“People say all the time, ‘I don’t have a good testimony’ because they think their story has to involve some dramatic story of change from ‘bad’ to ‘good’. But Jesus didn’t come to save people this way. Sin doesn’t make us bad; it makes us dead. Jesus came to save by bringing the dead to life. And that’s an amazing testimony.” – Louie Giglio
I have several updates to share. First, the women’s conference was a tremendous success, thanks to all the ladies who attended, planned, and poured themselves out in showing God’s love to hurting women. Although we come from different backgrounds and walks of life, we all face similar struggles because of sin. We were greatly encouraged by Nicole’s challenge to fall deeper in love with Jesus so that our lives bear deep roots of faith and produce bold fruit with an eternal focus. Several ladies have written down their experiences from this mission trip, and I will include those at the end.
Second, we are asking for your prayers regarding two specific needs. Jeff spoke with Jiwan last week, and something seemed off. We are unsure of the exact issue—whether it involves the government or radical Hindu groups—but Jiwan mentioned there was “some sort of trouble.” He did not feel comfortable sharing details while still in India and said he would call again once he reached Nepal, where he felt it would be safer to talk. We will update you as soon as we know more. In the meantime, please pray for Jiwan, and for the safety of his family, friends, and the church.
We also ask you to pray for Yunior and Albert as they travel to the east side of the island to assess hurricane damage and distribute supplies to those in need. Pray for their protection as they travel with these resources. If police or government officials question their activities, they could be accused of trying to profit from the situation, and the supplies could be confiscated. Thank you for lifting these concerns to the Father on their behalf. We will update you in the next newsletter!
As we approach the end of the year, we have launched our Year-End Giving Campaign. It is vital that we finish this year strong so we can continue to advance the work God has called us to in the coming year.Would you prayerfully consider including TREC in your year-end giving? We’re excited to announce that you now have the option to donate stock to TREC. Visit our website at www.trecmud.com, where a pop-up will guide you through the steps of how to give and a list of upcoming projects for 2026. We’re excited about the year ahead and all the Lord will do.
During this season of Thanksgiving, we are reminded of all the Lord has done through you and your faithfulness to partner with us. Thank you!
We count you among our greatest blessings.
Jeff & Trudy
Testimonies
CUBA…A Blessing I Never Expected
I never imagined I would go to Cuba. In fact, when my friend Nicole first mentioned it, I said, “Well, I’m not going to Cuba…ever.” I should have known better than to draw lines with God. He always writes a better story than the one I’m trying to protect.
This year has been one of the hardest of my life: my husband’s addiction came to light in January, I faced serious health issues in April, my father suffered a stroke just before the trip, and everything from broken gates to broken air conditioners seemed to fall apart after the plane took off for Cuba. I questioned whether I had anything left to give. Yet God called me to go. And now I see He wasn’t sending me to give a blessing. He was sending me to receive one.
In Cuba, I learned what a true blessing is. Not material comfort, but spiritual abundance. Not ease, but joy deeply rooted in Jesus alone. These Cuban women, who have so little by the world’s standards, carry a faith so deep and a joy so full that it cannot be explained, only felt. Worshipping, sharing meals, and praying together were gifts. They didn’t just hear my testimony, Nicole shared during the Women’s Conference; they carried it with me. One by one, they wept with me and prayed over my father, my husband, my health. They served me with tears of intercession and love.
Here in the United States, we often have so much that we unknowingly put Jesus in a box. We rely on comfort more than Christ. But in Cuba, they rely on Jesus for everything, and because of that, they know Him deeply. Their faith has marked me forever.
The night before we returned home from Cuba, my dad was rushed back to the hospital. So now, as I sit beside my father in his hospital room, I refuse to put Jesus back in that box. I am believing for healing. I am believing for freedom. And I know my Cuban sisters are still praying in agreement.
“Consider it pure joy… when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2–4
I asked God to reveal Himself to me in ways I had never known. He did! God is calling you out of your comfort zone. Go! Step out. Let Him reveal Himself in ways you have not yet known. The blessing on the other side is worth it. I am living proof! And … I am FOREVER changed for the better!
