors Barizonte and Barbaro with us for three weeks in December. We celebrated Christmas and New Year's with them. It wasn't too hard saying goodbye, knowing we'd be seeing them in a few weeks. They were a truly a blessing to our church. The first night they spoke at our church, my Grandpa Ball was there, along with my Aunt Charlotte. It was really a blessing to have people who were involved with God's work in Cuba in the past, the present, and the future.

We can't leave without thanking some very important people. We couldn't do it without you: Pastor Ball, for your unending support, encouragement, and fund-raising abilities. Faith Apostolic Church, for being the best church family we could ask for. Our wonderful families, who make it difficult to say goodbye (Rennards, Rawlings, Balls, Newburns, Turners, etc). The Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ Foreign Mission's Department, for putting your confidence in us. Jodie, for taking care of our finances while we're gone. Leah, for taking care of our blog updates while we're gone. The Cuba Prayer Team, for holding us up in your prayers. Mom & David, for the great vacation and for buying so many things we need. Our friends, you know who you are and we love you. The families who have given sacrificially to help us realize this dream. Pastor Shurte and Pastor Logue, for offering a helping hand every step of the way. All the churches and pastors who have allowed us to share our vision and aided us financially. Everyone else who has offered friendship, prayers, support and encouragement. We truly wouldn't be on this path without you. Our prayer is that God bless you greatly for your sacrifice.

Many of you have asked what we will be doing while in Cuba. We will be doing doctrinal/leadership training 2-3 days a week, and preaching and teaching at weeknight and weekend services. Our plan is to visit all 15 or so churches while we are there. As you can imagine, this will be a very demanding schedule. We will also have intensive language trainging twice a week. Finally, we will be organizing a Training Conference and Crusade for the end of March. Please pray that God will equip us and be with us in every endeavor.

Our access to Internet in Cuba will be somewhat limited. We will try to send updates twice a month through Leah Newby. If you ever want to get in touch with us, contact Leah at Faith Apostolic Church (http://www.faithapostolic.us/) for our contact information.

I can't pass the opportunity to congratulate my brother Michael and his wife Marty on their beautiful new baby girl. We're very disappointed that we won't be able to see her until April, but are saving up lots of attention and affection to give her then. This is little Sophia Jane. Could she be any more gorgeous?

God Bless!

-Rachael, James and Ava Rennard

January Trip... Coming Up!

Happy Holidays! I hope you are all enjoying this Christmas season. As the year comes to a close, our extended trip is coming up! We will be leaving for Cuba on January 20th and will be staying for approximately three months. We are ready to go, but are extremely busy with preparations! We are thrilled to announce that the ALJC is helping us raise funds for our own house in Cuba, and for the use of our own van! Praise God! If you are interested in contributing to this cause, please let us know right away.

Bro. Barizonte and Bro. Barbaro are currently traveling with Bro. Roca to various churches, spreading the word about Revival in Cuba! They will be here with us next Tuesday, and will be speaking at Faith Apostolic Church next Wednesday night, December 19th. We are excited about their visit with us.

We are so thankful to the churches who have recently had us come and share our vision and burden for Cuba:

1. South Gibson Apostolic Chapel - Pastor J.D. Mullins
2. Medora Pentecostal Church - Pastor Tim Gill
3. Victory Life Center - Pastor Randy Adams

We enjoyed being with you in your service and are grateful for your kindness and hospitality.

Many of you have asked that we relay our upcoming expenses. We are working with the ALJC Foreign Mission's department to raise part of this money, but WE NEED YOUR HELP! We have to raise a lot of money in a short time, but we know that God will provide! We are especially seeking monthly sponsorship. If you would like to partner with us on a monthly basis, please contact us to let us know, with an amount in mind. This will help us know how far we have to go in reaching our monthly budget. Even the smallest monthly support makes a big difference. Our prayer is that God bless our partners greatly for their support and sacrificial giving.

