The Russian Embassy in Cuba gave a 29-passenger Toyota Coaster bus to the Church of the Nazarene in Cuba, reports Bob Prescott, coordinator of partnerships for the Church of the Nazarene's Mesoamerica Region.

The like-new van has just 81,000 miles (130,000 kilometers) on it, along with a new set of tires. The van will enable the church to accommodate the 28 Nazarene Work and Witness teams currently planned for 2014.

Cuban Nazarenes prayed for years they could obtain a newer, bigger bus than their 27-year-old vehicle that only seats 15 people. Since buses are not sold in Cuba, they must be imported from another country with the government's permission and often at a steep price.

One night last May, a Work and Witness coordinator's phone rang; it was a call from the Russian Embassy.

"Could the Nazarenes use a like-new 30-seat Toyota Coaster with only 81,000 miles?" the voice said.

Yosvany Caraballo contacted the Russian Embassy several times in the past about obtaining a bus from them, but he was always turned away. Now they had called him. The next day an Embassy employee brought the bus to the Nazarene seminary for Yosvany to inspect and drive.

"It is too good to be true," he said. "Of course we want it; how soon can we have it?"

Eight months went by and the offer was denied by the Cuban government, but just before Christmas the transfer was ultimately approved and the bus was delivered to the Nazarene seminary. Now, with its new church license plates, it can be put on the road.

Doors are opening for additional support to reach the Nazarene church in Cuba.

One Heart – Many Hands, a Nazarene nonprofit organization based in the U.S., is shipping a 40-foot container to Cuba containing donated construction materials, office and medical supplies, as well as construction and agricultural equipment. Donors also contributed new sewing machines and sewing kits, as well as 50 wedding dresses.

Continued prayer is requested for the church in Cuba and for the denomination's upcoming ministry opportunities.
--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region