The service had been written entirely by Cuban women themselves and reflected their concerns, particularly that the Christian faith should be passed down from elder to youngest generations. All over the UK and all over the world women used this service to promote Cuba and its women in prayer and ask that the Lord would grant favour to young people, allowing them to live their faith out in a communist country that faces economic blockades and severe poverty in parts of the islands.
This is not the whole picture and Cuba's positives were emphasised alongside its problems. A few of the issues lifted up for prayer were absent fathers forced to work away in spite of a high level of education, and mothers who sent daughters to church without being able to attend themselves.
There was special worship music selected for the day, which gave a flavour of South America. I found it helpful to reflect on gender and to have time to pause and think of how God values these women. One of the ladies who helped organise the service baked delicious Cuban biscuits and I got a letter afterward thanking me for my time.