Migdalis Palmero Lopez
How did you come to faith?
I made a personal commitment to follow Christ at the age of 12, but my family always made Christian service a part of our lives. For 27 years churches were closed, prayer meetings were for outreach and family times.
Once you had a church, where was it?
My father arranged to borrow another church building, which was open, and we had to walk 20 miles (32K) there and back. Others joined in the walk, regardless of rain or mud. We made the walk fun.
What is a skill you wish you had?
The ability to drive a car. There aren't many cars in Cuba. We do have one but I haven't learned to drive it yet.
How do you get around without a car?
If Leonel is gone, bicycle. If he's home, he drives the car.
How do you get supplies?
In Cuba, the government provides everyone with ration cards that permit us to buy staple foods at low prices. This allows us to get about 10-days-worth of food for $5.00. We get the staples at government warehouses. Each family has a little book that lists what we are eligible for depending on the numbers and ages of persons in the home.
For example, if you have a child under the age of two, you can get milk. We have two levels of currency, the peso and the Cuban dollar. Our shopping in the neighborhood is with the peso. Supermarkets, that carry more options such as beef, are for visitors and the wealthy, and require Cuban dollars.
Describe your home.
In Cuba, one pressure is that pastors are not assigned housing by the government, whereas others are given free housing. We live in a Nazarene missionary home purchased in the 1950s by Spurgeon and Fae Hendrix. Some of the original furniture is still in the house.
What are good things about where you live?
Medical care is free. Education is free. Housing is free (for most people, not pastors). Cuba is beautiful, both the western and eastern ends have mountains and waterfalls. The center is flatter, for farming. We have beautiful beaches with warm water. And the people are very friendly and help each other.
In your role on the district, what are three things you'd like to see accomplished?
1) To see more churches opened.
2) To be able to preach and witness in public places.
3) To provide religious concerts in public places.
Explain about your ministry efforts.
We have a district calendar that outlines the monthly schedule for our meetings and our travels to church zones. In Cuba, the pastors come under ridicule, and face economic and other hardships in part because there are no bi-vocational pastors in Cuba. We want to train and encourage them.
In January, we have our district assembly and conventions. During that time I meet with the pastors' spouses and we plan our activities. One day I meet with the women, and another day I meet with couples. I give them materials to use in their churches for the women's and family ministries.
February is family unity month when churches are encouraged to plan special events to help draw in the spouses who do not attend church. The majority of Cuban Nazarenes are women. I visit as many special events as possible. In March, I go with my husband when he travels the length of Cuba (800 miles), to all three zones where I present workshops on families. I invite special speakers such as a medical doctor to talk about life changes, and a Nazarene psychologist to talk about family relations.
Share about your ministry to single adults.
Single women are often expected to give up their life's goals to care for aging parents. We don't have nursing homes. So while care giving is necessary, it means that they have given up their own life's goals and careers, and this often affects their marriage prospects. I develop workshops for single adults.
How does it feel to return home after traveling to other countries?
It's a big change. I see so much of abundance, and see our limitations at home. I really feel the Lord has prepared us to enjoy abundance, and yet, to live frugally, and to be content.
Advice to other pastors' spouses?
Take an interest in the ministry. Maintain your spiritual relationship with God - that's the fount for your ministry.
How may we pray for you?
Pray for us that God would give us the wisdom and grace for all of things that come up. Also, pray for doors to open for ministry opportunities here.
What was it like having three sisters and growing up in Cuba?
We were in the church. But as we became young adults, government restrictions imposed on them caused them to pull away to pursue other opportunities. Our father prayed, 'Protect my four girls, keep them in your path, and may each marry a Christian man. Then, you can take me to heaven, I would have accomplished my purpose.'
How was your father's prayer answered?
All four of us married Christian men, all four are pastors' spouses.
Who has been a special person in your life besides your parents?
Besides my sisters, Leonel's Aunt Edita. She cares for the children and helps us, especially while we are traveling. When we moved away from family to Havana, she was our family there.
What are your dreams for your sons?
Follow the Lord and be future ministry leaders. What are their interests? Music, learning English, and girls. Each has a vocational goal. Leoneldy is pursuing preservation of documents (or archives). Leomelky is studying human resources.
Dream destination?
Jerusalem, because of its history and place in the Bible.
Describe your average day.
I get up around 6:30 a.m. Personal devotions. The district office is in our home, so I maintain our home and prepare coffee, then visitors start arriving for the district office. I attend to God, the home, and our ministry. Those are my priorities. I tell the pastors that your first ministry, after serving God, is caring and nurturing the family.
What is your favorite food?
White rice and beef (beef isn't common in Cuba, so it's a treat).
Favorite music?
Praise and worship.
Favorite Bible verse? Joshua 1:9 (NIV): Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
What do you do to relax?
We take the boys and go to a park, or go to a lake and fish. I like to listen to music, and to read. We have a personal commitment that when Leonel and I are gone on church trips, we plan a family outing before we leave and again when we return to get caught up and focus on each other. We have encouraged our sons to share any concerns and problems with us, and we listen. The boys have been good about doing this, they have not pulled away from us.
How did you meet your husband, Leonel?
In church. When he was 17 he came to faith under my father's ministry.
Best trait in Leonel?
He is a very loving, caring person. We have a strong relationship.
Robert Prescott, coordinator of partnerships for the Mesoamerica Region, served as interpreter for this interview.
Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.
