Cuba Highlights

Here are some of my highlights from our time in Cuba: // Seeing the conference unfold. It was a historic moment.

// Conversations around the table and in the hotel pool with the pastors Five Oaks brought to Havana from Santiago de Cuba and Santa Clara.

// A conversation with one of the pastors where he explained to me the incredible window of opportunity there is today in Cuba for the gospel, and his concern for what will happen to this opportunity if things open up and the economy improves. Several pastors shared with me their dismay over how many of the Cubans they know walk away from their faith after getting to the United States and experiencing financial success.

// Another conversation with a pastor who told me how closed off they were from the world until early in the 90’s. He said that one time when a pastor visited Nicaragua in the 1980's, he and several other pastors traveled 4 hours to Havana just to hear from this pastor what was happening in the rest of the world.

// Visiting two of places my mom lived and one of the places she worked was one of my biggest highlights.

// Discovering connections: Pastor Eddy and his wife Melisa are from Santiago de Cuba (14 hour bus drive from Havana). He directs the Baptist seminary and pastors a church. Melisa's sister lives in Key West and her brother-in-law pastors the Spanish speaking Baptist church there. So we contacted Mark and Jane Porter in Key West right away and YES, they know each other! Small world.

// We saw a lot on foot. Dave Baar, Lois and I walked the four miles of boardwalk (the Malecon) along the ocean in the heat of the day. But touring around in a 1955 Chevy “convertible” was incredible.

// Looking at each other every once in a while and reminding ourselves that we were in Cuba!

The Story Behind This Sign

On day two of the Summit we noticed a brand new sign over the church entrance. We were pretty sure it wasn't there the day before. And we were right.

Churches aren't allowed to have signs like this but they were given permission for this event...and permission to keep it up after the event.

It might be because they have taken two of the most garbage strewn streets in Old Havana and cleaned them up. Or it might be because they feed 50 kids every day out of their own money in cooperation with the government. Who knows. But they are making a difference and people know it.

On day one police arrived just before the conference started and some of us were concerned. But the reason for their visit was that the pastor had told them to come by and check things out. At the end of the day, two police received packets of books and a Bible. The next day six more showed up and were very happy to receive their Bibles. Their pastor is a visionary leader with heart to bring spiritual transformation to Cuba and train leaders who will multiply themselves, but it all begins with the neighborhood right outside their doors.

The Los Pinos Nuevos (New Pines) is an indigenous denomination named after a speech given by the island's most revered literary and historical figure, Jose Marti, who lived in the second half of the nineteenth century. Marti was a poet, journalist and activist against colonial rule who lived most of his life in exile.