Outside Your Comfort Zone

Pope Francis said, “The church must step outside herself to the outskirts of existence, whatever they may be.... But she must step out. But what happens if we step outside ourselves? The same as can happen to anyone who comes out of the house and onto the street: an accident. But I tell you, I far prefer a Church that has had a few accidents to a Church that has fallen sick from being closed.”

It's that time of year when we start to reflect and to think about new opportunities into the New Year that will challenge, change and push us. I am looking for this person, willing to step outside of their comfort zone and spend five days with me in Cuba.  From April 9 -13, we will be in the remote mountain area in the Guantanamo district.  There will be no five-star hotels or restaurants, but there will be coastline views, mountain vistas, rock formations, plus a five-star experience with the Cuban people.

On this mission trip, we will be stopping at churches and attending church service. I can hear it now, “I knew there was a catch. This trip is not me.” Listen to me, I do not care if you go to church or what faith you are. In fact, I would rather hear you say that you've never been in a church because you are the person that I want on this trip.

The trip will be a maximum of four people. Four people who are ready for an eye-opening experience. This is your opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone, which may open a new door within you that has been there waiting for you to step through it.

For more information email or call:
Dan Christopherson
ChristForCuba@gmail.com
Direct Line: 941-468-7209

Family Holiday

We set aside one day a year to give thanks for a year of blessings. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, there is no pressure of gift giving or special decorating; it’s just a day of enjoying the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, good food, fellowship and some football. I must clarify right away…..when it comes to gift giving and decorating our home, I learned a long time ago just get out of Janet’s way and let her do her thing.

We are both from relatively small families, but during the holiday season, we would invite people that had no family in the area to spend the day. So we just added another plate (or several plates) to the table and celebrated the day with them also. We always had a house full of adults and children to spend the day and into the evening. Sometimes it was total chaos….but a joyful chaos!

One fact about our family was there was never a shortage of food on the table; there was turkey, ham and all of the trimmings.  Not just a couple of homemade pies, but several….everyone had their favorite. Janet’s mother was a fantastic cook, and so Janet had a great teacher and she learned well. The only problem I had was enough room to eat some of everything. Both mom and Janet put all their love into each dish that was passed.

Over time, families moved to different parts of the country, mother is cooking dinner in heaven now, so things change in all of our lives. Our small family has gotten even smaller. Not really, over the last few years our family has grown; by the hundreds and we are so blessed. So this year, Janet and I will be spending Thanksgiving with Pastor Isel and family in Mayari, Cuba.  In 2018, we will be with Pastor Jose and family in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.

Yes, Thanksgiving is an American holiday and it’s all about family and loved ones; and we will be with family and loved ones in Cuba.  Maybe the food will not be as plentiful or what we are familiar with on Thanksgiving, but it will be a blessed time with our Cuban families.

For the latest on the Southwest District Mission Program, Inc. check our website at: www.christforcuba.com.

In Christ,
Dan Christopherson
christforcuba@gmail.com
941-468-7209