Buenavista - Population 6,000

Cool air filled the sanctuary in Remedios on Sunday morning when we greeted Pastor Omar and Jorge, who was driving the truck that would take us to Buenavista. Winding around pedestrians on the streets of Remedios we made our way to the lush countryside enroute to Buenavista.

Buenavista in English means good or splendid view and the view of the paisaje (countryside) we saw lived up to its name.

Mountain tops and palm trees, green fields and roads lined with red clay.

Being so used to urban areas, it may be hard to image the how the church in Buenavista carries the news of Christ's love to the tiny villages in their area. Most of the villages have about 200 people. Buenavista as a town has a population of 3,000. Currently they have mission houses in 3 of the largest villages, but want to reach people in the most remote areas surrounding them.

In those areas, houses are far apart.

Far enough that you don't see your neighbor's house. Yet, close enough to know them because in rural areas you depend on your neighbors.

And just as relationships grow through many encouters, so must they build relationships and trust with the people in those small villages.

It takes many trips, much patience, and lots of love. All things they posses and are evident as I meet them for the first time.

The green transportation truck has become our icon for the church in Buenavista.

Worship songs filled the sanctuary. Soon the children were dismissed and I followed the children, who followed Yoani. He had them sit in the cool cement patio and through a skit taught them how to love and treat others well the way God wants us to do it.

Just as children everywhere, they were soon ready to play games and put into practice what they learned that morning.

Broom hockey?

The children compete in teams to see who is fastest at moving the wooden blocks from one end to the other

One of the highlights of the visit was putting together the puppet theatre we brought and getting them acquainted with Scruffy, Ruthie, and Michael.

These are three puppets that will surely become great friends to the children there; just as we have come consider the people we have met here not only our friends, but our family.

Pastor Omar with wife Zenia and son Jonathan, Oscar and Michael

on the front porch of the church in Buenavista

- Michael = Maikol

Awesome Day and an Awesome God

Saturday may have been a run-of-the-mill, routine day for you. But for 30 young people in Remedios it was awesome. The bomb. We all headed out to a cays one hour north of Remedios for a very special day.

Now, you have to realize that the cays in Cuba are like their national treasure. Virginal, pristine beaches; white powdery sand; crystalline water. A prized place to go; kind of like Disneyland, but in nature.

There were lots of new things to experience....

tourists’ shops full of never-before-seen gadgets, hand dryers...

billiards ...

mushrooms in the pizza.

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Should we eat pizza with a fork or our hands?

And, of course,

... playing at the beach although was a bit cold in February

There are no words to describe the intensity of that day. But we can say that it left an indelible imprint on their lives.

“A magnificent experience that brought us joy and is an example of how God does incredible things in our lives.” -Daisel

“It was fun and edifying. A time to share together like a great family.” - Gladys

“It was one of the best days of my life, an unforgettable trip.” - Yileidy

“Hope that one day you will also be able to share an experience like this with us.” - Ivelise

“If this was awesome, I cannot even imagine the joy we will experience in heaven.” -Yaisel P

It reminds us of Psalm 133 which, paraphrased, says:

“How beautiful and pleasing to see our brothers and sisters living together in harmony. It is as pleasing as the sweet perfume of anointing oil as it spills from head to toe. It is as pleasing as a northern rain that falls from the highest peaks and runs down its slopes. Those who live like this, God blesses with life forevermore.”

-Yaisel Lima (Youth Pastor in Remedios) and Oscar

Arrival

Our day of arrival was a splendid experience interwoven with the ups and downs of traveling. I had finally arrived to this beautiful island I’d heard so much about, but never seen or experienced. In my imagination I had forged a portrait of what it is like. The first tender moment was the sight of the Cuban landscape. Royal palm trees and lush greenery brought tears to my eyes.

“Are you Cuban?” the Cuban customs agent asked me. I had a difficult time answering since I so closely identify with being Cuban but in reality am a Cuban-American.

Finally we were out in the soft Cuban air. It filled me with so much joy and expectation. Joy to be on Cuban soil at last after hearing about it for so long. Expectation of what it would be like to go beyond the airport: imagining the faces, getting in touch with the culture and learning more about the daily life and faith of the people in Cuba.

Pastor Alexis and Carlos (who drove the car to pick us up) greeted us with wide smiles and warm embraces; and we made our way through Cienfuegos, on a two lane road full of the daily life activities, to Remedios.

We did not know, until we arrived in Remedios, that there was a community of 250 people praying for our safe arrival.

All is well. We are a family, a community that goes beyond the borders of our own countries to share, love, and care for each other.

Thank you God for your faithfulness and love!

-Michael or Maikol (the phonetic pronunciation of my name in Spanish.)