Me [l.] and Dr. David Crosby [r.] in La Habana, Cuba (1992)

"Smuggling Bibles into Cuba"

                Twelve preachers (including me) were lined up at customs waiting to have our luggage searched.  Officials quickly discovered what we knew they would quickly find.  We were attempting to bring 300 Bibles into the country, not a legal act and, in the eyes of some, not too smart.  We learned that it's really hard to hide 25 full-length Bibles in a single suitcase.  You can't just look at the customs officer with a straight face and say, "Bibles?  What Bibles?"

            When the customs inspectors saw the Bibles and the other contraband (soap, toothpaste, clothing, all for needy Cuban church members), they knew the situation was well over their heads, so they signaled the "jefe."  A military officer walked up and carefully surveyed the situation.  I think he was a colonel, but, whatever he was, he was definitely in charge.  He seemed a little grim, and he never looked at us, just at our dozen bags that were practically bursting with blue hardback Holy Bibles in Spanish.

            In our group was a Mexican pastor who had the reputation of being able to "preach the stars down from heaven."  After seeing him work on this Cuban officer for fifteen minutes, I believed it.  Pointing to us, he explained that we "americanos" had no political agenda, that we had come to Cuba because we loved the Cuban people and wanted to alleviate their suffering.  He didn't have to point, of course.  We were the eleven plainly visible gringos with stricken looks on our faces.  As we each prayed silently, we were wondering if the Lord was calling us to prison ministry.

            However, God was good, and our Mexican pastor friend was a truly great preacher.  After listening to the case, the colonel said nothing; he merely motioned with his hand and walked off.  The customs inspectors all instantly stepped back, almost in unison, and we were free to enter Cuba, Bibles, contraband, and all.