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