IMPACT | Cuba Trip

All relationships are give and take. They are also hard to measure. Nonetheless, we took to paper some of the outcomes of our exploratory trip to Cuba. Yes, we spent most of our time listening and talking with the nine churches and seminary. We also made a positive imprint, as they did just as much if not more on us. 

Here's what we gave:
$9600 for the churches in Presbytery (transportation, lodging, food) 
$1500 tips for those who served us
$1500 supporting local restaurants and business owners
$250 supporting the salary of a Presbytery member
-------------
$12,850

Plus, 

  • Letters of friendship from DOWNTOWN Kids 

  • 2 Laptops

  • 144 lbs of over the counter medicines + hygiene products 

  • 45 Pair of Shoes (this was the one that made our hosts cry with gratitude)

  • 9 Pieces of Luggage

  • 7 days of our time away from family, work and all other responsibilities at home. 


Here's what we received: 

  • An awareness of how attached we are to our phone, our stuff, and our time.

  • A desire to spend more time listening to each other and reaching past superficial connections to genuine friendship. 

  • Several pictures and stories of the kingdom of God in Cuba.  

  • Philosophical conversation on the motivation of money and our relationship with it. 

  • Theological conversation on topics such as predestination and mission. 

  • An awareness that we do not need to know as many details as we think we need to know (i.e how long is the next bus ride, how much does everything cost, etc) 

  • Delicious Cuban meals (read 18 different ways to cook black beans and pork!) three times a day. 

  • Nice accommodations in the churches. 

  • A tour guide and bus driver to show us the country. 

  • Several new friends


Many of you donated money, medicines, luggage and shoes to our new friends in Cuba. Thank you for building this new relationship.

Dawn Hyde