Host families and William Carey staff
Host families
Friday, May 25 -- Friday evening, Maria, Tim, and Carlos went shopping in downtown Havana with one objective, finding the necessary ingredients to bake chocolate brownies! The next day the group had invited the host families for a late lunch and a short program as a way of saying thanks for opening their homes, doors and hearts to our students. The ingredients were found and a small group was successful in baking the brownies!
Saturday,
May 26 -- The day began as most Saturdays, students waiting in
the lobby of the William Carey Baptist Church for their host parents
to arrive. But it was not a typical Saturday. Maria and Sarah had walked
to the market to buy flowers. The objective was to prepare small flower
bouquets to give to host parents in the afternoon program. Twenty-two
flowers arrangements were prepared by a group of students before they
left with the host families.
ÒNos
alegramos que estan aquiÓ. With those words ("We're
happy you're here") Tom Kelly began the afternoon program.
The group sang the popular Cuban song Juantanamera, which the audience
quickly joined on the chorus. After a hymn, each person shared a few
words of gratitude with each of their host parents. Carlos Romero gave
a words of thanks on behalf of Goshen College. Students gave each family
a small bouquet of flowers and a wooden statue. Carlos told the audience
he hoped that each time they would see the statue they would remember
a new relationship that each one of then began with a student from Goshen
College.
Following
the singing by the group of Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow,
all the participants held hands for a prayer. ÒHolding hands is a symbol
that the things that unite us as brothers and sisters, are much greater
than those that separate us,Ó said Carlos. The activity ended with many
hugs, kisses and words of gratitude.
In the evening, a group of students joined the William Carey Baptist Church and traveled in one of the two full buses for a one hour ride to the outskirts of Havana for an evening with other Baptist Churches. The students enjoyed the variety, from a dramatized story to sacred dances! Many of the host families also traveled with the group. The event was unique, in that this religious service was being held in a museum--a government building.
- Maria and Iris, one of the host mothers
- Amanda and her host father Alejandro
- Dan and his little brother Alejandrito
- Paul serving ice cream to host families.
William Carey staff
Here
are some of the William Carey Church staff members that are working
with our group on a daily basis. Among other duties, Rosario
(at right) is in charge of the kitchen. Martica
works in the kitchen too.
Here
are Ricardo and Katia serving dinner. Ricardo also
works as the driver of the large "peace school bus" and Katia works
in the office.
Here are some other images of students in the cafeteria at William Carey: Kristin and Matt | Paul, Jesse, and Sarah | Rebecca and Dan
