Cuba Mission Trip July 2017 - Video

Carla compiled this video from photos she took during the Mission Trip.  I am hopeful that it will give you a flavor of what happened during our time there.  It starts with our visit to the church in Buenavista.

Cuba Mission Trip July 2017 - Medicines

We take medicines with us in every mission trip.  On this trip we took medicines from friends in Ohio for the church in Remedios and medicines to the church in Buenavista that were donated by our church South Valley Community Church In Gilroy, California.  Over the counter medicines and prescription medicines are not always available, so whatever we take, from vitamins to anti-acids to antibiotics, is useful.  Here are a couple of examples.

DANIEL

We met Daniel, his wife  Belkis and their daughter two years ago.  The previous year he approached Pastor Omar in Buenavista with doctrinal questions.  Shortly after that he offered his home to begin a mission in the village of Quintana.  He was committed to God and talked about building a structure in his lot to house a church.  Belkis and her daughter were at church the Sunday we were there.

Daniel, (far left) Belkis (behind him - black blouse) their daughter is in the back second from right.

Last month Daniel contracted bronchopneumonia and went to the hospital.  He had several respiratory failures and finally his body did not respond to doctors' efforts to revive him. So he passed away leaving Belkis and their special-needs daughter.  It all was very sudden and unexpected.

Belkis had depended on him to take care of house, food, medicines, income.  Now she finds herself having to do all he did, plus taking care of their daughter.  A daunting task.  So every piece that falls in place for her is a great relief.  

Her daughter has been affected by the loss of her father and among other things is unable to sleep.  So the psychiatrist recommended Benadryl, but it was not available at the pharmacy.  However, it WAS on the list of medications Buenavista requested and among the medicines that was donated.  You can only imagine Belkis joy to see God's plan unfold.

*****

KATIUSKA

Pastor Omar and Zenia also visited Katiuska.  She has diabetes and has not been feeling well for a while.  There are no test trips for her glucose meter at the pharmacy, so for a long time she's had no idea of her glucose level.  Again, God provided through you a glucose meter and test strips she can use.  Like Belkis, Katiuska was relieved and thankful to God.  

"Giving thanks to God for you...because of the really wonderful way your faith has grown and because of your growing love for each other."  2 Thessalonians 1:3

Cuba Mission Trip July 2017 - Buenavista

"Because there is one loaf (Christ), our many-ness becomes one-ness—Christ doesn’t become fragmented in us. Rather, we become unified in him. We don’t reduce Christ to what we are; he raises us to what he is."  (1 Corinthians 10:17  MSG)

Buenavista

After taking a red-eye flight out of San Francisco on Thursday (7/13) we arrived in Cuba Friday (7/14)  afternoon .  Friday was a day of settling in, sorting all the supplies, medicines and medication we took, and briefly exploring Remedios.

The following day was Saturday and we went to a beach in one of the keys of the northern coast of Cuba.  The clear and warm water of the beach and its gentle waves were just the right combination to ease us into the week of Youth Camp.  Even more special was that 11 people – youth leaders and young people—from the church in Buenavista joined us.

The people from Buenavista were prepared.  They brought juices, water, and crackers to snack on until it was time for lunch.  We got acquainted and had fun enjoying the beach, lunch, and the bus ride.

Those are times that embed themselves in our spirit. We set aside the language barrier and enjoy each other’s company and God’s gifts.

Sunday in Buenavista

Juan Murillo preached in Buenavista’s Sunday morning service.  There were new faces along with people we have known for many years. After the service we felt like we were at a wedding reception.  Our team lined-up at the door and every single person stopped to kiss and greet us.  No need for words, either in Spanish or English.  We felt loved and gave love back.  We knew they were happy to see us and we were happy to be with them. 

Buenavista is at the foot of the mountains and not far from the coast.   

Walking from the church to the vista point where you can see the Caribbean.

Oscar and Rachel

"Because there is one loaf (Christ), our many-ness becomes one-ness—Christ doesn’t become fragmented in us. Rather, we become unified in him. We don’t reduce Christ to what we are; he raises us to what he is."  (1 Corinthians 10:17  MSG)

Mission Trip July 2017

The question we grapple with is not so much who is our  neighbor, but what does a neighbor DO?.  (Luke 10: 36-37).  How do we LOVE our neighbor and why is it important?  That's what Youth Camp July 2017 was all about.

                          * * * * * * * *

Whenever someone goes on one of the Mission Trips they are amazed by the love they receive from the people at the church in Cuba.  So having a youth camp about love and relationships may seem a bit over the top.  Don’t they have this love thing down pat?

Not really.

Cuba’s culture is for the most part relational.  People are interested in people; they talk to each other easily and like to know what’s going on in the neighbors’ life.  But that does not necessarily play out into reflecting God’s love or loving God.

So this camp was about establishing relationships on the foundation of God’s love--  loving God, loving ourselves, loving people we don’t like or marginalize.  It was about reconciliation and forgiveness; and key components of love—compassion, involvement, inclusive community, and support so a person does not feel alone.

Juan Murillo, who is part of our team and was the Camp Pastor, focused the young people each day to truly search their hearts – taking off the masks we so often wear—to get to the bottom of how to put love in action from the heart.

Moving “head” knowledge to the heart.  Getting in touch with emotions and deciding how to put love into action.  The Camp Program provided many opportunities to practice it.  That’s what this Youth Camp was all about.

Each year Camp gets better.  It’s become more inclusive, more to the point, more youth involvement in the program, more thoughtful activities that help young people discover the path God has for them. 

What is left for us to do now is to earnestly pray that all they’ve heard this week, all they have done, will take hold of their hearts and become an expression of how we love God.

Until next time.  

May the grace of God and His peace be with you till we meet again.

 Oscar and Rachel