This post is devoted to reporting on our Cuba trip last week (2/4 – 2/11/10). Loree and I attended the Cuba Methodist Church District Conference in Havana, visited a number of churches in our District, and spent considerable time with our sister church, la Sierra. Though we were the only travelers from the North East District, we ran into several other Florida Methodists, in Cuba to attend other events.
Travel Logistics
We traveled on a TACA Airbus charter (arranged through ABC Charters). While I don’t recommend it, we took in over 300 pounds of baggage, paying the overage.
The flight was comfortable, arriving Havana in less than an hour. A representative from Havanatur delivered our visas (Praise God!) along with the visas for four other Methodist travelers on our flight (headed to the Pinar del Rio District).
Customs took some time, though we were eventually waved through with all our bags (except the two which got left in Miami – more on that later) and no fee. Once outside, we were met by District Superintendent Antonio and Pastor Damián from la Sierra with lots of hugs.
District Conference
From the airport, we took a van to D. S. Antonio’s church and home in Punta Brava. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner with Antonio and Gina (which started by candlelight . . . the power was out), followed by a lively service in their upstairs church. We had a translator for the entire Punta Brava visit. Lots of wonderful music filled the air, with plenty of abrazos and besos at the end.
Friday brought a tour of three churches in our District, San Antonio de los Baños, Tumbadero, and Mayorkín. The Conference kicked off Friday at 8pm with an inspiring service at Habana Central. Central is a large, downtown church with a very enthusiastic pastor, Guilermo León (who used to be pastor at la Sierra). Loree captured some good video on her Flip cam which we posted on the Facebook website (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95353262755).
Saturday’s Conference activities were at Marianao, another beautiful Havana church pastored by Bishop Pereira. Again, the music was out of this world. Both the Bishop and D. S. Antonio preached (among others). Antonio gave a presentation on his District and I said a few words about “Methodists United in Prayer.” There were some 2,500 worshipers present (all of which were fed lunch!).
We met with all of the District pastors after lunch. We returned home late that evening after a productive and inspiring day.
Sunday brought yet another great service at Punta Brava (with heartfelt thanks to Isle of Faith for their support – also on video).
la Sierra
The rest of the trip was spent at our sister church (la Sierra).
Missing Baggage
Our two missing boxes showed up at the airport a few days into the trip. A hastily arranged trip to the airport quickly yielded the boxes, but Customs had some heartburn. Both were large boxes: one with a bicycle, lined with toys and diapers, and the other, a small (?!) P. A. system.
After unpacking both boxes for inspection, and after a great deal of discussion among themselves, the Customs officials eventually waved us and our boxes back outside. No fees/no confiscation. It was truly a God thing; had those boxes arrived with us and the rest of our baggage on time, they would never have been allowed into the country. I believe that Pastor Damián and his church members literally prayed them through Customs. There is no other explanation.
Return Home
The return to Miami on the eighth day was perfect. The flight was on time and we were waved through Customs without even showing them our Treasury License copy. We are back with a re-energized commitment to MUIP and to our sister churches in Havana.
And yes, we’d go back tomorrow.
Travel Logistics
We traveled on a TACA Airbus charter (arranged through ABC Charters). While I don’t recommend it, we took in over 300 pounds of baggage, paying the overage.
The flight was comfortable, arriving Havana in less than an hour. A representative from Havanatur delivered our visas (Praise God!) along with the visas for four other Methodist travelers on our flight (headed to the Pinar del Rio District).
Customs took some time, though we were eventually waved through with all our bags (except the two which got left in Miami – more on that later) and no fee. Once outside, we were met by District Superintendent Antonio and Pastor Damián from la Sierra with lots of hugs.
District Conference
From the airport, we took a van to D. S. Antonio’s church and home in Punta Brava. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner with Antonio and Gina (which started by candlelight . . . the power was out), followed by a lively service in their upstairs church. We had a translator for the entire Punta Brava visit. Lots of wonderful music filled the air, with plenty of abrazos and besos at the end.
Friday brought a tour of three churches in our District, San Antonio de los Baños, Tumbadero, and Mayorkín. The Conference kicked off Friday at 8pm with an inspiring service at Habana Central. Central is a large, downtown church with a very enthusiastic pastor, Guilermo León (who used to be pastor at la Sierra). Loree captured some good video on her Flip cam which we posted on the Facebook website (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95353262755).
Saturday’s Conference activities were at Marianao, another beautiful Havana church pastored by Bishop Pereira. Again, the music was out of this world. Both the Bishop and D. S. Antonio preached (among others). Antonio gave a presentation on his District and I said a few words about “Methodists United in Prayer.” There were some 2,500 worshipers present (all of which were fed lunch!).
We met with all of the District pastors after lunch. We returned home late that evening after a productive and inspiring day.
Sunday brought yet another great service at Punta Brava (with heartfelt thanks to Isle of Faith for their support – also on video).
la Sierra
The rest of the trip was spent at our sister church (la Sierra).
Missing Baggage
Our two missing boxes showed up at the airport a few days into the trip. A hastily arranged trip to the airport quickly yielded the boxes, but Customs had some heartburn. Both were large boxes: one with a bicycle, lined with toys and diapers, and the other, a small (?!) P. A. system.
After unpacking both boxes for inspection, and after a great deal of discussion among themselves, the Customs officials eventually waved us and our boxes back outside. No fees/no confiscation. It was truly a God thing; had those boxes arrived with us and the rest of our baggage on time, they would never have been allowed into the country. I believe that Pastor Damián and his church members literally prayed them through Customs. There is no other explanation.
Return Home
The return to Miami on the eighth day was perfect. The flight was on time and we were waved through Customs without even showing them our Treasury License copy. We are back with a re-energized commitment to MUIP and to our sister churches in Havana.
And yes, we’d go back tomorrow.
George
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