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 2
Our first morning in Cuba, in the town of Remedios. Each of our groups reports having a good night’s sleep and a good start to the day with a breakfast of Cuban juice and coffee, meat, cheese, fruit and gracious hospitality.
Some free time for me before we gather to begin the day’s activities. I spent this time walking around the town’s central plaza, enjoying the sights and taking photos. There is plenty of movement here ... parents walking or cycling their young children to school, high school youths hanging-out before classes start, men and women on their way to work, elders relaxing and visiting with one another, and turistas like myself taking it all in.
The central plaza of Remedios is a beautiful location, with many of the images one would associate with a Caribbean/Latin American community. The building s are brightly painted, and the older structures show the influence of colonial European presence. One side of the plaza is taken up by the Catholic Church, whose bells signal the start of mass at eight o’clock. The rest of the plaza is devoted to hostels, restaurants and outdoor cafes. The plaza itself filled with lush vegetation, and monuments to the spirit of the revolution, and those who fought for the country and its independence.
Remedios offers examples of some of the changes that have occurred in recent years, in Cuban society and government - in attitudes toward private property ownership, in private entrepreneurship, and in tourism.
Following breakfast we gather for the ‘official’ start of our day. First, some ‘business’ as we exchange our money for Cuban currency. Then, the first of our visits to churches in Cuba - Presbyterian-Reformed Church of Remedios, “Evaristo Collazo.” The Rev Jesús Oscar Rodríquez is our host, and offers a primer on the history of the church in Cuba, through wars and revolutions, and the role of American Protestant denominations in that history.
We also learn about the history of ‘church and state’ in Cuba, which is unique unto itself, and different from who you may have learned from China, or the onetime Soviet Union.
“Will our parents have faith?”
He also shared his own story, how he - a child of atheists - came to a Christ, and followed a path that led to education and ordainment as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church of Cuba.
“It’s a Matter of Survival”
One question from our team was about how services for the elderly were regarded by those who had long lived in a state that was officially atheist.
“Serving the Church and the Community”
We also heard from elders of PRC-Remedios, who shared their thoughts and concerns about the church and the community, and how to best address those concerns, through a community perspective and being socially active - getting youth to be active in serving the elderly, for example. Other examples include the church secretary, who is a nurse, keeping track of medications; collecting and distributing donations such as bedding; meals for elderly and infirm; thrift sales for medicine and other necessities; summer camps for all age groups; and bicycle taxi service to get people to this church - or other churches - on Sunday
JESUS
el camino
la verdad
la vide
Challenges to Reconstruction/Repair
In dealing with the state of repairs in general, and the reconstruction needed in the wake of the 2017 hurricane season, the church - and the community at-large- faces a variety of challenges. They have the desire, they have the plans, and they have some funds. The greatest - and for now, insurmountable - challenge is construction materials and equipment. Both are very limited, and very expected. And with the City of Havana preparing to mark its 500th anniversary, and preparations to address construction and repair needs there in anticipation of that celebration, ALL materials an equipment are being drawn there, and away from rest of the country.
Our visit here concludes with a tour of the original sanctuary, ruined - for now ... someday! - and lunch as guests of PRC-Remidios church family, full of local flavor fresh fruit, fish soup, rice, plantain chips, coffee and mango juice!
After lunch, we were back on the road, with Rev. Rodriguez - on his motorcycle - guiding us to the town of Camajuaní. Going along this town’s main thoroughfare, you can see that its history - like ALL histories, really - has known both ups and downs, good and bad. This was once one of the centers for the sugar industry in Cuba, and the fine old buildings that line the thoroughfare ... but their current state also reflects a dramatic, decline in that industry and its wealth over time.
Rev. Marielys Cabrera was not in today, but we were greeted warmly by the elders of the Presbyterian-Reformed Church of Camajuaní, “Edward A. Odell.” It was a time of sharing stories, as they told us about themselves and their church. We, in turn, told them about ourselves, about our churches, and about the Outreach Foundation and its mission.
“Mission inside the church, mission outside the church”
We learned of many ways that this church is at work, connecting with and serving the community at-large.
Of special interest to our team was this church’s ‘laundry ministry’ and the way it serves the elderly of the community - washing machines, detergents, the works. They have enjoyed some success, and are looking to grow this service. Another interesting service is an urban gardening project on the church grounds - providing a variety of benefits through the sale of crops at a reduced price. The church also has a multi-disciplinary program (including medical professionals) that reaches out to diabetics and their families, providing them access to information and education that might not be available outside Cuba’s major metropolitan centers. A support service is being developed for cancer victims and their families, as well.
On the lighter side, the church also provides a stage for concerts. Through these and other ministries and services, Prc-Camajuaní is open and at work seven days-a-week ... and they are looking forward to growing their facilities, their services and their mission in the years ahead.
No comments:
Post a Comment