Western Churches Work / Ministry Team Report – March 2019
We returned a few days ago from our sixth mission trip to Cuba, from Saskatchewan, since January, 2014! When we asked the team members to describe the highlight of their experience in Cuba, every single person mentioned a relationship that they had formed or renewed as the most important part of their trip. Of the 16 people who went on this trip, 11 had been a part of previous teams. Several were very excited to see the finished Training Centre in Palmira for the first time.
Most of our team members packed their personal items in their carry on luggage, in order to have more luggage space for humanitarian baggage and gifts. We took a total of 36 50-pound bags! Six of our bags did not arrive with us, but five of them showed up at various points of the week. God is good, and His timing is impeccable.
We took part in two children’s ministries, one on Sunday in Vueltas and one on Friday in Santa Clara. There was over 100 children at each event. We were very impressed by the attentiveness of the children. We also enjoyed the excitement and enthusiasm of the singing, the skits, and the games. Two of our team members were 13 year old girls from the Massey Place congregation in Saskatoon. They had been fundraising for months to purchase children’s Christian books in Spanish. After they presented the books during the children’s ministry events, they answered questions about what it’s like to live in Canada. The Cuban kids really wanted to know about the cold and the snow, and whether we had polar bears and penguins!
When we take a team to Cuba, one of our prime objectives is to support and encourage pastors and churches. We had the opportunity and privilege of visiting five different church communities that we had not been to before, in addition to being in Palmira again. In Palmira, we met with the area pastors and presented them with Blessing Bags. Our Saskatchewan churches had generously donated many supplies, which we assembled into backpacks. We knew about the shortages Cubans are currently experiencing (much worse than usual) and we have received a lot of heartfelt gratitude from many of the people who received a backpack. They were filled with various office supplies, a flash drive loaded with Spanish resources, as well as assorted hygiene items. Much needed, and much appreciated!
On three of the days, many of our team members pitched in to help with work projects. We had taken various tools and gloves, and were able to do lots of digging and shovelling alongside our Cuban friends. Some of the ladies enjoyed the chance to help out in the kitchen, too. It was wonderful to have 3 fully bilingual Canadians and 2 Cubans who could help with translating, but there was also lots of animated facial expressions and body language to facilitate communication, as usual!
We were given 10 3lb bags of dehydrated soup packages (each one enough to feed 100 people) by an organization called Prairie Gleaners
Now we are back to our Canadian lives again. When we left it was in -43 windchills, after the coldest February in 80 years here on the prairies. (It was -16 the night we returned, and it felt balmy!). But each of us has left a piece of our hearts in Cuba, and there has already been talk about ‘next time’….We all really love our Cuban brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Griffith, on behalf of Pastor Lloyd and the Saskatchewan team
Cuba Mission Testimonial
March 02 – 09 2019
I return from Cuba knowing that Cubans have benefited because of our short-term mission trip. Lasting relationships have been formed. Some people received needed clothes and other supplies. Pastors were encouraged and received sound teaching from Pastor Miguel. And literature was left for children and the pastor’s that was very much appreciated.
However, I think the biggest benefit is for the Canadian team members. Hopefully each one of us, has learned things from our Cuban brothers and sisters that make a permanent difference in our lives. For example, we see that our inner Joy should not depend on our outward circumstances. We see childlike faith and dependence on our Saviour….that I desire.
One of the things I most enjoyed from this trip was watching our two 13 year old team members who seem to be maturing before my eyes. I was thrilled with the way they mingled with and loved the Cuban people. I pray that this trip to Cuba makes a meaningful lifelong impact on these two young women.
– Brett Passmore
