BUENAVISTA

2-16-13

Late into the night of the day we arrived we talked…some time after 1:00 we turned in, only to rise again a little after 7 o´clock for a quick shower. Yudit is making breakfast in the kitchen. The temperature is about 70 degrees and feels refreshing, but shorts and sandals are still a must. For breakfast we have papaya, ham, pineapple and cheese. Desayuno fresco! 

We´re out the door and on our way around 8:30. Pastor Omar has arrived in a 1956 Ford Victoria and a ride into the nearby hills is on the schedule.

From the top of the hills the view of the lush countryside explains how the town came to be named Buenavista. The church is situated right on the edge of town and the facility is nicely finished and well kept. Zenia, Omar´s wife, has arranged to have the day off from English class…normally, she is up at 4:00 AM every Saturday to begin her journey to school in order to arrive at class by 8:00 AM but today is special. Gifts are exchanged and emotions flow. 

Several locals stop by to greet Oscar and to meet me. Everywhere I go I am introduced as ´el Papa de Emily´.  Amazingly, my daughter has become somewhat of a celebrity since her visit last year and every person expresses how she is missed. I am surprised at what an impact one person has made.

My newfound tailcoat celebrity has paved the way to many friendships. After a slice of celebratory cake we go on visitation to the outlying mission town of Dos Sierras. The ´56 Victoria carries us most of the way, but the last segment takes place on foot. Salvador, the mission pastor, and his wife Irada are warm and welcoming. We sit with about a dozen local members and share stories. From a count of 15 last year, the group has grown to 21 people and is in need of more space for their meetings. Oscar shares about our Bridge program back home and the locals are very surprised to hear that in the U.S. we too have people in need. We adjourn to the patio where fresh coconuts are husked and a small hole is cut into the top so we can drink the juice right out of the coconut.

Now back in Buenavista, we have lunch…chicken, rice, beans, and fried yams. Then, a very special treat…mermelada de guayava (a guava puree) with cheese. We learn that at a crusade last year, 60 people were standing in front of one house. Back on the road we head out to the local mission towns of Viñas and Adelas. A theme is developing…at each location, every meeting begins with embraces and a kisses and ends in a prayer circle holding hands. And another theme is developing too…wherever we go, home group members are spreading the good news and the church is growing. Another nearby town, La Caridad, is being discussed for the next mission town expansion.

A traditional Cuban meal is followed by homemade flan for desert. The buses arrive with people from the surrounding area and the church is filled for the 8:30 evening service. Oscar is called up front in surprise…it is his birthday tomorrow and they have remembered the date from last year. Pastor Omar delivers a rousing message beginning with Daniel in the lion´s den and concluding with the parable of the talents. At the end of the service, no one has left their seat…they are all waiting for Oscar and me to go to the back of the church. We are asked to wait there as each person greets us one by one and thanks us for coming.

Although only one day, it feels as though it has been a week long. Omar accompanies us on the ride back to Remedios in the ´56 Ford and bids us goodbye…it's the last we will see him on this trip.  ~ Rick