LWW Cuba Network Coordinating Team Newsletter March 2014

Jim Luther, editor luther5848@att.net Vol. 2; No. 1

Moderators Message
2013 is past! What a BUSY and whirlwind year! Twentieth anniversary of Living Waters for the World, first LWW International Network Coordinators Conference, Wil Howies retirement, new LWW Board of Directors, new Executive Director, ten new systems in Cuba, first full year of official LWW Cuba Network operation, first LWW Cuba Network Operators Conference, over two MILLION gallons of clean water produced in Cuba since the first system was installed in 2009 2014 is in front of us, and it looks to be just as busy. The new LWW Board of Directors will begin their work, the new LWW organizational structure and responsibilities will be in place along with a new Director of Education, the tenth anniversary of Clean Water U will be celebrated, 8 new LWW systems in Cuba are already planned for 2014, planning toward a LWW warehouse in Cuba has begun. Exciting things are happening. I trust that everyone had a nice, restful, hiatus during the holidays and that we are now ready to pick up the harness and resume the efforts in Cuba with renewed enthusiasm and vigor. In the midst of this wonderful chaos, let us not forget that God is in charge. Let us seek His Will in all that we do and every decision that we make. Before we charge out to tackle the work before us, let us pause daily to thank God for his many blessings, for giving each of us the vision of his calling in our lives, and ask for His guidance and direction. Let us also remember our Cuban brothers and sisters who are working alongside us under sometimes difficult circumstances to bring Gods Word and clean water to all of His children in Cuba. Remember always, God will give you what you need to do His Will. If you receive this newsletter and are not actively involved in the LWW work in Cuba, we invite you to join us in any way you can. Search for opportunities of service in the LWW Cuba Network as you read the enclosed articles and be open to Gods direction. Breaks over GET BACK TO WORK! J
Jerry Goode, Moderator, jcgoode@comcast.net

First Cuban Operators Conference

By Verniece Goode and Kendall Cox

First Living Water at LaPlaya

(from L to R) Verniece Goode, Dr. Reinerio Arce, Moraima Gonzlez,

Ricardo Farfn, Jerry Goode, the Rev. Daniel Izquierdo, and Kendall Cox before the first LWW Operators Conference at the SET.

On November 25, 2013, over forty participants representing all 20 operating sites gathered at the Seminario Evanglico de Teologa (SET) in Matanzas for the first Cuban Living Waters for the World (LWW) operators conference. During this two day workshop, water system operators were able to share and discuss best practices leading to the improvement in the production and distribution of clean water as well as the long term sustainability of the systems. The SETs rector, Dr. Reinerio Arce, and the Rev. Daniel Izquierdo represented both the Iglesia Presbiteriana Reformada de Cuba (IPRC) and the Seminary. Facilitators from the LWW Cuba Network were the moderator, Jerry Goode; Kendall Cox, the education director of LWW; and Verniece Goode, volunteer coordinator for the network. Moraima Gonzlez of the SET provided logistical arrangements while worship was planned and led by Elizabeth Gonzlez and Jess Martinez from the SET. The operators, some of whom had traveled 13 hours by bus to get to Matanzas, enjoyed getting to know each other and seeing that they are part of a big group who can call on each other for assistance and advice. The camaraderie and enthusiasm among them grew as they worshipped together, viewed power point presentations and videos and participated in small group discussions and activities. Proper procedure for the whirl -pak bacteriological test was demonstrated and practiced in pairs. Discussions included the responsibility for record keeping, system maintenance, repairs, and replacement filters. Emphasis was placed on reporting with
(contd. on page 2)

What is the Living Waters for the World Cuba Network?

LWW Networks have been established in countries where groundwork has already been laid by previous LWW water mission teams. The purpose of the LWW Cuba Network is to provide assistance to LWW teams working in Cuba and also to help insure sustainability of LWW systems installed there. Another purpose of the LWW Cuba Network is to identify clean water mission opportunities and to bring initiating and operating partners together. The LWW Cuba Network has a Coordinating Team (CNCT) made up of experienced Clean Water U graduates and a moderator appointed by LWW. This team will help coordinate efforts between U.S. groups wishing to work in Cuba and Cuban sites needing clean water and will enhance sustainability for the growing number of systems located there. If your church or organization is interested in exploring the possibility of working in Cuba, your first contact should be with the CNCT moderator, Jerry Goode, at jcgoode@comcast.net or 601-649-8250. The moderator will maintain a master list matching teams to sites, and this initial contact with the moderator will avoid the duplication of efforts for the same site.

