Greetings Supporters of ARMF
This letter is to say thank you to all of you who have faithfully supported the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation (ARMF) since its inception in 2014, and to share information about some new opportunities for the foundation to grow its work and impact in the near future.
As you are aware, the mission of ARMF is to help support the Moravian Church in Cuba as it grows and spreads God’s word across the island. Generosity from donors like you has enabled ARMF to carry out that mission with great success.
Despite many challenges, including tight government restrictions on the work of the church, we have been so blessed to make hundreds of new friends as we:
Current Situation
Throughout this past year, the COVID-19 virus has impacted everyone around the world. In Cuba, the situation has been especially difficult. Travel from city to city or province to province has been restricted. International flights have been reduced or cancelled. At the same time, the country is implementing a change in their currency system, which is creating high inflation. Food, gas, and oil are all in scarce supply.
Despite the inability to visit in person, ARMF has maintained close contact with our brothers and sisters in Cuba, and they remain daily in our prayers. We look forward to being able to visit again, as soon as it is safe and possible, and continuing this important work.
New Focus
Recently, the foundation has been assessing our successful progress in Cuba over the past seven years and prayerfully considering how we can build on the success we have had in Cuba. Our path forward is to expand our reach to other impoverished areas across the world, while partnering with more Moravian and Christian groups.
The Moravian Church in Cuba will remain the first priority of ARMF, but we see potential to increase our impact by both growingrelationships ecumenically within Cuba and working to support projects with other Moravian partners as well. We at ARMF feel that we have the capacity to expand our focus and offer support to these other areas that are in desperate need of clean water, medical supplies, Christian educational materials, or whatever need is critical to their lives in their respective community.
Through existing relationships with organizations and ecumenical partners, like the Cuban Council of Churches, ARMF will work to identify additional projects and needs. We have such a love for all the Cuban people that
we believe God would want us to spread His word and love to help ALL the people, not just the Moravians. This also helps support the strong ecumenical relationships built by Moravian leaders in Cuba and will be a tremendous witness to the way Christ can bring people together through His mission.
ARMF is so blessed by the outpouring of support we have received from all of you. We feel called to explore how we may be able to continue strongly supporting the Moravian Church in Cuba, while also addressing and supporting some specific needs that are brought to our attention by ecumenical partners not only there but worldwide as well. For global Moravian efforts, ARMF will coordinate closely with the Moravian Board of World Mission to identify and approve any project request to ensure we are maximizing our donations and enhancing, rather than duplicating efforts.
So, how can you help?
First and foremost is prayer. We believe strongly in prayer for one another in the many different mission areas around the world. Secondly, you may still donate specifically to the foundation in support of the Moravian Church in Cuba, or you may make an undesignated donation to be used on any mission project supported by ARMF. Any donations received after May 1st 2021 that are not mark for a specific area will be used in our undesignated funds.
We are proud to say that our operating costs are around 3% compared to our donations. All our staff and board members work entirely on a volunteer basis.
Thank you for your past interest in ARMF and we look forward to having you as a continued partner in this new chapter in the life of ARMF. Please do be in touch with any questions or concerns. We appreciate all feedback as we discern this growth in our work!
Yours in Christ,
ARMF Board
Joe Jarvis, President William (Monty) Long
Bruce Ledwith V-P Tommy Cole
Alina Ricardo Sec. Donna Gordon
Brad Pitts Rt. Rev. Sam Gray
Ron Vogler Evon Crooks
Justin Rabbach
This letter is to say thank you to all of you who have faithfully supported the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation (ARMF) since its inception in 2014, and to share information about some new opportunities for the foundation to grow its work and impact in the near future.
As you are aware, the mission of ARMF is to help support the Moravian Church in Cuba as it grows and spreads God’s word across the island. Generosity from donors like you has enabled ARMF to carry out that mission with great success.
Despite many challenges, including tight government restrictions on the work of the church, we have been so blessed to make hundreds of new friends as we:
- Installed water purification systems in four communities giving thousands of individuals access to clean water.
