Travis Discipleship Update October 2025
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…
In this update I would like to share about our time in Cuba, current discipleship classes and future plans.
The trip to Cuba was my first experience going to a communist country. Travelling with the team from Mexico was amazing but challenging with the language barriers but Google translate was a great help.
We faced more spiritual opposition than I had faced leading up and during the trip. A short list of challenges that came up for our team included:
Cancer diagnosis for the wife (Irma) of our team leader Valdemar
My son ending up in hospital
This caused us to re-book our trip from June to September
My flights all got cancelled (rebooked but at double the cost)
The week before leaving Jenn ended up in bed with nerve pain
They wouldn't allow my checked bag to go to Cuba
Another team member Ismael lost his passport at the airport and we had to fight with security to return it when found
Another team member left a carry on bag on the plane after arriving in Cuba
Our team leader was robbed while trying to exchange money
Another member of our team was extorted by women of the night (they followed him back to where we were staying)
I got sick while on the trip (a head cold) praise God I recovered in a couple days
Valdemar ended up with Dengue fever when he returned to Mexico
The challenges in Cuba are many. With the average person getting $30US a month from the government along with some small monthly supplies like, rice, beans, bread, smokes and beer. Power outages are common and getting food and fuel is quite challenging. We were able to encourage the graduates from the ETS training with some financial support and had soccer balls and cash prizes for the youth during the soccer juggling competitions. We would share the gospel and share testimonies between the competition and the final. We were also able to help the Pastors with some supplies like Bibles, batteries for their scooters and medicine.
The work was great while in Cuba, supporting Pastor Ornel and Pastor Joseph and their churches, we had graduations for those who have gone through the Equip to Serve training and joined church members in going door to door, putting on soccer ball juggling competitions and meeting in the homes of some of the key leaders. Pray for Pastor Onel, Pastor Joseph and Yura the key leaders as they support the work of making disciples and for other churches who are beginning the ETS classes. Pray for Valdemar, our Mexico Director as he leads the work in Cuba to have wisdom in supporting the Cuban church.
The winners of the juggling challenge
Celebrating those who have completed the two year discipleship training at churches in Cotorro and Santa Fe
Teaching a couple to read the Bible after sharing the gospel in their home
Using the bridge illustration while going door to door with pastor Onel
Enjoying taxi rides in classic cars (a 1955 Chevy Bel Air convertible) with our (tall) driver Jaco
You can view more photos and videos at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/AM9mvxtCF9VCSnmB7
Locally and on-line update discipleship classes:
I have just begun meeting weekly with a new Christian who immigrated to Canada from a persecuted nation and enjoying our growing and discussion times. Our dads and sons group continues on Sundays after church and on-line groups in South Asia and East Africa are continuing. The newest on-line group in Asia is with a family from Pakistan and we have just finished book 1 of the Equip to Serve training.
Upcoming plans:
We are planning a dads and sons mission trip to Monterrey, Mexico for March 2026 during spring break to work with our Director, Valdemar and the local churches. My sons Tanner and Jordan will be a part of this trip. We are looking to raise $5000 for Tanner and Jordan to be part of the team.
In April 2026 we are planning a week long training in Thailand for all the Asia Pastors and team leaders. One of our staff, Maritoni, is currently serving at a school in Thailand and so we will use the school as a base for the training. Pray as we plan and organize these trips for 2026.
This Saturday is the 1/2 Day of Prayer at Crossridge Church in Surrey. All are welcome to attend and experience an extended time of focused prayer and I would like to invite you to the DI Christmas Celebration on Saturday December 13 at 19Twenty Church in Vancouver. More info can be found at: https://www.discipleshipint.org/get-involved
Until all are discipled,
Travis & Jennifer
