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Published: October 17th 2014
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Cuba and Harry Potter (blog by Kim)
As promised, here are some ways I have been reminded of Harry Potter in Cuba. As I said last time, the streets are skinny here in Matanzas. And there are several forms of buses that whip around, full to overflowing with passengers. Most of the streets are one way, and so one day when I saw one large tour bus pass another one, I held my breath and imagined that Ernie of the Night Bus was one of the drivers doing his magic to get his bus to his destination the quickest. And it all happened amongst lots of horn blowing, with mototcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists trying to get to their destinations.
My earliest connection to Harry Potter came when we arrived back in July. We were able to eat several meals in the seminary cafeteria. They have horizontal shutters on the windows that are about 4 inches high. When they are open, there are no screens, so the birds can fly in. As I saw the golondrinas flying in to clean up the crumbs on the tables and the floor, I wondered it they had any mail
for me and if they might run into some of the Hogwarts’ owls.
Staying in the animal realm, there is a sweet dog here named Niña. She came to the seminary from the street, probably having been abused and was born with a malformed front paw. However, she has learned how to navigate her surroundings, and we have made friends, as I like to save some of my food for her. Today she came almost running to meet me, and I was reminded of how friendly Fang was to Harry, Ron and Hermione.
There are several men who work on the the seminary’s farm, and one of them has a little cabin in the midst of the farm. He reminds me of Hagrid, with his vast knowledge of plants and animals. The workers are quite patient in teaching me how to help, what are the plants they want to keep, when they will be ready for harvest, etc. One of the workers showed me an almond tree, and he was able to crack almonds open with a rock. I could never get the hang of it, but he sure could. While his patience was exemplary, he
couldn’t hide his amusement at my limited ability— well, my inability— to crack the almonds just right.
Stan and I have noticed that many people here wear t-shirts with American names and emblems. It reminds us that many of the people are experts at re-using and recycling all kinds of hand-me-downs. I was reminded of Ron who never seemed to have anything new and how that can be a bit trying at times. However, the people seem to be able to re-create beautiful things that surprise and inspire me. They often make works of art and crafts with recycled ítems. One friend collects the lids of soda cans to use for various crafts.
As the seminary is a place where several of the professors live as well as the students, it reminds me of Hogwarts. There are two candidates for Dumbledore. One is Daniel Montoya, a theology profesor whose class Stan and I are taking. He has a twinkle in his eye and has a sense of humor that keeps the class lively, often making me laugh out loud. His widsom and friendship have been gifts of grace, and I feel as if I have found
a Dumbledore to help guide me with my many questions. When I say, “I have a question,” his reply is, “Just one?” To which I have learned to say, “Only one for the present moment,” because I always have several. He answers them with grace, humor and the kind of wisdom that sometimes hits me later like a flash of light. The other candidate for Dumbledore is a former professor who died two years ago. His name was Francisco Rene Castellanos. Stan is writing about him in his current blog, so I’ll just say that his hand, heart and home were open those in need, to the point that he would at times get close to the end of the month and be in need of resources himself. In addition to teaching academic subjects for about 65 years, he also loved teaching folk dance and to dance himself.
On the spiritual side, I feel that we surrounded by about 1001 patronuses. It seems to me that your prayers are like patronuses that surround us day and night wherever we are and when we are spent or worn out. I am reminded of when Luna, Ernie and Dean cast their patronuses when Harry, Ron and Hermione couldn’t. I feel protected and surrounded by angels of grace and am grateful. I pray for you to sense the same thing through the Holy Spirit. It really is an amazing thing to feel surrounded by so much love and to have so many faces come to mind througout the day.
I will close with one of my favorite characters, Neville Longbottom. From his first act of courage when he stood up to Harry, Ron and Hermione in book 1 (which won the House Championship for Gryffindor), to his standing up to Voldemort with no wand and then vanquishing Nagini in book 7, I have always loved how he comes through in spite of his circumstances. I am reminded of how God uses the surprising, unexpected folks, sometimes those who seem like failures to the powers that be, to bring about liberation and redemption. The people of faith in Cuba have many obstacles and have many more dreams than they are able to realize. However, their day to day faithfulness is a miracle that leads to liberation and redemption for all those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. Thanks be to God.
P.S. Harry Potter Trivia
Where did Hermione put her beaded bag when they were captured and taken to Malfoy Manor? The answer is the same place that I often keep the key to our apartment. The answer will be given in my next blog.
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