Pastor Alexis has a little speech he gives, whenever he has a chance, to anyone who is considering a mission trip or being a missionary.  The jest of it is that it requires sacrifice.  And the short of it is that there will be flies.

Last May when he was here it was almost his greeting to Kristin, one of our team members.  I was aghast!  No one ever talks about flies and missions in the same conversation – let alone the same sentence. 

We clearly state all the things that God is doing, but we are mum about the hardships.  As if the two were incongruent.  We barely mention heat or humidity, but not too much -- because it would be complaining. 

But the truth is that mission trips are exhausting.  Whether it is to Mexicali, Cambodia, Cuba or anywhere else.  There’s the long trip, the heat, the drastic change in diet, mosquitoes, spiders, and flies, illness, …  not to mention the emotional stress of living and experiencing the lack of resources that are, oh, so abundant at home. 

So, why go?    Here's the answer to the question...from Pastor Alexis.

"I still hear the echo of the bustle of the kids and the songs.  The last night of camp was emotional and beautiful.  But more beautiful was the reaction of the parents when the kids returned.  The parents were ecstatic and grateful for what their children received. 

We overcame countless obstacles in getting ready for this Camp. Today I can unequivocally say that it was worth the sacrifice.

Our expectations were surpassed.  And God was glorified in an unbelievable way, as always.  The impact in the lives of the young people, the community and the leaders has been tremendous.

I want to let you know how important is what you are doing and the impact it has in our ministry in Remedios.

May God bless you and renew the fire in your hearts for Cuba and especially for Remedios."

Pastor Alexis

58 young people from Remedios attended Youth Camp.
Photo taken across the bay from Havana during an outing.

Wednesday and Remedio’s Youth Camp is in full swing

The Bible study is based on Ephesians 3: 14-19, a difficult text, but Oscar has great examples, and games to get the points across.  Small groups, divided by age, are going to zoom-in on the study, and then, there are questions that earn the teams points.

Jr High group discusses Bible study

It is my prayer that concepts will sink in.  But only time will tell.  

Moving “head” knowledge to inner being knowledge expressed in our daily lives is a miracle.  God’s work; supported by the community of believers in Remedios.

So, camp is fun.  Teams, competitions, field trips.  Creating memories -- good ones -- that, we are hopeful, will attach themselves to the Bible study of this week. 

Yellow, Red, Green and Blue teams compete in the "Shave the Balloon" game

We hope the young people will come to realize that a life surrendered to God is waaayyy better than a life surrendered to anything else.  Because the truth of the matter is that we all surrender our lives to something --  our selves, an “ism”, our jobs, our families, our vices or addictions.  Something or someone rules our lives.  For this group, we want it to be God.  

 - Rachel

Today, Tuesday, we met at the church of Guanabo for a morning devotional. I particularly enjoy how interactive the kids are in study; each is willing to contribute and be sincere. Everyone participates in the singing as well, and many of the girls are brought up to sing particular songs. They even sang a worship song in English for the team, and Rachel, Oscar, and I were called up on stage to do the same. “It sounds like Chinese” Pastor Alexis told me.

Oscar and Rachel both spoke. Oscar warmed up the kids with a game, then proceeded into deeper subjects. He was kind enough to hit the main points in English for me, so I got the gist of his lesson. It was about the fullness of God; we need to admit our sins, submit to the Lord, and be obedient. Rachel talked about the global awakenings in the early 1900 that affected many countries and how to apply it to our lives today.

Small group discussion after teaching

After the teaching, the camp played some games. They are serious about their games and earning points for either rojo, verde, azuel, or amarillo. They come up with all of the games on their own. We had one where blindfolded volunteers had to find their team based on the animal call. The next game was a version of tennis. Two people from two of the teams held a towel between them, cradling a water-balloon. 

They would toss it over a makeshift net to the other team, who would have to catch it in their towel and return it. This quickly became a heated competition (which is to be expected with boys) and had to be cut short for lunch.

After lunch, the kids went to Havana, but the team remained in Guanabo for some much needed recuperation. Now we are ready to resume the activities of tonight! 

            Hasta Luego,            

                        Emily

Three Songs

“I’m about to burst with song (because of what you have done for me); 

I can’t keep quiet about you.  God, my God, I cannot thank you enough." 

Psalm 30: 11-12  (TM)

FIRST SONG

When I was growing up we had hymnals at church and sang the same songs over and over; to the point where 30 years later I still remember those old hymns.  They carry an emotional link for me to Cuba and to God.  On Saturday after we arrived, the church is Remedios had their Senior Adult Celebration.  This trio was practicing in the storage room.  The hymn brought a wave of emotion and tears to my eyes.  

