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.
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19 yrs. old
Entered the program: March 2023
Moses lives with his mother and three sisters in a three-bedroom mud house with a thatch roof. They have access to electricity for purchase but it often runs out before they can buy more. The only water source is the village dam, until the dry season; then, the women in the community must travel long distances to find other sources.
Moses’s family is Christian. His father suffers with mental illness and lives on the street; his extended family blames Moses’s mother and does not offer them assistance. Before Create Hope, Moses’s mother had to work farm to farm to offer labor in exchange for rice and maize so she could feed the family. Providing for her children was very challenging but they receive assistance with food now. Moses is the only child attending school and he walks about 5 miles to school every day.
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