An Evangelistic Tool Transforms Lives

Since the ministry’s founding in 2017, the Atualdo family has come together many times to support those who share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we embarked on the latest project, I never imagined that equipping pastors with powdered milk as a resource would change everything. It not only became the tool pastors and leaders desperately desired to impact many lives, but it also established a replicable strategy for the future, no matter the resource or tool.  

Early in the summer, we decided to focus on a distribution of powdered milk and planned to deliver 130,000 glasses of milk across 75 churches, allowing them to serve over 200 glasses per week on Sundays, during weekday events, and during sports ministry activities this summer. The government provides milk on an age basis, but you are no longer eligible once you turn three. More people drink powdered milk, referring to it as “white gold” because it’s hard to find and unaffordable. Because milk is essential to everyone’s nutrition—children, the elderly, anyone ill, and even healthy people—we decided to equip pastors with powdered milk. Also, since it needs no refrigeration, storage and transport are easy.

Like the previous water filter project, which served as an evangelistic tool, our plan involved equipping pastors who already had a Sawyer water filter with powdered milk and making the church a resource for the community across the island.

Led by pastor Oskel, in central Cuba, a distribution strategy was established to equip more pastors and share as much powdered milk with as many people as possible. Thanks to the distribution strategy in place and the leaders’ deep passion and eagerness for sharing the Gospel as the hands and feet of Christ, they reached even more people with a tool to do so. They fully embraced it, made it their own, and discovered new ways to reach people.

Countless pastors shared their gratitude for the powdered milk and how it impacted people in their community. One pastor made the milk, stopped people on the street to share the Gospel, and provided them with nourishment, spiritually and physically. Pastors have met other pastors they’ve never met, forming a connection and bond moving forward. People in hospital wards, the elderly, and children have all been impacted. Even the delivery driver came to Christ! Hundreds of pictures and stories of happiness were shared. Even more, I learned that if you just put something in the hands of those hungry for an evangelistic tool, they WILL make it work. And that’s just what they did.  

Along with the countless stories of impact that poured in, we delivered over four tons (more than 8,600 lbs.) of white gold to 26 pastors. By Oskel’s calculations, these pastors distributed nearly 140,000 glasses of milk, sharing God’s love with over 15,000 people. He also shared that 1 kg of powdered milk can provide for a family of four for over 20 days. However, such a measurement falls short because God’s love is beyond measure!

Read some of the stories and testimonials shared by pastors and leaders from this project:

“After we gave this family, who has a child with kidney problems, milk, they began attending one of our cells (small groups) in that neighborhood.”

“We give grace to the ministry. With so much love, you gave us this packet of powdered milk to feed our baby.”

“This lady is very sick and lives with her husband, who is also ill. When I offered her a bag of powdered milk because she hadn’t had any for a long time, she began crying. She said that she didn’t deserve the milk and insisted it should go to people who are more needy.”

“She is a Christian, a doctor, and a specialist in pulmonology. She is very passionate and concerned about her patients and suffers when she knows that they are in the terminal phase. She testifies that she thanks God for the blessing she has received, knowing that God answers her requests, without knowing that she would be blessed with bags of milk. When she received the milk, she began to cry, declaring God fulfills his promises.”

One pastor is distributing powdered milk glass by glass to touch as many lives as possible and share the love of Christ with them. I believe he upgraded the milk by adding some chocolate.

Pastor Alfredo walks the street with the milk. This gentleman, along with many other elderly people, received a fresh.

“This lady passed by my house today selling beans to feed her mother, who is 89 years old and bedridden. She is not from Bayamo but from a municipality. She left her home at 4 in the morning, and it was three in the afternoon. She had not eaten anything and had to return home. Her eyes filled with tears when she saw the milk, and I was able to bring her the message of salvation.”

“Vacilio is 80 years old, blind, and has no family to help care for him. A few weeks ago, he passed by our house, and we went out to meet him and offered him help. Yesterday, we saw him again, gave him milk, and he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. This moment was shocking for us. God continues to do wonders, and this project allows the love of God to impact everyone.”

– Wayne S.

Do you remember the day you first believed in Jesus? People are introduced to Jesus in various ways—by their parents or someone else, during a moment in worship, or sometimes at a special event. For Alberto Martinez Rodríguez, a brave Christian and a fundamental moment set the foundation for his belief in Christ.

Alberto and his wife, Josefa Atie Caseros, have been married for 28 years, and while they have no biological children, the Lord has blessed them with many children to disciple. His pleasant humor and infectious smile naturally draw you to him when you meet him. Despite being paralyzed and permanently in a wheelchair after being stabbed while protecting his wife, he radiates joy that’s an inspiration for others.

