The Mission Trip Team Has Returned From Cuba

These are their photographs. Their story is told on the following pages. We will hear from them today, Sunday the 12 th and for many days to

follow as they share their experiences visiting a country closed to Americans for the past 56 years. But contrary to what many Americans may

have believed, Christianity survived the Revolution. Our Mission Team found this out first hand. Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ worship

on Sundays as do we. Their prayers have been heard and their faith remains strong.

After Cuba ~ by Summer Gill

I’m not even sure where to begin telling you

about our Cuban Mission Trip. There are

no words to describe how Cuba impacted

each of our hearts and souls. The people

we met, the places we visited, the love we

felt every moment- well nothing compares.

Our team was blessed to experience this incredible country at such an

interesting time in history, but we were more blessed to experience the people

of Cuba, for they are gifts from God. They loved us, prayed with us and made

us a part of their family.

For what our governments have torn apart the people are still strong and held together with so

much love and hope-hope for their own personal future, hope for Cuba’s future and hope for a

relationship between our two countries. Yes, the government is still restrictive with its citizens;

yes, they have policies in place that hurt growth; and yes, Cuba is poor, very poor, in fact. But

our trip wasn’t about fixing those issues or repairing old buildings, it was about learning from

the Cuban people about their faith, their life and growing our relationship in Christ together.

From our very first day at the church in Cardenas, Iglesia Episcopal

“San Francisco de Asis”, we were welcomed with a kiss on the cheek

and a party to celebrate Father’s Day. We quickly realized that party

always meant dancing, singing, and cake- always!

Padre Arilio

On Sunday, we were lucky

enough to join the

congregation for church and

that experience was one of the

most beautiful expressions of love I

think any of us have ever witnessed. Not

sure I know how to adequately explain why

it gripped us so much, but the service was

filled with so much passion in not just its

music, or its sermon, but in its connection to its parishioners.

Each person welcomed us like we were long lost relatives. I

think we all realized that have after that service our time in

Cuba would be spent surrounded by great love and joy.

The rest of the week we met with families and visited churches in Cardenas, Limonar, Coliseo and Mantanzas. In small groups, we

would spend about an hour with a family learning about their history, their present and their hopes. Families in Cuba have so many

struggles and yet they still have extraordinary faith, pride, love and joy in their lives. We, as Americans, have so many barriers up

every day and Cubans have none of that because in the end, all they really have is family

and friends so those core values filtrate through their lives and their stories.

So much happened and so many memories were made-too many to write about here, but

please come up to one of our team members and ask about Cuba because we all have

something to share. Each of us walked away knowing this wasn’t our last time in this

beautiful country. We felt at home. We fell in love and more so we feel a calling to be a

part of their stories because they have become such a huge part of ours.

Limonar’s Episcopal Church

Episcopal Cathedral, Havana

Episcopal Church in Coliseo.

The Grace Mission Team’s Mission Accomplished

Helping out at the Iglesia Episcopal San Francisco de Asis, sharing Christ’s love with new friends.

And bringing gifts of much needed yarn, sewing machines and embroidery supplies, and sharing the universal gift of laughter.

Padre Arilio’s wife Laura, Deacon Margarita & Maurica French.

Deacon Margarita attended Sewanee Seminary! How cool is that!

How often have we seen him in church at Grace with a child in his lap playing with his cell phone. In Cuba he had to feel at

home doing the very same thing.

Sunday July 5th

Brought Many Blessings and Special Guests.

Retired Bishop John Howe with Verger David Rubin and

Acolytes Alexis, Ryan & Michael Ashley and Gail VanDeusen.

Bishop Howe preached and celebrated at today’s service. Jeremiah Hetzel addressed the congregation to share some of

his experiences from the recent Mission Trip to Cuba. The

Mission Team will share more stories Sunday, July 12th.

Also visiting Grace, soloists Natalie Remsen and Sarah Head.

The altar rail was lined with the blue jeans collected in June for the children and young men who attend the Episcopal Schools at El Hogar in Honduras. The jeans were blessed by Bishop Howe and will be sent

on to El Hogar in time for the new school year.

Greetings From the Hot and Humid Philippines! ~ by Deacon Mary Delancey

People ask me how I can tolerate the weather here and I tell them that Florida was good training. Some days the

Ocala and Quezon City forecasts look the same. And we are getting

ready for typhoon season here as Florida watches for hurricanes.

