by Mary Bodkin, EM Summer Staff in Cuba
One of our amazing teams decided they wanted to buy some food and bless some people in the community where we have been working. Buying food (especially in large quantities) looks a little different here in Cuba. It was truly a cultural experience for the team and myself included!
The first step was to find rice. We drove up and down this bumpy country road on our huge school bus covered in spray paint artwork trying to find a farmer with enough rice. Someone would jump out of the bus, shout to see if they had any rice, and then we would move on. After about three houses we finally found someone with enough rice. All the youth piled out of the bus and began loading the 50 pound bags of rice. I think the back of the bus might have been dragging on the ground as we bumped back to the farm!
We then went on a quest to buy a pig. After talking with numerous farmers we finally found one at a fair price. With free delivery! The pig pulled up in a buggy pulled by a horse. The youth were so excited and all huddled around for the pig's arrival! They butchered the pig (I could have participated, but I wanted to keep my lunch...) and divided up the meat. Another group went to the market and bought all the bottles of cooking oil they could find.
After a whole day's work, the group bought 3,000 pounds of rice, a whole pig, 43 bottles of cooking oil, and a little prepackaged ham. This food will bless pastors, families with disabilities, and other people in the community here! What a great day and amazing experience for everyone involved!
LEARN MORE | Bring your team on a Mission Trip to Cuba!
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