Heather Thornton
Ever seen the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off? It is one of my favorites, and if you have seen it, you will get this reference. Ferris calls his friend Cameron. At each ring of the phone, Cameron says repeatedly, “He’ll keep calling and calling and calling.” You see, Cameron doesn’t want to answer the phone. He knows with absolute certainty that Ferris will talk him into doing something he doesn’t want to do. And that something is potentially risky and may get him into big trouble! We all see this coming. Cameron ultimately answers the phone and goes on an adventure with Ferris to skip school. And that is exactly what my dear friend Nicole Pinkham did to me! She kept calling and texting, over and over. And so I had to go to Cuba on mission – right?
Traveling to Cuba didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. I had never been to a Communist country. I had certainly never “roughed it” or gotten out of my comfort zone on a trip. All my trips and vacations were for pleasure – my pleasure and comfort. So imagine when an invisible force (yes, the Holy Spirit) put down the deposit to go to Cuba! I am also a person who really doesn’t like to pray in public or over people. I prefer to pray privately for others. So to say this was all mildly uncomfortable to me, is putting it mildly.
So I went through all the motions and really didn’t try to focus too much on the trip.Deep down, I wondered what was wrong with me that I didn’t seem to share the excitement of the others about this trip. But there was definitely a shift when we started gathering and packing our 1,000 pounds of relief supplies. That was right up my alley!
When we landed in Cuba, my first thought was to get a return ticket back to the US. It’s been fun y’all, but I am going to peace out. I even prayed, “Lord, why is my mind counting the days and questioning how I am going to get through this?” Of course we all know Satan was doing a number on me – and I don’t like to admit that I was an easy target!
But when I met the Cuban people with the literal light of Jesus shining on their radiant faces, my heart melted, and I just kept asking the Lord to tell me what to do and use me. You are forever changed hearing Cubans sing, worship, and give testimony in their native language. Nicole spoke to the Cuban women about being radiant, steadfast, and abiding in Jesus. I’ve said it a thousand times since I’ve gotten back – We have wants, not needs, but the Cuban people have needs and no wants. And yet, not knowing where their next meal would come from, lacking adequate medical care and financial security, just all the things we absolutely take for granted, yet they still had joy and praised the Lord. I had to look deep inside at what I “complain” about to the Lord. How thankful I am that the Lord used Nicole and Bible Study to get me to Cuba. How blessed I am to meet the Cuban people and pray with them and over them and they over me. Would I go back to Cuba? As a wise person, I know (Trudy McFarland) tells us, “Listen and obey”.
Angela Bradwell
Our time in Cuba was both humbling and transformative. From the moment we arrived, I was struck by the warmth and openness of the Cuban people. Their culture is affectionate, transparent, and deeply loving —they welcome you not just into their homes, but into their hearts.
We hosted a women’s conference, and it was an experience I will never forget. Many of these women live with daily uncertainty — some not knowing where their next meal will come from, lacking basic necessities, and enduring financial and emotional hardships. Yet in the midst of that, they radiated an unshakable joy and faith. I realized that although our lives look very different on the surface, we share many of the same struggles — children who have walked away from their faith, difficult marriages, loss, illness, and the weight of everyday worries. That common ground united us in a beautiful way.
One young woman named Debbie made a lasting impression on me. She spoke about her faith with such boldness and passion — wise beyond her years, unashamed and deeply in love with Jesus. Her courage and honesty reminded me what it means to live out my faith with authenticity and confidence.
The worship during the conference was powerful beyond words. The Holy Spirit’s presence was unmistakable. One of the most moving moments came from a woman who lived near the church. She heard our worship from her home, felt the Spirit stirring in her heart, and came in to join us — not knowing a single person there. She later shared how profoundly God moved in her life during those few hours.
This mission to Cuba changed me in ways I’m still discovering. It reminded me that faith isn’t about comfort or material security — it’s about dependence on God in every circumstance. The Cuban women taught me the beauty of simple, steadfast faith — a faith that trusts even when life is uncertain. I came home with a renewed sense of gratitude, a deeper love for people, and a stronger desire to live with the same kind of joy and faith I witnessed in Cuba.
Laura Barrow