Like many people in Cuba, Alberto worshiped idols before he gave his life to Christ. He wore certain clothes made of sack, a headpiece like a red heart, and a necklace dedicated to idols. Then, one day, Alberto encountered a man who shared the Gospel and told him that Jesus loved him. Alberto laughed because his lifestyle didn’t reflect the things he felt warranted that love. When Alberto shared that with the man, the man said that for those same reasons, Jesus loves you and wants to change your life to make you a better man. Alberto asked what he and Josefa had to do to receive Jesus. The man led them in a prayer of repentance, asking Jesus to come into their life. They turned from their idols and accepted God as their only Savior and only God. Then, they returned home and burned the clothes and broke the covenants made with demons.

However, the process of becoming a Christian wasn’t easy. Alberto continued his lifestyle habits with other men in front of the church that same day. When the church service started, they sang as they used to for demons. He even encouraged the men to sing louder, which was disruptive. When the church service finished and the people came out, they said hello to Alberto, took his hand, and said God bless you. They welcomed and accepted him regardless of how he worshiped before or his lifestyle habits. The love that shone in their eyes touched his heart and was a pivotal moment that shaped his faith. Then, a lady from the community who knew him well shouted that he didn’t believe in God like her. He responded by telling her he became a Christian that day. That’s how his walk with Jesus started, and he’s walked with Jesus ever since.

A pastor started discipling him, sharing the Bible, praying with him, and he attended church to learn about God. Another influential experience in his journey happened one day when he started praying. A vision of a serpent appeared and came close to him. It moved so quickly that he took a machete, and when he turned to look for the serpent, it wasn’t there. The following week, Alberto went to church to fast with a visiting pastor who talked about the power of fasting. The pastor talked about how fasting changes lives, can restore lives, and people can receive healing. So, Alberto went home and fasted for seven days, which became one of the best weeks of his life because he was full of the Holy Spirit.

Alberto became closer to God, more obedient in worship, and acknowledged God at home and in his marriage. Being strongly founded in God, he and his wife became disciples at church, preached on the streets, and got baptized. Then, they started a cell group (small worship group) and opened their home to neighbors who started coming for God’s glory. One group multiplied into five other cell groups and, finally, 72 cell groups. Alberto praised God for this blessing. When he started attending church, the congregation was around 20 members. He led evangelism, and his pastor saw how Alberto was a shining light in the community as many people started attending church. He eventually became the co-pastor and a leader in charge of opening new churches. He also helped prepare many couples and men to be missionaries in other denominations.

Alberto has dedicated his life to evangelism and discipling people for over 12 years. He and Josefa have traveled to many places, preaching in the streets and holding events to share the Gospel with people. Being an inspiring leader and speaker, he attracted crowds at his events. At one event, he led around 1,000 people to Christ in 18 days. Many people said they came to see the man in the wheelchair.

Today, Alberto’s church, Restoration and Revival, LE C, has about 60 members, where he works to nurture their spiritual growth. While he and Josefa aren’t traveling to other areas, they work to start missions and small churches in their community. Josefa is his support in prayer, ministry, and life. She preaches when Alberto is sick, leads children’s Bible study, leads a women’s group, and visits church members. She helps care for Alberto and supports the ministry. Josefa and their daughter in Christ mean everything to Alberto.    

After Albert was paralyzed and lost his father in a flood, Psalm 27 came to mind. He started reciting that verse, which filled him with inspiration and comfort. Now, anytime he feels sad, lost, or alone, he recites it aloud.     

Pastor Abel Pérez Mederos and his wife, Diana Torres Reyes, are two of the humblest people you’ll ever meet. Married for almost thirty years, they view challenges and hardships as opportunities and always face them with a smile. For instance, they consider caring for family not as a chore but as a privilege. They’ve cared for her 57-year-old uncle with Down syndrome, who is now facing dementia, for many years. Also, her mom lives with them. Beyond her mom and uncle, they have two grown daughters, Dayany and Daniela, and two grandchildren.

Diana said, “Living with him and mom is a blessing. We thank God for all the years He has allowed us to have him. We’re having a hard time because of the dementia. He doesn’t know us sometimes, but he does at other times. God gives us strength.”

To be so grounded in their faith, one would think they’ve always known the Lord. But that’s not their story, and interestingly, it didn’t start with Abel.

Diana was stressed, depressed, and very nervous all the time because she struggled with her father-in-law’s past alcoholism issues. Two missionaries came into town and had a small church. Diana’s daughter started attending church with a neighbor. Their daughter shared how they pray for sick people at church, and many were healed. This sparked Diana’s curiosity, so she went to church the following Sunday, too. She opened her heart to Jesus Christ and confessed to Him as the Lord and Savior at that service.

