COMPASSION

Manos Compasivas (Compassionate Hands)is the name of the ministry of the church in Barrio Africa that comes alongside people to share their burden in the midst of situations that are more than they can bare. That is what Idalme does. She is part of Manos Compasivas and she is full of joyous energy.

One of the people she visits is Gloria a woman in her late 50s.  Gloria like many people in Cuba has high blood pressure and diabetes.  She is the caretaker for her husband Ignacio who recently had a heart attack and her sister Iris who is disabled after most of her body was burned in a fire many years ago.  To this home where pain and discouragement can take hold, Idalme brings joy, love and friendship along with groceries and medication.  She is there for them in their need.

 Henri Nouwen wrote: “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears.”  

And Idalme is a living example of what compassion is all about.

MAYAJIGUA – Living Water / Fresh Water

Mayajigua is our first stop. We go travel to the province of Santis Spiritus (Holy Spirit) through well-paved roads onto dirt roads that lead to the outskirts of town.  There we meet Aldeladse, who ministers to the people in that area.  He walks to the nine villages he ministers.  Two of them are almost impenetrable. A 6-mile climb into the mountain through a road where  rocks sometimes give away in his path.  We join him in his travel to the nearby villages (not the ones in the mountains) to meet some of the people who live there.  We meet a blind woman who leads worship music; beautiful funny children and their mothers who courageously help them through their battles with diabetes and disabilities; Yoerbi who lost both his legs, but not his indomitable spirit; and a family who holds on to their faith in the midst of loss of health and job.   

We’ve brought a water filter to provide clean drinking water to the community.  It’s not a fancy filter and requires some work and upkeep. But Aldeladse is willing to take it on and provide clean drinking water for their physical needs as well as the living water of Jesus to their spirit. 

“Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.” Revelation 22:17

ON OUR WAY

We’ve been preparing for this trip for several months now.  A lot of planning and ensuring we have all the resources needed for the pastors we work with in Cuba.

We are an awesome team; bleary-eyed but expectant of what God has in store for us in this trip.  

We are visiting 10 pastors throughout Cuba who minister to their community to provide spiritual growth, clean water, medicines and medical equipment,  transportation, meals for the elderly, school-work support, and transportation.  

And you are part of it. Because of your donations these 10 pastors are able to demonstrate to the community God’s love in practice.   

 We will be in Cuba this afternoon and covet your prayers for safe travels and letting God lead the way for us.

With joy,

Rachel 

Gas Rations in Buenavista

I remember meeting Zenia for the first time during the hot Cuban summer of 2012. We arrived in Buenavista and stepped into a spotless, simple house. Pastor Omar and his wife Zenia embraced us with a humble hospitality, giving up their bedroom, opening their home, and going to great lengths to ensure that the table was heaped with food each night. I have a particular memory of Zenia insisting on washing my travel-worn clothes - by hand! It is a wonderful example of her heart, leading by serving.  

Last week Zenia sent us an email about the current difficulties in Cuba. In particular, the two motorcycles that the church uses to visit distant members of the congregation have not been holding their charge. Additionally, one of the motorcycles needs new tires; a commodity that is hard to come by in Cuba. 

Zenia with one of the motorcycles traveling to outlying residences of Buenavista.

Other hardships are at the forefront of Zenia’s mind. Buenavista is a small town, and many residents live miles into the countryside surrounding the town. A three to four mile distance is daunting when you don’t have a car, but the people of Cuba are incredibly resourceful. I remember a particularly bumpy ride on a trailer hooked to a tractor. For 50 miles. Ok, it was more like three miles but that jarring ride definitely left an impression! 

To alleviate the transportation gap, Zenia and Omar have been sending two large trucks to pick up church members who live far from town. However, the government has recently announced that gasoline will be unavailable indefinitely, meaning all of the distant church members will have no way of attending service on Sunday morning.

Visiting members of the congregation.

These are just a couple of examples of the many limitations that people experience in Cuba. Please keep Zenia, Omar, and the church of Buenavista in your prayers.