August 2026 – Ministry Update

Cuba: When We Can’t Go, We Can Still Help

There are times in ministry when you find yourself in a place you never expected to be. You want to go. You want to help. You want to sit across the table from your friends, pray with them, encourage them, and simply be there. But for now, we cannot go to Cuba.

And honestly, we are sad about that. We feel stuck.

But the more we pray, the more we are reminded that being unable to go does not mean we are unable to help.

The situation in Cuba continues to deteriorate, and the needs are becoming more overwhelming by the day. Our friends and ministry partners are living in circumstances that are difficult for us to imagine. Food is scarce, basic necessities are difficult to obtain, illness is spreading, and frustration and fear are growing.

Recently, we were able to help a young mother whose baby was born in May with a condition that required surgery because the baby was born without an anus. Because of the generosity of those who have given to help our friends in Cuba, we were able to come alongside this family and help provide some much-needed assistance.

The baby was able to receive surgery in Cuba, but now the difficult part of follow-up care is becoming a tremendous challenge. In a place where medical supplies, medicine, transportation, food, and even clean water can be difficult to obtain, caring for a fragile baby becomes an enormous burden for a family.

And this is just one story.

We are also hearing growing concerns about contaminated water and the health risks that come with it. Mosquito-borne illnesses continue to affect people, while concerns about waterborne diseases are adding another layer of fear and uncertainty. When people are already hungry and exhausted, the threat of illness becomes even more frightening.

Then, just a few days ago, an emergency alert sounded on phones across the country warning of an earthquake. People ran into the streets in panic—only to discover that it was a false alarm.

Our friends are tired. They are hungry. They are frustrated. And the circumstances around them are creating an environment where simply leaving your home can feel dangerous.

And yet, God is still at work.

A few weeks ago, Yaili underwent surgery. We are thankful to report that she is recovering and doing well, although the recovery has been difficult. Thank you for praying for her. Every prayer matters, and we are so grateful for those of you who continue to lift her before the Lord.

While Cuba remains in a difficult holding pattern, God has continued to open doors for us to serve in other places.

In October, Jeff will travel to the Philippines with Matt Mays for a missions conference. While there, they will meet up with Jiwan and have an opportunity to connect with Nepali-speaking people who have migrated to the Philippines. We are looking forward to seeing what God is doing through ministries from around the world and praying about how TREC might be able to come alongside what He is already doing.

Jiwan and Esther are also preparing to return to India in the coming week. Please pray for their safety as they travel and for the ministry opportunities God places before them.

When We Can’t Go, We Can Still Go Through Prayer and Generosity

One of the hardest things about Cuba right now is knowing that our friends are hurting while we are unable to physically be there.

But God has reminded us that we are not stuck.

We may not be able to get on a plane, but we can pray.

We may not be able to stand beside our friends in person, but we can stand with them through our generosity.

And because of your generosity, we have already been able to help families in desperate situations. We have been able to provide food, supplies, medical assistance, and encouragement when it was needed most.

The need is greater than anything we can meet on our own. But we believe God is able to use His people to make a difference.

So today, we are asking you to help.

If the Lord has placed Cuba on your heart, would you consider giving? No gift is too small. Every dollar can become food for a hungry family, medicine for someone who is sick, supplies for a child, or help for someone facing a crisis.

We don’t know when the doors to Cuba will open again. We don’t know exactly what the coming weeks and months will look like.

But we do know this:

God has not forgotten Cuba.

And He has not forgotten our friends.

So until we can go again, we will pray, we will give, and we will continue to trust the Lord to use whatever He places in our hands.

Thank you for standing with us.

Thank you for praying.

And thank you for helping us remind our friends in Cuba that they are not forgotten and they are not alone.

Would you prayerfully consider giving today to help us continue meeting urgent needs in Cuba?

We’re so thankful for you and the mission the Lord has us on. We weren’t guaranteed it would be easy, but He is with us, and He is all we truly need.

Jeff & Trudy