A month ago, my husband and I were privileged to be part of a large group of musicians (singers, instrumentalists, former pastors and ministers of music) traveling to Cuba to minister to the people there in various ways. Apparently, music is a big deal in Cuba; the people LOVE all types of music. It’s an avenue that God has used to open the door for His message to get through to the people of Cuba.
The country itself is a tropical paradise. Lush greens everywhere you look…huge palm trees of all sizes, hibiscus and other gorgeous blooming flowers of various colors. There are coconuts, banana trees, avocadoes, just to name a few. In the midst of this gorgeous sea of green is poverty-laden “homes”…and that’s using the word generously. Words fall short in describing these abodes and how some look like they are literally falling apart. With very little exception, all their dwellings are dilapidated, barely standing. Nothing is maintained. No houses or buildings have been painted. There’s plaster that’s cracking and repairs that need to be made everywhere you turn. In some cases, walls are not even apparent on all sides. Ugliness pierces through the beauty of the green countryside. I’ve been privileged in my life to travel abroad to numerous countries and continents. But I’ve never witnessed poverty the way it was on display in Cuba.
Not only did we observe these horrible living conditions, but our group experienced the intense heat that the Cubans live in constantly. As Americans, we are so accustomed to air conditioning that tolerating extreme heat is very difficult. It proved to be for us as we had numerous people passing out at services or not feeling well when we were en route (and on an air-conditioned bus). Not only that, just using the bathroom became a major chore, especially for us women! Toilet seats are a rare find. Norman and I were blessed to have them in our hotel rooms, but many women did not fare so well. In addition, toilet paper could not be put in the toilet, but it needed to be used and then thrown in the trash. This unsanitary practice created a myriad of germs. Just one of numerous reasons why flies are in abundance in Cuba. Furthermore, trash cans are a rarity in Cuba. I carried trash with me for hours one day. There are tiny trash cans in restrooms. Even in the churches where we had worship services, the facilities were so primitive. Most of the toilets wouldn’t even flush! And many were outside. If you planned to use the restroom, you needed to be prepared and bring your own tp. I carried toilet paper with me everywhere, as well as wipes and hand wipes!
In addition, we witnessed street corners where piles of trash had accumulated. I never saw a large trash can, much less a dumpster. I don’t know if the government doesn’t supply them or if the people can’t afford them or have access to them. It’s another sad reality of their existence.
I could go on and on about how our “comforts” are so missing from the Cuban’s way of life.
But after observing Cubans in 5 different churches, I was amazed by their joy, fervency of their faith, obvious passion in their singing and their perseverance. I came away with a few thoughts.
Even as my heart broke for how the people are resigned to live, my thoughts raced as I witnessed their conditions.
Do the comforts at home that I experience daily distract me from focusing on God?
Do I cling to material wealth and possessions or to God?
Who has TRUE poverty? Us, as rich Americans who have so many comforts and possessions, but neglect the God who has blessed us and had His Hand on us – or people who are accustomed to a hard and menial way of life but seem to cling to/look to God at every turn?
On the first day of our trip, we learned that ALL of our concerts/ worship services had been canceled by the Cuban government. Why did they allow us to come into the country if the government wasn’t going to allow us to play/sing?
The leadership in our organization met, prayed (we prayed) and went back to the drawing board. They were able to reschedule every one of our services in various churches. So, what the enemy meant for evil, God used for good. Many of our services were supposed to be in the early morning or especially the evening. But the government made us have every service be finished by 5 pm. This edict meant we would be playing/singing/preaching at the hottest part of the day. But it didn’t deter us!
There was no doubt Satan tried to interfere and disrupt our trip in many ways. A few people didn’t receive luggage. One friend had her carry-on bag checked since it was fairly large. The gate agent sent it to Columbia vs. Cuba! After 3 days, she did finally have it delivered from the airlines. It wasn’t just a minor annoyance as she had medicine and other vital items in that bag. But God protected her and all of us.
