ALL GOOD THINGS /  by rachel sanchez-parodi

A family in the town of Buenavista, though not part of the church, has a 7-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy.  In mid-September 2024, they asked Pastor Omar and Zenia for help in getting a wheel chair for her.  She had outgrown the stroller her parents had been using to take her to school, leaving them no choice but to carry her in their arms.  After learning of this request Aliento Cuba quickly mobilized. We found a wheel chair, a donor, and a container set to leave by the end of September. It took the effort of a dozen people to make this happen and several months of waiting, but in January, the wheelchair finally arrived in Buenavista. Seeing the joy on the little girl’s face—and the gratitude in her parent’s eyes—was more than enough reward.

“Helping a person in need is good in itself. But the degree of goodness is hugely affected by the attitude with which it is done. …If you help the person in a spirit of joy, then the help will be received joyfully.  And joy is the appropriate attitude with which to help others because acts of generosity are a source of blessing to the giver as well as the receiver.”

– SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Grateful and Thankful /  by rachel sanchez-parodi

“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.” — Henry Van Dyke

We are grateful for the opportunity to visit Cuba once again. We are thankful for you who have made it possible for the pastors and communities we partner with to receive much needed support. They minister daily to those in need when they themselves are in need. This ministry would not be possible without the faithfulness of our donors. Thank you!

Our mission trip to Cuba took place from October 26th to November 3rd, and we are deeply grateful to those in Cuba who worked tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly. Despite significant challenges—including shortages of diesel fuel, lack of electricity thought the island, transportation, and health concerns—we were blessed with countless opportunities to serve and connect. 

“This mission is not only supplying the needs of fellow believers in need—it will overflow in many expressions of thanks to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:12

We were overjoyed to reunite with familiar, beloved faces and deliver much-needed medications and medical supplies. We had the opportunity to  hear firsthand accounts from our partner pastors about how their churches meet critical needs in their communities and how people are coming to know God. Together, we worshiped, shared meals, and deepened our understanding of faith. 

We also delivered twenty solar audio bibles. These have a recording of the bible study “Through the Bible” by Vernon McGee and of each book of the Bible 

This trip was particularly special because we were joined by Scott and Amber Symington. Scott, a physicist and apologist, focused on equipping believers to confidently defend their faith. Over the course of the week, more than 750 people across eight towns attended his instructive and memorable talks. Scott made complex topics accessible, providing practical tools to answer questions about belief in God. He shared evidence for God’s creation of the universe, explored differences in worldviews, demonstrated the coherence of Scripture, and unpacked the concept of the Trinity.  To listen to a recent talk by Scott to a group of scientists through Zoom: click here

Scott spoke to 100+ young people at a youth event in Caibarien, to students at the Seminary in Havana, at churches in Caibarien, Sagua, Yaguajay, Jumagua, La Larga and Buenavista. The highlight of the trip was a three-day youth leaders’ conference at the Baptist Camp in Yumuri, where 150 youth leaders gathered. Remarkably, the electricity remained uninterrupted throughout our stay, a rare blessing in Cuba. On the last day the participants shared their reflections on the conference, describing the talks as deeply impactful and edifying. They noted how the integration of science and faith strengthened their understanding and confidence.

In addition to the teaching and fellowship, we were able to deliver vital medications and supplies. The shortage of medications in Cuba is severe—they are unavailable in hospitals or pharmacies—making these contributions a lifeline for those in need. We are incredibly thankful for the generous donations that allowed us to purchase medications through Blessings International and other agencies, as well as the over-the-counter items sent from our wish list. Each item was a tangible gift of hope and relief. 

Despite the logistical and environmental hurdles, the trip was a whirlwind of purpose and joy. From the inspiring talks to the youth leaders’ testimonies, we witnessed God’s provision and the resilience of His people in Cuba.  The quote below is like a guidepost to the ministry in Cuba

“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.”― Thomas Merton. 

October Cuba Trip /  by rachel sanchez-parodi

 

We are thrilled to share the joyous news that from October 26 to November 5 we will be traveling to Cuba to visit our partner churches . Under very difficult circumstances they continue to carry on the mission of bringing God’s light (no pun intended, but the power outages there are life disrupting) and hope to those around them. We are blessed to stand alongside them in this work.

MORE good NEWS

In addition to visiting all our partners in Cuba, our team includes the speaker for the

CONFERENCE FOR YOUTH LEADERS - DEFENDING THE FAITH

Traveling with us are Scott and Amber Symington. He is the guest speaker at a 3-dday conference for youth leaders at the Baptist Camp in Yumuri. The attendance there is expected to be close to 200 young people. He will also speak at church gatherings in 4 of our partner churches, and to seminary students and Havana pastors at the Baptist Seminary in Havana.

