Pastors' Conference - The Struggles

My experience in Cuba this month has been incredible. Every new culture that I visit has a profound impact on me, and Cuba is no exception. I was particularly moved by the Cuban pastors; their lives and their labors are inspirational to me. Our Pastors Conference allowed plenty of time for discussion and Q&A between us, which gave us the opportunity to hear about their struggles and successes firsthand. 

Pastoral work in Cuba is incredibly difficult. Incredibly high congregational expectations and seemingly impossible economic difficulty lead to a high rate of pastoral “burnout” and discouragement. In our Q&A sessions, as well as in one-on-one conversations, I heard from dozens of pastors that their ability to continue on in the work they have been called to is literally, “A miracle.” I put that phrase in quotes because we heard it repeated over and over by the pastors. They told us plainly that the unique challenges of Cuba require God’s direct intervention and assistance in order for pastors to do what is required of them. This was a powerful lesson for me as an American pastor. It is all too common (and all too easy!) to rely on our own strength. The Cuban pastors, by virtue of their situation, are forced to rely on God in a way that all Christians ought to. Seeing their commitment to labor for the Kingdom of God in spite of the unique obstacles that they face strengthened my faith and reenergized me. 

                                    

At the same time, being a pastor, regardless of the country in which you minister, comes with certain challenges that are universal. The amount of time we were able to spend in dialogue with our brothers in Cuba allowed us to truly connect with them, to discuss difficulties that we have in common, and most importantly, to encourage one another to continue on in the work that God has called us to.

Our mission philosophy at SVCC is based on partnership, not paternalism. We believe in co-laboring with fellow workers of the gospel, seeing each other’s strengths and working for mutual support and encouragement rather than one-way help. Our interaction with the pastors in Cuba was a wonderful example of that type of partnership. I am thankful for their example, and for the opportunity to witness it firsthand. God is at work in Cuba, and we are blessed to be a part of His work.

Sam Whittaker

Pastors' Conference - Capturing the Essence

I absolutely loved experiencing Cuba. Upon arriving, my first thought was, “Wow, it is much more developed than I imagined!” In fact, I think nearly every other word I said was “wow.” Much of the history and many of the views and facts rendered me speechless. Of course, Cuba has material poverty and many are in need, but I was amazed at how well taken care of the roads and buildings were compared to the other focus countries our church partners with. The beauty of the natural landscape also impressed me. There are many trees, green hills, sugarcane fields, and unpolluted vistas.

The pastor’s conference was the first and main ministry item to be accomplished upon arriving. My main task was to take portraits of the pastors and their wives, which is a very routine thing for me to do when we visit our focus countries.

After visiting a pastor’s home later in the week, I realized most of these couples probably have not seen themselves the way that they were photographed that week, and probably haven’t had a professional photograph taken since their wedding day.

                                       

     

It was truly a blessing to be able to see what an impact I could have as a portrait photographer. I am not a preacher, worship leader, builder, or naturally skilled with children, but God used my talent to serve and uplift the pastors and their wives in the same way he used Eric and Carol to teach, Sam to sing, and Oscar and Rachel to translate. The Holy Spirit is truly moving in Cuba, and seeing God’s kingdom there truly refreshed my faith.

Christina Whittaker

Pastors' Conference - The Upside of Vulnerability

 Our main purpose during this trip was to have a Pastors’  Conference to encourage, support, and minister to the pastors of this region.  We worshiped, learned, shared, and took portraits of the pastors and their wives.

We want our ministry and partnership with the churches in Remedios and Buenavista to be a true partnership.  A partnership where both, the churches in Cuba and the church in the United States, minister to each other and share knowledge and resources.  In order for that to happen both have to be honest and vulnerable.

During the Pastors’ Conference, pastors in Cuba shared openly about their struggles.  This is the advantage of continued relationships.  They asked many questions seeking guidance on what to do and handle difficult situations

Yet, one of the highpoints of the Pastors’ Conference was when the pastors who attended the conference gathered around our Pastor Eric, place their hands on him and prayed for him after Pastor Eric shared his struggles with them.  What a touching moment full of compassion, concern and love.  But it would not have happened—this blessing for so many--- had Pastor Eric not been open and vulnerable.

Wish I had a photograph, but it was too sacred a moment for photos.  You’ll have to picture it in your mind.

