GFBC Youth Group on Facebook
October 2011 Trip - Reflections from Katie Morgan
"Hasta pronto" or "see you soon" may have been the most difficult two words spoken in last weekend's trip to Cuba. We quickly discovered that the typical connotation of the term "mission trip" was inadequate for the trip's true purpose. By the end of our time in Cuba, the "mission trip" came to be seen as a "family reunion". This was not a mission to aid those in need or to bring Christ's love to a hurting place. Instead, it was a time to unite with our brothers and sisters, worship a God who is transcendent of all languages, and celebrate their ministry in the community.
The community of Las Magaritas is a small farming town about forty minutes from the capital city of Havana. Like the rest of the country, individual incomes and supplies are regulated by the Cuban government. The six member team took 150 pounds of medicines, toiletries, and other supplies for distribution. Ebenezer Baptist Church acts as an informal distribution center for these items in high demand. We discovered that our material donations extend farther than the church's usage, however. Since the local school is rationed two pencils for every five children, two pairs of scissors per classroom, etc. the church helps supply the local school with classroom materials. Supply distribution is only a small part of the church's ministry. The pastor, Zenida, and her husband, Octavio, house those in need of a safe refuge in their own home (including recovering alcoholics, domestic violence victims, etc.). On a weekly basis, the church staff teaches life skills to women and visits a local prison.
On Sunday evening, our team co-lead the community worship service. Many stood outside since the sanctuary (a room attached to the pastor's house) was not large enough to accommodate the 65+ in attendance. The minister to children, Tamara, made a striking comment during the service in her explanation of the partnership between our two churches. She commented that "we [Ebenezer Baptist Church] are in their [GFBC's] worries…" It seems that the six of us left Cuba with the question of this statement's validity on our minds. We would like to invite you to join with us in making this statement a reality. As we worry about getting to work on time, having dinner ready before soccer practice, and mowing the yard before it rains, we challenge you to add to your list the needs of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Stay tuned for more updates, stories, and needs for our "family" in Las Magaritas, Cuba.
Katie Morgan's sermon in Las Margaritas.
January 2009 Trip
Cuba Trip January 2009 Video (8 mins). Photographed and edited by Marc Denning.
March 2008 Trip
A group of 10 people from our vocal and handbell choirs traveled to Cuba in to visit our sister Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Las Margaritas. We were privileged to lead the worship service at our sister church as well as their mother church in Havana. As always we took away much more than we brought. Read Jan Guthrie's and David Mellnik's reflections on their relationship with the people in Las Margaritas and how it has changed their lives and why it is important to our church to continue this relationship.
Use Google Earth for a bird's eye view of Las Margaritas and paste this location in the search text box: 22 56' 48.25" N, 82 29' 14.06" W.
November 2007 Trip
A group of 6 people traveled to Cuba in November to visit our sister Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Las Margaritas. Read Dan Owen's and Helen Gibbs' reflections on their relationship with the people in Las Margaritas and how it has changed their lives and why it is important to our church to continue this relationship.
Dan Owen's Reflections
When I was first approached in 2003 to help interpret for a group that was headed to Cuba all I could think about was how cool it would be to go some place my government said I couldn’t. Little did I know that first trip would be the beginning of a relationship that has changed who I am and who I will be. I can only hope that my brothers and sisters in Las Margaritas would say the same.
On the second trip to Cuba in 2006 we were allowed to stay in the homes of the church members and spent time visiting with families in other towns where the reach of the Ebenezer Baptist church is busy, to this day, spreading love through the messages our Lord has given. My ability to speak Spanish allows me to really get to know the people and hear their stories. Those stories are tales of miracles and proof that a solution will always be reached if we just hand our problems over to God.