So here we are. Cuba.
It’s hard to know what to think of this place. For being so close to the mainland United States, it feels like I should know at least as much about this island as I do Canada or Mexico.
My knowledge of Cuba relates primarily to a post WWII playground for the American Mob, a near catastrophic crisis during the cold war, and an embargo that has something to do with travel and cigars. When we arrived in Havana, we talked about our preconceptions of Cuba and discovered they were largely superficial.
Michelle encouraged us to leave all of that behind and craft a new framework based on our experiences over the next week.
23 Myers Park youth and adults are here this week to form new concepts of Cuba. To experience the culture, minister with our partner church, and learn about the history and theology of the Presbyterian Church in Cuba.
Myers Park has been in partnership with Presbyterians here for the better part of a decade. We support the reformed Seminary in Matanzas as well as a Presbyterian congregation in the city of Remedios. Learn more about our work and history with these organizations at myersparkpres.org/program/Cuba.
We were picked up from the airport by Josmel, our interpreter and fixer, and the driver of what is probably the coolest bus on the island. It was acquired, painted, and delivered by the ecumenical group Pastors for Peace. What it lacks in air conditioning, it makes up for in character. There are stickers and trinkets from untold numbers of faith based groups experiencing and working with Christians in Cuba. It’s got two horns, one for saying “Howdy, there’s a bus here!” and one for “HEY WATCH OUT!” You need both while driving around here.
We had dinner with the pastor, Jesus, and the session at the church in Remedios. They’re our hosts for the week, and we’ll participate in their meal and laundry ministries. We’re also sharing meals with them, learning about their lives and culture amid many smiles and hand gestures meant to bridge the language barrier.
There’s a lot of work being done at the church. The sanctuary is being restored and dormitories being built to host groups like ours in the future. Building materials are hard to come by in Cuba, making the work slow and irregular, but we’ve been invited to help out where we can.
Tomorrow, we’ll be visiting church members in their homes and playing a game of soccer with the younger members of the church. Everyone we’ve encountered has been warm and welcoming. They’re familiar with the groups from Myers Park and the relationship we’ve built over the years. It shows in the kisses and hugs that come out of nowhere but don’t go unappreciated.
Some random thoughts that don’t fit elsewhere:
— It’s not as hot as expected! High 80’s with a nice breeze. The sun is pretty intense though.
— The juxtaposition of Spanish Colonial and Russian Brutalist architecture is pretty jarring, hinting at a complicated history.
— Similarly, there are lots of American vehicles from the 50’s and Russian vehicles from the 70’s and 80’s.
— This church has some really fun, bright, and passionate young people.