Reaching Out with Outreach in Cuba, Day 4 ...

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.

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Day 4

There were some aspects to this day that were part of what has become our routine ... morning walks for some, fellowship over breakfast for all, then gathering to pursue that day’s activities together. Before that last item, however, there was final packing, loading our suitcases into the van, and bidding farewell to our hosts in Remedios for the past three days. Later today, we head for the city of Matanzas, the second stage of our mission trip in Cuba.

Before THAT, however, there is the matter of worship service ... this IS Sunday, after all. The service was held at Presbyterian Reformed Church in Caiberian. The pastor here is Rev. Edelberto Perez, serving at the local, pastoral level the same time he served at the presbytery, synod and church levels.

Our visit make for a full - and fulfilling - morning. It begins with a time for music and inspirational messages for everyone together. We - congregation and visitors alike - then split into age groups for this Sunday’s lessons. Then everyone returns the sanctuary for the service itself.

The service? Again, full and fulfilling. There were prayers and hymns, including “What a Friend We have in Jesus” ... in Spanish ... the more I am here, the more I find we share ... today’s lectionary was from the Book of Mark, picking-up right where I left-off last Sunday at Grace Presbyterian, Midland, Texas. And there is a baptism, as a young boy is welcomed into the church family. Rev. Camille Foster, a member of our mission team, offers the benediction. We close with music, clapping, waving, and even a little dancing ... there is NOTHING “Frozen Chosen” about these Presbyterians!

The church is our host for lunch following the service. Over lunch, Rev. Edelberto shares with us information about the church’s service to the surrounding community.

The doors of the church are open every day, with each day offering one-or-more activities, some geared toward particular age groups ... these include tai chi for the elderly, martial arts for youngsters, arts & crafts for all ages. This last includes the making and selling of arts and crafts in a variety of media ... our mission team cleaned out their inventory of hand-made dream catchers, so that class will need to get back to work! The church also offers support for those in the community with medical conditions, and their families.

And that’s just a sampling of the church’s services.

Then it’s time for farewells to Rev. Edelberto, the family of Presbyterian Reformed Church in Caiberian, and to Central Presbytery as we get back on the road and begin our journey north and west to the city of Matanzas, and the second stage of our mission trip, in Matanzas Presbytery.