I have been back from Cuba now for about three months and there are so many lessons and testimonies that I cannot wait to share. Upon my arrival, I was not really shocked at the way the airport was designed but was shocked by the environment outside of the airport. There were crowds of people lined up, as if they were waiting to see a Hollywood star emerge from the double wide doors. I looked for the group that I was supposed to be with and to no avail found no one. I began to panic, and wondered if I missed the bus or if anyone was even there.
I called the contact using the phone of one of the Taxi Drivers. The contact responded okay; we will be there. Two hours later, I heard someone calling my name and I turned around and it was the group leader.
The first lesson I learned was make sure you recognize the people in your group. Luckily, the group leader looked like he did over Zoom, so that made it easy. However, I was told that the sign would say one thing and the sign said another, which led me to believe that my group was not present even though they were.
The next lesson I learned is to be grateful for the things you have. Our group then went to a Church. This Church was on the second floor of the Pastor’s home and the first floor is where, he and his family lived. He shared with us that because it is illegal to hold Christian gatherings in Cuba, that he could face punishment and have his church shutdown. That set the tone of our trip, knowing that people that are banned from gathering and praising Jesus Christ but was doing it anyway, because they know that God is greater than the punishment they could face was and is powerful. I immediately thanked Jesus Christ, for being able to have religious freedom in the States. It also made me wonder, as we continued to meet people, some of whom heard of Jesus but never known Him, would I be like that if I was in a place like Cuba? How would God reach out to me and show me He’s real, would He send a team of people?
I was also reminded that where ever you can feel God’s presence the devil isn’t far behind. I experienced racism, I am fluent in Spanish and yet, the host family found it difficult to understand me despite me speaking the same phrases as others. But you know, I gave them to God. I literally, in front of the host family raised my hands and said, “Lord I am giving them and this situation to you.” The reaction was silence and stares. After I gave it to God, we were told that we were moving out of that house into another location in Havana. Sometimes, God will remove you from situations before they escalate into a larger situation.
That experience did not hinder my ability to continue to communicate with those that I encountered. Instead, it gave me a testimony of confidence. I, in the face of adversity, continued on speaking Spanish and giving situations to the Lord Almighty. In the past, I would have given up trying to communicate and walked away letting the situation steal my confidence but not this time. During the week spent there, we prayed for people, listened to their testimonies, learned from different people’s experience, provided food, and praised the Lord. Jesus, is in Cuba despite what I have heard about the dire situations and political unrest.
My other testimonies include, me remaining healthy the entire time despite many others on the trip feeling sick. I was able to bless others through the mission there to inspire fellow Christians to not lose hope. My illness has affected me in many ways, but as I shared my testimony it felt good to finally be able to share my story from a place of healing and witness, rather than pain and hurt. While I was there, I was present and in the moment. I am so happy that I was able to put my needs and wants to the side because that mission was not about me, it was about reaching those who didn’t know and inspiring those who felt alone and tired. I thank God that my gift of discernment increased and that I knew how to give certain situations to God and to trust Him to handle the situations. Most importantly, I am so grateful, thankful, and blessed to have a true relationship with God the Father.
So many people that was on that trip, did not have a personal relationship with God but looked for Him in others. I shared with them that they need to spend time with just God and learn who He truly is. The mission trip was a great experience that was filled with lots of learnings and I am glad that God chose me to experience this.
The famous baseball player lived in the area that is pictured above. He said, if there is one thing he would tell young or new Christians, it is, “trust Jesus Christ in ALL things.”
Disencumbering my Chains 