Stories

Before the 1959 ban on celebrating Christmas, Christmas in Cuba was a season filled with joy and celebration, much like in the U.S., blending the holiday's deep religious meaning with commercialism. The Catholic church and other denominations celebrated the birth of Christ with evening services, lights, trees, nativity scenes, music, and festivities in the many churches across the island. Meanwhile,...

Have you ever sat in a wooden church pew and paused to reflect on the bench itself? Who built it? What kind of wood is it made from? Is the design unique to this church, or could this same bench be found in other sanctuaries? One pew. So many questions In Cuba, the answer to these questions is both simple...

Blessing others has always been central to Osmani’s journey. So, when he discovered a theology course filled with rich Biblical teachings, he felt a clear calling—to equip pastors and leaders with a stronger foundation in God’s Word. He envisioned implementing a theology program that would prepare graduates for active ministry and empower them to serve the Lord in meaningful and...

Like many college seniors, Randy Leander was eager to find an opportunity to start his career. On the verge of earning his chemistry degree, Randy’s professor connected him to a dental company in Chicago. During graduation week, he interviewed and received a job offer. Randy never could have imagined that a single connection and his first role would spark a...

After the success of the powdered milk project, we knew we had a replicable strategy with any resource to equip pastors and leaders to share the Gospel. Not only were they eager for more, but they were also ready to touch more lives. And just like He has so many times before in this ministry, God showed up—this time through...

Wayne’s first mission trip with Osmani was in October 2011. They were visiting pastors, praying with them, offering encouragement, and building relationships with their church and their families. On this particular trip, Osmani introduced him to Javiel Vento García and his wife, Yanaisy Cordero Álvarez, from Vinales, and their sons Javiel (Javielito) Vento Cordero and Caleb Vento Cordero. After an...

When we think of a servant, we often picture someone dedicated to helping and supporting others. Jesus is known as a servant, giving everything to serve others (Mark 10:45). In partnering with Servants With a Heart, we discovered that they embody the same love, compassion, and dedication that any servant exemplifies in making a difference for others and communities alike....

Do you remember the first time God spoke to you? Maybe it was a quiet stirring in your heart during prayer or meditation, or perhaps His voice came through loud and clear, urging you to take action on something in your life. God speaks to us in many ways. For Jennifer Sosa Alvarez, God spoke to her at just eight...

When you talk to people in Cuba, they share their blessings rather than challenges, radiating a positive outlook that inspires others. When we created the itemized shipping list for the export license, wedding dresses weren't originally on the list—after all, the need for essentials like food and medicine is so great. Yet, God has a way of connecting people and...

If you don’t have a car, do you need a driver’s license? That’s the situation we faced when obtaining Atulado’s export license. The license itself was useless without a destination agent to receive the shipment and get it out of Cuban Customs. Individuals aren’t allowed to receive shipments—only registered businesses and churches aren’t registered businesses. This meant we needed someone...