What does “loving my neighbor” look like? I often grapple with this question wondering how to best put it into practice. For me, to love my neighbor is to understand their struggles, to have empathy, to share their joys, sorrows and burdens; to see and respect them as a person. Sometimes love is just being there, giving them an opportunity to talk and really listening. The hardest part of listening is to turn off the “me” filter so that I do not assess everything from my point of view and my reality, but enter into their reality.
This is what we do in Aliento Cuba’s Mission Trips. No VBS. No grand events that keep us too busy to take a breath. Just taking our time, being there, listening, being in their shoes, discerning God’s purpose.
Food is scarce and medicine difficult to find. Travel is like moving in slow motion. It took us one hour to go 15 miles because of the condition of the road. But at the end of the road we found the richness of the people and the countryside. We’ve met dedicated people who want to serve their community and together with you we have helped them accomplish what God is calling them to do.
Now Pedro has a horse and cart to transport and visit families in the four villages he ministers in.
Isidro can ride a bike instead of walk to visit the families in the many locations where he is starting a faith community
Angel can travel 80 miles roundtrip with a team of pastors and lay individuals who minister in villages along the country roads.
Keti can continue to feed the destitute people in her town.
Zenia uses puppets to enhance her talent for telling children about God.
Yhosvanni ministers to people who are hospitalized; Alexeis to families torn apart by alcohol addiction; Sediel works with a fishermen’s families close to where he lives, and Felipe was able to repair homes for the elderly damaged by Hurricane Irma 2 years ago. All of them supported by you; by your prayers and your financial help.
On May 1 Oscar and I will be in Cuba for another mission trip. Pray that God will show us how to love our neighbors in these often forgotten places in Cuba and to support them in God’s purpose for them .