You can bring light into darkness /  by rachel sanchez-parodi

No one likes to live in darkness.

And yet in Cuba, many do—every single day. Not by choice, but because of the ongoing power crises that leaves homes without electricity for 18 or more hours at a time. .

No lights. No way to charge phones or battery-operated lamps. No running water. No way to refrigerate food. No fans. Families cook over charcoal in stifling heat. And at night, they lie awake in the dark, drenched in sweat, hoping for a breeze so they can rest. Always not knowing when electricity will be restored for 3 or 4 hours

But the darkness isn’t only physical. It’s also spiritual. Fear and frustration weight heavily on hearts already burdened by scarcity. We continue our commitment to shining light in both kinds of darkness. We bring eternal hope to people hungry for God’s truth. But the practical hope we have been bringing is in jeopardy because of lack of electricity.

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM FUNDRAISING

August THROUGH September 15, 2025

Solar Energy

After considering several alternatives, installing solar power in a central location, such as the church, is the most efficient and reliable solution. It will free our project leaders to continue feeding the hungry, providing medications, having a place where people can worship together, find comfort, water, food, light for their lamps, communication through charged phones.

This is where you can make a great difference. By partnering with us, you help:

  • Restore light in churches and homes.

  • Power water pumps so people can have water at home.

  • Provide meals to the elderly and the poor.

  • Make available a place where phones and lamps can be charged.

  • Provide respite from the heat.

  • Continue programs for children, the elderly and youth at any time of the day.

Our goal is to provide solar power to 7 churches in Cuba. A total of 40,000W. The cost is $3 per Watt. You can elect to give whatever fits your budget.

CLICK ON THE NAMES BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH SITE

BARRIO AFRICA BUENAVISTA CASCAJAL CAIBARIEN LA LARGA NORTH CIRCUIT SAGUA

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

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Wherever you go,

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God is sending you there

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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.