Guanabacoa

Picture if you can driving down narrow streets, no wider than an alley in need of repair, no street lights, no signs, and litter piled high on both sides of the road. Contributing to its atmosphere of darkness and oppressiveness is its dominance of devil worship and witchcraft. The road was so narrow that two cars could not pass each other and then, there it was--the Guanabacoa Church (►, squeezed tightly between two houses. No cars or other vehicles were parked in front of the church. Though the church was packed and overflowing, nobody came by car. They arrived on foot or by bus.
	As the people entered the church through a narrow hallway, they were greeted by the pastor (◄) and a welcoming committee.
Attendees were registered (►) in a notebook that appeared to be at least fifty years old!
Two ushers (▲)and...	three of the greeters (▲).
The program started with prayer and a song service. Then the song leader invited all the non-SDA women in the church to come forward and sing as a choir. About 30 women came forward (►) and together sang a beautiful hymn.
	Two young men (◄) presented a violin duet which Bob Halstead described as "the most beautiful he had ever heard." He could not help but note how the extraordinary beauty of the music stood out in stark contrast to the surroundings.
All of the music set the spiritual tone for another message presented, in Spanish, by Elder Oswaldo Villalobos (►), a pastor from Keene, Texas.
	For some (◄) it was a long evening!
We met Ibrahim Justiz (►), 75 years old, who truly loves Jesus. He was employed as a mechanic for type-setting machines. Throughout his life he had been introduced to many religions and their beliefs. But the Adventist Church, he says, is the only one that follows what the Bible says. The observance of the Sabbath was also a big factor in his decision to become an Adventist. His recently-deceased wife and his family were opposed to his desire to accept the Adventist faith. But to quote Ibrahim, "This church is the answer to the need in my life," and he will soon be baptized.
	Iliana Rodriguez (◄) found Jesus under very different circumstances. She used many and a wide variety of drugs including alcohol. As a result she became suicidal until one day she met a Pentecostal preacher who brought her to his church. She accepted Jesus Christ and He has given her a victory over drugs and alcohol. One day a Seventh-day Adventist classmate of hers invited her to Guanabacoa. The exceptional love and kindness shown to her by the members led her to realize these people were really special. She said, "They really had the love of Jesus in their hearts." She has been loved and accepted by this congregation and no one ever reminds her of her past. She too is soon to be baptized.
Comments from Pastor Villalobos