"New Beginnings" in Cuba
He lives in Cuba, and his friends call him "Brother Gasoline." There is, of course, a story behind his name.
Brother Gasoline received training last January on how to use the New Beginnings DVD Evangelism program. After receiving a DVD player and New Beginnings program from members of ASI Portugal, he decided to start his own small group. His church, however, wasn't pleased with the site he selected. He chose to hold his meetings right in front of the home of his municipality's First Secretary—the highest ranking party officer in his region.
Although there is no law in Cuba against starting a small group, there also is no law granting that right, so anything could happen! Despite his friends' concerns, Brother Gasoline declared, “This is the place that God has shown me, so I am going to do it.” And so the meetings began.
One day, the First Secretary approached the meeting and said to Brother Gasoline, "I have a problem, I am going to Havana. They have given me a car to go, but I have no gas, and I have no means to buy it. I want to ask you to pray to your God so that He may help me.” (Gas must be purchased in dollars, and is extremely difficult to come by.)
A week later, the First Secretary returned with news for Brother Gasoline: "Now I have come to tell you to thank your God. I went to Havana. I was able to get the gas, it didn't cost me anything, and I didn´t have to buy it.”
Today, the wife of this party leader is ready to be baptized, and the group continues to flourish.
Meanwhile, it has been almost a year since a 12-year-old girl began hosting a small group in her home in Cuba. She shared her dream to establish a church with her grandfather one day. When she heard about the possibility of establishing a small group, she became very excited.
Her grandfather helped her clean the patio of her house and make a sandbox. She made her own miniatures to illustrate Bible stories in the sand and began hosting a small group for approximately 30 children in her neigborhood, who all have continued to attend regularly.
A DVD player and some children's DVDs have been promised to her by ASI Portugal members. She sings very well, and soon will record children's music in a studio. She recently shared her testimony at the church in Las Tunas.
The New Beginnings DVD Evangelism program was created for use by lay people, and has been translated into numerous languages. The set includes digital graphics, sermon scripts and advertising materials that can be used both for small Bible study groups or large-scale meetings. Development funding for New Beginnings was provided by ASI, with financial contributions from Adventist business leaders. A large group of ASI members from the North American Division presented a New Beginnings training program to church members in Cuba.
The New Beginnings DVD Evangelism program is available from Ouachita Hills Resources.