August 1, 2024
After two buses broke down during the St. David’s November 2019 mission trip to Cuba, a school bus was found to take the missioners to visit their partners in Cienfuegos and Rodas, Cuba. When the group returned home to the United States, the missioners got together and, in consultation with then-Bishop Griselda (who retired in 2023), raised money to help buy the Cathedral in Havana a new bus. Five years later, with delays caused by the pandemic, and combined with a St. David’s Outreach grant and funds raised by the Friends of the Episcopal Church in Cuba from other Episcopal churches in the U.S., a new van was purchased! It replaces the decades-old bus at the cathedral that was no longer safe to drive. Current Bishop of Puerto Rico and interim Bishop of Cuba, the Rt. Rev. Rafael Morales Maldonato, helped advise the combined donors on the purchase this year. The new 15-person van will be used for clergy and congregations within Cuba as well as to enable U.S. churches to visit their companion churches throughout Cuba. A huge thank you to all who donated and the team in Cuba who helped make this happen. For further information visit the Friends of the Episcopal Church in Cuba website or view the 2019 Cuba Mission trip video below.
Article submitted by Lois Redmond.
Van for Cuba
