Children's Camp - Remedios

For the children in the area of Remedios, going to camp--for a whole week-- is as exciting as for us going to Disneyland. 

The venue we've used the past few years was not available; but a better one was--at a price well beyond our budget.  What price are we willing to pay to have a child's dream come true?

And what would our Good Father do when we ask for the benefit of children who are the heirs of His kingdom?  So the impossible became possible and off we went with 105 children and leaders to camp.

The theme was Children in Action.  And the centerpiece was the Bible and missionary stories inspiring us to share the gospel with others.  We taught and challenged children to share the gospel with friends and family. 

By the last day of camp a girl named Sandrita was ready to share with her friends.  She showed us how much she'd learned by telling us the plan of salvation guided by the colors of the "Book without Words" they made at camp. 

During the afternoons the children were free to go to the playground were they found swings, see-saws and a slide.

In the evening all the children were delighted by the rambunctious and funny puppets who visited every night.  

I would say the camp was a success thanks to our dedicated leaders who were the true heroes of the week.  And to the generous donors who, at the last moment, made it all possible.

 Glory to the God of the impossible, who always gives generously.  Amen.

Pastor Alexis

Cuba Mission Trip January 2017

Last night we returned from the mission trip to Cuba.  Our mission was to strengthen pastors and their wives; to encourage them in the difficult work they do day in and day out bringing peace, reconciliation, and the love of God to people who live in their communities.  No need to elaborate on the difficulties of life in Cuba.  Life is hard. 

There were snags along the way.  Situations that made me wonder if our trip was only my plan, or if it was also God’s plan for us.  Knowing that God always has our best interest at heart made it easier to accept all the shortcomings. Our religious visas were not ready when we left and it was heartbreaking to leave two of our team members in the U.S.  Along the way we had airplane delays, long layovers, long processes through customs and the loss of a very small part of our supplies.  In addition, transmission of the van that was taking us from Habana to Remedios (a 5 hour trip) broke half way there. But in comparison to the outcome of the Conference for the pastors and wives, our troubles were no more than a little pebble in our shoe.

Here’s what we celebrate.

This was the first conference that was not a theological Bible study.  It was a two-subject conference.  One part was about dealing with crisis—being prepared in mind, body and soul to help people in crisis and discovering the best way to do it (which as it turns out, may not be intuitive as we think).  The other part of the conference was on marriage with the goal of strengthening the couple’s relationship, finding how to deal with conflict, and the dynamics of the couple..  The comments from those who attended were that both studies were very needed since they counsel a lot of people but lack training.

We saw the generosity.  Almost all the pastors were housed in the homes of people who are part of the community of faith in Remedios.  Volunteers were up early in the morning and worked until late in the evening to feed almost 100 individuals – not an easy task.  They cleaned the church and went to the market in the early hours of the morning to buy bread and last minute things needed during the conference. 

The Conference was indeed a happy and blessed time.

We are glad to be back.  God blessed our time in Cuba and safely brought us home.  The small difficulties were encountered were, in retrospect,  small indeed compared to the final results.

Rachel and Oscar

The team:  Rosalva Saavedra, Greg Quirke (pastor of SVCC, Gilroy) Rachel, Oscar, Carol and Eric Smith (founding pastors of SVCC) and Leah Muscarella.

Registration Desk was staffed by these women from Remedios' church: Yudit Hernandez, Maite (Childrens' Ministry Director) and Yudilen Hernandez (Worship Director)

Two pastors on the left with Raul, one of the translators, on the right

Getting ready for the first session

Pastors Eric and Carol Smith delivered the Marriage portion of the Conference

Pastor Greg Quirke delivered the Crisis portion of the Conference

DURING THE CONFERENCE, PHOTOS OF PASTORS WITH THEIR WIVES:

Women made love cards for their husbands.  She is reading hers to her husband.

   

          

Rolando, one of the pastors at the conference,  led us in a song before Communion.

The time of Communion with couples participating was very special.

Then it was time for gifts

       

Pastors, team and staff 

People who fed us during the conference

They also prepared the meals that are delivered to 14 seniors and disabled persons

Hope and the Pastors' Conference

Living with Hope and the Pastors’ Conference January 26-28

“Unlike optimism (when we think that things will get better) hope is the trust that God will fulfill his promises to us in a way that brings us to true freedom.   While optimists speak about concrete changes in the future, the person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands.”  Henry Nouwen

As we prepare for our ministry trip to Cuba for the Pastors’ Conference, we are more than optimists, our hope for success is in God.  We know that this is a ministry that God wants us to accomplish.  We know this because we’ve worked with the leaders in Cuba to find out what is most needed and how we can help fill that need.  And one of those needs is spiritual support and encouragement for the local pastors.  The word for encouragement in Spanish is aliento which is the same word used for breath.  And when I think of aliento I think of God breathing life into us.  And how He expects us to breath life into others. 

Thank you for your support of the ministry in Cuba.  Your prayers, your love for the people in Cuba, your donations and financial support encourage and allow the believers in these two churches to be a light in their community.  It gives them “aliento.”

As we embark on this trip pray for this particular mission.  For the speakers (Eric, Carol and Greg) for the team who will be translating, facilitating discussions, and visiting people.  For all the materials we are taking to make it through without any problems or delays.  For the pastors and their wives who will have to deal with transportation and child-care issues.  For Pastor Alexis and the team in Remedios’ church who are dealing with all the logistics of the conference.  May God’s grace and care be upon us. 

Here are some of the highlights of the work in the last half of 2016.

Buenavista “Surmerged” Vacation Bible School.  They made a submarine out of cardboard.

Remedios’ “Submerged” Vacation Bible School.  They have great artists who did the stage 

background.

First Class graduating from the Seminary.  Committed students who braved time, weather, and all kinds of obstacles to attend every week and a Saturday a month to train as leaders.

The soccer games have been a great way to reach young men in Remedios.  Here they are listening to   to a devotional before starting their game.  

For the first time the church in Remedios was able to rent a public space theatre to have a concert.

Buenavista had special children programs at the 5 missions twice this year.

Remedios had a Christmas program for the children at the 8 missions they visit on Saturdays. 

Each child received a little bag with treats

   Even "Santiclo" (Santa Claus) showed up.  And riding a horse instead of a sleigh