- Supported three communities in building fruit, vegetable and animal farms, supplying much needed food for each area.
- Supplied Christian education material and training, hospital supplies, bicycles for pastors, sewing machines for projects supported by women of the church, and several pallets of clothing for most churches to distribute.
- Spent countless hours of Christian brotherhood and fellowship touching the lives of thousands of Cubans.
- Provided disaster relief following hurricanes.
Current Situation
Throughout this past year, the COVID-19 virus has impacted everyone around the world. In Cuba, the situation has been especially difficult. Travel from city to city or province to province has been restricted. International flights have been reduced or cancelled. At the same time, the country is implementing a change in their currency system, which is creating high inflation. Food, gas, and oil are all in scarce supply.
Despite the inability to visit in person, ARMF has maintained close contact with our brothers and sisters in Cuba, and they remain daily in our prayers. We look forward to being able to visit again, as soon as it is safe and possible, and continuing this important work.
New Focus
Recently, the foundation has been assessing our successful progress in Cuba over the past seven years and prayerfully considering how we can build on the success we have had in Cuba. Our path forward is to expand our reach to other impoverished areas across the world, while partnering with more Moravian and Christian groups.
The Moravian Church in Cuba will remain the first priority of ARMF, but we see potential to increase our impact by both growingrelationships ecumenically within Cuba and working to support projects with other Moravian partners as well. We at ARMF feel that we have the capacity to expand our focus and offer support to these other areas that are in desperate need of clean water, medical supplies, Christian educational materials, or whatever need is critical to their lives in their respective community.
Through existing relationships with organizations and ecumenical partners, like the Cuban Council of Churches, ARMF will work to identify additional projects and needs. We have such a love for all the Cuban people that
we believe God would want us to spread His word and love to help ALL the people, not just the Moravians. This also helps support the strong ecumenical relationships built by Moravian leaders in Cuba and will be a tremendous witness to the way Christ can bring people together through His mission.
ARMF is so blessed by the outpouring of support we have received from all of you. We feel called to explore how we may be able to continue strongly supporting the Moravian Church in Cuba, while also addressing and supporting some specific needs that are brought to our attention by ecumenical partners not only there but worldwide as well. For global Moravian efforts, ARMF will coordinate closely with the Moravian Board of World Mission to identify and approve any project request to ensure we are maximizing our donations and enhancing, rather than duplicating efforts.
So, how can you help?
First and foremost is prayer. We believe strongly in prayer for one another in the many different mission areas around the world. Secondly, you may still donate specifically to the foundation in support of the Moravian Church in Cuba, or you may make an undesignated donation to be used on any mission project supported by ARMF. Any donations received after May 1st 2021 that are not mark for a specific area will be used in our undesignated funds.
We are proud to say that our operating costs are around 3% compared to our donations. All our staff and board members work entirely on a volunteer basis.
Thank you for your past interest in ARMF and we look forward to having you as a continued partner in this new chapter in the life of ARMF. Please do be in touch with any questions or concerns. We appreciate all feedback as we discern this growth in our work!
Yours in Christ,
ARMF Board
Joe Jarvis, President William (Monty) Long
Bruce Ledwith V-P Tommy Cole
Alina Ricardo Sec. Donna Gordon
Brad Pitts Rt. Rev. Sam Gray
Ron Vogler Evon Crooks
Justin Rabbach
Projects Supported By The Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation:
Contact us with any questions about these projects, how to volunteer, or how to support these efforts!
- Establishment and continued support of renovation at the Central Moravian Church Office.
- Support of sustainable agricultural and livestock projects
- Jagüey Grande Hospital for the handicapped (Tamara Bunke B. Psychopedagogical Medical Center).
- Establishing a permanent worship location for the Moravian Congregation in Jagüey Grande
- Various individual Moravian Church projects.
- Short-term mission trips.
Contact us with any questions about these projects, how to volunteer, or how to support these efforts!