After that service, she attended every Sunday, was passionate about God, and prayed. While everything seemed perfect, she still felt something needed to change. God spoke to her about forgiving her father-in-law. She listened, and as soon as she forgave him, her stress, depression, and anxiety disappeared. She hasn’t felt the same way since then.

A month later, Abel joined her at church and took his vows. Initially, coming to church was challenging for him. He struggled with past sins and his current lifestyle despite having accepted Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, he maintained faith in God. Then, one day, his friends said that he wasn’t living as a Christian but was going to church. He responded that he wasn’t Christian and wasn’t attending church. God spoke to him at that moment, and a Bible verse came to mind. 

The verse was Matthews 10:33, “But whoever denies me before people I, too, will deny before my Father in heaven.” 

Abel was ashamed of going to church and didn’t want to accept his Christianity to his friends. But this pivotal moment changed everything for Abel. He felt proud. The Holy Spirit transformed his heart, confirmed his decision, and guided him to work for God full-time.

They became Christians 18 years ago and have served as pastors for over 14 years. Their ministry includes outreach, evangelism on the streets, and visiting people in Christ with thirty-five congregation members as part of their church. They hold a Sunday service, a men’s service once a week, fasting and prayer on Wednesdays, and lead many local groups called cells to spread God’s Word further in the community.

Abel and Diana are a true team in marriage and ministry. Abel is never alone in serving God and leading the church. They visit the elderly, congregation members, and nonbelievers to share the Word and bless others in the community. Also, Diana leads a women’s ministry where she holds services for women and times of prayer. She also leads a children’s ministry.

After Diana began serving God full-time, she discovered her talent for baking. A true gift from God, this talent allowed them to sell cakes to support themselves and bless others by making their special occasions memorable. It started with selling cakes to other families at their daughter’s school. After the girls graduated from school and with the rise of social media and technology, she began posting photos of her exquisite designs for people to request a custom cake.  

When the equipment for baking breaks, Abel’s resourcefulness gets her baking business back up and running quickly. Recently, the oven needed fixing. Abel originally crafted this oven with pieces from other cooking equipment. He needed a part, so he looked on the black market. He couldn’t find the exact item he needed but found a part he could use to adjust and make it work.    

Diana said, “We try to take advantage of what we have and make it work for what we want. God is always with us, opening doors for us. He gave my husband the wisdom to keep the business going and for us to continue surviving.”

As with many things they do together, they dream and plan for the future of the ministry. This summer, they plan to host a large event for kids, including Bible lessons, games, snacks, and more. Looking ahead, they want to spread the Gospel beyond their community by establishing more small groups and missions. Their hearts are set on building and growing God’s Kingdom, and that is precisely what they intend to do.

Most Americans who travel to Cuba stay in a 5-star resort along the breathtaking beaches of the country’s north shore or at the Hotel Nacional in Havana. However, that’s not the real Cuba. I wanted to go on my most recent mission trip to strengthen my faith. While I’ve traveled to Cuba several times, my trip in 2024 revealed something I’d never witnessed.

Inflation averaged 30% per month. The Cuban Peso is nearly worthless in international markets, and the U.S. dollar is the black market currency. Gas is rationed, leading to long lines lasting more than a day. We experienced three random power blackouts. Most public water supplies are not potable, and some are not purified. Every Cuban works directly or indirectly for the government, earns about $30 monthly without inflation protection, and receives free beans and rice. Although healthcare is free, patients must bring syringes and other medical supplies to receive treatment, often preventing them from getting medical care since they can’t access or afford the supplies. Kidney dialysis patients share needles with two others. Standard over-the-counter medications are unavailable. Dentists perform procedures without Novocain, making visits unbearable for patients. Milk is unavailable to anyone over two years old.

Yet, amongst all of the brokenness, we experienced mercy and grace from every angle and were given more spiritual encouragement than we gave. We got to know our host family, who could not have been more accommodating, which inspired me to be more hospitable to strangers. The small house churches of the ten pastors we visited showered us with more hospitality than I felt I deserved. Each one greeted us with hugs and kisses as if we were long, lost friends. But that’s the Cuban culture. Every visit started and ended with prayers in Spanish and English. I’ve found that the experience isn’t about building houses; it’s about building relationships, even though they’re short-term. It’s sharing the Gospel and having the Gospel shared with us. Cubans have an uninhibited way of loving; it’s sincere and genuine.  

However, there’s a problem: Christianity isn’t supported by the government, and often, those who want to hear the good news of Jesus’ Gospel are discouraged from sharing it. As our trip ended, I thought of a verse in Bob Dylan’s song entitled “Like a Rolling Stone,” which says, “When you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose.” Cubans have nothing to lose; ninety-nine percent are forever captive to the island. Yet they are very resilient, especially when it comes to living and sharing their faith, which can’t be taken away. 

