Good News in Cuba

For all of my 60 years, Cuba has meant Communism, Fidel Castro, missiles, Olympic opponents and cigars. Though Cuba is only 103 miles from Florida, the island nation has always seemed to me to be the most foreign of foreign countries.

The political distance between Cuba and the U.S. is why I was completely surprised when two of my colleagues, Ken Graves and Chuck Hicks, came to my office last spring to invite me to visit Cuba with Harding’s Good News Singers, an a cappella worship ensemble consisting of 10 students. They had been invited to sing for a nationwide Christian youth meeting where more than 250 teenagers would be present. Furthermore, their Cuban host had indicated that it would add significance and esteem to this event if “el presidente de Harding” could accompany the students. So my wife, Ann, and I made plans to join them in Cuba with Jeff Montgomery, University photographer, accompanying us. We all were granted religious visas to enter.

We flew to Havana on Aug. 3 and soon were being driven to Matanzas where the youth gathering would begin that evening. As we arrived, I heard sounds I hope to never forget. The clear, passionate, beautiful voices of young, Cuban Christians filled the air. I recognized almost all of the tunes, but the words, of course, were in Spanish. They were singing the same hymns and worship songs we sing in chapel each weekday. Because of that special connection, I think it was in that moment that Cuba became far less foreign to me. For the next three days, I felt strangely at home among my newly discovered friends. The Good News Singers were treated like both friends and celebrities. Whenever they sang, the Cuban teenagers’ phones popped up recording the concerts.

Though our governments and economies could not be more different, we were soulmates and kindred spirits as we worshiped and studied our Bibles together. I spoke through a translator, and we did our best to sing the Spanish song lyrics. Without a doubt, there is much that I misunderstood during my brief stay in Cuba. However, I am convinced that smiles, handshakes, hugs and simple expressions of gratitude translate with amazing accuracy across cultures.

Since returning, numerous groups have heard me reflect on the question that has haunted me most: What did I know about Cubans before I went to Cuba? I knew something of their history, revolution, leaders, economy, and the complicated relationship between our two governments. Yet I was stunned to discover just how complete my ignorance was of the 11 million people who live on the small island that lies so close to the southern tip of our country. It was encouraging to spend several days touring and getting acquainted with these Cuban neighbors who possess an inspiring and joyous faith.