Dear Friends,

Many times I've begun to write and never finished, never quite sure what to tell and what not to tell…no one likes to get discouraging news. But following the example of a Cuban friend, I will try to give a picture of my life here.

As the year 2004 began, I found that my e-mail server (through the Baptist Convention) had broken without hope of reparation, so I was forced to open a yahoo account. Why was this a big decision? Yahoo is free, but the Internet connection must be bought at a hotel for $5/ hour. So as to not be totally incommunicado, I took the plunge, but only check my mail about once a week as I must make a special trip into town to do so. Just for the record, I have received my "snail mail" three times this year: in February my boss brought some for me and in July both ABC work tours brought some. Phone calls are expensive; phone lines run along the highway near our home (where there are a few "public" phones-you get in line to use a phone, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.) but none extend off the highway to reach any homes near us. So sometimes I get discouraged, feel out of touch.

For my work, to set up meetings with my editing group, I pick a day and go to a public phone. Fortunately, a number of the group either work in offices with phones or have a neighbor who is willing to let them receive calls; the rest are notified by telegram.

Also near the beginning of the year, the computer being used by one of our editors had a motherboard problem and so far is not fixable. But thanks to your generosity, we were able to purchase another. As the biblical Ezra reported, "the hand of God was upon me", we have felt the same way. This equipment has permitted us to finish materials much faster than before. Also the hand of God, our children's level and youth/adult editors married computer experts!

Another reality for us has been the worsening relations (on a governmental level) between the United States and Cuba. My husband, Ramon, solicited a religious visa in May and was turned down. Our plans had been to be on home assignment at this time. There is still hope as we can apply again, but we must convince U.S. consular officials of Ramon´s legitimate responsibilities in the U.S. (but not as a husband or father, neither as a paid worker!) There is little chance that a visa can be arranged for an extended period (more than one month), although with God all things are possible!

• Please pray for this situation as we really want to be able to visit with you in person.

On a ministry level, things are looking more hopeful. First, we hired a secretary in July (with the help of your contributions) who has helped greatly in communication and putting lessons in the computer. She is a sharp person and interested in improving the lessons, so I hope to train her along the way.

The two levels of children's lessons that I had finished editing in February are finally being printed. What took so long? Printers here are expensive, hard to find and reasonable ones are booked solid. We had to wait until a Christian printer saved four months for publishing Christian education materials for the Baptist Convention. I am doing the final editing of high school and youth/adult levels; four more levels will soon be completed. By January (God-willing), we will have two series published: Christian Ethics and the Gospel of John, available in four levels: Pre-school, Primaries (younger and older), Junior High, Youth/Adults. We live in hope that we'll also be able to finish editing a series on Philippians that perhaps they can squeeze in at the printer.

The struggles continue: the publisher is located in another city, they have no phone located on the premises, and our trusty go-between is studying in Brazil for a few months! Plus we are having frequent energy-saving power outages, which limit our work time. Still, we praise God for progress made, that we will be able to share his Word in a practical way with the churches.

Also, I personally was encouraged by the time I spent with two ABC Discovery Tour groups that visited Cuba this summer. I needed this fellowship! Thank you for your prayers, donations, conversations, etc. I trust these lovely folks will share some of what they saw of the Cuban church with you.

Related to this, the Eastern Cuban Baptist Convention's Home for the Aged will hopefully be inaugurated in December, a dream come true for them. Although the entire floor plan has not been built, the residence is nearly completed. They hope to open one wing with 10 residents, although eventually they hope to serve 50. Again, ABC mission contributions have had a part in this construction.

It is World Mission Offering time. International Ministries needs a record offering in order not to have to recall some missionaries from the field. American Baptists are generous people – not because they are rich in the pockets, but because they give sacrificially. I tried to note where your offerings made a difference above, but please also note that the editorial group was trained by ABC missionaries – an investment of your mission money that has continued to grow over the years! I would not be here if it were not for your support.

• Please pray about your offering contribution this year – and give generously.

In Christ,

Sue Hegarty (for Ramon Rodríguez and Katy)

P.S. Katy is now 3-1/2 years old. She constantly amazes us with the things she remembers, not always too conveniently for us! But we are especially pleased at her interest in spiritual things. Her Sunday School teacher got her started memorizing Scripture and we go over the verses with her: she´s up to nine verses now. Her main delight is music, however, it can be either in Spanish or English. Sometimes I have to tell her to stop singing and eat. She also begins once-a-week pre-school classes soon, upping our struggles of keeping Christian values ahead of societal ones.