We have so much to be thankful for in America, especially the freedom to worship. The trip fortified my faith as I continued to ask, “What do I have to lose?” I found that I have nothing to lose because “to whom much is given much is expected, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). I can live out that verse in the U.S. without ever going on another mission trip to Cuba. Since I’ve been on several trips, I realized that in the future, it may be more about helping others experience Cuba. But for now, I thank God for sending me to Cuba and for the experience of being temporarily captive in another country.

– Sandy W.

Your typical neighborhood grocery store may carry twenty or more types of milk, including dairy and plant-based options. With selections ranging from coconut to almond, soy, 2%, fat-free, organic, chocolate, and beyond, powdered milk might not come to mind when you’re perusing the milk aisle. Yet, for people in Cuba, it’s often the preferred choice over fresh milk. Before delving into why, let’s cover a few things you’re probably wondering about powdered milk and how it stacks up to fresh milk. 

What is Powdered Milk?

Powdered milk is the result of evaporating milk until it reaches a dry, powdered form. Even in its dry state, it’s still a dairy product with many benefits and uses. It’s frequently used to make baby formula and candy such as chocolate and caramel and is preferred in certain baked goods recipes where adding liquid milk makes the product too thin. Like fresh milk, powdered milk comes in various fat types, like whole or skim.   

Shelf Life & Storage

By processing powdered milk, it extends its useful life. Most manufacturers’ best-by-dates say to use powdered milk within 18 months of purchase once opened. Because of its dry versus liquid state, it can be stored without refrigeration, making it very convenient in many circumstances, like when you only need a small portion, plan to camp or hike, run out of fresh milk, or transport it in an unrefrigerated vehicle. In Cuba, where power outages plague the island, powdered milk is necessary because you don’t have to worry about refrigerating it or milk spoiling during a long blackout.

While a glass of cold, fresh milk pairs well with a sweet treat, the clumpy, sourness of spoiled milk can kill the anticipation of a great bowl of cereal as the clumps topple out of the milk container when you forget to check the date before pouring. Has that happened to you? It’s great while it lasts, and if you get seven days of fresh goodness out of a container, it can feel like you’ve hit a grand slam. Depending on the type of fresh milk you buy, it generally lasts 4-10 days once opened. From there, it must stay refrigerated or get tossed if left unrefrigerated for more than two hours.

Nutrition & Health Benefits

Compared to fresh milk, powdered milk provides A, D, and B vitamins, folic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and magnesium. It’s also rich in potassium, which is beneficial for circulation for people with hypertension, rheumatism, and arthritis. Powdered milk contains no preservatives. One serving provides 30% of the recommended daily amount of calcium and 10% of vitamin A. While fresh and powdered milk contains similar nutrients, whole-fat powdered milk is recommended for children under the age of two because it contains enough fat for healthy growth.

Powdered milk, like regular milk, supports cardiovascular health, can control cholesterol, and helps strengthen hair, skin, and nails. Milk is extremely important for bone health in children. Drinking milk and consuming dairy products during childhood is necessary for growth development and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity, and cancer during adulthood.

Access

In the US, we can drop by the grocery store anytime (as long as the store is open) if we run out of milk and need more. Unfortunately, in Cuba, most people can’t access fresh milk easily, even powdered milk. The government provides powdered milk to children from 0 to 1 year old. The government allows you to purchase milk up to age 7 at a discounted rate. After age 7, the government does not subsidize milk for children. Because powdered milk is so difficult to access, Cubans call it “white gold.”

With the current economy in crisis, mothers of small children who are assigned powdered milk often sell it to purchase other food necessary for their families. Milk can be found in the government MLC stores, which only take US dollars, and people who receive financial help from family and friends in other countries can obtain an MLC card to buy items in the government store. This is very difficult and not easily obtained.

Taste

In Cuba, fresh milk is often watered down to last longer and to sell more. Adding unfiltered water increases the risk of bacteria in the milk, whether it’s fresh or powdered. Cubans clearly prefer making powdered milk not only for its longevity but for its taste. Here in the US, well… we’ll let you grab a container of powdered milk, and you can judge for yourself whether you like the powdered version over fresh. And it never hurts to have a container on your shelf when you’re in a pinch. 

Just because most of us in the US are accustomed to fresh milk doesn’t mean powdered milk shouldn’t be a staple on our pantry shelves. When fresh milk isn’t available, powdered milk provides the necessary nutrition benefits. It’s often more convenient, easy to store, and versatile. And, like in Cuba, “white gold” is even preferred over fresh milk. Try it for yourself!  

