Photos from Cuba 2005

I know that's it's been about eight months since I've come back from la pais bella de Cuba (the beautiful country of Cuba), but I really wanted to post some of these so my family and friends could see them. I've got tons of pictures, thanks to Sam who was one of the leaders, on CD, so here are some of them:

Linda, on the bike, and I testing the bike out after putting it together. The bike was a little big for her, so I had to get her going and run beside her just in case. (I'd hate to see her get hurt!)



Jen, Linda, Dave and I putting together the 12 bikes we brought down with us. They each went to a pastor who was in need of it. Behind us is Alex's house, then the ocean.



From front left going clockwise: Linda, Jen, Kaitlyn, me, Dan-Rosario, Hannah and Amy K. We had brought in acetominophin (Tylinol), ibuprofin and kid's vitamins as they can't really get them there due to the goverment ration program and their cost. We divided them into bags and delivered them to families that really needed them.



From left back: Dan-Rosario, Jen, Linda and I at "un templo al campamento de jovenes" (the church at the youth camp) worshipping with the Cubans. This was our first evening with the church congregation.



Hannah (right) and I (left) sitting with the group during lunch. The guy with the pink baseball hat is Alex, the camp director. He was a great man to talk to, for he tried his very best to use his English all the meanwhile trying to understand our slang. (smile) It was really obvious that God was using him and his family for great things. I miss having conversations with him!



From left back: Amy K., Jen, me (I look horrible...hahaha!) and the back of Linda's head. This is where we would eat our meals, share devotions and, at night, the gate would close and lock like a front door to the house.



Dan-Rosario (right) and Eric, our translator/missionary connection (left), giving Dan's testimony at one of the local house churches. Even though the house was small and roughly built, you could tell that it was so delicately taken care of by its congregation. They even decorated it with paper chains. But, most of all, you could feel the spirit of God working in that place! It was like we never left home...



Linda and I using a homemade sifter to separate the rocks and the fine sand needed to level off the floor. Jen, in the Canada hat, was working hard with the shovelling. Go Jen!



That's me...painting the roof of our house. The day before, a huge rain storm ripped through and the roof, well, wasn't quite up to the challenge. Water started to trickle down onto Jen's lower bunk (I had the top and lucked out!), so the next day, Linda, Kaitlyn and I went up to paint the roof with a plastic paint to prevent leaking. We had a total blast and got a good tan, too! Not to mention, what a great view!



From left: Kaitlyn, me, Linda and Dan (who visited us for awhile up on the roof). By the end, the roof and trim looked wonderful and we were covered in paint. (Weeks later, Linda was still trying to get the paint off her toes...which is why you should never paint in flip-flops!)



This was at a church about an hour and a half away from the camp. They hadn't been able to receive many visitors due to the distance from Las Palmas. They were so happy to see us! It was such a nice welcome, and such a great service. They praised God with everything they had inside and it was beautiful to be there to exerience it. That night, God used me like I have never been used by Him before. He led me to read a certain verse and from there, I began to share...so openly. I could feel it...God took over my lips and my heart. By the time I (or shall I say God) was done, the Cubans were clapping and shouting, "Amen!" and, "Cristo para Cuba!" I've never quite felt joy like that before.



From left: Sam (our leader), me, one of our Cuban friends (forgive me for forgetting his name) and Hannah, the girl's leader. It was Kaitlyn's 18th birthday and we wound up having a water fight. What fun!



This was taken in Matt's hospital room is Las Habanas, a small town near the camp. Matt needed an IV, so we all kept him company for awhile. He's a very hard worker! The hospital we a little rustic, but the care was excellent. Standing at the door on the right was a Cuban friend who had also come to the amusement park with us. Great guy!



"Havana's Angels" Well, not quite, but it is a funny photo, isn't it? That's Linda on the left and Jen on the right. We are at this amusement park that looks like a blast from the past, from the '50's. I can't remember the name, but it's named after that famous Cuban whose carved bust is everywhere! We had so much fun there. One of the boys bought us the balloon hats. Sexy, eh? (Hahaha!)



Jen and I at "un restaurante en Las Habanas" (in a restaurant in Havana). We had a great meal, but boy! Was it hot...



This is us on our final day in Cuba. The next day, we were to fly back to Toronto. But here we are, standing in front of one of the most popular landmarks in Havana. From the left: Charis, Kaitlyn, Dan, Amy K., Dan-Rosario, me, Linda and Jen. From there, we went to the fort on the bay, the Hotel Nacional, then to that restaurant, and lastly to the markets. It was such a great day. It was so nice to see Cuba again, to be in Havana once more.