In Cuba, where everyday essentials are often hard to come by, hope can feel scarce. Basic food staples are frequently in short supply. But in these moments of need, we’ve seen God’s provision time and time again—through prayer and unexpected acts of kindness.
A few years ago, our program director found himself in a desperate search for rice to feed the children in our program. After visiting several markets without success, he returned empty-handed. The situation looked bleak, but before giving up completely, h turned to prayer, asking God for a way to meet this urgent need.
Moments after saying, “Amen,” a well-dressed man approached. He had rice for sale, but there was a catch—whoever bought it had to buy the entire supply. With food prices rising, this felt like an impossible request. Yet when our program director asked the price, he was stunned. Not only was it affordable, it was the cheapest he had ever paid for rice for the program. He had never met this man before, and he left no way to contact him, only saying, “I will come back when you least expect me.”
That day, our Cuba program witnessed firsthand the power of prayer and the unexpected ways God provides.
Fast forward to 2023, and another moment of divine provision unfolded—this time for Walter and his children.
In Cuba, where fresh produce is often hard to come by due to strict regulations, we planted a garden to help feed the children in our program and provide for families struggling to get by. This small patch of land has become a source of hope and nourishment for many, including Walter’s family.
One Sunday morning, as Walter and his children were at church, they noticed the garden. The boys’ eyes lit up when they spotted the rows of lettuce, and with excitement they exclaimed, “Lettuce, lettuce, Daddy! When can we eat lettuce?”
What they didn’t know was that their prayer had already been answered. Our partner, aware of the food shortages many families were facing, handed Walter a head of lettuce and two squashes. Walter, deeply moved, shared that he had no food at home for dinner that night. To him, those simple vegetables were nothing short of a miracle—a tangible sign that God was still providing for their family.
Stories like these remind us that God’s provision often comes in unexpected ways. A head of lettuce. A bag of rice. Small things that, through prayer and faith, become life-changing miracles.
Step into Rosabel’s clown shoes and experience how we’re reaching children across Cuba with the love of Jesus. Each week, local leaders welcome hundreds of children into backyards and open spaces, offering a simple meal and a place to belong. For many, it’s their first time hearing the gospel.
In the extremely poor village of Kijabe, Kenya, there lives a crippled widow named Mary. After her husband died of AIDS a few years ago, she struggled to find food. While she suffers from HIV, too, Mary’s greatest challenge is a nerve problem in her legs. She has to use crutches
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sheri Stanley, our Director of Operations & Mobilization, to hear her Forward Edge Story. While what we spoke about was only a fraction of God’s incredible works in her life, these significant moments were an inspiration to me, and I hope they
Most families living in extreme poverty have very little opportunity to grow economically. Even if the will and grit to persue entrepeneurship is there, the start-up funds are not. Micro-lending is an increasingly integral part of international community development. Individuals wanting to start a small business are able to borrow
6 yrs. old
Entered the Program: August 2024
Ramsey lives with his grandmother, mother, 3 cousins, aunt and uncle in a three-room wood house with a dirt floor. The house has solar lighting and the family gets water from a neighbor’s well. They have an outside kitchen and use firewood for cooking; they have no bathing facility but use a pit latrine.
Ramsey and his older brother were initally raised by both of their parents, but their father became an alcoholic and abusive so their mother left with the children and went back home to her mother’s house. She is now a single parent and is often unemployed but tries to find casual labor jobs. Her meager income is hardly enough to provide for her sons and care for her elderly mother.
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