Ariadna Torres was one of nine members of Judson Baptist Church in Nashville who helped train VBS workers in Cuba.
NASHVILLE — August will be a busy month for Cuban churches. Church leaders anticipate more than 500 churches will host Vacation Bible Schools in church buildings, backyards and homes across the island, thanks to a team from Judson Baptist Church in Nashville.
Ariadna Torres was a member of the nine-person team from Judson who traveled to Havana June 21-29 to hold VBS training there.
The team included seven Hispanics and two Caucasian members, Torres said.
They worked with a nonprofit ministry based in Texas who connected them with a Cuban missionary.
“We trained 80 leaders representing 60 churches from across the island,” Torres said. “Then they took the training back to their churches and trained others. It was a multiplying thing.”
Last year, the teams partnered to provide leadership training. When the Judson team pitched the idea of providing VBS training this year, Cuban church leaders immediately said “yes.”
Torres, who has worked with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board to provide VBS training across the state, was born in Cuba.
She immigrated to Franklin at age 9 and was excited to expand VBS training to Cuba. Her 19-year-old daughter was also part of the Judson team.
“I love VBS,” Torres said. “I grew up in VBS, and I think it’s important to train leaders who can share in their heart language.”
The trip was not without challenges, she said. The bus had a flat tire, which made the team an hour late for the first training. Then, 10 minutes into the training, the electricity went out. A few minutes later the water went off. Add to that the tropical heat of an island nation, and conditions were uncomfortable at best.
“It was one thing after another,” Torres said. “But the volunteers persevered, and everyone stayed happy.”
The team is already planning next year’s trip, Torres said. They hope to hold two days of VBS training next year in April or May to allow churches time to plan to host VBS during the month of July. B&R — Lovell has written about Baptist work for more than 25 years. She and her husband, Joe, are members of The Church at Station Hill in Spring Hill.