Imagine putting your surgery on hold because your doctor didn’t have the necessary medical supplies to operate. Although we’ve always known about the medication shortage in Cuba, which includes basic over-the-counter items like Neosporin or aspirin, it took probing deeper to grasp the full extent and level of need for medical supplies. From syringes for a penicillin shot to cure a basic illness to tools for life-saving surgeries, the severe shortage of critical items became evident as we inquired further about the situation. Thankfully, another non-profit operating in Cuba told us about Mission Regan. Mission Regan collects surplus medical supplies from those who have plenty and shares them with those in need, thereby sharing the love of Christ. We contacted Mission Regan in the spring of 2023 to request sutures for a pastor who needed surgery. We received the sutures and sent them to the pastor so he could have the surgery. While that was the first request for supplies, it wasn’t long before we began working with Mission Regan regularly for other needs.

Mission Regan collects gently expired or soon-to-expire supplies that are ethically usable and oversupplies from hospitals. In preparation for a quarterly inspection, hospitals toss items just past their expiration date or about to expire. Many items are ethically usable because not everything they discard actually expires, such as rubber bands, paper masks, cotton balls, pencils, and toothbrushes. Who knew cotton balls gently expire? Mission Regan collects these gently expired supplies, saving them from landfills, and provides these items to individuals and nonprofits who need them. Supplies are provided at no cost except for the shipping cost.

Mission Regan’s founder, Josh, was a firefighter on a medical mission trip when he first experienced the need for medical supplies. Doctors used tools that needed replacing because it was all they had to work with. On a return trip, he took supplies that would have been thrown away. Then, when he and Courtney, his wife, were adopting their son in Uganda, they met a very sick little boy named Regan at the orphanage. Regan had pneumonia and needed medicine that the orphanage couldn’t obtain. Josh was already collecting supplies and brought the medicine on his next trip. This life-saving medicine put Regan on his way to recovering when Josh and Courtney left the orphanage. Regan’s miracle inspired Josh and Courtney to collect even more supplies and eventually open the doors of Mission Regan.

In 2023, Mission Regan provided 3.8 million in supplies, which included 989 times people picked up items and 115 times international supplies were shipped. Their small warehouse in McKinney, Texas, is bursting at the seams with the many items they collect. One day, Mission Regan plans to buy a parcel of land at the end of their road and build a bigger warehouse. But for now, with the current size of their warehouse, they sometimes have to make hard decisions about what supplies they can accept due to space limitations. Items like wheelchairs, hospital beds, and crutches get picked up quickly, yet medical supplies are a little harder because they must find a group that needs them.

On a recent mission trip, we were stunned when a pastor shared that his kidney dialysis is performed with needles used by four people – sometimes more if they have too many patients. Learning this, we worked with Mission Regan to send needles to ensure he safely receives his treatment. Another urgent request was trach tubes and gastrostomy tubes for a 9-year-old boy with spinal muscular atrophy. Mission Regan went above and beyond what we asked for and sent a care package with diapers, bibs, oral care equipment, suction swabs, and a sweet note to the mom. Other items we’ve been able to send through Mission Regan include 1,017 syringes and needles, 1,000 medicine cups, 19 forceps, 17 iris scissors, 31 suture removal kits, 1,170 gauze pads, 1,980 needles, 20 boxes of Advil cold and flu, 72 boxes of aspirin, 360 boxes of prenatal vitamins, 320 boxes of diapers, 1,000 alcohol prep pads, and many other supplies. We’ve shipped 120 pounds of items thus far, with numerous essentials like syringes, which are lightweight but incredibly impactful.

Our contact, Ashley, has helped us identify if they have the requested supplies available since that first shipment for sutures. She joined Mission Regan in January 2021. Ashley and Josh were friends through church. Ashley had volunteered to sort supplies with the youth of their church. Mission Regan had been praying for someone to manage the warehouse. Then, in God’s timing, it was a blessing for both parties when Ashley joined the team in 2021. Having already worked in the ministry, Ashley’s coming on board as warehouse manager was a perfect match. 

“It’s our pleasure to provide supplies to those in need. God provides the supplies, and we give them back out. They do us no good in our warehouse. We try to be the best stewards of giving to what God has provided. I have enjoyed working with Atulado. They make it easy to do good work.”

– Ashley Kennedy

While it’s uncertain what specific items will be needed in Cuba, one thing is clear: the ongoing need for basic medical supplies and medication remains significant. Working with Mission Regan, we will share the love of Christ and meet essential needs in Cuba. 

How many times have you moved? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American moves 11.7 times in their lifetime. Now, what if you had to move 26 times in six years? That’s a lot of packing and unpacking! Yet, this was the reality for a pastor and his wife in a small community in Cuba. Through each move, they remained committed to God’s calling to serve in that community.

