Cuba #3: With Fewer Hands, the Work Continues
With Fewer Hands, The Work Continues
By Mary Lynne Nielson, Eastminster Presbyterian Church , Marietta, GA
Two of the elders at the Sancti Spiritus Presbyterian Church try to wear brave smiles as they tell us about their young adult children who recently immigrated to the U.S. It’s a common theme we hear as we visit Cuban churches. Large numbers of young people are fleeing Cuba due to the desperate economic conditions here. Most leave behind aging parents, . . . and their churches.
But the Sancti Spiritus church is not discouraged. Even with fewer hands to serve, they see clearly the greater importance of helping seniors — both in their church and in the wider community. Inflation and shortages of food hit seniors on small pensions especially hard. Immigration has created isolation and loneliness. So the church’s weekly senior program includes nourishment for their spiritual and social needs as well as for their hunger. Due to inflation, funds that once fed 50 seniors five days a week now provide lunch only once a week. They try to serve a balanced meal that includes protein like meat or chicken, and dessert. Yogurt is a very special treat if they can afford it and if they can find it.
This church with only 70-80 active members serves the community in other ways too. They support a Mission Station in Toyos (2-3 miles away) that includes a food program for poor children and youth. Another Mission Station in Jatibonico (in a member’s home) provides a Sunday afternoon service, music lessons, drama and help with homework. They also have a team of volunteers that run a water filtering system to provide clean filtered water to the church and the community.
God bless these servants of the Most High God who continue to serve with fewer resources and fewer hands.