June 24, 2024

Lakeland, FL – Educational Opportunities Tours (EO Tours), The Methodist Church of Cuba, US Embassy in Cuba, and the Cuba Ministry of Tourism are excited to announce a new tour destination to the country of Cuba aimed at experiencing the culture, people, and church – Experience Cuba: A Mission, Ministry, and Immersion Tour.

The average home in Cuba costs $30,000, the average income is $25 per month, and retirees receive approximately $8 per month. The government recently announced a 500% increase in the price of fuel and travel by horse and buggy is still common. The government also denies the existence of God. “This is a place where the church is growing in record numbers. Literally, the 1,000-member Methodist Church in Cuba expanded to 100,000+ members,” James Ridgway, chief executive officer for EO Tours stated. “Sanctuaries are filled on Sunday morning, and weekday prayer meetings are standing-room only. Cuba is an exciting place to witness God’s glory reaching and spreading throughout the entire country.”

This partnership will begin November 13, 2024, with a 7-day/6-night tour of Cuba. In addition, five other tour dates to Cuba have been scheduled, including December 4th, and four in 2025 – January 22nd, February 19th, March 19th, and April 30th. The tour aims to provide guests an opportunity to see the sights of Havana and the surrounding area and interact with the Cuban people at meals and worship. A tourist VISA is required for this tour. A suitcase ministry is included with each tour. As an option, specific items for each tour, such as school supplies, toiletries, feminine products, and medicines, can be donated. Distribution will be handled through the Methodist Church of Cuba denominational offices to address local needs.

On this tour, those participating will visit Havana, Old Havana, the Methodist Center, House churches in San Jose, Loma de Candelaria, La Conchita, Pinar del Rio, Vinales, and other locations. Visits with the District Superintendent Norberto Pedrero, the Methodist Evangelical Seminary, the Methodist Nursing Home, as well as experiencing the colorful Fusterlandia and the beautiful landscapes of Vinales, will also be made. A visit with the representative from the Methodist Church of Cuba is included in this tour to learn more about the movement of faith in the region. Also included is a vintage car ride, visits to Finca Vigia (Ernest Hemingway’s home), the Marketplace, and much more.

To explore this destination or other faith-based journeys curated by EO Tours, please visit www.eo.travel or call 1-800-247-0017.

Educational Opportunities Tours (EO Tours) is a Christian travel ministry that has been delivering Christian journeys of a lifetime for over 50 years. Travelers have joined EO Tours around the world on Holy Land pilgrimages, Bible land expeditions – by land and sea – Church heritage tours, retreat cruises, and cultural explorations. EO Tours’ travel experts and on-site hospitality staff serve each guest by handling all travel details and ensuring safety and health throughout each journey; curated itineraries, educational resources, and guest speakers create unique experiences that change individual lives, ministry, and the Church. Website: eo.travel | Facebook & Instagram: @eotours

The Methodist Church in Cuba The Methodist Church in Cuba is an autonomous denomination which has a rich history with, but separate from, other Methodist denominations in the USA.  What initially began as a ministry between the United Methodist Church in Florida and the Methodist Church in Cuba has since expanded to include Christian churches from multiple denominations and non-denominational churches around the USA. All faithful Christian Churches are welcomed in the mission of glorifying Jesus Christ in Cuba. Website: cubaministry.org

Cuba Ministry of Tourism Cuba has multiple attractions that encourage cultural encounters and that is why it is recognized as one of the most chosen countries for holding events, fairs and festivals in the Caribbean. Culture, health, education, biotechnology are some topics that make the country an ideal setting for organizing events and meetings in Cuba. Several convention centers, venues, rooms and more at your disposal with extensive telecommunications facilities and a staff. Website: cuba.travel | Facebook & Instagram: @cubatravelcu

U.S. Embassy in Cuba Benjamin Ziff assumed the role of Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Havana, Cuba on July 14th, 2022. The United States established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cuba in 1902, opening the first U.S. Embassy in Havana in 1923. In May 2022 President Biden announced a new Cuba policy to promote accountability for the Cuban government’s human rights abuses while expanding support for the Cuban people. Policies provide Cubans with additional tools to pursue a life free from Cuban government oppression and to seek greater economic opportunities. The measures include authorizing scheduled and chartered flight to locations beyond Havana, reinstating group people-to-people travel to strengthen family ties and educational connections, supporting independent Cuban entrepreneurs, and expanding and facilitating remittances to encourage support for the Cuban people while minimizing benefits to those who perpetrate human rights abuses.
Website: https://cu.usembassy.gov | Facebook & Instagram: @usembcuba