As people seek freedom from the communist regime in Cuba, the uprising is impacting all of us as many in Cuba are without food and starving. Here in South Florida we see public demonstrations, and we all have friends, family or co-workers with roots in Cuba. Good News Wants to Know…  What are your feelings and how is this situation personally impacting you?

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, which has become socialist/communist under Chavez and Maduro. We have family and friends that live there still, and we have friends who came from Cuba and lost everything when they had to leave their homeland. I find it very troublesome that our current administration has said they will not allow the people of Cuba to come to the U.S. The United States is and always has been a beacon of Hope and Freedom – Free Enterprise and the American Dream. We the Church need to wake up and get involved in STANDING for truth and STOP the political ignorance. It’s Impossible to compartmentalize your Faith and your Civic Duty, so We the Church Must engage so that we can continue to give people Hope and continue to be that shining city on the Hill. 

Sue Trombino, Founder, Women Impacting the Nation

The situation in Cuba is dire, and I hear from my Cuban friends how serious it is. Today’s young Cubans have internet access, so they can read and interact with people who are free, and they can see the opportunities that freedom affords. The government crackdown is a stark reminder to me and to us all of how blessed we are to live in America and how evil and destructive socialism/communism is. We must resist the push by big government to take over at all costs. 

William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott, PA

Like a lot of local white kids that grew up in South Florida, I’m detached from the real pain of Cuba but catch glimpses of it through the lens of my Cuban friends. I’m not smart enough to come up with any real solutions for the problem, but when my friends are sad, I’m sad with them. When they’re angry, I’m angry with them.

Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting

Freedom isn’t free, and it won’t happen in Cuba without our help. This means the United States should be helping. The current withdrawal from Afghanistan serves as an appropriate contrast to what we’ve been doing somewhat unsuccessfully around the world vs. what we should be doing right now 90 miles south of Florida. While Afghanis and Iraqis generally failed to embrace freedom given an opportunity, I have little doubt that the average Cuban would appreciate freedom more than the average American currently. Additionally, with China and Russia having footholds in Cuba, it’s a matter of long-term US national security interest. 

Brian Mudd, Program Director \ Host of The Morning Rush & The Brian Mudd Show , iHeartMedi

Having been in Russia many times and serving on a Christian ministry team for a summer in a closed city there – right after Perestroika – I’ve personally witnessed and wept over the poverty, repression and devastation of Communism. My heart and prayers are also with those from Cuba and Venezuela who are members of the Hispanic church I was blessed to help start in Boca as they share their stories. They serve as a wake-up call to help us realize how privileged we are to live in a still-free nation and that we must fight to retain so there’s a place of refuge, as well as hope, in the world.

Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

The pandemic did not create the Cuban citizens’ hate for being oppressed by the government, it revealed it.  As we work alongside those with Cuban connections, we are once again reminded to pray for the innocent people of Cuba ruled by a government that does not care for their citizens but wishes to rule them by force.  

Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Service, Inc.

The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:1, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” Jesus told us in Luke 21:28, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Inasmuch as there is a very real need for freedom from tyranny in our world and we should be doing what we can to facilitate that need, the Gospel is the only answer that will ever bring the real freedom that is needed for humanity. We’re truly living in the end times.

Fidel Gomez, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Hollywood

We all know the stories; we have dear friends in Cuba and among the Cuban diaspora. We share their pains, remembering the exhortation of the Apostle Paul to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15b). We pray with the Cuban community and anticipate the day when we will “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15a).

 Gene L. Green, PhD, Dean, Trinity International University – Florida

We feel for all people throughout all countries who are impacted by political injustice. It’s a sad and dire situation that impacts so many families, especially here in South Florida.

Gregg Wallick, President, Best Roofing, Inc.

The civilian upheaval in Cuba has been coming for many years. Once again it is the young people, the new generation who are the Freedom Fighters! I speak from experience as my parents were also Freedom Fighters during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Socialism/Communism is pure evil!! Everything is promised to the people but slowly taken away until the country is too weak to fight back. Poverty, religious freedom, freedom of speech etc. are part of the big picture of Control. There is NO freedom! 

My heart goes out to our Cuban brothers and sisters who are suffering. They are only 90 miles away. We need to find a way to help them!!!! America is still free, and we are their only hope. God loves the Cuban people, and I pray He shows us how to help them in a positive way. We all need to pray for wisdom for those in our government. 

Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty 

Several of my friends are of Cuban descent and the situation intimately affects them, and I hope to attend a protest with one of them as well. Personally I see this as a wake-up call to every American. Cuba is an easy case study in how tyranny and oppression takes root and enslaves a free and prosperous people. Some of the things that Castro said in his rise to power are some of the same buzz words and talking points of the 2020 election and the issues of that year in general. Educating 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 humanitarian 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 suffered 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 governing 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 dictatorship 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 tactics of the politically correct and media elite? The Cuban people have demonstrated 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 deprived 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 freedom 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 children… 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 sustaining 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 members impacted by either the current or past Cuban totalitarian regimes, I do have friends and associates who have shared many sordid stories of the atrocities of Communist rule in Cuban. We should all be praying for Devine intervention for all the Cuban people. 
Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers, Morris & Ziegler LLP

I believe that the Scripture calls on all of us to help the poor. I once asked well-know, brilliant theologian, Dr. Bruce Waltke what criteria he used to vote for candidates. He said nothing about nationalism, nothing about party, and simply said, “I vote for the candidate whom I think will best take care of the poor.” I’ve never forgotten that.
Samuel Lamerson, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies, Knox Theological Seminary

It is distressing to see the people of Cuba being persecuted and locked up for voicing their disapproval of the dictatorship that has left their country in ruins. Our federal government needs to speak out strongly against the persecution, impose heavier sanctions and help organize an international effort to provide food and medicine for  our neighbors to the South. May our prayers and the rallying cries break the shackles that have kept this nation in bondage for far too long.

Tewannah Aman, Executive Director, Broward County Right to Life

Having been born in Cuba and been forced to flee my island nation because of Communism at the age of 3 in 1961, I can see history repeating itself – ironically with the only two “so-called” Catholic Presidents this country has ever seen. In 1961, President J.F. Kennedy dropped the ball with the Bay of Pigs invasion where hundreds of Cuban Freedom Fighters were either killed or jailed. Fast forward 60 years to 2021 and we see the same thing unfolding again, with Joe Biden as our incompetent president, ready to drop the ball again on the same Freedom Fighting Cubans. President Trump – Where are you????

Willy Guardiola, Christian on a Mission

Read last month’s Good News Wants to Know at: https://www.goodnewsfl.org/gnwtk-god-story/