Cuba Partnership — January 2023 Update
After an absence of several years, it was a blessing to return to Cuba in December with several of our trustees (Doug Nielson and Deena Candler) and Executive Director (Mark Mueller) to reunite with a key partner (the Presbyterian Reformed Church) and be inspired by their faithfulness during the difficult times through which they are passing. We visited eight congregations, here is a glimpse into a few of them….
Our Friday began downtown at First Presbyterian Church. The first Protestant church to be built in Cuba’s capital, it would celebrate its 116th anniversary on December 8. With its pastor of four years, Liudmila Hernández Retureta, in Germany for a few months, we were grateful for time with Elder Carmina Blasco who met with us in their lovely sanctuary (bedecked for Christmas) and shared the long history of ministry here, past and present. As with many of the churches with whom we have met, caring for elderly neighbors is a top priority with weekly meals provided and social events, like Tai Chi, to provide both exercise and community (a class was going on as we arrived!). When we left, I captured a bit of one of the too-familiar lines we have seen here as citizens queue up for basic items in short supply these days, this one was for bread.
I was very eager to make the one-hour drive to Güines to see Rev. Abel Mirabal Padilla, whom I have known for many years. He and his elders at the Iglesia Presbiteriana Getsemaní sat with us to share both the challenges of ministry these days (such as food and medicine shortages, 8-10 power cuts each day, and immigration of their members) as well as the church’s commitment to serving their community, especially the elderly. A key component of outreach is through the Living Waters for the World, a system that purifies local water which can then be operated by a local congregation and dispensed to the community. We took a walk around the neighborhood where Abel encountered many friends. We also saw the shuttered shops, almost empty farmers’ market, and a line of elderly citizens waiting, with a voucher, to get lunch at a small eatery — unfortunate “signs of the times” here in Cuba. We were honored to have lunch at Rev. Abel’s home, prepared by his wife, Sarah, and our own Deena Candler ended our time with a prayer of blessing for them both and for the faithful church to which God has called them for these 10 years.
A half hour’s drive from Güines had us at the Iglesia Presbiteriana-Reformada Los Palos where Rev. Izett Samá is the pastor. Izett was at a meeting in Havana but the elders and a deacon warmly welcomed us and we sat together to talk in a house across the street from the church, which is owned by the church and used for ministry. This old home, with its distinctive teal-colored walls, functions as a community center for the city: hosting art shows and concerts, offering classes in music and visual art, as well as six-week skills instruction in things like carpentry and electrical work and beautician training. A small library will be available after some repairs are made to one of the rooms and they would love to open a small café and sports ministry in the ample yard. A lively Sunday School program reaches 50-60 children each week and a ministry to the local elderly provides means, medicines, companionship, and spiritual support for 30 people. The faith and faithfulness of these dedicated lay leaders was an inspiration to us.
Joyfully,
Marilyn Borst
Associate Director for Partnership Development
Read more about the Cuba Partnership HERE.
A return journey to Cuba has been scheduled for April 21-29. For more information, please contact Carol Dublin carol@theoutreachfoundation.org.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of the Cuba Partnership. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help the congregations of the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.