Santa Clara was our first location in Cuba. Back in the 1940s or 1950s our hotel was probably considered grand. It had little villas scattered about so it was nice for privacy. We walked a short distance to get to the dining hall where we ate all our meals.
During our stay there, we were intentional to engage some of the staff. Most of them spoke some English. One tall young handsome man engaged my husband one morning after breakfast. Walter said to Norman, “Those tennis shoes look like they are very nice and thick.” My husband concurred and told Walter he had trouble with his feet. Walter went on to tell Norman how his feet hurt daily. In his job, he worked very long hours and was on his feet most of the day. My hubby understands foot pain all too well as he has no arch…basically flat feet. He took off his shoe and showed Walter the shoe insert that helped provide him with an arch. Walter was amazed as he had never seen one or even knew this type help existed. Norman and Walter finished up their conversation. Then, Norman and I met up and walked back to our villa/room. As we chatted on our way back to our hotel room, Norman told me he felt led to give Walter his tennis shoes, not just the inserts. I was so proud of my generous hubby! When he gave Walter the shoes and insert, Walter gave him a bear hug and cried. They got a picture together. The next morning at breakfast, he was donning those already used/worn shoes, but he was so proud. And his feet were not hurting! He thanked me as well for my husband’s generosity, even though I didn’t have anything to do with this exchange. One side note. Walter told Norman most Cubans are small people and have small feet so getting larger sizes in Cuba is a challenge. Norman wears a size 13. Guess what size shoes Walter wears? You guessed it! Size 13! Definitely a God-appointment and not just a coincidence. The only other pair of shoes Norman had packed were his dress shoes. He wore them proudly with shorts and everything else! As he said, “It was a small sacrifice in light of Walter having some good shoes. There was joy in giving.”
That whole story made me think and ask myself, “What would I be willing to give up if God asked me or the opportunity presented itself?” You? Have you stopped to consider it?
Not only did we have personal encounters, such as the one described, but in every church service when we played, one of our ministers preached, and the message was interpreted in Spanish. All of our Cuban interpreters were young, passionate and had a noticeably vibrant spirit. At every church, there were numerous decisions. But in one church, my husband and I “peeked” at the same time when the minister asked those who wanted to ask Jesus into their heart/life. Even though Norman and I weren’t sitting anywhere close to one another, we both witnessed an older man in the back. When the invitation was given, he didn’t just raise one hand, he raised both. When’s the last time you’ve seen someone this excited to accept Jesus? It was amazing!
At the end of our time in Cuba, we were told there were over 125 salvations! We were all in awe and praised God!
Another one of my “take aways” from our time there will be the singing. In every church, no matter how stifling hot it was or how uncomfortable the seats were, the people stood and sang loudly and excitedly. They weren’t down, discouraged or if they were, it didn’t come through with their faces or voices. In some cases, our choir was singing in English while the Cubans were singing in Spanish. It was an incredible sound of praise to our Maker. I couldn’t help but think, I wonder if it will be like this in heaven.
You may be wondering what any of this mission trip in Cuba has to do with Thanksgiving?
Well, I was feeling very thankful prior to Thanksgiving. And then something happened to dampen my spirit and somewhat steal my joy the day before. You’ve been there right, friend?
I had to pray; I had to take a deep breath; I had to ask God to help me put things into perspective and help me not just remember all of my blessings but to be thankful in my mind and heart.
One of the things He did was to remind me of Cuba. He took me back to that place…to all the answers to prayer, His hand of protection on me/Norman/our entire group, to seeing Him move and work and also realizing that we have soooo much to be thankful for just being born in the United States of America, as well as knowing God through His Son, Jesus.
Since you didn’t share in my Cuba experience, maybe you can’t relate. But not only did God remind me of that country and all we encountered, He put that old hymn in my thoughts and heart. I close with the words to the hymn, Count Your Blessings. Just recounting each one back to the Lord sure made a different – and caused my feelings of being down and deflated to turn around. I pray reading these words will help you pause – and make a mental list of numerous blessings. Or better yet, you will actually write them down and record them…and take time to thank God for each one.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done.
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