The Old Rugged Cross

SECOND SONG

On the second day of Youth Camp,  the young people headed to La Habana Vieja (Old Habana) in the afternoon to take in the sights.

At the Plaza de Armas,  where tourists go looking for old books and memorabilia, Pastor Alexis came across a trio of musicians.  Yes, they knew Christian songs and would play them.

So, right there in the Plaza, in the midst of tourists and vendors, 30+ young people worshiped God with songs.  A beautiful sight.  More beautiful than any old book, memorabilia or building. 

THIRD SONG

Without knowing that the authors grew up in a town near Remedios, Yudilen chose one of their songs as the theme for Youth Camp.  We sang it at camp, translated it to English and sang it some more.  We sang it so many times in that it’s stuck in my head. The last day when we said our goodbyes, everyone came on stage and sang it one last time.

Cleanse my heart and fill my cup,

Heal my wounds and make me whole

I give you all of my heart

Guide me, show me, I want to be more like you.

 - Rachel

On to Camp with the young people of Remedios

Monday our adventure with the youth in Remedios began. We all arose early in the morning to take the bus to Guanabo. There was no air conditioning and not enough seats, but open windows and volunteers who would stand took care of those issues. We literally crammed into the bus and began the five-hour bumpy drive to Guanabo. Even still, the bus was full of smiles and laughter, talking and singing. 

When we arrived, we were a bit sore and thankful to stretch our legs;   

Church building where we held Camp

Inside the three-tiered church building

but there was nothing that a that a trip to the beach couldn't fix.  We relaxed in the surf and on the sand, playing volleyball, swimming and telling jokes. 

Afterwards we went back to our rooms (four small houses were rented), the girls began the intricate business of who’s showering when. We have 16 girls in this 2 bedroom condo. One bathroom; you can imagine the chaos
.  

Stove where Yudit and Arelis cooked.

All too soon it was time for dinner, followed by worship and a message.           

We went to bed excited for the prospects of the first full day of camp that would follow. We all slept well; the girls in my room said I did not move at all in my sleep.

- Emily

Becoming part of the community

          The past couple of days have been spent at Pastor Omar’s home in Buenavista, participating in whatever his family and church are doing, and truly being able to experience a Cuban lifestyle. Friday was a typical day in a Cuban home. I went with Zenia, Pastor Omar’s wife, to the small cluster of stores a block away for some grocery shopping.  We waved, and called, and visited, and introduced during the entire outing. 

          We stopped at Domingo and Danay’s house, calling an “Hola” through the open door. They are a young couple at the church. After a brief visit, they invited me back latter that afternoon to hang out. 

          Back at the church, we ate, rested, and prepared for VBS. Zenia took me on a quest to get honey, which cannot be found at the store. After riding our bikes through the gravely dirt roads, and stopping at a few houses, we reached the home that makes the honey and purchased two large bottles. 

          I visited with Domingo and Danay, and we did the usual things young people do in Buenavista. Chatted. Visited their family. Gawked at an ugly fish. Went to the river. Avoided a pig. Ate a guava plucked fresh from the tree. Saw the valley from the vista point.

Danay with her son Josue and husband Domingo

          And then we returned to the church for, again, Vacation Bible School. 

Buenavista Worship Team - Danay, Yoani and Zenia

          Today, Sunday, was our last day in Buenavista. Already I had come to be stopped several times as I made my way down the center isle to say “Buenos dias” and “Como estas?” to those sitting in the pews. Already I had someone reserving a seat for me, and someone else waving me over here. Already I would glance around and catch someone’s eye and smile at him in recognition. I had already made a place for myself in this loving church family, we all had, in such a short time. And now we had to leave.

Emily amidst all the young people

          When the church reconvened after separating into their classes, there was a ceremony for all who were in the VBS, complete with a raffle and prizes. Rachel, Oscar, and I were leaving soon after lunch, so we had to say our goodbyes. 

Rachel, Emily and Oscar at church on Sunday

            When I came, I did not expect to become so engrained in this foreign community. The goodbyes were hard. There were endless hugs, tears, affectionate biddings of safe travel, a hope (and almost an order) to return, and what took me aback the most was the typical request of not forgetting them, this church in little Buenavista; as if I ever could.

            After packing and eating lunch, we talked with Omar and Zenia for the last time. A few of the people we had gotten the closest to did not want to see us leave because they knew they would get choked up. Which choked me up. And as we gave our last hugs and packed our luggage into the car, I consciously repeated a command to myself to remain composed. I had to remind myself that there were more opportunities like Buenavista in our trip ahead.            

