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
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