Good News - August 2021

cating others and being vocal in support of the rights of our Cuban neighbors is a way to not only help them but to hopefully help ourselves avoid a similar situation. As a Christian, I know that true liberty is only found in a life lived under Christ's lordship, so vocal support is needed for the Cubans national liberty, and prayer is needed for them to have open eyes to the truth of the Gospel and a heart willing to accept it. Justus Martin, Justus Martin Photo, Staff Photographer, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale The people of Cuba are protesting in the streets asking for freedom; the hu- manitarian crisis is deep. Only a minority of churches are allowed to operate. The people are not afraid to protest anymore because they have nothing more to lose. Let us not take our freedom for granted in America. Freedom is defined as the power or right to act, speak or think without hindrance or restraint. With freedom must come responsibility! As Christians, we need to pray for the liberation of Cuba and stand with our brothers and sisters. This crisis has allowed me to realize how blessed we are to live in a free country and appreciate what God has done for us in America. Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary Cuba has been an issue for the better part of my life, and its citizens have suf- fered under communism/socialism for that entire time. It is ironic that the Cuban people are now rebelling against socialism at the same time a segment of our leadership is trying to enact those same failed, socialist policies in this country. 90 miles away we have all the evidence we need that socialism doesn’t work. 56 years of abysmal failure and counting. Mike McDermott, PA, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, The Keyes Company Communism and Socialism is a failed system of government and has failed throughout history in every country that has tried to implement this form of gov- erning their people. My father escaped from communist Yugoslavia in the 1950’s and legally immigrated to the United States of America. He taught us firsthand the evils and corruption of communism. We learned that freedom is not free and comes with a cost. Freedom is never given, it is won. My thoughts and prayers are for all the people of Cuba and their quest for freedom. Milan Stefanovic, Chief Operations & Personal Lines Officer, Bass Underwriters My heart goes out to the people of Cuba. Their courage in confronting the dic- tatorship is incredibly inspiring, particularly when viewed through the lens of the potential consequences. Their commitment to confront leadership which rules through brutality is nothing short of admirable. Even more, to me as a follower of Christ, it’s convicting. The people of Cuba are fighting to get out of darkness in order to save their country - even if costs them their lives. As believers, shouldn’t we be fighting to stop the slide of our country into darkness? Has the time come for Christians to stand up and not be intimidated by the intolerant and bullying tac- tics of the politically correct and media elite? The Cuban people have demon- strated they’re willing to do what it takes – are we, the followers of Christ in this country, ready to do the same? Oksana Horton, Artistic Director, Torch & Trumpet Theater Company, a subsidiary of Revelation Ministries It saddens my heart to know and see that the Cuban people are still being de- prived of their God-given freedoms and basic necessities, such as food, etc. I pray and I ask the body of Christ to pray with me that the Cuban people will have free- dom from the communist regime in Cuba. O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center What's happening in Cuba is sad and heartbreaking. There are many friends that have relatives and friends there. Like the recent event in Haiti affected many of us, what happens in the islands cannot be seen as something that is "not our problem." Even if you have no friends or relatives there, it is difficult to see our brothers and sisters suffering! We need to do whatever we can here from the U.S. to help those people get basic necessities! We often take for granted the wonderful blessings we have to live here, where if you need food, clothing, housing, there is some agency or church that can usually fill the gap. As we are told in Matthew 25:40, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Patricia Colangelo, EdS, Lecturer, Professor, Trinity International University – Florida I have been personally impacted through the horror stories that many of my friends and business associates have shared in relation to their relatives in Cuba and the atrocities they have been facing. My heart breaks for them, and I am frustrated by the inaction of our present Administration. Ray Monteleone, President, Paladin Global Partners As I see and hear about the uprising and events in Cuba (and around the world), and in our own backyard… My heart automatically goes to the chil- dren… first and foremost in prayer, and then in compassion, and how possibly Saints Ministry can help the children impacted by all of this. I want to thank the Good News for always keeping our Community informed and also providing opportunities for us to help where we can. We, as a Ministry, are praying and are available to serve as God leads!! Coach Rick Andreassen, founder and president of SAINTS International Sports Ministry and SAINTS of Florida Homeschool P.E . My heart goes out to our Cuban neighbors who hunger for both life sus- taining essentials as well as freedom and liberty. These are things that as Americans we sometimes take for granted. Although I don’t have any family Mike McDermott Milan Stefanovic Oksana Horton O’Neal Dozier Patricia Colangelo Wants to Know… Gene L. Green Gregg Wallick Helen Wayner Justus Martin Dr. Mary Drabik