Early this month I was part of an amazing trip to our parish Cuban companion Church, San Pablo, in Bolondron. There is something special about a companionship that sets it apart from many mission trips. It is so much about the relationships. The work you do together is of value, but also helps deepen the bonds. The song the images are set to is, “Guantanamera.” I have discovered that this song is the cultural “National Anthem” of Cuba. It always shows up when we make trips to Cuba. I was delighted to share this last trip with Wayne Novak, Leonor Jaume, Andrew and LeAnn Anderson and my son, Joel Ellis, who took most of the raw video footage. I do hope you will enjoy this snapshot of a life-changing event.
elwin ransomed
Thoughts about life, theology and culture from Michael Elwin Ellis
Thank you so much for sharing this heart-felt video of your trip to Cuba. It was great seeing a glimpse of life there and San Pablo Church. Linda Jacobs
Thank you, Linda. It is truly heartfelt. You know how it is when you know people who do not know one another: you want to find a way to get them together. I hope this video will take our two churches a step in that direction. Hope your Christmas was outstanding. Happy New Year!
So nice to be able to visualize the people in our companion church. While inside their church, they appear to live so much like us; yet we know their lives are so different! Watching the street scenes is much like viewing an old movie. Thanks to Joel for making the video.
You are so right, Cass, it is great to make the connection with our companions more real. Actually, Joel shot most of the video footage, which is why he barely appears in the video. The responsibility for the editing falls to me. It was a very meaningful project for me to work on. Thanks for your comment.
Fr. Michael, I just saw Joel’s video of the Cuban trip. I enjoyed watching everyone working, praying and dancing together. The video is about two churches that despite being in different countries, having different cultures and languages, are unified in their joyful spirit in Jesus Christ. That song of theirs makes the video.
Thanks, Greg. You have really articulated well the spirit of our companionship. For the record, the recording of “Guantanamera” is by Perla Batalla. It is a great version of the song.