Cuba 4

How many more of these posts on Cuba?  I have not a clue.  Since this is me, unpacking my trip, I am not dumping the journey in to one entry.  I did that with my clothes as I needed to do laundry sooner than later.  I am carefully thinking about each day, hour and emotion that pops into this A.D.D. brain.  I am savoring each event as I can.  This was a special time!

Our Havana night on port day one, was ours to to do with as we wished.  Don and I had the privilege of meeting up with Cuban Pastor and his wife in Havana.  He took an hour cab ride to meet us in the main square that I described and showed last blog. Plaza de San Fransico.  We had never met him before but had been introduced through our son who had chauffeured him around Chicago visiting churches that were helping him with his ministry.   We were sitting by a fountain just next to this beautiful old church in the plaza.  We were very tired from our tour day of walking, learning, listening in heat.  It had been good but it was about to get better.
 

                                        

Our first day in Havana was cultural and delightful tourism at Cuba's best.  Our desire was to explore Cuba  had started!  We never tired of the awesome old cars, the beautiful, old and often crumbling architecture. However, this evening was the beginning of what has become an incredible spiritual journey like few I have known. 

Meeting this young pastor was a 'divine appointment'. Prior to sailing, we did not if we could even reach him.  We took them to dinner and the only place we knew of that would not get us lost was the beautiful, American looking, 'McCormick and Schimick's' style restaurant on the plaza.   We walked in and felt like we had never left Chicago.  Magnificent table settings, a bar and wine selection, that was impressive to the eye, waiters in black tuxedo's were impressive even to this 'jaded' American. It was empty except for one couple sitting at the bar.  The average meal ala cart was $25 US or $25 CUC's. 

As our conversation ensued we find out many things. One, Cuban's cannot afford beef! $12.00 a pound.  The average Cuban earns 4 peso's to our dollar.  Average income is $20 a month.   If they have a cow it is for the government to purchase its meat, for their use and discretion. Beef is for the tourists.  The joke is that a Cuban eats beef once every 25 years, for that is the jail term for killing and eating your own cow.  Our guests ordered beef and delighted in it!  We delighted in their enjoyment! 

As I am pondering the prices on the menu, reflecting upon the average salary of the Cuban's realizing they earn so little, this is not a place they would spend a months salary.  Alexis shared that this is a government 'chain' and only for the wealthy leaders, tourists and business people.  It was a magnificent show place for certain.

Alexis and Lourdes met in medical school.  They are both Cuban doctors who left practicing medicine to pastor and plant churches.   Remember, Doctors make just over $20 a month along with all other jobs.  I may share this later but medical care is free in Cuba. However, there is next to no medicine available.  Like most poor, world countries that have hospitals or clinics you bring your bedding and your food and you hope that there is medicine to treat you.  There are hospitals, we passed beautiful old buildings that are still being used.  Each community has a 'local' doctor, government provided but they have few resources to help them.  Can you imagine not having hope when you visit your doctor?

They were both raised atheists, no God knowledge or conversation of a supreme creator in their growing up lives.  They were raised  under heavy Communist dogma.  At the age of 20 they met each other and God.  Their lives forever changed.  The choice to become Christ followers is a heavy price to pay.   They did not choose a religion, for Communism is a religion.  They choose a relationship with God that altered their lives forever.   As my blog unfolds you will know that I am a Christ follower and one who knows He transforms lives, I am one of them. 

Tomorrow, my next blog will share just how precious knowing God is to these people.  This choice to be a Christ follower is a heavy one. I have never met Christians who had to worship 'under ground', face prison or prison camps and delight in it.  They are willing to risk everything for this relationship.   The heavy hand is a bit lighter than a few years ago but they are not free.   I am forever changed by meeting these incredible people of God.