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.)