Last week Upper Merion Baptist Church, in King of Prussia, PA received a special visit. Pastor Néstor and his wife, Antonia, from the Eastern Cuba Baptist Convention came to spend 9 days with their sister church. For the past 3 years, Upper Merion has been sending teams of volunteers to Santiago de Cuba growing their relationship with El Cristo Baptist Church and helping to raise a much-needed roof on the 100+ year old church. This is the first time that folks from Cuba came to Upper Merion.

As colleague and friend of Nestor and Antonia, as well as Cuba missionary and liaison, I had the privilege of being part of this week of fellowship, worship, and cultural exchange. Nestor and Antonia shared and preached at Upper Merion Baptist Church, as well as at the American Baptist headquarters. We shared meals at church, in homes, in restaurants, pretty much anywhere that we could gather and break bread together. Our guests went to historic Philadelphia, Amish country, and a baseball game- though the stadium was a bit cool for the Cuban’s taste. We even put Nestor to work on a small home repair project! In between all the fun and food, a barrage of meetings helped to strengthen the relationship between International Ministries, American Baptist Home Mission Society, and the Eastern Cuba Baptist Convention.

Not very often do the relationships that we build through short-term mission trips have the opportunity to bloom as much as this sister church relationship.  I was deeply impressed by the love, hospitality, and joy with which our Cuban brother and sister were received and embraced.

The unexpected result: Not only was the Cuba-Upper Merion connection strengthened, but the visit transformed Upper Merion Baptist Church as well! Members rediscovered the joy of breaking bread together and have now scheduled fellowship meals in different homes for the summer. Renewed commitment and vision are stretching and growing the entire congregation. Who would have guessed that God would use two humble visitors from Cuba to inspire an entire congregation!

Inspired by Upper Merion’s story? You and your church can visit Cuba and explore sister church relationships this August 29-September 7, 2013. Don’t wait too long, you only have until APRIL 30, 2013 to register! International Ministries is sponsoring a Discovery Team to visit the Eastern Cuba Baptist Convention where you can see and experience how God is transforming the church in Cuba. For more information, CLICK HERE. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! 

With you on the journey,
Kim