Note: The following is an Easter letter to Northminster Church from The Rev. Noel Fernandez, the Pastor Emeritus at Iglesia Bautista Enmanuel, our sister church in Ciego de Avila, Cuba. Immediately following Noel's letter is Dr. Gaddy's grateful letter in response.
Dear Northminster Church Family,
This week was a very blessed time among us. Easter, as usual, was celebrated beside the river on the roadway to Bolivia. Sisters and brothers from ten different congregations affiliated with the Fraternity of Baptist Churches of Cuba attended the celebration. Five persons from our church were baptized, also five from Colorado and three from Bolivia.
Ormara and I planned the service, which included participation from representatives of all the churches represented. As usual Eduardo preached a great sermon.
A delicious lunch was prepared by a group of men from Bolivia. The main dish was a Cuban “ajiaco,” but most of the participants had their own snack that was shared with others.
The many children present were more quiet than usual, but after the baptisms, all of them jumped into the water and…you may imagine the rest.
I was thinking of you and asking God to bless you, our family there, and the whole Northminster Church.
Easter is the most blessed season in the whole year.
Blessed Easter for all of you!
Noel
Dear Noel:
Your Easter letter was a wonderful gift. When I finished reading it, I felt like I had been by the river with all of you. I could hear the singing, see the pride on your face while Eduardo was preaching, experience the joy of the baptism followed by all the kids jumping into the water. I could smell the food and feel the warmness of the fellowship around the table. You described the whole experience in a manner that inspired me and caused gratitude to well up in my heart.
We had a good day at Northminster as well on Easter Sunday. We saw people in worship whom we had not seen before and some we had not seen in a long time. Our choir sang two pieces from Handel's Messiah and they sang with beauty and enthusiasm. A good spirit prevailed and worship was meaningful.
Your letter brought to mind the bond between two congregations and between numerous individuals that is made strong by our common faith and the joy of our celebrations of its highest moments and most meaningful events. Your writing enabled me to see you and sense the joy of putting my arms around you and Ormara and speaking of the pleasure that is uniquely ours to have enjoyed a partnership and a sense of family that have enriched life.
The holy presence with you was with us as well. We said our prayers together. We worshiped as a family. God's presence is unmistakable in our friendship. On Easter all that you had that we were missing was the great food and splashing water. But, the day is coming when we will share that again as well.
Joy and peace to you, dear friend. You are a constant source of inspiration and encouragement.
Welton
No comments:
Post a Comment