In the last newsletter I told about the ways that girls get into

situations from which they require rescue, but you will want to know

what we do to get them out of the immediate abuse and exploitation,

and start them on their way to healing and recovery. Rescues are

only a part of the work of Destiny Rescue, an essential part to be

sure. The first step is to get the girls out of the trafficking situation.

That is the work of specially trained operatives who use all their

skills to convince the girls that the life we are offering them is possible.

(You can read more about what a rescue is like at .) Not all the girls invited into our

program accept the offer. Sadly, at this time many more turn the offer down than accept it.

Once a girl does accept the offer, and her family consents to her participation in the program, the work of

Aftercare begins. Aftercare staff include a Social Worker, a Counselor, two Case Workers (one of whom is

me), and a Learning Center Manager. After getting some background information on the girl and her

family, the Aftercare staff develop a plan for meeting specific goals

for each girl. Goals are determined by the Destiny Rescue program

but are very much personalized to address the girl’s goals. We want

to encourage the girls to make their dreams a reality.

We are blessed to have a great team who have the one goal of

guiding and directing the girls toward a more secure future. On

admission each girl receives a medical and dental evaluation, and necessary treatment. Our Counselor

meets weekly with each girl to encourage her to talk about her problems and feelings. She helps them

deal with any negative thoughts and feelings related to their trauma and supports them as they adjust to

their life-style changes. Our Social Worker connects the team with resources in the community –

social, educational and medical – and navigates the many government regulations we must deal with.

The Learning Center Manager teaches the girls Christian formation, English, and life skills. She also

leads Fun Times during which the girls do things they know and enjoy, and try out new projects like jewelry making.

The Case Workers coordinate various appointments, and program and outside activities. For

example, I have taken the girls to dental and medical appointments, including minor surgery. I’ve

gone on home visits to assess family situations and provide them needed assistance. I’ve taken

them shopping. I’ve gone to register them at school and college. Case Workers also meet with the

girls regularly to determine their progress toward meeting their goals and give them guidance and

direction. Although not technically part of Aftercare, the House Mothers are also an important part

of the team. They are constantly on the frontlines and are most often the first ones to identify and

intervene in the inevitable crisis.

One issue on which we spend a great deal of time is getting birth

certificates. In the US births are routinely registered. That is not so here. For

many of the girls, their births have not been registered nationally and a “late registration” is required. The

problem we face is that many of the families do not remember where the girl was born. It is necessary to go to the

place of birth to start the process. It frequently requires some intense detective work to get the documentation the

girls will need for school and work.

While in Florida folks there are looking forward to their summer vacations, but we have just begun another

school year. The high school and elementary students started on June 1st and the college girls will follow in late

June and early July. To get a legal and sustaining job a person must be at least 18 and for almost all jobs must be

a high school graduate. High school graduation is usually at 16 or 17 so our girls cannot legally work for a year

or more. Some girls will go to college, but not all. We are fortunate to have vocational training available that will

prepare them for secure jobs in a few months to 2 years, depending on the program.

There is so much more to tell you about life here at Hope Home. As you can imagine a house of teenaged girls is

never quiet – or free from conflict. But it is always an exciting place to be and it is such a joy to see the girls heal

and grow. The Lord truly is working miracles here.

Destiny Rescue Team’s photo inside a bar in Thailand.

Bible Study at Hope Home.

Registering for college.

The girls shop with Mary at markets like this one for their

families in outlying areas.

Washing dishes at Hope Home.

“Tell Me About Your Cross” ~ by Patti Gilman

People often stop me and say, “what a lovely cross you have” and even touch it. It is a lovely Cross, a special Cross and one I wear each day

because it is rich with symbolism and was given to me in exchange for vows of lifetime

prayer and service.

The Greek fleury Cross that is worn by a Daughter of the King is inscribed with the Latin

words ”Magnamiter Crucem Sustine” meaning “with heart, mind and spirit uphold and

bear the Cross.” The letters FHS inscribed at the bottom of the cross mean For His Sake.

As a young working mother I was seeking a closer, more intimate path to a rich spiritual

relationship with which to handle my incredibly busy life and still carve out a special

closeness to the divine. I met a serene, competent and compelling woman who wore a

Cross just like the one I wear today and everyday. My friend and mentor was Marcia

Brown, secretary at Grace Church where our family were new parishioners. Marcia was

President of our Amy Harold Chapter as well as eventually becoming both a state and

national member of the Board of Directors. That was ancient history, but Marcia

introduced me to the Order of the Daughters of the King. And that made all the

difference!

