Friday morning I received a shocking email announcing the death of Pastor Leonardo Diaz, District Superintendent and Pastor of the United Methodist Church in Manzanillo, Cuba.

I First met Pastor Leo when he visited the United States and spoke at Temple Terrace United Methodist Church in Tampa, FL.  I really got to know him on my recent trip to Cuba.  Pastor Leo and his wife led the delegation that met our mission team at the Santiago airport when we arrived, and escorted us all the way to our destination in Niquero.  He was charismatic to say the least… a better description, a character!

At first, the details were sketchy.  We were told a bus collided with his car.  He and his driver were found dead at the scene, his wife was seriously injured.  It was not until Sunday morning that I received an email with more detail.  I wanted to share that message with you because it speaks volumes regarding the faith and perseverance of the Cuban people, and of the final acts of a leader who was loved by many and will be sorely missed.

Pastor Leo lived his faith and gave his witness up to the very moment of death.

The message that follows bears witness to that faith and so much more…

Greetings and blessings to all our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus:

I’ve tried to write to all of you at the same time to tell you about Pastor Leonardo and Mercedes’ accident.  You may already know some of what I am writing to you but not all the details.  We were so busy and distraught with the news that we didn’t know what we were saying or doing, repeating just what we heard.

Yesterday, at the wake  in Cienfuegos, Bishop Ricardo Pereira gave more information: There were 2 cars parked on the side of the road and Leo’s car was on its proper lane. A bus passed both cars and swiped Leo’s car.  Leo and the driver died instantaneously. Mechy’s body had to be taken out from the back  since the trunk was completely sealed.

Bishop says that when they took  Leo’s body he had his Bible open on his lap and had written a paper saying “Christ loves you”. Bishop also told us that there were other writings all over the car with all sorts of promises, such as:  “Christ for Cuba”, “We want Cuba for Christ”, “All nations are for Christ”, and many more.  As Bishop talked he was crying and we were all crying with him. There were more than 600 persons at the service.  The coffin had to be placed in front of the cafeteria and near the close family members.  There were so many people that there was no room between the enormous patio y the inside porches. There were people from all denominations, friends and relatives.

Bishop divided the people of the church (Methodist brothers, pastors, leaders, Superintendents, His Cabinet) into 3 groups: One group went to Leo’s funeral, another group went to the driver’s funeral in Manzanillo, and another group was with Mechy (in the hospital).  She is under the care of a doctor who belongs to Bishop’s church and he is working directly with her.  She has someone with her at all times, informing the Bishop of her health conditions.

The Pinar del Rio pastor cried as he was giving his testimony since Leo had been with him that week preaching in his church and had been traveling with him throughout Pinar and Havana.  Later on he preached at Bishop’s church.  Everyone was crying saying that it seemed that brother Leonardo was saying goodbye to all of us.  Bishop said, “All my pastors are distraught and the brothers and sisters also”.

It rained and rained and the Pinar pastor said that it seemed heaven was also crying for Leonardo.

This morning we were told that Mechi is doing better but she has not been told yet of Leo’s death since she’s been operated on her jaw. I believe she will undergo another operation soon since the clavicle is pinching her lung and not her rib.  Her condition is serious but stable.

Brothers/sisters, the funeral was very, very large.  Cannot tell you how many buses and cars there were. Also cannot tell you how many tears of pain fell in that place, knowing that our brother Leo was gone. We were moved to see his son Luis Miguel (15 yrs old) crying by the tomb…. Everything was sad and painful.  Pastora Baby placed some flowers in his hands and he placed it on the tomb crying but he behaved like a man.  We also know that Leo is in a holy place.  What more, I imagine he’s one more of our Lord’s angels.

Well, my children and dearest brothers and sisters whom remember with much love, take care of yourselves and pray every time your leave anywhere, placing that day and night in the hands of He who created us. We cannot forget that He who made the heavens also made us.

And so I do not say “goodbye Pastor Leo”, but rather “until we meet again!”

Blessings & Adventure,

Lynn “lynnibug” Rios

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