Water system operators, SET representatives, and LWW facilitators at the first Operators Conference at the SET on November 26, 2013. (contd. from page 1)

frequent communication between the Operating Partner and their Initiating Partner. The idea of forming a water committee at each operating site was explored. Ways to educate the community in proper bottle cleaning and the process of working toward a bottle exchange for the future were also discussed. Before the concluding worship, each water system site reported their number of gallons of clean water produced. The grand total was over 2 million gallons of clean water distributed to the 20 communities served by the Living Waters for the World systems in Cuba since June of 2009. Several pastors shared that the water system brought people who had never before been to the church. Now they come to find clean water but also hear about the Living Water for the very first time. Gracias a Dios! May clean water flow for all of Gods children .

Have questions about working in Cuba? Click on this link. https://livingwatersfortheworld.box.com/s/ rg0qjgn2rwptk4ko4nyg

How You Can Participate In The LWW Cuba Network

Pray for the LWW teams and their work in Cuba Pray for the Cuban people who lack access to clean water Form a LWW team, attend training at Clean Water U and install a system in a Cuban community in need of clean water Contribute to LWW & designate your gift to the Cuba Network http://livingwatersfortheworld.org/ ecard/index.php) Contribute directly to a team doing an installation in Cuba

Become a Sustaining Partner to insure ongoing maintenance to existing systems Purchase and carry spare parts and filters when you travel to Cuba (contact the LWW Cuba Network for details) Encourage others to become involved in LWW in Cuba Share information about LWW in Cuba on social media Be a Clean Water Advocate

First Cuban Living Waters for the World Installations by Episcopalians

On Sunday, November 17, the team arrived in Havana to be greeted by Fr. Carlos Tamayo, the energetic priest of their two Cuban sister churches. After spending the night in a Presbyterian dormitory in Havana and stopping along the way to pick up Carlos Austin, a seminary student who would serve as a second translator, they arrived in Cuatro Esquinas to joyous greetings. The team then quickly divided into groups that would train their Cuban counterparts on clean water hygiene and system installation and operation -- simultaneously in both locations! Over the next three days they trained and watched as their partners constructed their new systems and learned how to utilize the clean water in their daily lives. Their Cuban brothers and sisters are an incredible group of people who impressed them with their ingenuity and hard work. Though the Cubans live with adversity, they persevere with patience, humor, and resolve. When health and hygiene training sessions were conducted at the two churches, the instructors were happily overwhelmed by the number of children who arrived, many of whom were not from church families. Church members and non-members, alike, attended the celebration the last evening and enjoyed fellowship and the arrival of the first local source of clean water. Fr. Carlos said later that he was approached by an unfamiliar woman whose child attended the training. She was impressed enough to return for the celebration and told Fr. Carlos that her family would like to start attending the church. The missionaries experienced the excitement as well, feeling extremely blessed to be a part of this life changing mission. Veteran Cuba missionaries renewed longstanding relationships and newbies were introduced to wonderful church leaders and members. Future trips will be conducted to check the systems and to deliver supplies; the team also expressed interest in assisting with additional clean water systems in appropriate locations. On behalf of the entire mission team and their sisters and brothers in Cuba, they wish to convey their profound thanks to all who contributed time, treasure, and talent to help make clean water a reality for the towns of Zorrilla and Cuatro Esquinas

Tyler Macmillan, a 103 installer, and the San Pedro Apostol installation and operation team pose with certificates of training in front of their new water system in Zorrilla, Cuba. By Tyler Macmillan, Sarah Puckett and Dennis Howard

In November of 2013, a group of missionaries from St. Johns Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, FL combined with members of Christ Episcopal Church in Monticello, FL installed LWW water treatment systems in churches in the rural Cuban towns of Zorrilla and Cuatro Esquinas. These were the first systems installed by Episcopal churches anywhere in Cuba. This effort began in October with the training of team members Kakki Bissell, Tyler Macmillan, Sarah Puckett, Roger Rumenik, and Blan Teagle from St. Johns and Bob Henderson from Christ Church, at Clean Water University, an Oxford, MS training school of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Living Waters for the World program. After graduating, the trained team quickly gathered and packed over 600 pounds of supplies that would be transported on their flight to Havana. They were joined by the remainder of the St. Johns and Christ Church travel team. Meanwhile, in Cuba, members of their sister parish, San Pedro Apostol, and Christ Churchs sister parish, Cristo Rey, worked furiously to install water tanks and plumbing for the systems.