Rachel

Pastors' Conference - February 2016

Hello friends!

This is Sam Whittaker, Mission Pastor from SVCC. My wife Christina and I are here in Cuba (for the first time), and I am so excited to share an update with you all about how the trip has been so far.

We arrived in Cuba Wednesday morning. Alexis picked us up at the airport and we took the two-hour drive from the airport (in Cienfuegos) to Remedios. It was a great opportunity for all of us to see Cuba from the road, and to ask Alexis, Oscar, and Rachel tons of questions about Cuba. After arriving in Remedios, we had dinner with Alexis and his family and got to experience their joy, generosity, and hospitality.

Thursday was kicked off the Pastor’s Conference. It is a three-day conference for pastors and their wives. Christina photographed the Pastors and their wives, then quickly edited them and handed them off to a local Cuban photographer to have them printed as a gift for each couple. Eric has preached 9 sermons so far (it’s currently Friday evening) and will preach two more before the conference ends. Carol has led several breakout sessions with the women. Rachel and Oscar have been translating for us constantly, as well as participating in some of the Q&A time that we have had with the pastors. Finally, I have been having a blast leading Spanish worship songs, along with some of the musicians from Alexis’ church.

We have been struck by the incredible passion and hard work of these pastors who are laboring for the gospel here. Being a pastor in Cuba is an incredibly difficult vocation, both spiritually and practically, and as the pastors have shared their struggles with us during the conference, we have been humbled by their dedication.

As the trip continues, please pray for these men and their families. Pray that this would be a time of encouragement and empowerment for them, and that God will bless them and make them fruitful.

Sam

Being Thankful by Sharing

“For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him.”  Ecclesiastes 8:6-7

The Ripe Fruit: El Mamey

Mamey is a tropical fruit in Cuba and the name of a town 5 miles from Buenavista. We drove by it three years ago when Pastor Omar was showing us areas near Buenavista where they wanted to start missions.

All these years they visited the villages (population less than 200) in the area.  And all these years no one seemed interested in opening their homes for Bible study.  Until this past July when out of the blue Pastor Omar received a call from a woman who lives in El Mamey and was interested in learning more about God.

A few days later this woman brought 12 people from El Mamey to Buenavista for the August Vacation Bible School.  And they continue to come to Buenavista for the Sunday worship gathering.

Today they have around 10 children and several adults coming to the weekly meetings that Pastor Omar and his wife Zenia hold in El Mamey. There they teach children about God and help them learn English in preparation for Middle School. 

Some of the children live 2 to 3 miles away.  Last week a boy was riding on a horse to class. Half way to Mamey, the horse knocked him off and ran away.  Imagine his distress: hurt by the fall and seeing the horse run off.  But he got up, dusted himself and knowing the horse was headed home, walked the rest of the way to Mamey and then back home.

Meals Project in Remedios

In September the church in Remedios started the Meals Project. The goal is to help elderly and disabled individuals who were home-bound have a daily nourishing meal. The church had wanted to do this for several years but lacked the resource.  Again, like El Mamey, in God’s timing the resources came together to start the project. 

The criteria for receiving the meals is that (1) the person does not have family to help them; (2) their only income is a $200 pesos monthly pension of which they spend 25% in medicines.  (3) they are either elderly or disabled having no other means to support themselves; (4) they are homebound. This program provides them one meal a day Monday through Friday. 

The meal is cooked at the church and delivered to their homes.  What a great way to share with  the community!  Twelve people is a good start, but there are many others who are also in need.

The cost of the project is $25 (dollars) per person per month.  They also need to purchase stainless steel food carriers and kitchen tools. 

Oscar and Rachel

2015 YOUTH RETREAT

During the past 4 years we have seen many people come to know God in the two churches we support in Cuba—Remedios and Buenavista. We have seen their outreach grow through people they disciple and train. We go with teams, but it is your support of this work that makes it happen.  It is your love for God and your desire for people to know Him that is expressed in your prayers, your gifts and your financial support.  We thank you for your support.  It has been a blessing that enables us together to follow God’s redemption plan for all.

YOUR PLANS: GOD’S PLANS

“You go nowhere by accident.

Wherever you go, God is sending you there.

Wherever you are, God has put you there.

He has a purpose in your being there.

Christ, who indwells you, has something He wants to do through you, wherever you are.