Pastor moves 26 times

Pastor Diumar Enrique Alcantara Del Rio and his wife Dianelis Cobas began serving God in several other capacities before working to establish a church in their community. Diumar and his wife served and pastored in a church that is still active and remains in the community today. He served as a musician, worship leader, and official preacher. Dianelis held many roles, including secretary, president of dance, official member of praise, and pastor. Working in different areas of the church helped both of them learn many things, but what Diumar and Dianelis appreciated most was the privilege of serving God.  

A church had never been established in Poblado El Caney before Diumar and Dianelis arrived over six years ago. Many people had separated from the Gospel and did not want to listen to the Word of God. However, Diumar and Dianelis were ready to face the challenge. After all, their calling from God was to establish a church in that particular community. They began pastoring their church, which they called Maranatha, which means Christ is coming soon. Being new to the area, they rented a place to stay. Unfortunately, after some time had passed, the owners asked them to move. Diumar and Dianelis didn’t want to relocate to another town because their calling was for that community. So, they looked for another house in town to keep ministering to their congregation. They would find a place to rent for a while and eventually get asked to move again. Sometimes, they were the only ones renting a home; other times, they lived with people who rented other rooms in the same home. Sometimes, the other renters didn’t believe in God, and there were times when other renters stole from them or worse. Through it all, they kept vigilant on their mission to be a light for God in this community.

Not only was renting challenging, but most of their salary went towards rent, and what little was left over was used to purchase food. There were times when Diumar and Dianelis had no food or place to stay, and they went without basic comforts like a bed. For one year, they didn’t receive a salary at all because the church didn’t have the money to pay them. Diumar and Dianelis sold sandwiches and other items to pay rent. Unfortunately, people in the town judged them because, as pastors, they had to do other work to survive. But through it all, they were deeply grateful to their pastors and local and national churches, who supported and helped them in their livelihood and those who remained in the ministry.  

While it was the most sacrificing season of their lives and challenged their faith and God’s calling, they never expected anything in return or considered giving up. What kept them going was their assurance of God’s calling. It anchored them throughout their journey and goal to reach souls for Christ in their community.

Where they worshiped changed as they moved from one place to the next. Sometimes, they worshiped in a backyard or where they rented. They would gain new worshipers with every move, and when the time came to move again, they lost some worshipers. Those new in their faith perceived the frequent moves as a bad sign, so they decided not to continue their walk with Jesus. Then, some people moved to another church they felt was more stable because Diumar and Dianelis didn’t have a permanent place to live. For Dianelis, especially, this was painful to witness. She would hide her tears and pain from Diumar so he wouldn’t get discouraged. Through her sadness and stress, the emotional toil impacted her health sometimes with what appeared as ulcers in her mouth, spots on her skin, and itchy areas on her skin. Dianelis continued to ask God when this season in their life would end, and they would have a permanent home. Each time, she saw the faithfulness of the Lord, and He encouraged them and lifted them up.

Even early in their marriage and ministry, Diumar and Dianelis served God together, a commitment that endures today. Within the church, people recognize how they work in harmony and admire the couple for their pastoral roles and the exemplary partnership they exhibit. Even those who don’t believe in God are moved by the unity and strength of their bond, a testament to their impact on the community. Dianelis supports the ministry with her involvement in the children’s programs, teacher training, preaching, and other areas. Diumar is thankful to God for Dianelis as a wife and for her dedication to their ministry.

Dianelis stated, “I am like a complement to my husband, and we work together in anything we do. For me, it’s a pleasure to be the one who’s always with him, helping him.”

Today, Diumar and Dianelis’ ministry includes programs for children, youth, and women alongside a dedicated worship team. Future goals include a men’s ministry with a service team, a sports ministry to reach more people for Christ, and a marriage ministry for those whose spouses do not attend church. While about 50-60 people gather to worship together on a typical Sunday, about 100 people are in their congregation.

After 26 moves, they will soon have a place to call home. Diumar and Dianelis have been faithful, and God has provided them with a permanent residence. Their denomination is in the final steps of purchasing a house. A permanent home will provide security for their growing congregation. Also, having all of their belongings in one place will eliminate the stress of moving and rebuilding their ministry. During a recent mission trip, the Atulado family equipped Diumar and Dianelis with resources to get their first double bed after 7 years of marriage, a refrigerator, microwave, wall fan, and a pot for their new home. Providing these necessities will give them much-needed peace of mind and help them continue building God’s Kingdom in Cuba.

Diumar and Dianelis shared three Bible verses that encouraged them through their journey.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, stand firm and constant, always growing in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work in the Lord is not in vain.”

1 Corinthians 15:58

“I will make you understand, and teach you the way in which you should walk; I will fix my eyes on you.”

