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Our Partnership with Cuban Presbyterians
Five o'clock in the morning seemed awfully early for a 6:45 a.m. flight, even in these days of heightened security. But David Cole insisted... and David Cole turned out to be a genius. On the morning of March 31, all computers at the Nashville airport went down. Delays were universal; unprecedented lines gorged the lobby and spilled outside the airport; CNN covered it nationwide. Due to David's insistence upon promptness, Pam and Mike Shampain, Judy and Jaylon Fincannon, Bettye and Tom Walker, along with our leaders, Lucille and David Cole were far enough toward the front of the line to barely make our (delayed) flight to Miami, where we connected with a flight to Nassau. Another two hours in long lines to have passports and visas verified for the final flight to Havana. Three hours more of standing in line while three of our party were separated from us for private baggage checks. Finally, mercifully, our Cuban hosts escorted us to a waiting van for the 85-mile trip to the Dora E. Valentin Presbyterian/Reformed church in Varadero. At approximately 10:30 p.m., we sat down to a delicious dinner prepared by church volunteers. The ordeal was over.
First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, enjoys a wonderful partnership with the Dora E. Valentin Church (shown below). In cooperation with several other PC(USA) churches, we have contributed to their outreach and building programs. Our task was to verify the progress of those programs and to determine additional needs.
We were overwhelmed by what we witnessed and experienced. We encountered a wonderful, warm congregation ably led by their deeply committed, energetic pastor, Joel Ortega Dopico. The impact of their worship, educational programs, preaching points and outreach stations, and the pastoral care given to each other and to the larger community is astounding. It is hard to imagine money and energy more ethically and profitably spent for the Kingdom and the welfare of God's children. The church is definitely growing numerically and in influence.
Time and space do not permit a description of our travel schedule. But we can say that we had marvelous visits in the homes of these gracious people. We also visited other Presbyterian churches and related institutions including the Evangelical Seminary of Theology (SET) supported by the Episcopal, Methodist and Presbyterian denominations. Great work is being accomplished. Cuban Christians are warm and capable, and have a clear vision of their calling.
Our return was far less arduous. Pam and Mike stayed over in Miami to visit their son. The rest of us arrived, tired and happy, in the late evening of April 7.
We are happy to report that our Session, upon David Cole's recommendation (enthusiastically endorsed by the mission team), approved $10,000 for a new roof on the Guasimas Mission outpost, a wonderful old building in the midst of a ghetto. The Dora E. Valentin Church has a great outreach program to that community which is especially popular with children.
It was an indescribable privilege to represent you and our partnership with our brothers and sisters of faith in Cuba.
—The Rev. Dr. Tom Walker
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Click Here to See More Pictures from Cuba |
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