Daughters make promises, not easy to keep, but when kept, reap important rewards. We are a group of women who are called to live by a

Rule of Prayer and Service to our neighbors and to create a safe place in a troubled world where we can be together and support each other in

Christ’s love. Membership in the order strengthens us through prayer, teaches us through study and provides community through relationship

with other Daughters. Service to the Rector is implicit, and whatever the needs of the parish, we are ready, willing, and able to give a “yes” to

his request.

We are presently studying a wonderful book written by an Episcopal priest, Lindsay Hardin Freeman, “Bible Women. All Their words and

Why They Matter”. It is engrossing as well as engagingly written and has sparked much thought. dialogue and laughter, as well as a life

lesson or two.

Daughters meet each 3rd Monday at 4 p.m. at the home of Mary Naughton. We welcome all who might want to take a time out with us in

fellowship. We would love to have you visit with us. If you are interested give me a call at 629-6707.

Prayer at Grace ~ by Dave Rubin, Verger

“Grace Church is a praying church.” We see this phrase in a number of places, but what does it mean and how can we actively participate?

Most, if not all, of us as Christians participate in individual prayer; talking to our Lord God, be it aloud or silent, on our knees or in another

position; praising Him, thanking Him, making requests of Him, or simply conversing: telling Him of our day, our thoughts, our fears, our

hopes, and listening for what He has to tell us in reply. This is private prayer. But we as a congregation, the Parish of Grace Episcopal

Church, also pray to our Lord. This is corporate prayer and we do so with a number of different methods.

At every Communion Service, a Reader recites the Prayers of the People, and the congregation responds to each prayer. If you know of an

individual in the hospital or who has passed away, you may inform the church office and request that they be included by name in these pray-

ers. At the Rite 2 Service, 2 members of Grace’s Prayer Team will be in the Baptistery in the rear of the church during the time of Commun-

ion to pray with anybody who needs them. Should you feel called to become a member of this ministry, you may contact Diane Parks or Ruth

Kraan.

Grace has two other ministries devoted to prayer. The Daughters of the King is an Order of women who follow a rule of life which includes

daily prayers for all facets of Christianity and also individuals in need. For more information about Grace’s Chapter, contact Ruth Kraan. An-

other prayerful ministry at Grace is the Damascus Group. These people get together one morning each week in Grace Hall to join their voices

in prayer for those members of Grace in need, and for others for whom prayer is requested. If you’d like to

hear more about the Damascus Group, contact Diane Parks.

How do these ministries, as well as Grace’s parishioners know who is in need of prayer? Every week, the

Prayer List is published and resides in the back of the church. We ask that everybody pick one up on Sunday

morning and include the folk listed within in your prayers. These aren’t strangers – they are your friends, or

your friend’s family members, or their dear friends. They may be ill, or in need, or traveling, or seeking em-

ployment…but they’ve all requested your prayers. There is a form on the Prayer List which you can use to

solicit prayer for yourself or others. You can even specify if you wish the prayer request to go to the entire

church or only to the Damascus Group and Daughters of the King, who keep all requests totally confidential.

So now you see how to actively make Grace Church a praying church. Pick up a Prayer List and include the

names on it in your daily prayers. Consider joining one of our prayer ministries. But above all, pray! Talk to

your Father in Heaven, and don’t be surprised if He replies to you.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry

Prayer Shawls are blessed during a recent church service. Contact the

church office to request prayer shawls for your family, friends or neighbors.

Deb Bockhold says her prayer shawl feels like the arms of God are wrapped around her during chemo

therapy sessions.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry makes baby blankets as well. Rayme Head

looks very happy with hers.

We Welcome the Newly Baptized

Lydia Grace Anderson

Daughter of Andrew Runyon & Bethany Anderson

Godparents Cameron & Rebecca Ronie and Danielle Perez,

Aunt Paige Anderson & Cousin Avery Anderson.

Grace School of the Arts

A recital was held May 18th featuring the talented

young musicians, many performing for their very first

time. Pictured here is Grace Garri, one of several Grace

members who attend the school. Watch upcoming

bulletins for more performances.

Cooking up good eats - Terry Walker on hamburgers and Todd Craig on boiled corn.

Taking time to enjoy friends Susie Hetzel, Sharyn & Hank Pliska, Carol Walker & Chester Trow.

And time to make new friends Alex Johnson, Maurica French with Kathy & Loey Hossler.

Fr. Jonathan and Jim & Joyce Peoples.

And family Michael & Joan Canzoneri and Dianna La Beur. Ed & Mary Garrepy.

Delores Thompson & Bob Egolf.