Upcoming trip costs:

1. House - $15,000

2. Car - 5,000

3. Flights - 1,650

4. Food - 1,350

5.House needs-2,000

6. Insurance - 1,500

7. Projects - 1,500

8. Water - 150

9. Exit tax - 75

10. Visas - 270

11. Gas - 600

12. Internet - 150

13. Phone cards- 75

Total: $29,320

While this figure is overwhelming, keep in mind that our costs will be fairly low once the house and van have been purchased, and the house is furnished. Thank you to those of you who have already pledged generous amounts toward the purchase of the house. God bless you abundantly!

I don't like for these blogs to be about money, but hopefully this will give you an idea the kinds of funds necessary for us to accomplish this work. Can we put a price on what God has already done in Cuba? I don't believe we can, and I'm believing what has happened is only the beginning. If you would like to know more about donating to Cuba for Christ, please contact us at info@cubaforchrist.net or use the link to your right to donate online. God Bless!

Cuba for Christ - October 2007 National Conference...

Click to Play

This is a short video depicting the events that happened during a trip to Cuba in October 2007. During this trip we held a Nation Conference for 'La Iglesia Apostolica de Jesucristo'. Our connection with this local organization has been amazing and we are glad and humbled to be a part of this revival!

Over 100 people received the baptism of the Holy Ghost during the conference and subsequent days of ministry!

As many of you now know, we are in fund raising mode! We have a visit to Cuba coming up in early January 2008 for three months! During this time we'll be holding training seminars and pastoral training as well as preparing for another crusade. If you would like to help by contributing monthly to the ALJC Foreign Missions budget, please do so by sending in your pledge forms using Cuba - Rennard as the ministry! You can also contribute online at Faith Apostolic Church's Website! God bless!

It's Official!

Happy Holidays!

Our family, church family,and Cuban family at Thanksgiving

I hope you are all having a great start to your holiday season. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and we are so thankful for a network of caring, supportive people backing us in our endeavor. Thank you to all of the new people who have signed up to receive our e-newsletter. I hope you find it informative and inspiring. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.

Bro. & Sis. Roca, Bro. Barbaro, Bro. Barizonte, Bro. Josh, Sis. Shelly, Myself and Jimmie at Thanksgiving Dinner

Last week we attended National Youth Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. We are so happy to report that we were appointed as official missionaries with the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ! I was moved to tears knowing that we had the support of a room full of godly men on the Foreign Mission's Board. I was especially moved during one of the services looking out at thousands of people who I knew would be supporting us and praying for us. When God calls you for a purpose, you act. Obedience is necessary whether you have the support of others or not, but what a tremendous blessing when your calling is backed up by thousands. We hope and pray that we will always be a good representation first and foremost of God, but also of Faith Apostolic Church, our families and friends, and of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will do our best!

Mindy, Jodie, Sis. Ball, myself, and Shelly Wednesday night at NYC

It looks like God has opened a door in regard to our living arrangements! I can't go into detail right now, but please help us pray that it works out according to God's plan. If this door opens, it will truly be a miracle and another confirmation that we are right where God wants us.



Bro. Barizonte and Bro. Barbaro made it here safely and were able to attend NYC. They met many pastors, talked with so many people, and even made a presentation to the Foreign Mission's board about God's work in Cuba. They are truly a blessing to be around, and bring so much joy to our lives. They are with the Rocas right now, but will be in Indiana with us sometime next week.

James, Bro. Roca, Bro. Barizonte, and Bro. Barbaro Thanksgiving Day

Baruch, Bro. Barbaro, and Nathaniel - it was a happy reunion!
We are truly looking forward to the next few months, spending time with these Cuban leaders, traveling, preparing for our trip, and spending time with family and friends. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. God Bless!

National Youth Convention and Cuban Pastors' Visit

What an exciting time to be doing the work of God! We've been home for a few weeks now and are so thrilled to share with you all the great things God is doing. We have had unprecedented revival at home here in Carmel, with over 60 people receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit since Father's Day! It is always a little sad leaving Cuba, but it makes it so much easier to come home to an awesome church that is hungry for more of God. Thanks to Bro. Robert Tisdale who has been our guest evangelist for months now. You have made such an impact on our ministries and have had a huge part in building our faith.

