The Middletons write the following:

Dear Friends, 

Greetings!!!  I have a letter ready for headquarters, to be sent to all names on our listing, but some of you are so good to email, and we want to update you here, now that there is a breather space!

            I know you’ve not heard from us since our trip to Cuba, and we returned on Feb 4, ages ago, it seems.  We were very weary but spent that evening working on schedules for coming guests.  Then the following week we had a trip to the border  and brake problems, among other appliance breakdowns, plumbing problems and more.  Seems the list was endless.  On Monday, the 15^th we spent a long time in a lawyer’s office, concerning the Km 32 village, before heading to the Airport to pick up Bro. and Sis. Noel Scott, our evangelists for the Holiness Convention which went from the 16^th to 21^st.  The Lord gave us good services but the attendance could’ve been better.  We had a man in the hospital from here in the city, and his care involved several of our group, making it unable for them to attend any of the services.  Sabana Perdida folk had teams coming and going from Haiti, and illness that allowed the Hoffmans only one night of attendance.  Their folk came 2 nights, but they got home late the first night due to bus problems.  It seems the devil works overtime when we are having something special.

            We had to leave the Scotts to care for themselves all day Saturday as we left around 6:15 for the border once again.  Thankfully we had no problems and arrived there withing 15 minutes after the Youngs’  vehicle had arrived from the Haitian side.  We had the back end of our truck filled with sleeping bags, groceries and luggage, and helped Tim Young get back to his work, and at the same time brought Karen Wheeler back to our house to spend the weekend, before she returned to the USA..

              We got home to learn that a young man in the country had passed away.  He died a sad slow death with cancer, leaving 2 small boys and a wife who grew up in our church there.  We were told folk would all be at the house and not attending service so we had to cancel our service and instead, Dave preached to all those who were  accompanying the family at this sad time.  I could think there were around 200 inside and around the outer area at this home.

              Most of you will soon receive our letter via the mission.  Let me add just alittle more about Cuba.  We had hoped to try going by bus this trip, rather than in a rented vehicle.  Many times others think they know what is best for us.  So—again we started out in a little car, but after about 4 hours it had problems and the driver felt it best he return to the capital.  It took another 4 hours before we could get a bus, and we finally arrived at our destination about 4:20 AM with a Cuban brother waiting there at the bus station.  He hired a bici-taxi (2 seater) with a fellow who pedaled us and our luggage thru the town until we reached a home where they planned for us to stay with a widow lady.  She gave us her bedroom and slept in a doorless room.  The bathroom only had a curtain door and no running water as someone was constructing an apartment on the 2^nd floor and didn’t like her plumbing, so removed it!  We enjoyed our time here for 2 days until our friends feared she had too many visitors and someone might question the authorities about us and she would then be heavily fined.  So on the second evening before the evening service, they whisked us away by horse and carriage to another home.

            I was amazed at how many of the brethren knew our whereabouts, as to where to find us and where each service would be held. Even services that were planned for odd hours were well attended.  In between times folk came to visit or counsel or to find answers to Biblical questions.  Some show a real desire for Biblical teachings and the old paths.  One couple prayed through to be sanctified.  Please pray for Ivan and Annia.  They are a young couple who could’ve made big money but felt the Lord showed them to give their lives to Him for full time service.  It was mentioned to us that they are very needy.  They go out into the country on Sundays by some means for transport and then walk the last 6 Km with their 2 small children, to be able to reach their church. They are presently worshipping in what sounds like a rustic gazebo. They desire to build a church and parsonage and live there full time—-someday. 

               We met others who became very dear to us too.  We ministered in a variety of churches where all were receptive to the Biblical teachings.  Cuba has been abandoned for years and folk are hungry for truth.  I feel blessed to have made this trip, and now know the folk and better know their needs.  We were served good meals as they said this was a time of more abundance.  During the summer months food is more scarce.  It is a very needy area.  The evangelist and family that fed us several meals live in 2 rooms without running water and an open sewer outside their only door.  They have dreams of covering this mess and moving things around to hopefully utilize their space in a better fashion, which would also make them closer to their water source.  Cubans have many dreams for a better life.  Christians there are happy in the Lord and talk of Him often.  Pray for Rafael and Raquel too.  He is an evangelist who travels to many areas of the country.  We want to see him become firmly grounded in the ways of holiness.  Opportunities are endless.  There are more invitations than time to get to each one.

   I’ve made this a long “note”.  I need to answer contributors and  my personal mail real soon , so if you are in that group, I’ll try to add more about our trip.

               Feel free to share your life and daily events with us.  We enjoy hearing news from home.  God Bless you and yours.  May your week go well.

                                               Bye for now, – Marilyn, for both of us