            Today we returned to Remedios to join the youth retreat. Full days with the youth will provide a host of chances to create relationships similar to the ones in Buenavista. It is exciting to get to know a whole new crew. However, the purpose is the same: to help, befriend, live, teach, and learn from our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Cuba. 

- Emily 

Down in the Valley and into the Pool

Yesterday, Tuesday, was a full and active day. It began by a rousing tractor drive into (even more) rural areas surrounding the small town of Buenavista. The aim of this trip was to get a real idea of how far these small clumps of homes actually were, and how difficult it would be for them to get to church. After that, a plan of action could be made accordingly, and hopefully another mission could be planted in one of the local houses. And when I say a rousing tractor ride, I do mean rousing. Never have any of us been on such a potted road, jolting over big river rocks and dipping into massive mud puddles that swallowed up the road entirely.

 

           

 After our return to Buenavista, and a vow that we would never drive a tractor over a road like that again if possible, we prepared to go to the pool. This was an outreach event Oscar and Omar came up with. They rented the town pool, invited the church, and welcomed anyone else who wanted to come. 

The turnout was twice what we expected. In the hot climate, everyone enjoyed the cool water, games of dominos, and a piping stew. The stew was made by collecting all of the vegetables and meats that the neighbors could scrape together, and then cooking everything in two pots that could be divided to feed the crowd. It was delicious. The people came, some walking long distances, armed with cups, plates, various Tupperware, empty pots, or anything else they could find to hold the stew. 

All the while, a commotion of swimming and talking was taking place. Kristin got seriously involved in a game of dominos, and I watched as a group of kids around 10 years old called “Em-ee-ly, Em-ee-ly, Mira!” And I did watch as they swam under water, did handstands, flips, and jumped off of the sketchiest diving board I have ever seen. It had been a good day when we walked back to the church.

Today, Kristin had to return home and left early in the morning. As Rachel said, “It will be like a missing wheel.” Although we will miss her very much, we are thankful for the time that she was with us this week. Later that day, Zenia took me grocery shopping. I could not help but compare it to the numerous trips to Nob Hill and Safeway, with a quick stop at Starbucks, that I have made with my mom. In Buenavista, all of the shops are only a block or two away. The supplies are astonishingly limited, ration cards were necessary, and often the item we wanted was not in stock. Without the pineapple, we returned home to prepare for the Vacation Bible School that is to come tonight!

Emily    

Monday in Buenavista

Today was a bit of a challenging day. Challenging, but rewarding. Sunday night, most of our team went to bed around two AM and got up at seven, so we could be out the door by eight. The small (air conditioned!) car picked us up at 8, and we were on our way to Buenavista. Pastor Omar and Zenia graciously welcomed us into their home, happy to see us. Soon after arriving, we left the house to visit the three missions, which are offshoots of Omar’s church. The missions are groups of people who live too far from the church to come to the services when they have no transportation. They are similar to small groups.

 We took a trailer hitched to a tractor, and rode hillbilly style down the potted, muddy road to the first mission. The group of people there was marvelously hospitable, happily talking and laughing with us. They were so happy to have us come from so far to be with them. They also served us fresh coconut juice, a straw stuck straight into the center of the coconut.

The next mission served us a beautiful array of native foods, complete with the ever-present mango juice and signature cup of strong coffee. Among the plates was a dish of goat. Cautiously, I took a bite, and was pleasantly surprised by its flavor; it is quite similar to carne asada. 

After a quick stop to cool off in the river, we returned to the cars, and the heat. To say we were hot, is an understatement. At the last mission, we conversed (Kristin and I half-guessing what was being said) and broke into joyous choruses of worship songs. After saying our goodbyes, we went home to rest and take COLD showers.        

Tonight was a special service for three lovely and elderly ladies who were to be baptized. The church was packed; all three missions road trucks into town, and the rest of the congregation was also present. We had to put chairs in the center isle and people began to form rows of seating outside on the porch! The service was beautiful. “Lively” is what Kristin accurately described it as; there is so much joy here. After the service Oscar, Rachel, Kristin, and I visited more with the people from the missions we had met earlier and the rest of the church family, bidding everyone goodnight and “God bless you” with a kiss on the cheek.


The people love to take pictures, and Kristin delighted an elderly woman by snapping a shot with her.

They quickly became good friends, speaking in broken English and Spanish, trying to find a mix of Spanglish that each could faintly understand, and smiling all the while. I too made a friend.


