Associated Press

                  NEW YORK, Jan. 23—The grandmothers of Elian Gonzalez blew kisses
                  and wiped away tears as they stood before 2,000 people praying in a
                  Manhattan church for the 6-year-old boy's return to Cuba.

                  The two women, Raquel Rodriguez and Mariela Gonzalez, did not speak
                  as worshipers at the interdenominational Riverside Church gave them a
                  standing ovation.

                  "Raquel and Mariela are grateful for your love," said the Rev. Bob Edgar,
                  a former Democratic congressman and head of the National Council of
                  Churches, which sponsored the grandmothers' trip from Havana.

                  They are scheduled to return to Cuba on Monday, and there was no
                  indication that they first would be reunited with Elian, whose great-uncle is
                  fighting in court to keep the boy in Miami.

                  Elian was rescued from an inner tube after the boat in which he had left
                  Cuba capsized. His mother and 10 others perished.