As I was throwing out a large box outside The Salvation Army compound in Baraguá, Cuba, a woman approached me and asked if she could have it. “Hey, it's just a box,” I said. “Go ahead and take it.” The next day I saw her seven-year-old daughter skipping along the sidewalk in front of where we were working. She was pulling what I thought was a toy, but as she came closer, I saw that the “toy” was a piece of Styrofoam from the discarded box that she had tied a string to. She was so happy to have this thing to play with.

That was it for me. I found myself in my room reduced to tears. Despite 30 years of police service, my coping skills had become completely useless. I was overwhelmed by the pride and grace of the Cuban people. Despite possessing limited material resources, they seemed happier and more grounded than me. I'd travelled to Cuba to help, but was instead learning a valuable lesson in humility.

Sign Me Up
For the past two years, I've been attending The Salvation Army Erin Mills Corps in Mississauga, Ont. Last October, I saw a poster at church about “Mission Cuba 2,” inviting volunteers to participate in a mission trip to Cuba.

After receiving further information, I applied and was accepted. Our mission team would rebuild a church and officers' residence in Baraguá, Cuba. Another Salvation Army mission team from Canada would work concurrently in Havana, repainting the divisional headquarters and putting a new roof on another Army building.

Our team consisted of Paul Robertson and Rob Ward (both experienced carpenters and builders), Delicia Carvery, Nestor Cano, Lt-Colonel David Hiscock, Captain Brenda Murray and me. The Havana group consisted of Captain John Murray, Major Helen Hastie, Melissa Cory, Renata Kolodziej, Efren Palma, Jeff Noel, Sharon Stoops, Neil Leduke, Jamie Rogers and Jordon Gravelle. Commissioners William W. and Marilyn D. Francis, territorial leaders, also travelled to Havana to dedicate the Mission Cuba projects.

Prior to departure, I was cautioned that the trip would change my life forever. I was a bit skeptical about this because all I was going to do was help rebuild two small buildings. We'd hammer up some walls, throw on some siding and then head home. How hard was this going to be? Besides, throughout my policing career I had pretty much seen and experienced it all. I was trained to cope with difficult situations and get the work done.

Our team of seven was assigned to Baraguá, located close to the centre of Cuba—about a seven-hour bus ride from Havana. Baraguá is a small town of approximately 5,000 that had gained prominence in the 1860s when the Americans built a sugar refinery there. Today, the refinery only operates at approximately 10 percent of its potential.

Hands and Feet of Christ
When we arrived in Cuba on Friday, April 16, we stayed in Havana for the first night before travelling to Baraguá. That evening, Captain John Murray, divisional secretary for public relations and development, Ontario Central-East Division, took both teams to the Christ of Havana statue that overlooks the harbour and the older part of the city. Our first devotions would be conducted here, but would need to done quietly as we had been warned when we received our visas that we could not pray outside. Captain Murray spoke about the importance of becoming the hands and feet of Christ in Cuba.

We started work on Monday, April 19. The old corps building in Baraguá that had stood for 113 years had been torn down and a 720-square-foot concrete pad was waiting for us. We would have until the afternoon of Wednesday, April 21, to finish building a new church.

That first Monday morning, Captain Brenda Murray told us to look toward the sun. We experienced a “sunbow,” which is a circular rainbow around the sun. In our case it was a double sunbow. I could not explain what this was, but I felt in my heart and soul that this was something more than special—this was a sign! Sunbows are reported occurring about once every two to three years. Our First Nations brothers and sisters believe the sunbow is a sign of protection and positive change from the Creator. In the case of our little project in Baraguá, that is exactly what it was.

Stories of Grace
Our first week coincided with a school break in the community. We were the local attraction, so children were always around. Little Yoanki was continually present as he lived next door to the church. Although only seven, he has already undergone three brain surgeries, and was expected to survive none of them. He has another surgery scheduled this summer and the doctors have the same prediction. At the age of two he was found abandoned on the streets of Baragua by an 84-year-old woman. She took Yoanki home, adopted him and raises him as her son. It was touching to see the love between them.

For most residents, there are only two meals a day. Breakfast is a piece of bread (depending on the bread ration), some milk and tea or coffee. Bananas and coconuts grow wild and are enjoyed daily. The next meal is supper and consists of rice and beans and occasionally a bit of chicken or pork. Many people keep chickens so that they have eggs to supplement their diet.

It was difficult to break for lunch with the kids watching. Often Team Baragua members ended up sharing their food with the kids. Yoanki really enjoyed chocolate Jell-O pudding.

During a three-day stretch of extremely hot days, some kind soul brought us ice cream. I will never forget the experience of sharing mine with two young boys. They gently shared the spoon with each other, taking half a spoonful each until it was gone. I found out they had never tasted ice cream until that day.

My heart was being torn to pieces. These children never begged or asked for anything and when it was shared with them they displayed a God-given grace.

Rebuilt, Renewed
Our second Sunday in Baragua was a day that caused me to reflect and recommit myself to Christ. During the church service I was astonished to see a special collection being taken. It was for the development of missions in Nicaragua. The Salvation Army has recently been allowed to re-establish itself in Nicaragua and Salvationists in Baraguá wanted to support this work, despite their limited finances. You could feel the Spirit moving through the congregation.

I knew that God was speaking to me and that I had to answer his call. I spoke in private with Captain Brenda Murray and asked for her assistance, as I felt I had to make a public declaration of faith. With her guidance and support, I lead devotions on Tuesday, April 27. After the devotions, surrounded by my team members, I was reborn and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour.

On Thursday, April 29, the new church and officers' residence were dedicated to the glory of God. The Salvationists in Baraguá were so grateful for the new corps building and it became the focus of the entire town.

While on this Mission Cuba trip, I experienced a true awakening. I'm grateful for having had this opportunity. Without a doubt, this has been the most rewarding experience of my life.