We want to publicly acknowledge our pastor and brother, Matthew Ball. We would not be where we are today without a pastor who is constantly pushing us to grow in God, while still supporting us and correcting us when we need it. You are the best pastor/brother combo we could ask for.

Next week we are heading to National Youth Convention in Nashville. As many of you know, we have a meeting with the ALJC Foreign Mission's Board. Please pray that God's will is done concerning this matter. We would love to be appointed and represent the ALJC in Cuba, but we are trusting that God will lead us where we need to go.

We are also excited to announce that Bro. Barizonte, the president of the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ in Cuba and Bro. Barbaro, the secretary of the organization, are coming to visit next week! They will arrive in time for NYC and will stay until mid-January. They will spend the first part of their visit in Georgia with the Rocas, and will head to Indiana in early December. I will update our blog letting you know when they will be speaking in Carmel in case any of you would like to come and hear/meet them.

Bro. Barbaro(left) and Bro. Barizonte at a baptism service in February.

I want to end this blog with a personal testimony. Two days before we left Cuba, we were driving around the city with our translator, Danis, looking for apartments to rent. We decided to stop at a small food-court near a nearby hotel for lunch. We sat and talked for a long time, and as we were leaving we discovered our camera bag had been stolen. Two brand new cameras were in our bag, a HDD camcorder and our digital camera, a combined value of nearly $1000. All of the video footage of "Cuban Pentecost" was on the camera in the bag. Several minutes later, much to my dismay, Jimmie told me he had put our passports in the bag that morning. I began to panic and pray at the same time. We talked to employees, security guards, hotel employees... everyone we could think of. At one point, Ava and I were in the van alone. I explained to her what had happened and told her we needed to pray. With tears streaming down my face, I prayed a very specific prayer. I prayed that whoever took our camera would watch the video footage and feel conviction for taking the camera. I prayed that they would return it to the nearby hotel reception desk.

The next few hours are a blur. We finally ended up at the U.S. Interest Section (really like our embassy in Cuba), where we found out that they could replace our passports at a cost of $300, but we would have to wait until the next Monday. It was a very intimidating situation. They told us to file a police report with the Cuban police. Ava was exhausted by this point, so Jimmie and Danis dropped us off at the house and headed to the police station. They filed a police report and headed to the scene of the crime in a Cuban police car. When they walked into the restaurant, there was a couple there talking to a store employee. They claimed to have "accidentally taken our camera bag." It had been 4-5 hours since it was stolen. They had taken the bag to the reception desk at the nearby hotel. Pastor Danis called me with the news. For me, it was one of those amazing moments that I realized God knew exactly where I was.... and He was watching out for me. I knew the couple had stolen the camera bag. I knew God answered my prayer in the exact way I prayed for it to be answered. I knew at that moment that our lives were in His hands, and it brought tremendous comfort.

Thanks to all of you who are giving us your prayers and support. We love you and pray that God will bless you for your sacrifice. Please click on the link below to see a photo album of our October trip. God Bless!

http://picasaweb.google.com/Cuba4Christ/OctoberCubaTrip

Cuban Pentecost

Thank you for all of your prayers while we were gone. We have arrived home safely and with awesome reports of what God is doing in Cuba.

The initial purpose of our trip was to attend the Cuban National Convention. About 500 people packed in to a very hot facility for six services over the course of two days. God truly did a tremendous work. The Cuban leadership has been praying for years for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Many pastors, national leaders, and church members had not been filled with the Holy Ghost. In this convention, they are estimating 100 people received the Holy Spirit. They said this is an unprecedented occurance in Apostolic history in Cuba. Praise God!

In one particular service, my husband preached a simple message about faith. He asked for anyone who needed a miracle from God to come forward. To our surprise, hundreds came forward. There was no way to get to all of them to pray with them. Bro. Troy Shurte had the idea to do a prayer line. All the Cuban pastors, along with our group from the U.S. lined up and for about 2 hours, we prayed for people as they came through the line. I've never witnessed anything like it. I would estimate that at least half of those 100 who received the Holy Ghost received it in the prayer line or outside the door of the church where they were directed after prayer.

