Tag Archive - Cuba

Unknown Heroes

May 27, 2008 in Church, Global Youth Ministry, Latin America with 0 Comments

There are people in life that do great things but go unseen, or their legacy is known to only a few. Today as I was grading papers from my class on Camps and Retreats, I came across one such hero.

Helen Black was a missionary in Cuba long before the revolution. She arrived in Cuba in the 40′s and founded an interdenominational campground known as “Mi Campamento.” Her work with young people raised up some of the greatest Christians who would carry on the work of the gospel in a country where it hasn’t always been easy to be a Christian.

She was also a professor at the New Pines Seminary, and “Aunt Helen” was known for her ability to teach the Bible. She loved Cuba and dedicated her life to the Cuban people. She died in Cuba at the age of 84, but her legacy lives on in the lives of Christian leaders and young people who still attend activities at the camp she founded.

I pray that my life can have an impact like Helen’s life did. She may not be known to man, but she had an eternal impact in the Kingdom of God.

What about you? Do you have any good stories of unknown heroes who have impacted you or the lives of those around you?

(Sources: CIMPEC; Noticias)

We Could Really Use Your Help

May 19, 2008 in Center for YM, Latin America, Prayer, YMI with 1 Comment

We need your help. A few weeks ago, I sent an email to our mailing list that said that we really needed prayers for the last of 6 encounters for a Master’s program we are directing in Cuba. I have been going there each January and June for the last 2 and a half years (almost 3 years), and this time will be the last trip I make for a while.

Many of the 13 students in the program have serious issues at home or in their ministries that are affecting them in their quest to complete this once in a lifetime opportunity. Here are a few of the situations that they are facing. Please pray for them.

  • Maykel’s wife is pregnant, and her pregnancy is very high risk. She is due right around when we should be in class. Maykel has been finishing up a thesis he is researching for another degree he is completing at the same time.
  • Pancho was recently told by his doctor to avoid doing anything that requires much effort due to the amount of stress that is in his life. He is taking a sabbatical from his job as the director of the youth program at the Eastern Baptist Convention, but he is continuing his studies to obtain his Master’s in youth ministry.
  • Abdiel and Leza are expecting their first child. While this is a good thing, it’s not easy to be pregnant and do the required work for the youth ministry classes.
  • Giancarlos’s wife has very serious eye problems and may lose her sight if something isn’t done soon. They say there isn’t much that can be done.

We know that these are difficulties that need to be overcome, and we are confident that your prayers will help (James 5:16). Thanks.

(Image by: Carf on flickr)

Old Cuban Advertisements

May 7, 2008 in Culture, Latin America with 0 Comments

Check out this collection of 1950′s Cuban Advertisements.

It’s a great collection of art from the pre-revolution era, which shows ads for rum, department stores, movies, and other things. It’s worth checking out.

(Via: Boing Boing)

VIDEO: Transported

January 31, 2008 in Video with 2 Comments

Visiting Cuba makes you feel like you have been transported to another time and place. Transportation there can be any number of things, from the back of a dump truck to a horse and buggy.

The buildings, images, sounds, and smells take you to another place. I hope this video transports you there.

I was in Havana, Matanzas, Santa Clara, Placetas, and Cienfuegos while there. I saw pretty much every type of transportation you can imagine. I even saw a goat pulling a kids cart. It was cute.

Anyway, I hope you can be transported to a different place with this video.

Page 2 of 2«12