Wednesday, August 7, 2013

FROM PASTOR ALEXIS


Last Post about the Remedios' Youth Retreat  -  July 22 - 26

This year we held our Youth Retreat in the town of Gibara in the Eastern part of Cuba.
When you live in the Western Cuba what comes to mind about Eastern Cuba is that it is a provincial and mystical region.

But what was our surprise to find in Gibara a town where history converges. It’s a region that encompasses more than 500 years of passage--of conquerors and conquered, of forts and walls, Indians and their customs. Where we were able to taste the cassava, a typical food of our aborigines. And in addition, found the prices in the cafes and fruit stalls that reminded us we were in Cuba and in the XXI century.

There in Gibara, a group of church members of the Society of Friends were waiting for us to overwhelm us with a fresh and contagious faith. They offered us their services;  their very well maintained facilities; and, of course, a love you don’t often see today.

We arrived with more than 60 young and not so young people.  We arrived with an air of conquerors, and were conquered by the magic of a town and its people. We were conquered by a community of faith that enabled us to have a spiritual retreat that definitely changed our lives. We had Bible studies, missionary stories, preaching, singing, games and recreation worthy of any travel agency tour.

All, undeniably all, was used by our great God and Savior to whom we raise a prayer of gratitude. Yes, our time had come to leave Gibara, but we left with the firm intention of returning.

- Pastor Alexis


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