Falling in love is never what you expect

On our first trip to Cuba, we had no idea what to expect. We went with our church from Alliston. There were seven of us – three couples and a single woman – off to help the Cuban people.

"And he said, "The things which are impossible with man are possible with God." ~ Luke 18:27

That mission trip I like to call “the mission trip on steroids”. We arrived later in the afternoon at Guardalavaca. We found our rooms, washed up, and went to the buffet for lunch. As soon as lunch was over, we went back to our rooms and started sorting out the things we brought. From that moment on it was busy, so busy.

We got our marching orders to be ready to have breakfast at 7 am, as soon as the restaurant opened, and off we went at 8:30 am when Pastor Alex picked us up. That day we saw eight churches; the next day we saw nine churches. That’s where it all got a little blurry. I really don’t know how many churches we helped on that first mission trip, but what happened next my husband and I did not expect.

It was Thursday, we were leaving on Friday, and we had to say goodbye to our new friends. Something happened that week, because they weren’t just friends anymore, they were family. Our hearts were opened to the plight of the Cuban people. I then realized that we are rich. We have never gone hungry. We have never gone without food or drink. We have never gone without medication or power. We have never watched our loved ones die because they could not get what they needed from the hospital.

That one week changed our hearts and our lives forever. We now know that we need to help the Cuban people. In my mind I call them the forgotten people, because you hear of poverty everywhere, but you don’t hear it when it comes to Cuba. When people think of Cuba they think of beautiful resorts, amazing beaches, and a cheap vacation.

Well, my friends, that just isn’t true; that is not Cuba. The people in the resorts come to work hungry, and they go home hungry and unable to feed their families. Yet they smile and treat you like a million bucks. Until you dig deeper, until you go off the resort, you will not see the real Cuba, and this, my friends, is just the beginning.

Richard and I are inviting you to join us on a mission trip to Cuba. We will stay at a resort, so you will be comfortable. However, we will take you off the resort to the churches, to Teen Challenge, to homes, and you will see the real Cuba.