Psalms 32:8

His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; You have been faithful over a few, I will make you ruler over many things; enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Matthews 25:23

I traveled to Cuba for the first time in 2009, and January marked my 40th trip to support what God is doing through His Church in Cuba. Throughout this incredible journey, I encountered canceled flights, countless delays, and so many Customs inspections, to the point where I became recognized as a regular. I experienced diverted flights to the Bahamas, lots of lost luggage along the way, and faced questioning from Cuban immigration about suspicious items, including a baby stroller without a baby and thumb drives that were confiscated. On one occasion, a Cuban official searched for me with my photo as I entered immigration. Over these forty trips, our teams included 63 unique travelers and, with repeat participants, a total of 169 people who hauled in nearly 20,000 pounds of resources.

You can read about one aspect of this journey in our stories online. These narratives show how God is using His people in Cuba to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the conditions they experience by being obedient to His calling on their lives. The sacrifices made by pastors, missionaries, and their families for the sake of God’s Glory are both inspiring and convicting. However, there’s another aspect to this journey: the internal and spiritual journey God has taken me on during these 40 trips. These experiences shaped me as a Believer, challenged me as a Follower, and provided moments of Truth for Him to build my Faith.

Many moments have transformed me and my walk with Jesus. One includes being used to answer a prayer 12 hours after a pastor prayed to God for a solution. The pastor had no prior knowledge of our visit, and I was unaware I carried what they had prayed for in my bag. Another instance occurred when a pastor prayed for a blood pressure cuff and had no means of getting one. Several weeks later, we delivered one to him, unaware that this was his prayer and that of his congregation. The prayer was answered almost exactly how they had envisioned and matched what God put in our bags. Although the device I had was a newer model, this reminded me that He wants to use me right where I am. I just need to open my eyes. So, sometimes, the most transformative journeys occur without ever leaving home. 

I’ve also experienced personal growth through God’s challenges to walk by Faith. In Cuba, you don’t have much of a choice. A pastor can’t simply run to the local music store when a 40-year-old sound system breaks. He lives by Faith and remains very flexible when God asks him to move forward without certainty. Gasoline is a great example. Having access to fuel has never been easy and has always been an issue. Today, it’s worse. So, imagine being in the middle of nowhere, and that yellow light flickers on. Like me, you may pray for provision or go straight to an anxiety attack. When you pull up to the gas station, which looks closed, and a guy emerges to assist you, you are reminded God is in control, so give thanks! Then, when you only have enough gasoline to reach your destination, you trust that God will provide for your return trip. When He does, we praise His name! In many ways, walking by Faith goes against our cultural norms and certainly isn’t easy. However, by being in Cuba, where solutions to potential problems are scarce, the pastors push me forward in Faith that God has a plan for our journey.

If you want to learn more about Scripture, then speak to a congregation at a church service in Cuba. At first, it was easy as I shared testimonies of God’s work in my life. This was profoundly meaningful because I shared from the heart how God was shaping me. However, since I visit Cuba often, I ran out of stories to share, and God nudged me to take on Scripture. It was hard initially, but I realized you need to be obedient when called upon. Reflecting on when Peter was called in Luke chapter five, I have often skipped over so many lessons of obedience. We typically focus on Jesus’s declaration that Peter will become a fisher of men. However, numerous lessons of obedience are woven throughout the passage. Now, I prepare lessons to have in my arsenal, which has better equipped me to study His Word. I see things as they relate to God’s ongoing work in my life. Being in Cuba and speaking from the pulpit, I had to dig deeply into Scripture. There, I met the Holy Spirit, who showed me what to share on the journey through a passage.

So, 40 trips later, the journey has nothing to do with travel. It’s about the spiritual journey God has orchestrated for me in Cuba—a journey of drawing closer to Him, being a vessel for His glory, and receiving a 40-fold blessing!

– Wayne S.

In the classic movie, A Christmas Story, Ralphie desperately wants a Red Ryder Range BB gun for Christmas, despite everyone’s warning, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” As Ralphie’s last gift on Christmas morning, he unwraps the gun from his father, loads it, and darts outside. His first shot backfires, and Ralphie’s glasses fly off his face. Panicked, he blindly searches through the thick snow. CRUNCH: Ralphie’s foot crushes his glasses beyond repair. If you wear glasses, even if it’s readers, you know that panicked feeling when they break, or you’ve lost them entirely. Like Ralphie, you may grab an old backup pair if they help you see at all. Or, you scramble to get an appointment with the eye doctor. But what if you couldn’t get an eye exam, afford a replacement, or buy a pair of glasses in the first place? 

In Cuba, the government provides eye exams for residents. However, due to the current economic crisis in the country, medical supplies, like eyeglasses, are often not available. An eye exam can only be helpful if you get the necessary glasses to see better. Then, when you can get glasses, they’re often expensive and made of poor quality. Poor-quality glasses break easier, especially for active kids like Ralphie. Also, your health can be impacted without prescription glasses to see well. It can cause eye strain, headaches, dizziness, and an inability to focus and potentially result in an accident or injury. It may make reading challenging if you can read at all.

