On February 20, Cuban authorities raided the home of Pastor Carlos Lamelas. He was arrested and his computer, personal documents and several pieces of office equipment were confiscated. According to a March 2 report from Compass Direct, Lamelas is apparently being held on charges of aiding emigrants who sought to leave the country illegally. Those acquainted with Pastor Lamelas deny that he was ever involved in such activities.
Some sources believe that police have targeted Pastor Lamelas because he has challenged the Castro regime on religious rights issues. His wife was able to visit him for ten minutes on February 27. She reports that he appeared "exhausted and depressed" and that he has been isolated from other inmates during his confinement.
For the past year, the Lamelas' have been deprived of income and under constant surveillance after he was removed from his office as president of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) by the national board of directors and expelled from his church. The Cuban director of Religious Affairs endorsed the action, arousing suspicion that the government was complicit in the expulsion. When dozens of fellow ministers questioned the actions of the denominational directors, they were also expelled, without appeal.
Pray that the truth of Pastor Lamalas' innocence will be revealed and that he will soon be released. Pray that God will uplift his spirits while in prison. Pray for his wife, Uramis, and his two daughters, Estefania (12) and Daniela (5). Pray for the continued spread of the gospel in Cuba despite increasing government opposition.
For more information on persecution facing Christians in Cuba, click here.
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