Links of Interest
Living Waters for the World Website http://livingwatersfortheworld.org Water of Life Newsletter - http://livingwatersfortheworld.org/PageN-News.php LWW Cuba Network Information - http://livingwatersfortheworld.org/LWW_MO.php PCUSA Cuba Partners - http://missioncrossroads.ning.com/group/cubapartners LWW Network - http://missioncrossroads.ning.com/group/living-waters-for-the-world LWW Opportunities Forum - http://lww.hoop.la LWW Cuba Network Guidebook - https://livingwatersfortheworld.box.com/s/8rvsgtma3zgtjnnwt22q LWW Cuba Network Newsletters - https://livingwatersfortheworld.box.com/s/xkbqnhtzqbr92w87l0mw LWW Youtube Channel (LWW Videos) - http://www.youtube.com/user/LWWmission Cuba Network Coordinating Team - https://livingwatersfortheworld.box.com/s/ffkcyfxnzqxlobxd0kur

Whos Who In The Living Waters for the World Cuban Network
Dr. Reinerio Arce is the current President of the Evangelical Seminary of Theology (Seminario Evanglico de Teologa SET) in Matanzas, Cuba and also serves as the current Moderator of the Presbyterian Reformed Church of Cuba (Iglesia Presbiteriana Reformada en Cuba - IPRC). He has a long history of service in the IPRC. within the IPRC churches in Cuba. The SET, being ecumenical, provides guidance and direction regarding installations other than IPRC churches and other entities.

Dr. Reinerio Arce-Valentin

Dr. Arce holds a doctoral degree in Theology from the University of Tubingen in Germany and a Masters degree in Theology from the SET. He served as Moderator of the IPRC and Dr. Arce has been involved in the work of Liv- has held positions in the Cuban Council of ing Waters for the World in Cuba since the Churches. Dr. Arce has traveled on several very beginning, providing guidance occasions to the U.S. and has briefed memand advice as these new waters were chart- bers of Congress and State Department offied. The IPRC, along with its leadership, includ- cials on the state of religious freedom in Cuba ing Dr. Arce, have assisted in the LWW work and other matters.

Some links of interest regarding Dr. Arce are:

http://www.lawg.org/action-center/lawg-blog/69/997 http://www.knox.utoronto.ca/167th-convocation-address-dr-reinerio-arce-valentin http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2013/08/cuba_huntsville_friendship.html Kendall Cox is a long-time Living Waters for the World volunteer. She has served in numerous capacities including CWU instructor and CWU Program Director. She presently is a member of the LWW Cuba Network Coordinating Team and serves as Secretary and Coordinator/Publisher of the CNCT Guidebook. She is Moderator of the LWW Educational Team and was recently named as the full-time Educational Director for Living Waters for the World. Her church, First Presbyterian, Greenville, MS, is a faithful financial supporter of Living Waters for the World and holds annual fundraisers which have been very successful. Kendall, as a member of their LWW team, has participated in water system installations in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba and in Haiti. Kendalls supportive and talented family includes her husband, Wade Chambers, and their twins, Lesedi and Caleb. The entire family is active in LWW work and have all participated in system installation trips. Kendall and Wade also served in the Peace Corps in Africa. She is also a co-founder and codirector of Every Mother, Inc., a lactation counseling and training non-profit

Kendall Cox

Embajadores de Buena Voluntad - Ambassadors of Good Will

By Faure Montesino-Gonzalez translated by Dr. Karell Acosta, University of Havana
Si nos dieran a escoger queremos ser como ustedes, pues son hombres y mujeres de autntico proceder. Gracias mil gracias Seor por este gran colectivo que demostr ser amigo que puso fin al dolor. Faure, who is a system operator and poet, wrote the poem Ambassadors of Good Will for the West Jersey Presbytery water team at the conclusion of their water system installation at CANIP. Mil gracias por el favor y no vamos a olvidar el humanismo sin par de un proyecto tan sensible, que convierte lo imposible en sencillo y natural. If only could we decide wed like to be as you are: the best men and women by far who just by your hearts abide. Thank you, Lord, thank you, Lord for the great people you sent who have proven to be friends that made our pain be no more. Thank you again, our Lord, and we will always remember their souls being so tender providing us with so much, which is a magical touch, A divine service to us rendered.

