Marilyn R. Bierling Collection, 2011-2013 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

By Julie Busscher, Ed Gerritsen, and Richard Harms, 2012-2013

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Collection Overview

Abstract

Biographical Note

Administrative Information

Box and Folder Listing

Series 2: Project, 2013-Interviews: "Cuban Refugees and the Christian Reformed Church: An Oral History Project" --- 2011-2012

Box 1

Folder 12: Description of Project: "The Cuban Immigrant Experience within the Christian Reformed Church," (with McGregor Fellow, Julie Busscher) --- 2013

Folder 13: Domingo Romero: DVD [HHM518-11], 2011; Spanish transcription and English translation --- 2012

Romero relates his experiences as a pastor in Cuba in the latter half of the twentieth century. He talks about his time in Spain and his move to the United States after three years there. He tells the story of the time he spent in New Jersey before being called to a Hispanic church in Grand Rapids. Romero explains how the doctrine of the CRC and his familiarities with church members drew him to the denomination. Romero finishes by describing what different members of his family have been doing in the Church and what has been going on in their lives.

Folder 14: Carlos and Carla Tápanes: DVD [HHM518-12], 2011; English transcription --- 2012

Carla begins by talking about her life growing up and her experiences with several different Hispanic churches that had many Cuban members. She recounts her time spent aiding Cuban refugees and helping them find jobs in the U.S. Carlos mentions the episode with the Peruvian embassy in Cuba. He describes his own departure from potential imprisonment or drafting in Cuba as a part of the Mariel Boat Lift. He talks about the time he spent in a work camp in Arkansas before he was finally sponsored and sent to California. Carlos says he was attracted to the CRC him because he saw its members work to develop a life of church faithfulness, and he saw them helping Cuban refugees. He goes on to discuss CRC church leadership in the Hispanic community during his time. Carla adds how the Hispanic church has implemented more English programs to draw in Hispanic youths who would rather speak English, even if they still want to keep their Hispanic culture. Carla believes that CRC members were so willing to work with Cuban refugees because the two ethnic groups have many similarities. Carlos finishes by stating how the influx of Cuban refugees into the CRC has opened the denomination's eyes to be open to different cultures.

Folder 15: Ana María Cabús: DVD [HHM518-13, 2011; Spanish transcription and English translation 2012]

Cabús talks about coming to the United States in 1970. She describes how she met Christ and started attending Emanuel Church in Wyoming, MI. Cabús points out how hard it has been for her to learn English, and that she still only speaks Spanish. She emphasizes Christ's importance in her life.

Folder 16: Sara Lima: DVD [HHM518-14], 2011; Spanish transcription and English translation --- 2012

Lima describes her life in Cuba and the life of her late husband, Erelio Martínez, who was the president of the CRC in Cuba. She talks about her husband's leader personality and how he sacrificed himself for his work. Lima also mentions the exodus of pastors from Cuba, talking about how much of a struggle that was. She says that it was their decision to leave, but her and her husband chose to remain in Cuba, doing their work in the church there.

Folder 17: Carol Boersma: DVD [HHM518-15], 2011; English transcription --- 2012

Boersma details the work of the Good Samaritan Church, medical center, and aid center in Miami. She talks about these institutions met both the physical and spiritual needs of incoming Cuban refugees. Boersma describes her work reaching out to the refugees, many of whom needed physical, spiritual, and emotional help. She tells an anecdote about her language interactions with the refugees and the difficulties the language differences presented. Boersma explains that Cuban church members really knew how to "make a joyful noise," and that she thinks that has been a good way to strengthen the church. She thinks one of the reasons that it was so easy for the CRC to help the refugees was because many of them were educated and stable people.

Folder 18: Rey Romero: DVD [HHM518-16], 2011; English transcription --- 2012

Romero discusses his experiences growing up in the Good Samaritan Church in Miami. He talks about the different ministries the church has had, including the refugee relief and Vacation Bible School. Romero points out how many of the Cubans who came to the United States still focused on their former lives in Cuba, and that many of them still held out the hope of returning someday. He believes that through this experience with the Cubans, the CRC has become more open and diverse. Romero wonders how Hispanic churches can maintain their heritage while still catering to the needs of the bilingual and English-speaking younger generations.

Folder 19: David Lee Chang: DVD [HHM518-17], 2011; Spanish transcription and English translation --- 2012

Chang describes how he became a pastor in the CRC in Cuba. He talks about the psychological pressure that Castro's government created for churches and church members. They were accused of being parasites on society, so many decided not to attend church. Chang tells about the problem that the government would seize parsonages once pastors fled to the United States. He also talks about how he and other CRC pastors taught church members in Cuba about Reformed doctrine. Chang goes on to describe the relationship between the Church in Cuba and the CRC of North America. He finishes by discussing how he and others trained pastors and churches in Cuba to be leaders.

Folder 20: Haydeé Carballo Rodríguez: DVD [HHM518-18], 2011; Spanish transcription and English translation --- 2012

The wife of David Lee, Rodríguez describes her and her husband's lives working in different churches in Cuba. She talks about a time when she, with only her knowledge from Sunday school, had to preach at one of the churches because it did not have a pastor at the time. Rodríguez connects a story of an Asian man in a Cuban hospital to the Christian doctrine of election. She gives a strong testimony about her faith in Christ and His faithfulness in her life. Rodríguez then talks about the struggles the Church in Cuba had when many pastors were fleeing to the U.S. She says that there was a space for women to participate in church leadership because it was necessary to continue the ministry.