Scripture says, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.” Matthew 6:22-23

To help those who need prescription glasses get a quality pair to see well, we’re working with Warby Parker in Charlotte, NC. We were relieved to find them because many eyeglass centers will not accept an international prescription, especially without a patient visit. Warby Parker’s mission to help people who need glasses but don’t have access to them made them easy to work with. Alleviating the problem of impaired vision is at the heart of what they do, and we can provide Warby Parker glasses to people in Cuba.  

“With the economic conditions in Cuba, prescription eyeglasses are not available, so pastors asked if Atulado could help. I found that Warby Parker can fill an international prescription. What a blessing it has been to work with Warby Parker to fill these orders. Their professional and friendly staff helps us choose the correct size frame by looking at the photograph of the person’s face and reviewing the prescription. The glasses are made and delivered in two weeks, starting at only $95! It’s a great blessing to our ministry.”

– Renee S.

“I’m so grateful to the Atulado family for helping me with a new pair of glasses. Some months ago, I lost my glasses. It was an unfortunate day because I wear my glasses permanently. The following week, I had intense headaches and even a fever. My mom thought I had a virus or another disease. She took me to the pediatric hospital, and the doctor said it was because I wasn’t wearing my glasses. Then, I got better despite not wearing glasses, but the situation was severe. My missionary told me about Atulado, and we sent the prescription. Now, I can see well, and my heart is so thankful for this kindness.”

– Kevin

“I’m deeply grateful to God and Atulado Ministries for providing Algeline with glasses. I purchased a pair of glasses for her at the MLC store some time ago, but unfortunately, they didn’t work. The prescription was wrong. Despite the prescription error, Angeline used them anyway because we couldn’t afford a replacement. The quality of the glasses was so poor they broke after only four months. Now, Angeline has a pair of glasses with the correct prescription and exceptional quality. I’m so happy my baby can see good.”

– Angeline’s Mom

If you can join a mission trip to Cuba, just do it!  The hospitality of the Cuban people makes you feel at home even when you’re hundreds of miles away. Joining a mission trip is an experience that will change your life, just as it has mine. 

I had been to Cuba several times with my church before COVID-19 and wished to return. With our church not planning any trips to Cuba, connecting with Atulado opened the door to this opportunity. The Cuban Customs process has always been challenging, and I expected nothing different. The Cuban Customs process seemed easier than previous trips, even though we went through the most difficult airport for tourists. Also, I got randomly selected for a COVID test, my bags were the last to make it off the luggage belt, and I needed supervisor approval to enter the country. So, right away, the trip was off to a great start!

During our journey to encourage, support, and pray with pastors and their families, we met many inspiring people who impacted me more than they’ll ever know. Pastor Iderlandis Hernández Guzmán and his family were one who stood out. He receives dialysis every other day and spends hours at the hospital weekly. When visiting Iderlandis, you could tell he didn’t let kidney failure prevent him from doing God’s work. Instead, he uses it as an amazing opportunity to take the Gospel into the hospital, where many people aren’t allowed to visit. He plays worship music, reads and shares the Bible with people, and shows Christ’s love for those who are ill. He’s a modern-day Paul turning his situation into a chance to glorify God.

Also, God showed up powerfully in several ways to make his presence known through Hebrews 12:1.  

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”

First, a visit with a pastor and his wife, who have been serving the same church on the mountain for 28 years, reminded me of Hebrews 12:1 about running the race. They walk to the church for 45 minutes each way twice a week. They’ve been married for 50 years. Watching them interact, you can tell they are in love with each other and are committed to how God called them to serve. Second, the scripture Hebrews 12:1 appeared through a podcast and sermon I downloaded from my pastor while on this trip. Also, a young Cuban girl who traveled with us had just won a Bible competition on Hebrews 12. Finally, the hostel owner’s niece was wearing a shirt with Hebrews 12 on it.

What I treasure most is gathering around a table with people we visited just to be a part of their lives. Their warm hospitality and sharing a meal impacted me profoundly because they are in the midst of a food shortage, where so many people need basic resources. Also, the ability to encourage, pray, and share God’s love with those we met was refreshing. We traveled to the Eastern part of the island, an area I had never visited. Seeing so many pastors, churches, and friends, and being able to just be there with them and for them influenced me deeply.   

I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to join a mission trip to Cuba. While we supported those who share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and disciple His followers, the trip was exactly what I needed to renew my spiritual walk with God. I believe God and the Holy Spirit brought me the opportunity and led me on the journey. It has grounded me again in my faith and moved me back to a great walk with Him. 

– Tim L.

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