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"The church is growing, but it is not growing at the level that it was growing even five years ago," Babun said. "There have been a series of laws introduced by the Cuban government over the past two years that have put a stop to some of the growth."

During his phone interview with CT, Babun received an e-mail from the pastor of a church in Havana that he translated from Spanish to English.

"We are continuing to pay attention to the event," the e-mail read. "Anything can happen. Raul continues without appearing in public, which is drawing attention. What would happen if Raul leaves the scene before Fidel? Some of us are wondering if the armed forces would take action. Please pray a lot for me. We are working under a lot of tension and vigilance that we haven't seen before. We continue to experience great economic problems in these circumstances."

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More news elsewhere on Castro and Cuba include:

Hundreds Rally in Cuba to Support Yet to Be Seen Castro | Communist officials rally hundreds of Cubans in support of Castro as he recovers from surgery (Associated Press, Aug. 9, 2006)

Exiles' vision for Cuba a mix of hope, 'fantasy' | Amid hopes that Castro's successors could embrace economic reform, the take-back-Cuba movement also has turned pragmatic: The youngest exiles and children of those who fled Cuba say they don't necessarily want to live on the island, but they are planning ways to make money from its revitalization. (USA Today, Aug. 8, 2006)

Cubans Adjust to Life Without Fidel in Charge | The initial shock of Castro's hand-over to brother Raul eight days ago appeared to be wearing off and Cuba watchers said they expected little change on the Communist island Fidel took over in a 1959 revolution. (Reuters, August 8, 2006)

Past CT coverage of Cuba includes:

Freedom's Wedge | What you can do to help persecuted Christians in Cuba. (Oct. 17, 2002)

Cuba No Es Libre | Methodist church members visit Cuba without a permit and face fines up to $7,500 each. (July 23, 2002)

After Castro | Church leaders worry that aid chaos will follow dictator's death. (Oct. 1, 2001)

Family Over Freedom | With Elián returned to his father, Cuban Christians say he should come home. Are they being honest, or fearful of reprisals? (April 27, 2000)

Send Elián Home, Say Cuba's Evangelicals | Church leaders who don't usually agree with Castro or the Cuban Council of Churches say family comes first. (April 3, 2000)

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August (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50