“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – Jesus
This past weekend was a time to reflect…not just skim over the Resurrection story, but really think about what our Savior did for us on the cross. I heard a quote from Barbara Johnson that said, “We are Easter people living in a Good Friday world.” There are still so many people who live in this Good Friday world so full of fear, despair, and darkness, and this is as good as it will get for them. It’s what continues to compel us to go and tell that story of redemption. I’m so thankful for the hope that is only found in Christ Jesus. I know you are too.
April 7-10 we took a team (Ginger Johnson, Tasha Ashley, Katie Woodard, and Abbie Davis) from our home church, Pike Road Church, to Cuba. We visited several house churches and small congregations. These gatherings, though often modest, were filled with passionate believers whose joy and faith deeply inspired us. We had the privilege of sharing the Word, praying with families, and testifying to the power of God’s love across cultures and languages.
We brought with us suitcases full of medical supplies, hygiene products, non-perishable food, and children’s ministry materials—items that are difficult to access in Cuba but so deeply appreciated. It was humbling to see how God used even these simple gifts to meet both physical and spiritual needs.
We visited a small church about an hour and a half from Havana where a hurricane had come through in November of 2024 and leveled the whole thing. They were faced with the dilemma of rebuilding or a complete new build. They are a small congregation and of course struggling financially. While we were there we got to meet with the pastor, his wife, and the members of the church (pictured above). We heard their hearts to reach the people of their village with the gospel of Jesus. We heard stories of how God had protected and provided for them in the middle of crisis. They were so humble, but also bold in their faith. We knew the Lord had taken us there to help however we could. We can’t wait to see what the Lord does in this tiny village!
While we were in this new village it began raining which put a damper on things (or so we thought), but I love when Jesus intercepts our plan to bring us to the real purpose of us being there. You see there was a woman who lives next door to the pastor who is a government official. I’m not exactly sure what that means, except I think she must be the local snitch. Anyway, she came to the house while it was raining because she knew Christians were there. Her daughter had a baby 2 months earlier, and the baby died a few weeks ago. She was devastated. She came in with her burden, and we all immediately gathered around and prayed for her. Near the end, the Lord had me share about the hope found in Jesus. I told her that her sweet baby wasn’t lost, that I knew exactly where he was, and that if she called on the name of Jesus and believed in her heart that He is Lord she would be saved and would one day see her grand baby again. She said, “That’s what I need. That’s what I’m here for.” When she left us her heart was lighter, and I told the pastor to be on the lookout for them. I believe her whole family will come to faith.
The next day, we visited with Pastor Ulises and Ely and the little congregation that we have come to love. One of the things that we did that I thought was impactful was we visited church members in the morning to invite them to a special time of fellowship that afternoon. Tasha, a friend of ours, who has a tremendous testimony of God’s faithfulness shared her story that afternoon of how the Lord rescued her from a violent gang and drug addiction. After she shared with everyone, there was a Q&A time where we had an open and honest conversation about addiction, addicts, drug dealers, and the love of Jesus. They want to minister to so many who have taken this path, but don’t really have the tools to do so. It was really cool to see how the Lord used Tasha to get the people to see that addicts are hurting people that Jesus loves, not people to be avoided.
It was an awesome mission, and our lives will never be the same! Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Jeff & Trudy
