The Cuba Partnership Resource Manual
Mairolet Vega Comas: On Partnetship
Last Updated (Monday, 21 February 2011 18:32) Written by John Walter Monday, 21 February 2011 17:59
Translated and amplified by John Walter
I think there are some things you can plan and others that you cannot.
I think there are things that keep arising daily, in so far as the relations
keep going onwards and the two sides continue to refine their relationship
and feel themselves stimulated by the partnership and by the necessity to
achieve a greater closeness with each other.
1. One of the fundamental points is to open the mind and heart in order
to know each other without prejudices.
2. To know each other: To be aware of each others' realities and histories.
3. To share all types of resources, remembering that both parties always have
many things to offer; and that together they can trace common horizons
towards which both parties can thrive in relationship.
4. Visits are a fundamental point; it’s due to them that both parties can come closer
to each other and understand and know one another.
Amplification of Mairolet’s points.
I think there are some things you can plan and others not.
For example: In opening visitations up for widespread participation, one needs to pre-screen
applicants not only for appropriate behavioral attitudes, but also to be assured that they
understand and wish to participate in the exact program that is being offered.
Under the provisions of the Department of State, Office of Foreign Assets Control licensing,
each license holder must name an institutional contact who will be held accountable to be sure
that no one participating under the provisions of a “religious license” violates the terms of the
licensing. This ~of course ~ will become invalid when the Travel Ban is finally lifted.
Baltimore Presbytery has been fortunate in this regard because our program has
grown slowly. That was by mutual design. Each licensed church has a good knowledge
of its participants. Therefore, it’s of the utmost value to be sure that all future delegation
members who are chosen to participate are clear in their understanding of a) the complete
itinerary, b) their host’s cultural norms and restrictions, c) that we are guests and are not
free to behave as though we are at home, d) that we are to comply with the suggestions and
warnings our host may require of us, e) that failing to agree with any of these provisions, or
any evidence of ethnic or racial intolerance will be cause for permanently denying that
person’s participation.
* * *
…things that keep arising daily…
Although Mairolet does not suggest negative possibilities, it’s clear from my experiences in Cuba
that unforeseen things do occur during visits and that it can be beyond the host’s capacity to keep
both the visitors engaged and deal with their current reality.
For example: During a trip in November 2008, the young son of a beloved church member died,
causing the whole community’s schedule ~ not to mention our visit~ to be turned upside down.
The appropriate response is always to be in solidarity with the prevailing need, to remain close,
attentive, and willing to assist if asked.
* * *
One of the fundamental points is to open the mind and heart in order to know each other
without prejudices.
The truth is, we often make disastrous assumptions regarding cultural behavior. If we are
going to assume anything, let it be that we know nothing and remain content to look, listen,
and follow the host’s lead if one is unsure. Leaving preconceptions behind is paramount to enable
us to begin approaching a new person or community on equal footing.
Making up a “stereotype game” would be an important exercise for inexperienced
or young travelers, helping them to see through the preconceptions that divide us one
from the other.
* * *
...To know each other: To be aware of each others' realities, histories.
The purpose of this manual is to open that door a little farther and to give us some context for the
last five decades of political history; but perhaps more important, the last 119 years our two churches
have been partners.
* * *
To share all types of resources, remembering that both parties always have many things to offer,
and that together they can trace common horizons towards which both parties can agree to share
together in relationship.
We invest in each other equally, sharing God’s gifts as they are found in us with our partners.
I think this is the most extraordinary part of Mairolet’s summation: That there are undiscovered
gifts, not apparent at the beginning of a relationship, that appear through the actual work of being
in relationship and carry both sides to a deeper understanding and appreciation of ourselves.
Visits are a fundamental point; it’s due to them that both parties can come closer to
each other and understand and know each other.
* * *
Amen! Beginning in 2005 I began my longer annual stays in the Cuban communities of
El Centro as a guest of the church in Cabaiguan. My motive was simple: I wanted to spend
time with my friends without any sense of obligation on their part. No delegations, no fancy
meals to prepare, just ordinary time, doing what they would do if no one special was around.
Life flows differently, slower; one discovers the pulse and adjusts one’s expectations and
understanding to match reality. Certainly there is more conversation than we may be used to;
the church doorbell clangs, people arrive to talk a bit and then go, someone makes coffee,
more people come, it’s midnight.
Travel to other towns is similar. Javier is visiting Meneses and wants to know if you’d like
to go. Dalia s presiding at a meeting of outreach missions in Sancti Spiritus and would like
to know if you’d like to attend. The choir will sing this weekend in Camajuani.
(The bus breaks down, it’s hot!)
And opportunities, my, my, my! I remember the first “sermon” I gave in the Cabaiguan
church; I wrote it out verbatim and on Sunday did a creditable job of what northeners
would accept as eye contact, knowing all along that Cuban pastors extemporize all their
sermons…OK, I hadn’t reached that plateau yet. The sermon was on Genesis, the
“Tower of Babel” and how we can let language divide us. Results: uncertain.
* * *
Summation:
Confronted by our own confusion, we always need to turn to our partner and
attempt to make ourselves understood so that both of us can reach an agreement
or understanding together. Uncertainty is not such a demon when it can be
identified and discussed by both partners. we real work depending on generational
and cultural differences. Stresses and strains appear; some can take years to fully resolve.
Always ask yourself who you’re doing something for. If it’s not for the good of God’s
church then cut your losses, admit insanity, embrace your partner, and ask forgiveness.
that way we are all healed and we all move onwards together.