The Lord is always working in ways we cannot see. Every so often though, He pulls back the curtain and gives us a small glimpse. That’s exactly what happened a few weeks ago in Cuba.
A group of El Faro de Redención supporters, along with Haven’s ministry team, traveled to Cuba to hold two training conferences for pastors and leaders—one in Havana and another about four hours to the west.
This week on the Haven Today radio program, we’re highlighting the impact of Haven’s El Faro de Redención ministry through a special series called Cuba: Not Forgotten (listen here). Many of the voices you’ll hear in the radio series are those who traveled and served with us.
But here on the blog, I (David) want to share something more personal—what we saw and experienced together. Together, we ministered to the church, met physical needs, and shared the Good News of Jesus. Over the course of one unforgettable week, it became clear: God had a purpose for every single person who came.
Let me share just one powerful highlight.
One of our guests on this trip is affectionately known as “Mama Yolanda.” Although the Lord never gave her children of her own, Yolanda has often served in the body of Christ as a type of spiritual mother. Wherever we went, Yolanda was sharing the Gospel in Spanish, encouraging those around her with the love of Christ.
Then came a moment that could only be described as a divine appointment.
As our second conference was beginning, a Cuban woman—a distressed grandmother—happened to walk by. We later learned her heartbreaking story: her son was in prison, and her grandchildren were hungry that day, with nothing to eat. Drawn by the sound of joyful singing, she quietly slipped into the gathering, found a seat in the back, and stayed for hours, listening intently.
At the end of the conference, someone unknowingly handed her a box of food, assuming she was one of the attendees. In that moment, she broke down in tears.
Sitting just a few feet away was Mama Yolanda. She immediately went to her, wrapped her arm around her, and began to listen. That day, the grandmother who had started her morning without bread or hope encountered the Bread of Life. She heard the Gospel, put her faith in Jesus, and walked away with food for her family.
Moments like this weren’t part of our plan, but they were part of God’s plan. They reminded us of how Jesus ministered: always making room for unexpected opportunities along the way.
I’m so grateful for the incredible team that traveled with us to Cuba this year—Angelina, Bev, Bonnie, Patrick, Louis, Bill, Daniel, and Mama Yolanda—as well as our faithful El Faro and Haven teams. Our partners on the ground, United Servants Abroad, were crucial every step of the way.
If you’re interested in partnering with Haven’s El Faro de Redención ministry—or even joining a future trip to Cuba—we’d love to hear from you. Just send us an email or leave a comment on our website.
In the meantime, be encouraged. The Lord is using El Faro to do far more than we could ask or imagine. Churches across Cuba are being unified around the Gospel, a sense of revival is in the air, and even now, the kingdom fruit is breathtaking to witness.
All glory goes to our God. We’re simply grateful to be part of what He is doing.
Watch this video for a glimpse into some of the powerful moments from the trip.
Cuba Broadcast
You Can Help Bring Hope to Cuba.
A mass exodus is reshaping Cuba—leaving families fractured and churches without pastors. In the middle of this spiritual crisis, El Faro de Redención is standing in the gap.
As the only Christian radio program made for Cubans by Cubans, El Faro reaches every corner of the island with Gospel-centered content—pointing people to Christ every day. But we can’t do it without you. Every gift counts. Every partner matters.
Whether you give a one-time gift or become a monthly partner, you’re investing in a Gospel movement that brings light to one of the darkest corners of the Western Hemisphere.