Why Cuba?
Adriann Hulst
What does Cuba have that would make a group of Americans fly there during the hottest part of the summer to teach in the Music Academy? The temperature is in the upper 90’s and the humidity is close behind. When it rains during the day, the sun evaporates the water making it that much more humid.
Enough about the weather. So why do musicians sign up to go there? (This was my 12th time.) The music academy celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. It started when two pastors from Cuba attended a worship service at Hillside. When they heard the worship leaders and the congregation singing and playing instruments, they knew that it was what they wanted in their churches. Twenty years later, many of our past and present students are playing in their churches. I’m convinced that nowhere in the world will you find happier Christians. With the conditions that they are in today, they can still smile and are so thankful that Americans would give up what we have to come and be with them. I feel it’s important for a team to go each summer for a couple of reasons: It helps to provide inspiration for the students to keep working on their instrument, and it shows that we do care for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Cuba. Conditions are becoming worse, especially for gas and food.
So what do we do while we are there? Due to the severe shortage of gasoline, we had a very different schedule this year. I’ll try to give you an insight into what a normal year would look like, with some of this year thrown in. We arrived in Cuba on Friday, make that very early Saturday. Due to the weather, our flight out of Miami was delayed. From Havana it is around a three-hour ride to Jaguey Grande, where the offices of the Christian Reformed Church of Cuba are located, and where we stay. We were happily greeted by some of the people from Jaguey who had been waiting several hours for us at the airport. We were given the traditional ham and cheese sandwiches and pop, which we were thankful to get. We arrived at Jaguey around 3:30 a.m. which meant most of the group had been up and ready to go around 3:30 a.m. Michigan time!
To our delight, we discovered that the bedrooms not only had air conditioning, but also each bedroom had its own bathroom! (on one early trip in our work, we had 14 people using one bathroom.) Most of us decided we were getting too old for all-nighters! Saturday was spent sleeping in a few hours and then heading to the CRC church in Jaguey (about 1.5 blocks down the street) to practice what we would play on Sunday. Sunday morning we went to the church in Australia by horse and carriage due to the gasoline shortage. This is the closest church to Jaguey. We played along with the singing. Over the years we have introduced many songs to the churches.
When the church was over, we again went by horse and carriage back to Jaguey. Usually, during the week, we would teach music lessons during the day, and then lead worship services three or four evenings. Services usually begin at 8:30 p.m. when it begins to cool off. We try to play at different churches each year. We have learned to refer to the churches by some identifying characteristic instead of the town’s name because it is easier. Some of the names are: the mosquito church (because it’s in a swampy area and there are a lot of mosquitos), the fire ant church, and the don’t lean on the walls church. At each church, we are welcomed warmly. And at the end of the service is the line of musicians receiving the mandatory “Cuban Kiss.” However, since COVID, there have not been as many kisses and more hand-shaking.
Back to the Music Academy, we usually teach three 45-minute classes in the morning, with a break for a snack, and a time for worship. The favorite song by far this year was “The Days of Elijah". I think they could hear us all over town. One of the reasons for that is that the gatherings are held on the third floor which is open on three sides. After lunch we have band. It is held in the church and is an opportunity for all but the youngest students to come together and learn what it’s like to play as a group. This year we worked on a band arrangement of “Amazing Grace” and “Ode to Joy.” At night there are different activities for the students. This year, on Wednesday night, the students performed songs with others from their church. There is definitely a lot of talent in the churches of Cuba. The highlight of the week is on Friday night when the students perform what they’ve learned for their parents and friends in the Jaguey church. The crowd usually overflows the church.
Even though the teaching is finished, we still have some work to do. Saturday morning we pack up (which means leaving most of what we came with). Then it’s time to head for Havana. Due to the gas shortage, we didn’t do any sightseeing but were able to do a little shopping at the market. Then it was time to go to the pastor’s house in Havana for supper. We had a delightful surprise after we ate. We were scheduled to sleep on mats in the church but instead were invited to stay in the home of a member of the Havana church. This home had four bedrooms each with its own bathroom. What a gift! On Sunday morning we were served a delicious breakfast before heading to the Havana church. Once again, we led the congregation in singing. Then it was time to head for the airport.
I will spare you all of the details of our trip home. The flight from Havana to Miami was delightful and we went through customs without a hitch. From Miami to Charlotte, NC also was a good flight, but the trouble began when we landed. We were met with a thunderstorm, so had to stay in the plane on the taxiway. When we were finally allowed to go to a gate we encountered delays and finally a cancelation of our flight to GR. We ended up spending a long, sleepless night in the airport. The next morning we flew to Detroit and were picked up in a van by the husband of one of the team members. Despite our troubles with the trip to Cuba and the trip home, I don’t think any one of us would say, “I’ll never do that again!” It truly was an awesome week sharing talents with the Cuban Christians in the Music Academy and the churches that we were able to play in. To God be the Glory!