In 2009 I worked with the Herald of Truth covering these churches. It was a fascinating look into a semi-indigenous Christian faith culture. After Castro came to power in 1959, United States based evangelistic activity largely came to a halt. USA based Churches of Christ, however, continued to work in Cuba through Herald of Truth and within the island nation through small, local Church of Christ communities. Apparently the Churches of Christ’s non-denominational approach to organization (no central office or hierarchy) failed to raise red flags with the Castro government. Monroy’s Herald of Truth radio broadcast are still popular among Cuba’s growing evangelical minority.

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With all the hubbub surrounding the recent trend toward normalizing relations with Cuba, I thought I would repost this March, 2011 video I recorded in Matanza, Cuba. My friend Tony Fernandez is the bass player in this wonderful string quintet. D`Cámara Opus 5 is popular in Cuba and has toured in the United States, Europe and around the Caribbean. Tony asked me to record them during my visit. Here they perform Johann Strauss, Roses from the South.

The post Not the Cuban music you were expecting. D`Cámara Opus 5, J. Strauss appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

Valerie Mossman-Celestin is the Executive Director of Haitian Artisans for Peace International, in Musac, Haiti. HAPI is a capacity building project funded in part by the United Methodist Committee On Relief. Valerie shared her testimony with me while on a visit to Musac in 2011. It is a spiritual journey that began with the question, “What is help?”

The post What is Help? A Testimony by Valerie Mossman-Celestin appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

This video was recorded at a local hotel. We were running out of daylight and finished recording just as the sun set over the mountains!

The post Shalom Singers: I Count on God appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

This video was recorded at on the HAPI campus and was recorded in front of a mural painted by local artisans.

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Valerie Mossman-Celestin Executive Director of Haitian Artisans for Peace Internatinal (HAPI) asked me to produce three music videos in Musac, Haiti with the Shalom Singers. HAPI is an UMCOR funded fair trade artisan co-op focused on spirituality and creativity. The Shalom Singers are a group of young adults associated with HAPI. This video was recorded at a local hotel. The group is standing inside the mouth of a tiger. The Shalom Singers leader and HAPI Co-founder, Paul Prevost, thought this would serve as a metaphor illustrating Haitian resolve to trust in Jesus of Nazareth, even when surrounded by danger.

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Here is a short piece I cut together during a live worship in Mizak in 2011.

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The post HAPI: Madame Gabriel appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

HAPI Executive Director, Valerie Mossman-Celestin and my friend, photo journalist, Paul Jeffrey asked me to help with this project. The footage will be woven into a short documentary. “Let’s Hear it from the Girls” (working title) will connect the voice of girls in a rural Haitian community to touch us with stories, music and dance that convey the joys and challenges of growing up female in Haiti. The film will also capture the subtle messages of hope emerging from a dream that the community recognize the value and equality of girls and women.

We will be working in Mizak, a mountainous, rural section of La Vallee in South-East Haiti, 80 km south of Port-au-Prince and 12 km west of Jacmel. The total population is just over 35,000. Seventy percent are peasants living under the poverty level of less than $1 US per day, and 63% of the population is under the age of 18. There are no jobs available, no electricity, no telecommunication system, no plumbing, and no water filtration. The majority of households have no measurable income and they rely on system of barter and trade.

HAPI plans to make this DVD available as a teaching resource to folks in the United Methodist Church. The project is funded in part through a grant from the United Methodist Women’s organization.

Look for more in the coming days and weeks!

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