This a short-term ‘vision team,’ with a focus upon introduction, education and connection, and a goal of discerning God’s call to global engagement, and partnership development.
Day 6
The focus of a recent post in the PC(USA) Mission Yearbook was the fact that churches never seem to get ‘too small’ in Cuba, that they remain active even while congregations may number in the low double-digits, or even single-digits. This idea has been reinforced for us by several church visits over the course of our mission to Cuba, and we were told it would be reinforced once again, in today’s first visit.
Following breakfast, we head out of Matanzas, to the rural village Sabanilla. Our guide for this part of the day is Diana , a recent graduate of Seminario Evangelico de Teologia (SET) in Matanzas who is playing a growing role at the church, presbytery and synod levels. Working at Central Presbyterian Church of Matanzas, she also works at mission stations in the surrounding ding area, managed by the church.
“As you can see, we are not large church - we are a small church. Josue Montego, who was once an ordained Presbyterian pastor, left to serve in the Baptist Church, and who is now back with Presbyterian Church, an elder of the church and looking forward to returning one day to pastoral service in the Presbyterian Church. “Essentially, we are working with children and young adults. We are also providing food service for the low income and the elderly.”
With support - both local, and from the United States, the Church of Sabanilla has acquired a small property next-door that - among other things - will allow for expanded utilities, such as potable water (in partnership with Living Waters). It will also provide space for a Sunday school. SOMETHING WE HAVE HEARD BEFORE ... they have resources to cover renovations, but access to construction materials can be problematic.
They have also acquired a manse nearby, for the pastor. And as the church grows, so will the outreach and service of that church to the community.
“Impact not only inside the walls of the church, but reaching out into the community.”
Elder Santa Maria “Mercedes” Hernandez is introduced, along with other members of the church family. Filling in for the church's pastor - Rev Beidy Casas Aragon - she and lay leader Josue Montego, tell us about the church's place in the community. We, in turn, told them about ourselves, about our churches, about past experiences/contacts - if any - with Cuba, and about the Outreach Foundation and its mission.
Hernandez is responsible for many activities at the church, including food service for the elderly, and for children of low-income families - for that, they have the support of many churches overseas, including the United States. Others step forward - some longtime members and others who are new members ... some elders, some moving towards ordainment as elders - who share their responsibilities/services to various parts of the community, young and old.
There is a break in the presentation, and refreshments are served, cookies and TuKola (soda) ... this is followed by small cups of strong Cuba coffee (one of my favorite Cuban traditions). We then walk around town, see the manse property, and the town square.
Back to the church, where Mercedes tells us the history of the church, which is closely tied to her personal history, with connections established in her early years that would persist over many, may years. She tells us about the church’s early years ... the good years and the bad, the times of growth and decline, and the times of renewal ... the times closure, and the times of restoration - in Mercedes’ house.
Which is the reason the name for this church is Iglesia Presbyteryana Reformada de Sabanilla - “The Resurrection”
Our hosts all shared their hopes and beliefs that there is a brighter future ahead for the church in Cuba, where it is needed. They note that church must step-up and have a role in that future ... promoting moral and ethical values, bringing people closer to God, to strengthen the Word with children (the future), helping more people to say - openly and without fear - “I believe in God.”
“We have a future,” said Montego, summing up the church’s hope, “... and a LOT of work!”
We returned to the SET campus for lunch. The afternoon was devoted to an excursion around the city of Matanzas. As explained in a previous post, our presence in Cuba is not only devoted to learning about the body of Christ at work in this island nation, but also a better understanding of the nation itself, the setting within which our brothers and sisters in Christ are at work, sharing His love through word and deed.
Our afternoon excursion around this city gave us an opportunity to do just that.
• At Ediciones Vigia, we meet the producers of limited-editions books ... where the creative process does not end with the writing and submission of the words, but is carried over into the next phase, where the design and creation of a binding for those words is itself a fine craft.
• St. Peter’s Catholic Church is a national historic site ... an early house of faith in the history of Matanzas and Cuba, and a center for the Roman Catholic faith in this part of the island.
• A hilltop park overlooks the city of Matanzas and a substantial part of Matanzas Bay on one side, and a river valley of palm trees and cultivated fields on the other side, and more hills beyond. This was once the site of a church ... the church building is still there, but is now a concert venue ... part of a popular public gathering place with a restaurant, picnic areas and an amusement park nearby.
Back at the SET campus, it’s ‘team time’ devotional and discussion, followed by Q&A with a group of seminary students. Introductions provide insight into the seminary’s student body, its diversity (different communities, nations and denominations, different levels of experience in the church) and its potential ... a marvelous group. A variety of topics are covered ... what has surprised you in your studies ... what are your goals ... how many have already served in the church, and in what capacity ... on the basis of your experience, what are you finding might be the hardest part of being a pastor ... have you found something you need to ‘unlearn’ ... is there a passage of Scripture that is important to you, giving you inspiration and encouragement? And it’s an exchange, as the team finds itself answering questions from the students. In addition to questions and answers, encouragements are also exchanged.
We ended the day with packing. Following breakfast, we shall be back on the road, heading for Havana, the center of another presbytery in the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba, and the final stage of our mission trip.
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