During all of this, a large group of Nazarenes were having service nearby. They heard the commotion and came to see what was happening. Many of them went through the prayer line. Some received the Holy Ghost and some have now started attending Apostolic churches. In Cuba, the pastors and leadership are referring to this Convention as the beginning of Cuban Pentecost. Praise God for honoring their prayers and pouring His Spirit out. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter proclaims the words of the prophet Joel:

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh." (Acts 2:17)

After the Convention, we saw a similar outpouring at every church we visited. In one church alone, about 15 people were baptized! One particular Methodist church recently re-baptized their entire congregation in the Name of Jesus! We saw God do awesome things at a service there! God is doing a great work, and we are so thankful to be a part of it.

If you live around Indianapolis, and would like more details about our trip, please visit our church this Wednesday night. We will be giving a presentation with detailed information, photos, and video footage of our trip. We would love to see you there. The church is located at 1212 E. 116th Street in Carmel. Jimmie will be updating our blog with more detailed information about our trip. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at anytime. Thank you to those of you who are investing in us with your prayers and/or with your finances. Take a moment to rejoice in your part in Cuban revival. Cuba for Christ!!!

Leaving Tomorrow!

I hope this post finds you all well and busy with the work of God. I apologize for not having a new post for a couple of weeks. Everything seems like a blur. We've been so busy traveling, having revival, and getting ready for this trip. Things probably aren't going to slow down anytime soon!

First, I want to say thank you to Faith Apostolic Church. Our family is so blessed to be part of such a loving, giving and supportive church family. Thank you for all of your prayers and financial support. Many of you know how long we've wanted to be involved with mission's work. Believe it or not, it is very hard to say goodbye, even for three weeks, to such an incredible church. We will miss you all. We wouldn't be where we are today without your love, support and guidance. I want to thank God for this incredible revival! Over 30 people have received the Holy Spirit since June - it's been amazing week after week. We're anxious to hear all that happens when we get back. While we're saying our "thank yous," we can't fail to thank our families. You mean so much to us and have had a huge part in making us who we are today. We love you very much.

Last night at church, a young girl came up to me with a home-made card and an envelope. This girl raises pigs for 4H, and when the money came in for her pig, she told her parents that she didn't want any of the money for herself - she wanted to donate it all to Cuba missions. I was so moved by her sacrificial giving. It is people like Annaka who are believing in God's revival in Cuba who are making this all possible for us. Thank you to all of you - you know who you are.

A big thank you to The Early Childhood Center, too! Last week was my last week working at the daycare. They showered me with beautiful cards, hugs, lunch and well wishes. It was such a blessing. They are a wonderful group of women (and John!), and I will truly miss them. Check out the adorable sign they made for me!

We were able to visit Grandma and Grandpa Ball last Friday. They told us stories about their time as missionaries in Cuba. It was such a blessing to hear accounts of the work they started, knowing that we are going to have a part in the future of that same work. What a blessing to have grandparents who were obedient to God's direction and call for their lives.

We are leaving tomorrow for three weeks! We're so grateful to Bro. Troy Shurte for giving us the opportunity to present our mission at his church in Orlando Wednesday night! We'll be visiting with our friend Pat for a couple of days, too. On Thursday we drive to Miami, and our flight leaves Friday morning for Havana. Please pray for our group. We are having a Caribbean Conference and we're expecting many to receive the Holy Spirit. As always, we need prayer for protection and for direction. We're trying to come up with our budget, which means we need to find a place to live, means of transportation, and totals for other miscellaneous costs for our extended stay next year. Your prayers in this matter are invaluable. Finally, please pray that God will continue to open doors for us in Cuba and that we will continue to make divine spiritual connections.

If you have any questions or comment, please feel free to contact us via e-mail or by phone. After this Friday, we won't be able to answer e-mail or return phone calls, but we're looking forward to giving an awesome report of all God does on this trip. God Bless You!

Rachael Rennard