Together We Can
Save Lives

Dear MEMO supporter, There is so much bad news these days I wanted to send you this report in the hope it cheers you up as it did me. It is the story of how God has opened the door for MEMO once again to bless Cuba. And for local MEMO volunteers, those that pray for us and those that donate, a word of encouragement. A few months ago, MEMO learned that we could send containers of medical and humanitarian supplies to Cuba, church to church, directly and quickly. It was a bit hard to believe that The Evangelical Free Church of Canada could send directly to the Los Pinos Nuevos denomination in Cuba and have them distribute medical an humanitarian aid in the central province of Villa Clara. This is the same area we served from 2004-2012. But we set to work and by October 2024 had a container full of medical supplies, hospital beds, wheelchairs, clothing, kitchen supplies and even a wedding dress! In October it left Thunder Bay by truck for Toronto and then by rail to Halifax where it waited for a ship to Cuba. It arrived in Cuba in December and was transported unopened to the Los Pinos Nuevos Seminary in January. We just received news that church members unpacked the container temporarily into the seminary’s large church building so that the local customs authorities could do their proper inspections. Next, the supplies can be sorted and readied for distribution to the medical centers, hospitals, doctors, and nurses all in Jesus’ name to bless the Cuban people and give hope to those facing many medical situations. Apparently when pacemakers were found and delivered to the cardiologist who implants them, he had tears of gratitude in his eyes. There is a shortage of pacemakers in Cuba during these difficult times. Lives will be saved because of the arrival of the container! MEMO operates as a charity under the direction of our missionary director, Steve Neufeld. He is coordinating his team of pastors and church members in Cuba as they do the hard work of sorting and distributing the tons of items we packed and shipped to Cuba. Steve is in daily contact with our key person in Cuba and received verbal updates and pictures during the two days of unpacking. He wrote the following: “We have demonstrated a level of accuracy to details, care in selection and packing that has earned the confidence of the people and the government. Open and transparent in what we are donating. Showing that we are not motivated for material gain but simply want to walk with them during these days of crisis. We have a wide-open door to ship as many containers as possible.” Wow! Congratulations MEMO volunteers on a fabulous ministry and success with this container! God has opened the doors, and we have accomplished what we set out to do. Well done Thunder Bay team! Jerome, the reaction of all the Cuban volunteers today was amazement and gratitude. Those who had a clear concept of the benefit of all the medical supplies your team sent often had tears of thanks roll down their cheeks as they saw boxes after boxes come out of the container. One comment expressed utter gratitude for so many wheelchairs, all in such great condition, ready to give new mobility opportunities for so many. It was indeed another miracle and with one voice, the Cubans who witnessed it in person today, wish to send hugs and all the words of thanks possible to the Canadians who made this possible.” Steve As we work to ensure maximum benefit from the donation, Steve and his team in Cuba have invited a group of six local doctors to come and view the huge number of medical supplies (everything from gauze squares to cardiac catheters) and decide where they should go to be most beneficial. The churches will distribute wheelchairs and blankets, clothes and much more for the elderly. Sewing machines will be entrusted to local ladies’ groups who will do clothes alterations as needed and use the rest of the fabric to fulfil the Lord’s command to “Clothe the naked.” The list of supplies sent for community support is endless; construction tools, computers, electrical supplies, nails and screws, saws and shovels including wheelbarrows. I could go on and on. Knowing that everything will be put to good use is so encouraging. Even the wedding dress that was in the container will be used by many a bride for her special day! Blessings to you, Jerome