Spying and elderly gentleman across the room, I walked over and kissed his cheek and told him “God bless you” in Spanish. Excited, he began announcing to the crowd that he had found a new granddaughter; my Cuban Abuelo! Fantastico!

When the crowd left for the night, the team and Omar’s family retired to his house (which is connected to the church). Zenia knocked softly on the door as I was brushing my teeth and showed me a small bug in her hand; fireflies! So tonight we will rest while these small night lights are buzzing outside.

            -Emily

First Impressions

As I am sitting on my bed to write this, bottom bunk, between Kristin and Rachel, a swirl of voices is surging outside of the door. We are staying at the church. Our bedroom shares a wall with the sanctuary in fact. A quinceañera has just finished, and the excited guests are chattering over prepared boxes of various sweets. This is an appropriate finish to a couple of busy days.

Yesterday, Friday, We arrived at Miami airport three hours early, and were pleasantly surprised to whiz through the baggage check-in and security. We enjoyed a traditional Cuban breakfast of strong coffee (I had two cups) and pastries filled with either guava or cheese and spinach. On the plane, I got my first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean; it is a soft blue snaked with endless islands. In Havana, it took us a little longer to get through security, but once we were able to leave the airport, we met Rachel’s nephew. He took us to his house, and we all crammed into the cozy living room. After chatting and another round of coffee, we left in an old Soviet car-- a Lada--to see the city. It is beautiful, sitting right on the ocean. There is a mixture of old and new. Many of the cars are from the 50s, but a large number of buildings are being renovated. We then leave for Remedios, a four hour car ride. We arrive a little after 9, and enjoy a late dinner with Pastor Alexis’ family. We then prepare for bed and drift off to the sounds of Oscar and Yudilen practicing for the service in the morning.

Today, Saturday, we got up a little before 8 in the morning, pulling on clothes set out the night before. We have breakfast with Pastor Alexis’ family. Fresh mango juice, sweet toast, cheese, a mango marmalade, and the ever-present cup of Cuban coffee adorn the table. 

Today is the senior service and lunch, and after breakfast we prepare to attend it. At 9:30, we join the seniors in the neat rows of wooden benches and try our hand at the Spanish worship songs. Passionate is a good word to describe these people. Their emotions are clearly read on their faces, whole-heartedly worshipping. A woman who is unable to speak mounts the stage and illustrates a song with her hands. Oscar also walks onto the stage, singing joyously in worship. Pastor Alexis gives his message, and then dismisses us to lunch. Outside in the courtyard, Kristin takes a platter of eight plates, I follow closely behind with a couple of bowls of dessert bread, and another man carries a tray of drinks. Inside, tables and chairs are set up, and the expectant seniors gladly receive their food.

After the lunch, we prepare to head to the beach with the youth. A rented bus stops by the church, and we all pile in. The drive takes around an hour, most of it over a man-made isthmus only as wide as the road, connecting the numerous cays. We stop at a small clump of shops, and the kids (and many adults) are able to sight see and bowl for the first time. The employees at the bowling alley were horrified with our skill, and seemed anxious for us to leave; but we were having a grand time, cheering when we got a strike and laughing when someone rolled a gutter ball (there was a lot of laughing). At the beach we all rushed into the water. It was bath water, a hot tub in comparison to the Pacific, and so ridiculously clear that you could watch for shells buried in the sand. 

It is a quiet ride home, and when we arrive, a few of the guests for the quinceanera are already there. The boys are outside waiting for the ceremony to begin. Almost everybody is dressed in their best. The church is crowded with family and friends, many of which stay afterwards to clean up for the Sunday service tomorrow morning.

            Emily

WHO'S DOWN IN CUBA?

We are ready.  Made it from San Francisco to Florida without any problems; connected with Kristin at the airport; enjoyed Rafael's and Miriam's hospitality, their jokes and love; ate Cuban food; and tomorrow  (Friday, July 20) we are up and running at 5 AM for our flight to Cuba.


Emily and Kristin are joining us (Oscar and Rachel) on this trip.  And introductions are in order.


