Over ten days in September, I shall be part of a mission team serving in Cuba. The team includes members from multiple states, including pastors and elders of various Presbyterian churches, and representative of the
Outreach Foundation - a Presbyterian global agency - which organized this trip.
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.
... AND Day 5
EDITOR’S NOTE: There are times when internet access in Cuba is difficult, at best. Sometimes, it’s not available at all - as was the case yesterday evening. So, this evening we have one night and two posts, about two days of our mission trip.
A new day, new digs, and a new phase of our mission trip. This morning, we wake-up in dormitory rooms do the Seminario Evangelico de Teologia (SET) in Matanzas, Cuba. This will be our base for the next three days of our trip.
Introductions and welcomes begin over breakfast. Some of our returning teammates, introduce us newbies to friends from past visits. Members of the SET faculty also seek us out, and greet us, sharing their experiences in Cuba ... and in some cases, the United States.
The first half of this day is devoted to an introduction to SET, its history and mission, and a tour of the campus. Elizabeth Gonzalez, Secretary of SET, shares videos about the seminary, then offers statistics about the seminary and its students.
• Two new programs this year: Masters in Liturgy; Doctorate in Philosophy Related to Theology
• 330 students enrolled this year, but that is expected to grow through the yer
> Last year, 30 students graduated, and received their degrees. 284 students completed studies and
received various certificates.
• The seminary has 39 professors in total.
• There are 15 resident students. The rest are non-residential students, seasonal visiting students, or online students.
• While SET does not have formal cooperative agreements with other colleges and universities in Cuba, they do share instructors with other colleges and universities, and offer courses in far eastern Cuba, with the approval of a college there.
Rev Dr Carlos Emilio Ham, President of Seminario Evangelico de Teologia Matanzas also, joined the discussion, providing an added dimension and perspective to our introduction to SET, its history and its mission.
• In Cuba, youths are required to complete their education through the 9th grade. After that, they may pursue a variety of options, completing high school (12th grade), attending a vocational/technical school, or going into the workforce (or other non-schooling options).
Mindful of the diverse backgrounds from which individuals might apply for admission, SETI is open to considering a variety of credentials for admission ... high school diplomas, certificates of completion, professional certificates, and letters of recommendation, among others. All applicants must also pass an entrance exam for admission to higher education in Cuba.
SET is helped by denominations and churches across the country who - mindful of the seminary’s admission guidelines - will conduct some of the reviews themselves, and provide the seminary with a pool of candidates each year.
• The seminary’s annual budget is around $300,000 with about 95% of that being covered from abroad, by denominations, churches, and foundations around the world. This is reflective of the economy here, in general, and has made success, improvement and growth possible.
“Commission and Service”
“Inspiration of Jose Marti”
• Seminary activities include not only education in the classroom, but also service in the community ... gardening projects that allow the sale (at reduced cost) of produce; fresh/potable water projects (in partnership with Living Water International); services for the elderly in the community. Students not only get grades for their academics, but also for their works of service.
“Diakonia”
• The seminary is involved with a variety of associations, institutions and programs in Matanzas ... commerce and economic development, hospitals, health awareness and support, arts and crafts, and a wide variety of other groups devoted to community, family and individual service, development and improvement.
• In response to feedback they have received from churches, SET is offering g introductory education courses that will help prepare Sunday School teachers.
“You only invest in people?”
That was the stipulation of one donor. But there so many different costs associated with the operation of an institution like SET - costs that might be very pressin g at the moment. ‘No’ to other expenses, like what some call bricks-and-mortar? “So, we teach under a tree,” Ham asked. He shared with us a letter that accompanied a donation, one that stipulated that the funds be spent where thy were most needed. “We appreciate that trust,” said Ham, referring to the confidence the donor had in SET confidence - that the funds would be spent wisely and well in support of the seminary and its mission.
Afterwards comes a visit with Weavers of Hope, a women’s sewi no and kn otting cooperative. They have a wide variety of Han d-made crafts, and gave us a chance to support their. Mi history while purchasing gifts for folks ‘back home.”
This is followed by lunch in the SET cafeteria, where we’ll take most of our meals while we are here. Tables re set, and food and beverage are laid-out by staff and a couple of volunteers. Everyone else waits outside ... except one of our team members who helped with set-up (and later with cleanup), and was rewarded with. Second serving of dessert. A bell is rung to signal everyone com in, join in a musical grace, then sit own to their meal.
Following lunch, it is time to begin visiting churches in the Matanzas Presbytery, which takes us along the northern coast of Cuba, to the city of Cardenas. Along the way, we get glimpses of Cuba’s petroleum production/refining/transport at work. We also get a glimpse of beach resort hotels and accommodations.
Our first stop is Iglesia Presbyterina Reformada Cardenas “Juan G. Hall.” It is a church with a long history, dating back to Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain.
In addition to work at the main church, they also operate mission stations both in-town and in the surrounding rural area.
Services/ministries at the main church include a nursery school; music instruction; lessons in art and recycling; feeding the elderly three times a week; daily exercise and fellowship activities; lectures on nutrition and other health-related topics, craft making and selling (with part of the proceeds supporting the programs). There are also support services for families - especially children - dealing with issues such as domestic violence. Many of these services are possible through financial and in-kind contributions from the community at-large... including teachers, musicians, and medical professionals.
It is pointed out that many of these services tie-in with the government’s encouragement that all people of Cuba use their resources - whatever form they may take - wisely.
At one point during the presentation, a local man comes in with a prayer request for his wife’s well-being. There is no question that discussion be set aside, and we all gather at front of the sanctuary for the laying-on of hands, and a prayer led by Rev Alison Infante Zamora, Pastor of PRC-JGH-Cardenas.
The drive to our next church in this presbytery is a short one, in the same town ... “Welcome to 2nd Presbyterian Church of Cardenas,” says Yamilka González Fernández, “also known as ‘The Fort’” (referring to a neighborhood feature, ‘El Fuerte’). Cardenas’ two churches have a shared history ... during a low point following the revolution, they were served by a single session ... they have since reverted to two, separate sessions.
In addition to Rev. Yamilka, we also hear from some of the church’s elders, who tell us about the various services and ministries the church provides for the community. As is the case for so many of the churches we have visited, they serve the elderly in the community. As was explained in an earlier post, they have become a more marginalized segment of the community over time, and the church is stepping-in to help, where other segments of society - and even families - may not.
As we have heard again, and again, and again curin g our church visits these last few days ... a commitment to community outreach and community service, at a level of activity much larger than the average American might expect from churches this size.
Back to the seminary for dinner, then ‘team time.’ We ended the evening on a different note ... AND WHAT A NOTE IT WAS! .... a concert by the seminary’s acclaimed Coro de Camara Matanzas, in the seminary chapel.
