Our Cuban siblings in Christ in Camajuani and Remedios lived
out the greatest commandment. From the moment we arrived in Cuba, we were
received as one would receive Jesus coming into your home. Hugs, food prepared
upon arrival, incredible Christ-like hospitality. We brought 16 people, 11
youth and 5 adults from University and First Presbyterian Churches in Austin,
Texas and stayed at the Presbyterian-Reformed Churches of Camajuani and Remedios.
Primarily,
this was an opportunity for U.S. teenagers to develop friendships and
relationships with Cuban youth, and that goal was achieved. We spent most days
together, visiting the two cities and learning of their culture and history,
traveling to the beach, visiting the elderly in their homes and providing food
for them, playing with children of the community and making friendship
bracelets and paintings together. We also enjoyed much “unstructured” time
together where cross-cultural friendships blossomed. It was such a joy to watch
youth play dominoes together, teach each other card games while translating
from Spanish into English, tell each other jokes and share stories, and ask
deep questions about what daily life as a Christian looks like in these two
distinct cultures.
First
Presbyterian Church hopes to continue a partnership with the church in
Camajuani where most of the members of our youth and adult group resided, and
we will continue conversations with Pastor Marielys regarding what that partnership
will look like so that it is mutually beneficial and supportive for the Cubans
and the U.S. disciples. One of the greatest learnings is that more than ‘help’
or ‘materials’, our partnership is one of mutual respect, prayer, and learning
from one another, and that this partnership can change as God’s vision unfolds.
Looking back
on the trip, two moments stand out above the rest. The first happened on
Saturday morning. We were planning to create pottery with children of the
community at a home in Camajuani where a woman teaches pottery classes. Marielys
came to me before breakfast and shared that the plans for the day needed to
shift because she’d learned that the woman did not have any clay to make the
pottery.
During our morning devotional, I shared this need to change
plans and led a devotional on the topic of flexibility and openness to God’s
Spirit. One youth shared that some of her expectations about engaging with the
Cuban youth and children had not yet been fulfilled and that she was
disappointed we wouldn’t get the chance to share in the pottery experience.
We talked some more about
flexibility, adaptability and opening oneself up to God’s spirit, and then one
of the youth asked Marielys, “Could we go into the town and invite children to
come to the church at 10 and figure out games and activities to do with them?”
Marielys agreed and so at 9:00 AM, three of our youth accompanied by the pastor
and our translator, Maykel, walked the streets of Camajuani and knocked on
doors and invited children to the church.
Meanwhile, those of us back at the church
found friendship bracelet thread, paints, canvases etc. and planned impromptu
activities with the children. By 10 AM, about 10-15 Cuban children and youth
came to the church and the spirit was incredible. Children were learning to
make bracelets with the youth, they were painting pictures for one another,
playing pick-up games of tag, catch and soccer, and Spanish/English
conversations were flowing. The joy was palpable.
After a morning of activity, we
went into the sanctuary and learned two Spanish songs together and gave thanks
to God for the experience. The entire morning was Spirit-filled and I will
never forget the creativity and flexibility of the group in creating an event
that was meaningful for everyone involved in such a short time.
The other moment is preaching in
Camajuani on Sunday morning. Marielys invited me to preach, and I preached in
Spanish. My Spanish is good, but not as good as it has been in years past due
to lack of practice. I was extremely nervous, but grateful for the opportunity
to participate in leadership of worship. Getting up to stand in the pulpit, I
felt a peace that I did not expect. The Spirit slowed my racing heart and
calmed my nerves and allowed me to preach the gospel in a different language
than I am accustomed to. My message was basic and my Spanish was passable, but
the joy of sharing in worship with my Cuban brothers and sisters made the
experience holy ground and one I will never forget.
I hope that other youth groups will
take the opportunity to travel to Cuba and participate in the vibrant faith
life there. We were safe, we were well-loved, and our lives were forever
changed by the power of the Spirit. I would be happy to share details about
planning a trip like this with other youth groups interested in participating.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Sarah D. Allen
Pastor of Children, Youth, and Families
First Presbyterian Church, Austin, Texas
