Cuba, 2012, Day Two

We awoke at the Methodist Center in Havana and had eggs and fruit for breakfast. Little did I know those would be the last eggs I would see all week, as they are hard to acquire and relatively expensive in Cuba.

After cafe', we got our things together, packed the van, and headed to the city of Matanzas, about an hour west of Havana on the northern coast. Taking the highway along the coastline was a sight, seeing the beautiful, clear water through a rock-hewn beachline. Along the way we saw oil dericks and two large power plants. We stopped to stretch our legs at Mirror de la Becunayagua - a huge ravine with a lookout point, restrooms, refreshments, and souvenirs.

After a few pictures, I waited for the rest of the group, finding a book display nearby. Every book focused on the socialist revolution, Che Guevarra, or some other pro-government cause, including one book about Guantanamo and why the U.S. should give it back to Cuba, authored, like most of the books, by Fidel Castro. Nearby was another store, with shirts out front with Che Guevarra's picture on them. (If you look closely at the picture above, you can see them on the right.) I would see many more of those same images throughout the rest of thee week - on billboards, buildings, and the like.

We got back on the van, crossed the ravine, and made our way to the Matanzas District Superintendent's house where we had lunch. Afterwards, Pastor Julio and Diana, his wife, arrived to take us to Pedro Betancourt. It was a thrill to finally meet and greet them. They are a loving and devoted coulpe who I would soon discover work very hard for the Kingdom in Pedro Betancourt.

After about an hour and a half, we arrived in Perdo Betancourt. Like the rest of Cuba, the masonry homes need much work, paint, etc. but due to the economic circumstances, will not see for some time. Pastor Julio's home is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom house, with a sitting room and a kitchen. A member of the church, who lived a few doors down, did all of the cooking, which was delicious!

We got settled, ate dinner, and then made our way in a 1957 Buick to visit 2 of the missions of the church. The ride, in the cool night air, was refreshing, and the car had been very well restored, making the ride on poor roads enjoyable. Both missions were small, the first being led by Annia and the second my Janni, two teenagers who had previously worked together, but had to separate to accommodate the growing numbers. Singing was followed by introductions and then Parks and I each gave our testimony (a pattern we followed at each mission) and we then prayed with the groups.

We arrived at Pastor Julio's home about 11 p.m. and sleep came quickly, with the travelling of the day and the knowledge that another busy day lay just ahead of us.