Last night we returned from the mission trip to Cuba. Our mission was to strengthen pastors
and their wives; to encourage them in the difficult work they do day in and day
out bringing peace, reconciliation, and the love of God to people who live in
their communities. No need to
elaborate on the difficulties of life in Cuba. Life is hard.
There were snags along the way. Situations that made me wonder if our trip was only my plan,
or if it was also God’s plan for us.
Knowing that God always has our best interest at heart made it easier to
accept all the shortcomings. Our religious visas were not ready when we left
and it was heartbreaking to leave two of our team members in the U.S. Along the way we had airplane delays,
long layovers, long processes through customs and the loss of a very small part
of our supplies. In addition, transmission
of the van that was taking us from Habana to Remedios (a 5 hour trip) broke
half way there. But in comparison to the outcome of the Conference for the
pastors and wives, our troubles were no more than a little pebble in our shoe.
Here’s what we celebrate.
This was the first conference that was not a theological
Bible study. It was a two-subject
conference. One part was about
dealing with crisis—being prepared in mind, body and soul to help people in
crisis and discovering the best way to do it (which as it turns out, may not be
intuitive as we think). The other part
of the conference was on marriage with the goal of strengthening the couple’s
relationship, finding how to deal with conflict, and the dynamics of the
couple.. The comments from those
who attended were that both studies were very needed since they counsel a lot
of people but lack training.
We saw the generosity.
Almost all the pastors were housed in the homes of people who are part
of the community of faith in Remedios.
Volunteers were up early in the morning and worked until late in the
evening to feed almost 100 individuals – not an easy task. They cleaned the church and went to the
market in the early hours of the morning to buy bread and last minute things
needed during the conference.
The Conference was indeed a happy and blessed time.
We are glad to be back. God blessed our time in Cuba and safely brought us home. The small difficulties were encountered
were, in retrospect, small indeed
compared to the final results.
Rachel and Oscar
The team: Rosalva Saavedra, Greg Quirke (pastor of SVCC, Gilroy) Rachel, Oscar, Carol and Eric Smith (founding pastors of SVCC) and Leah Muscarella.
Registration Desk was staffed by these women from Remedios' church: Yudit Hernandez, Maite (Childrens' Ministry Director) and Yudilen Hernandez (Worship Director)
 Two pastors on the left with Raul, one of the translators, on the right |
Getting ready for the first session
Pastors Eric and Carol Smith delivered the Marriage portion of the Conference
Pastor Greg Quirke delivered the Crisis portion of the Conference
DURING THE CONFERENCE, PHOTOS OF PASTORS WITH THEIR WIVES:
Women made love cards for their husbands. She is reading hers to her husband.
Rolando, one of the pastors at the conference, led us in a song before Communion.
The time of Communion with couples participating was very special.
Then it was time for gifts
Pastors, team and staff
People who fed us during the conference
They also prepared the meals that are delivered to 14 seniors and disabled persons
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