Fifth Trip to Cuba

Fifth Trip to Cuba for Two Boca Grande Church Women
By Linda Fudala-Tucker

Sharon McKenzie, education director for the Boca Grande United Methodist Church and Jean Woods, a church member will make their fifth trip to Cuba today, but it will be to help lead the first children's Bible camp in Mayari, Cuba.

The trip is more than two years in the planning said McKenzie, and the two women will join other lay members of another Methodist church to form a caravan. Each person is only allowed 44 pounds of luggage which includes all the supplies for the camp and 22 pounds of medical supplies.

"Three churches are participating in this event and we're all excited about it," said McKenzie. The camp was supposed to take place in June 2004, but she said diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba's leader Fidel Castro were strained. "Castro threatened to send back all humanitarian workers in the country, so the camp was postponed."

In April both women went to Cuba on two different trips. Woods went to Camp Canaan a work camp where she helped other mission workers paint a bridge, put in a septic system and dig two wells. McKenzie's trip involved numerous planning meetings for this first camp program that has drawn 81 so far. "But we always expect that 20 or 30 more will show up. I'm sure it's going to be a blessing for all of us."

The Banner will bring you a report on the campers after their return on Aug. 20.