Cuban Rule Change Allows More Business, Ministry

Senator Marco Rubio, (R) Florida, is blasting President Obama for his handling of Cuba, saying he has made no efforts "to stand on the side of freedom." The criticism comes as the U.S. embassy opens in Havana for the first time in five decades.
          
Meanwhile, a change in Cuban government rules has allowed a small number of residents to become private business owners.

A few Cubans, like photographer Eduardo Perez, have done quite well. But Perez is not as concerned about making a profit as he is about blessing the church. 

Eduardo Perez stepped into the unknown five years ago when he got permission to start his own business in Havana. His talent for photography quickly led to professional success. 

Today, Eddos Studio is not only making a profit, it also gives Perez a platform for supporting a cause close to his heart.  

"This business has always been a tool God gave us to talk about him," Perez explained.

"Whether it's photos for clients or our personal work, we always want to highlight the beauty of God through photography. That's what we were called to do. From the beginning we were very clear that this should be a business that serves others, not just a means for financial gain. As we've gotten better we have done well financially, that has helped us support other ministries." 

Grisel Perez, Eduardo's wife, told CBN News how the business grew beyond photography.

"We began with nothing, then we expanded our photography to other goals, like social work that we've done in communities, in schools," she said.

Eddos Studio became known for unique crowd photos of the Christian community, one of the fastest-growing groups in Cuba, yet virtually ignored by Cuban media.

The Perezes have documented public activities of the church and even managed to display those pictures in secular exhibitions, a major accomplishment in Cuba.  

"We are trying to capture highly attended church activities on a national level, and create a photo report so that it's documented," Eduardo said. "We want the people in the eastern and central parts of the country to know what's being done in Havana and vice versa."

"Every chance I get, I show other believers that we're more than they think, that more things are being done than we think, that God is opening more doors than any of us realize," he said.