by: Topher Wiles
“Can a 10 year old make a difference in the communist,
socialist, and challenging state of Cuba?”
That was the question I wondered before and after my trip with Ethan a
couple weeks ago. I struggled with fear
and doubt as we approached this trip together, concerned for my son’s safety
and usefulness during our first family foray into Cuba. After the trip I received this message from that
beautiful island country that answered my question.
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| Ethan praying with little David in Matanzas, Cuba |
“Dios les bendiga hermanos, gracias por todo el trabajo realizado en su
estancia en Cuba, los jóvenes pudieron tener las mejores condiciones gracias a
la obra de amor hecha con las manos de
todos ustedes, muy especialmente del pequeño y ya gran misionero Ethan. Las más
ricas bendiciones de Dios para todos. Hoy Susana usó para traducir un texto la
Biblia que él le regaló. Mil gracias nuevamente. Un abrazo en Cristo. – Ludmila”
Here is Ludmila’s message roughly translated. “God bless
you brothers, thank you for all the work done in your stay in Cuba, the young
people have the best conditions thanks to the work of love done with the hands
of all of you, especially the little and already great missionary Ethan. God's
richest blessings to all. Today Susana used the Bible he gave her to translate
a text. Thanks a lot again. A hug in Christ. – Ludmila”
Believe me, the need is great. It’s hard to describe to you the poverty in
places where the social services and resources to better yourself just don’t
exist. It is an annual reminder of how
blessed I am to live in the United States where truly anyone can find
success. I shed tears each and every
time I’ve left those countries, due to the plight of the beautiful people there.
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| Ethan and Susana in a Bible class working on telling the story of the paralytic and his friends in Matthew 9:1-8. |
As a father, I believe the experiences would do a world of
good for my own children as they develop.
To build relationships with kids in other countries, to get their hands
dirty and bodies sweaty under the hot sun for little or no reward, to see the
inescapable hardships that others experience on a daily basis: these are all reasons
why I took my second son on his first international mission trip. I knew the effort would leave a mark on him, but
would Ethan be able to leave a mark on others?
Ethan is a good kid, don’t get me wrong. Yet, he’s like most 10 year olds, as much of his
focus is spent asking for more dessert and video games. Yes,
we’ve had Ethan studying Spanish since 1st grade. Yes, we’ve taught him world cultures and
geography in social studies classes.
Yes, we provide a structured schedule so that he reads Scripture daily, helping
him desire to serve and love others. Even
so, I still wondered if it was worth the large monetary, time, and energy investment
to take my son on a mission trip at such a young age.
Ludmila’s description of my son being the “little and
already great missionary Ethan” settled my quandary once and for all.
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| Ethan breaking up gravel for flooring the kitchen in the sweltering Caribbean sun. |
Ethan swung
a pickaxe with gusto to break up a gravelly dirt pile for flooring while we
built a kitchen that would feed elderly and orphans in Cuba. Ethan kneeled in prayer alongside children
with different skin colors, accents, and experiences. Ethan also wrote a short letter and a prayer
into the cover of a bilingual Bible and gifted it to Ludmila’s 12-year-old daughter,
Susana. Ethan showed that in that
culture, youth can be an active participant in success now, not just the
future. Yes, I now believe that the
time, energy, and money invested to help Ethan be a part of Central Church of
Christ’s mission effort will pay dividends in my son’s life and the lives of
others in the world.
That young man may not have been the build site manager, mission
trip leader, or class teacher but his example, friendship, and gifts left a
lasting mark on people in Cuba.
Most of all, it gave this dad a renewed respect for the
influence a young person can have in bringing faith, hope, and love to a world in
need. My gratitude goes out to all of you
that helped support Ethan through prayer, encouraging words, and donations.
Parents, I know the lure of our culture pushes us to spend exorbitant
amounts on our children’s travel experiences such as basketball tournaments,
band trips, and Disney experiences. I urge
you to also set aside time, money, and efforts to give your children a mission
experience serving the hungry and hurting of the world. You and the world will be glad you did.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you
are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in
love, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12
(Author’s note: Due to volatile situations and government
relationships, I must be cautious and measured with what I write publicly about
the challenges of serving in Cuba. If
you have any questions about the state of the Cuban people, the government, or
the needs, I’m happy to share my experience privately with you. If you’re curious how to prep your child for
missions, I’ve got a few ideas as this is our second successful effort for our
children to be foreign missionaries. To ask questions, share your own experience,
or meet together to talk, please email me at topherwiles@spartacoc.com.)
The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in The Expositor is the effort of family at Central Church of Christ to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, topherwiles@spartacoc.com, or through our website, www.spartacoc.com.