It will be an intense trip. We have a full and dynamic schedule ahead of us. Scott will be speaking 12 times in 6 days. We will travel more than 600 kilometers and meet hundreds of people. We are expectant on what God has for us in this trip.

We will pray with the people in Cuba, love them, serve them and bring them some RELIEF.

You go nowhere by accident

〰️

Wherever you go,

〰️

God is sending you there

〰️〰️〰️

You go nowhere by accident 〰️ Wherever you go, 〰️ God is sending you there 〰️〰️〰️

 
 

CONNECTING THE DOTS FOR THE WHEELCHAIR

  • Mother in Cuba reaches out to a pastor’s wife to see if they can help find a wheelchair for there 8-year-old daughter who has cerebral palsy. She’s too big for a stroller and must be carried to school

  • Pastor’s wife calls us to see what we can do. We know zero about wheelchairs

  • Researched wheelchairs and opened communications with mother

  • Obtain permission to load the wheelchair in a container going to Cuba that leaves in one week.

  • Locate a reasonable wheelchair that is available and can meet the deadline

  • A generous donor agrees to donate the new wheelchair.

  • Only a few days to accomplish this mission, but it happened. With the help and generous heart of many people.

 

MEDICATION AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

We partner with four agencies that provide medical supplies, prescription and over-the-counter medication at very low cost or no charge.

This year we have a new partner Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB). We are always looking to network with agencies that can help us reduce costs.

how you can help

Here’s a list of OTC medicines that are needed in Cuba. You can purchase them through Amazon here. Or you can purchase at your favorite store. If you are near us in the Bay Area, we will pick them up. Otherwise mail to us to 12790 Watsonville Road, Morgan Hill, CA. 95037. We need to receive them by October 20th.

MEDS SAVE lives

Look how you’ve helped. We’ve sent antibiotics, cancer medication that extended a mother’s life, breathing pumps that have saved lives.

Let’s do more: Mosquito repellent is necessary to combat the latest virus “oropuche”. It saves lives. Rehydration salts are necessary to restore health. It saves lives. Vitamins for all ages keep malnutrition at bay. They save lives. Together we can save lives.

Prayer. Our most precious connection is prayer. Connecting with God and being open to sense His presence, hear His voice and allowing Him to direct us is what gives us the confidence to go forward. Pray for our trip. Pray that all we are taking arrives intact to its final destination.. Pray for Scott Symington as he speaks to hundreds of people about defending their faith. Pray that our attitude and posture be one of servants and God’s love and joy shines through.

CUBA UPDATE /  by rachel sanchez-parodi

Life in Cuba is challenging right now and only getting tougher every day. Inflation is out of control and basic goods are in short supply. People are spending most of their time just trying to survive, which leaves little energy for anything else.   In response to these challenges, churches are doing everything they can to help their communities. Aliento Cuba partners with eight of these churches, bolstering their programs so they are able to provide food, medications, medical supplies, and transportation to their communities       

The Top Needs of Our Partner Churches  With the help of our generous donors, Aliento Cuba recently sent 60 pounds of vital medication to our partners in Cuba. Despite this impressive feat, and the incredible blessing that it has been to its recipients, this shipment has only scratched the surface of the need for medicine. Among our other projects, acute needs include a vehicle for our project in La Larga and van for our project in the North Circuit.

How You Can Help Here’s where your donations make a massive impact! These funds help churches to provide the resources of medicine, food, and transportation to those who are really struggling in their communities. It also brings them hope with the good news of the Gospel. You can make a difference in the lives of many through this ministry. Even a small contribution can go a long way in helping these communities stay strong and maintain their faith as a guiding light for so many.

Project Updates    Part of how Aliento Cuba supports our partner churches in Cuba is to bring joy and hope to their communities. When most of the day is focused in simply surviving, a bit of joy makes a big difference. This summer’s joy also came in the form of Bible Camp.  In total our partner churches served more than 500 children and adults at Bible Camp! 

You can make a difference in the lives of many through this ministry Even a small contribution can go a long way in helping these communities stay strong and keep their faith alive.   Your generosity can make sure that even in hard times, faith remains a guiding light for so many in Cuba.

learn more about what we do

Farm in La Larga shares crops with community, the Center for Single Parents, and the Children’s Home

In Sagua the poorest community we serve, pastors Sadiel and Zady provide resources for emotional and physical needs

In Cascajal/Cayo Bejuco a mother who received medicines for her son, thanks to the generous contributions of our donors, is now teaching children about God. Small villages along the North Circuit of central Cuba joy is found in God, and in Barrio Africa people who are disabled are receiving care.

We at Aliento Cuba are immensely grateful to our generous donors. It is through your giving that we are able to serve these people in isolated communities bringing them joy and God’s love along with resources.   Go to our website (click here) to learn more about the communities we serve.

With gratitude, Rachel Sanchez-Parodi, Executive Director