Sunday morning, Sister Elina Gonzales, from Cuba, walking with an aluminum crutch was escorted by her son, Carlos, to the pulpit. As she settled herself and prepared to speak, something in my heart responded to this fragile woman. My heart cried, Lord, this is my ‘mama’ (said with a Spanish accent). Never before had I wanted to be able to speak Spanish, I wanted to be able to sit at her feet and listen to her life’s stories.
Born in October, 1930, and saved to serve God at the age of 12 years, the preciousness of the fruit of the spirit like a fragrant garden wafted out to my soul. She has been a pastor since her 20’s and for many years the elected representative for the Churches of God in Cuba. She worked with Sister Faith Stewart, missionary to Cuba and founder of the Children’s Home in Havana, Cuba.
To say she is an inspiration is an understatement. She is the perfect example of serenity and confidence in God’s power of grace. She could say as Paul, I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Philippians 4:12. I feel very blessed to have been privileged to hear her speak.
Thoughts of Grace 