Stories

I met Javiel and his family in October 2011 while on a mission trip to Cuba. He’s a pastor who loves and cares for his community and church. He appeared a little overwhelmed and nervous about meeting us for the first time because he was not accustomed to hosting Americans and wanted the best for us even though they had...

May 3, 2022 Imagine getting paid in a currency you can’t use or having limitations on what you can buy. Unfortunately, many Cubans face this frustration daily. To experience what it’s like, put yourself in Ariel’s shoes and walk with me.  Another long work week ends, and Ariel gets paid in your country's national currency - the Cuban peso (CUP)....

Meet Osmani Sosa. He’s the type of guy everyone wants to call a friend. His positive energy acts as a magnet, drawing others to him. People admire his relentless nature, passion, and love for the Lord. Then, there’s baseball. Many Cubans and baseball lovers know that in the mid to late 90s, he was one of the top pitchers in...

As part of our trip to Cuba we visited many pastors to hear their stories, the struggles they encounter, and the joys they experience in their lives.  These stories stand as evidence of how God is working in Cuba through those who have chosen to serve Him.  God also uses these stories to speak directly to me in a way...

When I first went to Cuba I was troubled by how little it seemed we were “doing”, at least in comparison with a lifetime experience of mission trips. While we talked about relationships and I enjoyed the experiences, it took me a couple of visits and prayerful insight to discover that these are really what I call “Hebrews 10 Opportunities”....

Midway through our trip we had travelled hundreds of miles on winding mountain roads which at times would have paid for the compliment of being called a road.  We had visited with and prayed with many families.  At the same time we were tired; I was tired.  This day had already felt long, it was raining all day, and we...

One of my takeaways from traveling to Cuba had to do with the Cubans’ practice of Santeria and how it is a big hindrance for them in accepting Jesus and living a life centered on Him. Santeria encompasses sacrificial food, song, dance, costumes, spiritual deities, and the use of artifacts. It was imported from Africa, primarily with the enslaved Lucumi...

Naïve – that’s the only word that describes my mindset when our group left the U.S. and headed to Cuba. I had heard stories about Cuba my entire life as my parents met in Havana in the late 1950s right before Fidel Castro came into power. They spoke of the beautiful hotels, the Latin music of the nightclubs, the exotic food, and the fabulous architecture. More recently, I...

As I embarked on my first mission trip to Cuba, I didn’t think I’d come back multiple times. Not only have I been nine times, but I also plan to return on a future trip. Now, you may be wondering, “With so much work to be done in communities around the world, why Cuba?” There’re countless reasons most people would...