Believe this, and go in His grace, and love and power."


Richard Halverson, longtime Senate chaplain, said this famous benediction; and it is to the point for the topic of the next youth retreat in Remedios, Cuba.

The will of God. Definitely not an easy subject to teach. Is it a carved-in-stone detailed plan?  Does God have a plan for everyone or just Christians? Where does our free will fit in?  What happens when we screw up?  Why can’t we get simple “yes/no” answers like they did in the Old Testament?  Or is it as Marty McFly said in Back to the Future, “Your future is what you make it, so make it a good one”?  Really!?

The Youth Retreat is scheduled for July 20 – 24 ending on the 25^th with a trip to Trinidad, one of the oldest cities in Cuba. We are putting together the Bible study, materials, videos and games to immerse the young people in the subject; and praying that they will leave with a strong sense of how God works in the world and their part in it.  Our plans: God’s plans.  This will be the fifth youth retreat where we teach.

It will be our second trip to Cuba this year—following our trip in February when we had the Pastors’ Conference.

IWe need your support to carry out this task this year.  We need your prayers that we can be a blessing to those we come in contact with during the Youth Retreat and we also need your financial support to make this happen. This will be your opportunity to participate in God’s plan for the Youth in Cuba.  We need your contributions and our prayer is that God moves your heart to send us to Cuba by supporting us financially in this endeavor. The air fare for Oscar and I is now $2,000 plus any other necessary  expenses.  Whatever amount God puts in your heart to give out of love for this mission trip will help make it possible

You can mail a check made out to SVCC to us at 8300 Rancho Real, Gilroy CA  95020

OR

give on-line using this link http://svccchurch.com/#/give and follow these steps:

Click on Give here (lower left)

Click on Quick Give

select Global Ministries from the drop-down menu

type Cuba Trip on the “Other Comments” (this is very important)

2011 Youth Retreat - Gospel in Life

2012 Youth Retreat - The Power of the Holy Spirit

2013 Youth Retreat - Holiness

2014 Youth Retreat - Mission, Message and Motivation

Buenavista

 "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!"

Ephesians 3: 20-21 (MSG)

We spent the last Sunday morning in Buenavista.

Pastor Eric and Carol spoke during the first hour about marriage and parenting; and during the second hour Pastor Eric spoke about God’s provision during difficult times.  After lunch we left for the 4-hour trip to Havana.

The Thursday before, we visited three of the 4 missions supported by the church in Buenavista.  This gave us an opportunity to meet some of the people who attend them and pray with the groups. There are new people at each mission and it is a joy to see how they are growing. 

This is a typical house in Viñas a town of around 1000 where there is a mission. 

                                           

 In Viñas we visited the home of one of the members where Pastor Omar peeled sugarcane for us to taste.   

We then visited the second mission in Adelas.

The next mission we visited was started about one year ago.  

Lastly we visited the mission in Dos Sierras, where Carol and Mike found two cute puppies.

Some of the people who attend this mission were not able to come because they were working.  The mission was started several years ago by the woman standing on the far left.  It now meets at Salvador's house (the man with the stripped black and white shirt).

And then the 1 1/2 mile trip back to Buenavista in a truck on a road so bad we had to hold on for dear life.

Worship

A mission trip is not just to teach, it is also to learn.  And as Yudilen, the Worship Director in Remedios, aptly put it worship is not just limited to when we go to church; it is a lifestyle.

Worship abounds through all the events and celebrations of the church.

During the conferences, the Saturday celebration for Senior Citizens, the baptisms, the Sunday services, the Youth weekly gatherings are an example of congregate worship.

Elder Adult Saturday Celebration

This celebration takes place the last Saturday of every month.  There is singing, a homily,

and lunch.

Musical trios are typical of the Cuban music the elderly heard most of their lives.  

The man with the microphone loves to sign and has a great voice for his age.  

He wouldn't stop singing.

The young also joined in the Elder Adult celebration

Women cooking lunch for the elder adults

Dining area set up in the new building

Just as there is a celebration for those who have grown old in the faith, there is a celebration for those who are new in the faith with their baptism.  Eric and Greg, together with Yaisel baptized new believers on Saturday afternoon.

 Seventeen people who have experienced, through their faith in God, His love which is  beyond what anyone can imagine or measure.