My name is Lemuel Urra Suarez. I was born on February 26, 1987 in Matanzas, Cuba.

My childhood was ordinary and carefree.  I have early memories of playing hide and seek with friends, followed by the different seasons of activities, like the kite seasons, Chivichana, (which essentially looked like a homemade wooded skate board with ball bearings) and the use of so many other homemade toys and creative games.

However, the most vivid memories still alive in my mind are from the life in our church: Sunday school where my mother imparted Bible stories, using cloth and paper figurines coated with an adhesive solution which would allow them to remain fixed in places on the cloth. I can still see Elisha and the altar consumed by fire from heaven. I can still see Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac on the altar. I remember the relief I felt as she then placed the lamb provided for the sacrifice on the cloth, and linked the story to the lamb that was to come.

I remember my father who, on a typical tropical Sunday preaching passionately, drenched in sweat as the few fans on the walls of our chapel tried their best to blow a little relief on him and the brothers and sister who congregated. What immense joy we felt as we gathered, as we praised the Lord together; as the word penetrated our very soul; as we enjoyed fellowship with each other after the service.  Even now, some 25 years later, I ponder and treasure the memories of the experience of  sharing of our meals together and truly having everything in common.

However, the shadow of  those believing in a different ideology lurked nearby.  In the name of social justice, they would cause us to lose power in our chapel in order to discourage and prevent our gatherings. On one occasion, one brother illuminated our place of worship with the lights of his vehicle, in order for us to be able to read our Bibles. They  would interfere with the teachings and life of our congregations, sometimes affecting those in leadership positions, and cause divisions from within. In the name of social justice, progress and the promise of a brighter future, they would see fit to mock and ridicule all those who professed faith in Christ.  We were publicly mocked in our schools and places of work.  Extreme pressure was placed on us to deny our faith – if we withstood and remained in the faith, we were regarded  as outcasts of society.

As I look back on all the experiences and hardships our brothers and sisters endured, I cannot stress enough the suffering they endured. So many details will not be included in this record. So many atrocities remain unnamed. However, God’s word remains ever faithful and true. There is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought into the open.

My family and I arrived in the United States in 2001. The move was not our choice, but it became clear that we could no longer remain in our country.  As I reflect on my life in Cuba and in my current home in the States, one fact remains above all: The Lord has been good. We currently enjoy the freedom to preach in the streets two Saturdays a month. We are humbled by the opportunity the Lord has given us to serve the homeless in our community with bread and clothing, but— above else, the Gospel of Jesus.

 It is with a heavy heart I say this. The same ideology which is currently responsible for the demise of my home country, and others like Venezuela, North Korea and China, is beginning to take root in our current political landscape and culture in the States. I do not feel the need to expose this, as it is openly taking place.  It is happening in broad day light and in front of all eyes to see and ears to hear. Like in Cuba, in the name of social justice, progress and the promise of a brighter future, the leaders of this ideology work diligently to entice the minds of young and old.

I know who holds the future. If you have read the book of Revelations, you know who wins! However, in times like this, we cannot be passive and just sit from Sunday to Sunday in our churches and simply enjoy the current freedoms we have.  Truthfully, we do not know how long we will have our freedom.  We cannot afford to just go about our daily lives while this gradual breakdown of our society is taking place: killing the unborn; redefining the concept of family; removing our freedoms and liberties one by one; openly making a mockery by denying the law of our Lord.

If this record can inspire anything in your heart, mind and soul, let it be this; Preach the Gospel!  Reach the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ! Strengthen your faith and be sure you have oil in your lamp!

I have lived in the United States for almost 20 years.  We serve the Lord and strive to do so until our last breath.  I have become quite familiar with so-called “American Christianity”. If persecution where ever to come into this country, how many of those sitting next to you in church on Sunday would remain? Coming from a persecuted country, I think only between 10 and 15% would remain. This is consistent with his everlasting word: “Fear not little flock”.  May we hold fast and be among His flock. Time is short!

I am humbled and honored to share the following words with you. Glory to God forever!

The Faithful Church

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: ‘I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.  Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.  Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name’.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev. 3:7-13

From R.K.’s Corner

Those who have followed our ministry from the early years, may remember that, in 1994, Steve and I began serving the believers in Cuba. Initially through our local church, later via The Bridge, we have been partnering with a native Cuban, Jorge Urra, and his wife, Magdalena. who through his apostolic gifts and passion for The Gospel, has given us access to resource a number of believers in Christ within the country. Please see:  https://www.bridgeinternational.org/category/cuba/

Their son, Lemuel grew up in Cuba. When he was 14, the family had to leave and moved to the States.   From Miami, Jorge and his family have passionately continued to serve his countrymen with the Great Commission in Cuba, and in other Hispanic nations.  

Lemuel is now 32, is married with two children, and is very much part of the Millennium generation in this country.  However, having first hand  experienced the hardship directed toward his people living under the communist/socialist system in Cuba,  Lemuel has a unique perspective on the steady secularization of the church in the States, and the growing move and enticement  of socialism, especially among young people.  He has a message and words of wisdom for his generation, as well as for the Christian believers in the West.