In conjunction with Rob White Ministries of Lexington, S.C., five local Dillonites were in Cuba this past October.
They were John Henry Williams of Dillon First Baptist Church, and Michael, Susan, and Reagan Dickens, along with Pastor James Orr, all of Pyerian Baptist Church. The team of twenty-one also included Jason Warren, son of Rev. Jim Warren of Fork Baptist Church.
The team was busy during the week of October 19-26, as they worked with local Cuban ministries. Ministries included children’s ministry, evangelism, church-leadership training, and worship services in local house churches.
This was the first trip to Cuba for the Dickens family. It was a great opportunity for Reagan, age 9, to see how children in other countries live. Reagan shared her testimony at a number of homes and was very effective, according to Pastor Orr.
For other team members it was a chance to renew old relationships and make new friends. Pastor Orr and Michael Dickens went to the home of Rev. Jaime Green, who had passed away in May from a stroke. There they presented a special memorial Bible and a love offering to his widow and son from Pyerian Baptist Church. Rev. Green’s brother, Isaac was also present. Rev. Isaac Green is also a local pastor in San Miguel, a Havana suburb. The church is expanding for the first time in over fifty years and efforts have been made here to send funds to help with the expansion.
Michael and Pastor Orr also presented a rod and reel to a Havana farmer named Fran, who befriended Pastor Orr on his last trip to Cuba. It was the first rod and reel he had ever owned. Fran can see the Caribbean Sea from his home, but given the Cuban economy, has never been able to afford such a luxury before. He was visibly moved by the gift.
Pastor Orr baptized three women on Sunday after worship services in local homes. Hurricane Sandy struck while the team was on the island but the work was not dampened. The brunt of the storm was on the eastern half of the island, whereas the Havana area is in the western part of Cuba. There were 237 total salvations on this trip. Multiple church services were performed in the Havana area on Sunday and evangelistic services were held throughout the week.