MEET THE TEAM

I am Emily Davis, the youngest person on the team and very likely the most nervous. I am also the designated blogger; allow me to properly introduce myself:                        

At hardly eighteen years old, I am at a susceptible age, sponging up information and soaking in experiences. My worldview is just beginning to take a more substantial shape. The books I read, the classes I take, the church services I attend, the people I spend my time with, and my own prayer life are constantly shaving away and plastering onto a formless object that is quickly becoming my niche in God’s Plan. This past year, in my Bible class, we went through the book of James. This has always been my favorite book; this class taught me why. One of the key themes of this book was living out your faith, not because salvation is works-based, but because your faith naturally prompts you into action. This missions trip is one way for me to put what I learned in James into practice.                                                

In addition to living out my faith, I am excited to experience a new culture and meet new people. God’s people. My brothers and sisters in Christ. In America, I am sheltered from a day to day need for God, in the practical sense. I do not have to worry about food, or electricity, or transportation. All of the resources I need are either at the store or a mouse click away. I want to see how these people need God, and how they praise him for providing. This will be a new way for me to view people, to view God, and an opportunity to reassess myself in terms of where my values lie. I feel like I have so much to learn from the people in Cuba, and it is my hope to be used by God and to be open to all of the lessons that I can absorb. 

Kristin Sando

Four years ago I packed everything that would fit in my civic and drove to Los Angeles to work freelance, research non-profit work overseas, and be free to pick up and leave at a moment's notice.  Two years ago the dream to leave the country and do God's work started to become a reality when I packed everything that would fit in two suitcases and flew to China to work as an English teacher and serve the Family (wink wink) any way I could.  It was a year that proved to be the most stretching and beautiful year of my life thus far.  I was tossed around by Chinese culture, thrown on the waves of Communism, and torn apart from the lack of anything to distract me from the realities of cross-cultural life.  Fortunately, my Father and Jesus Christ were right there to put me back together into the person I needed to be to serve Him through the Mandate to spread His love.

I wouldn't change that year for five comfortable years in the States.  Although it looks like I will be living here in America for the foreseeable future, I'm hoping to get my fix of cross-cultural missions during this trip to Cuba.  Wonderful things in the name of Jesus are being done on the ground in this rather isolated country.  Our team has the immense pleasure of joining with Pastor Alexis' congregation in worshiping our Creator and instilling knowledge of Him who sent us in the hearts and minds of their youth.  

Our Father works in ways we cannot understand in order to bring us closer to Him.  When we walk with Him, He provides strength and peace and a bottomless love to carry us into eternity.  All He asks for are the few years we have on earth.  

Kristin

A Spirit of Power, Love and Self-Discipline

It’s difficult make our dreams come true.  Especially if it involves many people and finding resources to make it happen.  Each obstacle, each resource obtained is only overcome through God’s providence and the strength he gives us daily.  Some months ago God laid heavily on my heart to have a Children’s Camp and it became my dream and desire.

And it was indeed through God’s grace the people and resources came together.  People prayed.  South Valley Community Church in California provided the funds we needed.   And enough adults volunteered for Children’s Camp.

We wanted to challenge the children to make a difference in the midst of a society that is relentless in tearing down Christian values.  With God’s guidance the children’s leaders selected the theme (Marking the Path), verse (2 Timothy 1:17) and song  (”We can do all things through Christ”) for the Camp. 

Getting to this point was a challenge, but there was more to come.  A few days before Camp we found out that the facilities did not have produce for the meals and some of the children would have to sleep on the floor.  We found the produce and mattresses needed.  We were ready to go. 

More than 100 children attended camp

Finally the day arrived for our trip to camp.  Among tears (mostly from the parents) and kisses we set out for the camp, an hour away. 

Arrival at Camp

When we got there, the camp manager told me that one of the two water pumps was not working.  He said it’s OK because they can operate with the other one.  But while we were talking, the second water pump started to smoke and shut down.  Now we were without water and 100 children plus workers in the buses.  There was a strong possibility that we’d have to cancel camp and return to Remedios.  I looked at Maitee, the Children’s Leader, and saw tears streaming down her cheeks.  No one could bare the disappointment of not having camp.   Undeterred, we set out to fix the water problem.  We found some pipes and buckets to provide water.  And what could have turned out to be a disaster became an adventure.  The children had fun using buckets of water to bathe and play.

Without even beginning camp, we were already experiencing “the spirit of power, love and self-discipline” God has given us.  A great lesson for the children. 

I can imagine the smiling face of our Heavenly Father as he heard the voices of more than 130 of his children praising Him that night at camp and enjoying their time together. 

Evening Worship

I am grateful for what God is doing today in my country, for the many who love Him and teach the children about Him—the children, who are our future.

To God be the glory and to us the great joy of a battle won.

- Pastor Alexis Hernandez

Having fun on the see-saw

Bible Study on Daniel

Clowns also helped the children learn

Nutritious meals with vegetables brought from Remedios