AGUAS VIVAS PARA EL MUNDO - CUBA LIST OF LWW MISSION TEAMS 2014 PLANNED TRIPS

TEAM NAME Lower Providence Presbyterian, Eagleville, PA West Jersey Presbytery, and Quakers Westminster Presbyterian Minneapolis, MN April February

DATE

PLACE Christian Conference Center (Quaker) Gibar Holguin Los Palos Havana

TEAM LEADER OR CONTACT PERSON Kary LaFors lfours@aol.com Bill Kelly chinabill@comcast.net Ed Cunnington edkarc@aol.com

First-Trinity Presbyterian Laurel, MS and First Presbyterian, Greenville, MS

Summer

First Presbyterian Caibaguan

Verniece Goode benz_mom@hotmail.com Kendall Cox kendall@everymother.org

University Presbyterian Baton Rouge, LA

Fall

Cuba Council of Churches, Havana

Linda Walker LStodWalk@bellsouth.net Deborah Serra dhserra@gmail.com

Clear Lake Presbyterian Houston, TX

November

Hogar de Ancianos Soldados de la Cruz Coln Perico Presbyterian Perico

Jim Luther Luther5848@att.net Chris Moore-Keish cmoore-keish@firstpresatl.org

First Presbyterian Atlanta, GA

TBD

Water Filters How YOU Can Help

Presently, there are no known suppliers in Cuba for the filter cartridges used in the Living Waters for the World systems installed there. The teams installing the systems carry extra filters upon installation of the systems and on subsequent follow -up visits. Unforeseen or premature filter failures will result in system shutdowns if adequate supplies of extra filter cartridges are not available. The replacement frequency of filter changes varies from system to system, and periodic unexpected turbidity in the water supply may cause unexpected or premature filter failures. While the LWW water teams strive to provide an adequate supply of extra filters for their in -country partners, there are situations where timing and logistics prevent the timely arrival of replacement filters. It is also cost prohibitive for a team to travel to Cuba simply to transport filters. Due to the U.S. trade embargo, it is not possible to ship filters directly to locations in Cuba from the U.S. Shipment of filters through other countries is difficult, slow, time -consuming, and often unreliable. Hand-carrying is the most reliable and efficient option at present. If your church or organization travels to Cuba, the LWW Cuba Network would like to encourage you to consider purchasing and/ or transporting filters to Cuba when you travel. This might mean transporting filters to a specific location on behalf of a LWW team or simply transporting filters to be stockpiled in a central location to handle emergency situations. If your church or organization has a relationship or other affiliation with a Cuban counterpart having a LWW water system, you might wish to consider helping supply them with filters. If your church or organization would like to consider participating in this vital supply chain, please contact the moderator of the LWW Cuban Network, Jerry Goode jcgoode@comcast.net.

This would make a great youth group project!

AGUAS VIVAS PARA EL MUNDO - CUBA LIST OF LWW SYSTEMS INSTALLED AS OF FEBRUARY 2014 TEAM NAME First-Trinity Presbyterian Laurel, Mississippi First-Trinity Presbyterian Laurel, Mississippi First-Trinity Presbyterian Laurel, Mississippi Christ Church/ St. John Presbyterian Houston, TX Clear Lake Presbyterian Houston, Texas Westminster Presbyterian Minneapolis, MN St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian New Orleans, LA First-Trinity Pres. Laurel & 1st Pres. Greenville, MS St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian New Orleans, LA Clear Lake Presbyterian Houston, TX Westminster Pres & Presbytery of Long Island University Presbyterian Church Baton Rouge, LA West Jersey Presbytery West Jersey Presbytery Lower Providence Pres. Eagleville, PA Clear Lake Presbyterian Church Houston, TX Clear Lake Presbyterian Church Houston, TX St. Johns Episcopal - Tallahassee St. Johns Episcopal Tallahassee Presbytery of South Louisiana Lower Providence Pres. Eagleville, PA DATE June 2009 June 2010 July 2011 November 2011 November 2011 January 2012 May 2012 July 2012 November 2012 November 2012 March 2013 April 2013 June 2013 June 2013 July 2013 November 2013 November 2013 November 2013 November 2103 November 2013 February 2014 PLACE Seminario Evanglico de Teologa Matanzas La Playa Childrens Home Matanzas Martin Luther King Center / Ebenezer Baptist - Havana Iglesia de la Playa Matanzas Kairos Center / First Baptist Matanzas Luyan Presbyterian Havana El Fuerte Presbyterian - Cardenas Sancti Spiritus Presbyterian Sancti Spiritus Juan G. Hall Presbyterian Church Cardenas San Antonio de los Baos Presbyterian Guines Presbyterian Church CONTACT Verniece Goode benz_mom@hotmail.com Verniece Goode benz_mom@hotmail.com Verniece Goode benz_mom@hotmail.com Karen Persley krp111154@sbcglobal.net Jim Luther Luther5848@att.net Ed Cunnington edkarc@aol.com LauraSt.Clair laura.st.clair1@gmail.com Verniece Goode Benz_mom@hotmail.com Bonnie Shoemaker bonshoemaker@gmail.com Jim Luther Luther5848@att.net Ed Cunnington edkarc@aol.com Linda Walker lstodwalk@bellsouth.ner Bill Kelly Chinabill@comcast.net Bill Kelly Chinabill@comcast.net Kary LaFors karylafors@gmail.com HaJim Luther Luther5848@att.net Jim Luther Luther5848@att.net Dennis and Sandra Howard docpest@embarqmail.com Dennis and Sandra Howard docpest@embarqmail.com Laura St. Clair laura.st.clair1@gmail.com Kary LaFors karylafors@gmail.com

