Lydia Bush

Charismata Chapter

DOK Liason to Cuba

All eight of our missionaries piled into a taxi in Matanzas this morning to visit our dear sisters in Christ from Los Arabos and Zorilla DOK Chapters. As we pulled up to La Trinidad Iglesia in Los Arabos Father Juan Carlos and all ten Daughters came out to the front of the church to welcome us! It was hugs and kisses with much joy❣️  

After we brought in the suitcases, we were escorted to what we thought was lunch— sandwiches on wonderful Cuban rolls and fresh watermelon, pineapple and papaya. Our drink choices were TuCola, watermelon juice, and pineapple juice.  There was also pure water from a purification system that their sister companion church,  St. John’s in Tallahassee, helped them to build.

After “snacks” the Holy Spirit gathered us together in the sanctuary. Bishop William Skilton, Father Juan Carlos, and Pam Runyon were introduced by Deacon Phyllis. We began our gathering with singing “Caminar Cerca de Jesus”—To Walk Closely with Jesus! Three young musicians played the keyboard and sang. These musicians are incredible and are writing a Cuban Mass for The Episcopal Church.

Father Juan Carlos is the Priest for La Trinidad in Los Arabos as well as St. Peter’s and Cristo Rey in Zorilla. He welcomed us to their church and spoke about the history of The Episcopal Church in Cuba and the three churches he now serves. The Episcopal Church was started in 1883 in Matanzas. Within a decade or two Iglesia La Trinidad was opened. The mission of the “Trinity” of churches that Father Juan Carlos serves is to provide all who are in need with food— both spiritual and physical. And now they have pure water available for the children of God.

Each amazing Daughter introduced herself and talked about their multiple ministries. They serve their churches by making altar linens and liturgical vestments and providing hospitality— feeding the poor and hungry, visiting the sick, and comforting the widows ... and much much more. This Trinity of churches helps each other in their heartfelt journeys.

Pam Runyon, International Assistant Chair and National President 2012-2015, was introduced by Bishop William Skilton, International DOK Chaplain. As she began, the entire room was brought to tears as she most eloquently expressed how The Spirit of God’s Love was overflowing in her heart. Pam’s presentation focused on The Daughters of the King. She spoke about her own journey as a Daughter after providing our Order’s history. DOK was begun by one woman two years after The Episcopal Church arrived in Cuba. Our DOK Mission is to serve, pray and to evangelize, which is exactly what our Daughters are doing, and so much more. As Pam ended her talk, The Holy Spirit sparks continued to fly as we learned how we as Daughters serve God and His children throughout the world.

The musicians began to play the fast Cuban music...and we danced together in the sanctuary! All of us were clapping and smiling with the Joy of the Lord shining brightly!  The Los Arabos President led the way as we danced in a line around the church!  

And finally, it was time for the Daughters to receive their crosses. Their tears and smiles said it all!  Words were not needed as we hugged and celebrated them as Daughters of The King. Pam spoke in Spanish in her presentation to the Daughters. I cannot express what it meant to our Sisters having one of their own from the National Order here to talk to them in their native language.

But that was not all. Ann Thompson and I were ready to give them all the wonderful goodies from our Florida chapters — St. Luke’s, St. James, St. Mary’s chapters and from Pam’s North Carolina Chapter at St. Alban’s and the International Committee. There were three suitcases full of gifts for each of them — spices, soaps, toiletries, pain relievers, sunblock, lipgloss, nail gear, and protein bars. And there were more gifts as a grab bag...feminine hygiene products, T-shirts, towels and washcloths, tuna, chicken, soups, as well as the beautiful DOK tote bags. They were thrilled!

Our generous hosts were so very kind and fed us dinner before we left for the day!  They transformed the sanctuary by moving the pews around long tables...and all the brothers and sisters ate together as one!  

Dios es Bueno✨todo el tiempo❣️Amen

Pamela Runyon

International Assistant Chair

Past U.S. National President 2012-2015

International Chaplain Bishop Bill Skilton, his wife, Debbe, and I were delighted to join a trip to Cuba sponsored by Charismata Chapter and their church, St. Luke’s, in Live Oak, FL. In 2013 Charismata Daughters introduced The Order at St. Luke’s companion church, Iglesia Fieles a Jesus in Matanzas. This was Debbe’s and my first trip to Cuba, but Bishop Bill was born in Havana and lived here until he was 17!

The primary purpose of this trip was to meet with the Daughters in Cuba and bring food and supplies to them and their churches.  The trip was organized by Deacon Phyllis Doty, Charismata DOK Chaplain, Lydia Bush, Cuba Liaison, and Ann Thompson. Also traveling with us were Laurie Linsley and Bill Kosty, who was our official photographer.

The 8 of us met up in Ft. Lauderdale Airport and flew together to Havana. We were detained in immigration for about an hour but when we made it through we were overjoyed that all 13 of our large suitcases carrying food and supplies were intact and waiting for us. Thanks be to God!  Mother Tulia, the precious, dynamic priest at Fieles a Jesus, was waiting for us outside with the transport she had arranged after the original bus broke down. We gave thanks that all of us, the luggage, plus 2 donated wheelchairs fit into the two vans that transported us to Matanzas! 

The drive to Matanzas took over an hour and I got my first real glimpse of Cuba. I had heard about all the old cars from the 50’s and before, but it was still a surprise to see them.  Many are beautifully painted in the original colors and I even spotted my family’s old 57 Buick!  Although some have not been restored many have been painted in every color of the rainbow. There was not a lot of traffic on the road to Matanzas — mostly classic cars, bikes, motorcycles, and horse drawn carts carrying people and sugar cane.

We arrived at Fieles a Jesus to a warm welcome from Mother Tulia’s husband, Osmani, and their 2 darling daughters. The wonderful parish cook, Xiomara, (who told me later that she is a Daughter in her heart) had prepared a delicious welcome meal for us — soup, chicken, rice and boniatos  (white sweet potatoes). This was an extravagant offering, considering the difficulty they face in obtaining food. We brought a lot of food in our suitcases and hope that we will not be a burden to these wonderful, welcoming people — all of whom have quickly become family.

After dinner we were shown to our rooms. I am sharing a large bunk room with just Lydia and Laurie and I was surprised by the amenities. Thanks to Mother Tulia’s and Osmani’s hard work and donations from their companion church, St. Francis, Dallas, we have AC at night and our own bathroom!  This is luxury I did not expect.

The other wonderful, unexpected blessing we are enjoying is clean water. Several years ago, members of St. Luke’s, Live Oak, installed an extensive water filtration system in the church. It is also available to local people and about 100 families a week come here to get clean water.  I was told that because of this, the overall health of the community has improved greatly. Thanks be to God!  And thanks to all the loving hearts and willing servants who are His hands and feet in Cuba.