Getsemani San Jose de los Ramos CANIP Santa Clara El Buen Pastor Union de Reyes Iglesia de Amigos (Quaker) Holguin Escuela Abel Santamaria vana

Soldiers of the Cross Seminary Playa Baracoa Zorilla Episcopal Mission Cuatro Esqunas Episcopal Church Matanzas Central Presbyterian Iglesia de Amigos (Quaker) Gibara

Cuban Church Leaders Hold Briefing for Congress on U.S./Cuba Relations

On Thursday, February 27, 2014, a delegation of Christian faith leaders from Cuba briefed the U.S. Congress on the status of religious freedom in Cuba. The briefing was sponsored by Senator Jeff Flake (R -AZ) and Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA). The six faith leaders called for meaningful dialogue between the United States and Cuba, the removal of Cuba from the State Departments State Sponsors of Terrorism list and the elimination of all restrictions on people -to-people travel. Featured panelists include Rev. Joel Ortega Dopico, Presbyterian, President, Cuban Council of Churches, Griselda Delgado, Episcopal Bishop of Cuba, Rev. Dr. Reinerio Arce, President, Matanzas Seminary, Havana, Pastor Maria Yi, Quaker, Vice President, Cuban Council of Churches, Rev. Rhode Gonzalez, Christian Pentecostal Church, and Rev. Raul Suarez, Director of the Martin Luther King Center in Havana. The following is an excerpt from an op-ed in The Hill newspaper. It was written by Rev. John McCullough, a Methodist minister and CEO of Church World Service and Rev. Joel Dopico, President of the Cuban Council of Churches. It may surprise many people to know that there is a Cuban Council of Churches, and that there is a thriving, growing faith community in Cuba. While many outside Cuba imagine that religious life has been stifled, there are in fact a wide range of churches active in the country, and religious membership and participation has been growing for twenty years. The Cuban Council of Churches has 54 member organizations. Church World Service and many of its 37 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican member communions work closely with churches in Cuba and with the ecumenical Cuban Council of Churches.

Were proud of what we have accomplished together in providing humanitarian aid in times of disasters and by accompanying and supporting the Cuban churches as they have gained more space to minister and offer social services over the past twenty years. Our collaboration has helped build bridges of understanding between our countries, which have been divided by politics and an economic embargo for over fifty years now.
To read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/religious-rights/199366-cuban-and-us-churches-work-together-ourgovernments?utm_source=February+28+Blast&utm_campaign=February+28+2014+Blast&utm_medium=email#ixzz2ujhRCxJ0

If your church is interested in participating in the LWW mission in Cuba, there are two sites waiting for partners. Both sites have been visited by LWW teams in the past and vetted by our partners in Cuba as being viable sites for consideration and partnership. The first site is the Guanabacoa Presbyterian Church located in a neighborhood near the Habana Vieja (Old Havana). This church was first visited and a preliminary survey completed two years ago, but due to a change in leadership, was postponed. The LWW teams interested at the time, moved on to other sites. Since they have been waiting for two years, we thought it time to publicize their availability. The second site is at the CCRD (Christian Centre for Reflection and Dialogue) in Cardenas. They have been under consideration for some time, but have not been a priority since a LWW system has been installed in the same neighborhood. The situation has changed due to the massive demand for clean water there. The nearby church has been providing for the water needs of CCRD as well as their own congregation and surrounding community. Due to the increased demand for clean water and the expansion of CCRD programs which use clean water, it is felt that there is sufficient need in the area to install a system there. Information can be found at: http://www.united-church.ca/partners/global/caribbean/cuba#ccrd For more information, contact Jerry Goode at jcgoode@comcast.net.
If you would like to have your material published in this newsletter, please submit to Jim Luther at Luther5848@att.net.