On a warm Saturday morning in Cuba, over 200 children gather in a dusty backyard—not for a party or a concert, but for the chance to hear about Jesus, some for the very first time.
I had the privilege of witnessing this moment firsthand on a mission trip with Forward Edge. The children were excited with anticipation, not just because of the meal that awaited them, but because of the joy they experienced when they sang, listened and learned. It’s in a backyard or park that the program, Shepherding the Lambs, happens. A place where children are seen, loved, and introduced to the One who knows them best.
It’s a vision God planted in the heart of our program director, Pastor Oilver, now blossoming across Cuba. One of the people helping to make it happen is Rosabel, a young woman who was a former sponsored child and one of the clowns in the program.
In June 2023, Pastor Oilver was asked: What is your dream as a pastor? Without hesitation, he replied, “To evangelize and disciple children.”
That seed of vision became reality just a few months later. By January 13, 2024, the first Shepherding the Lambs gathering launched. Today, the ministry has reached six different locations, reaching out systematically to communities throughout the city.
When I asked Rosabel why she joined the team, she smiled and then responded.
“At first, when they asked me if I wanted to be part of this ministry, I was super happy because I wanted to help in some way and didn’t know how. God gave me the opportunity to work with children, and I love it. I love that the kids can leave their worries behind and be happy… even for a little while.”
What happens on a Saturday is the fruit of what happens the day before.
Leaders visit the community, meeting with families, inviting children, and praying over the day to come. “Every Friday,” Rosabel explained, “we dress up as clowns and go into the streets to invite children. We sing, dance, and do little clown acts. It’s our way of letting them know that something joyful is waiting for them.”
By Saturday morning, the team is ready. Church kids help gather others, worship begins, and the gospel is shared, clearly and simply, so even first-time visitors can understand. Parents who attend hear the Good News as well. Then come games, laughter, and a nourishing meal for every child.
These aren’t just numbers—they’re stories like Rosabel’s. She knows what it’s like to be shy, uncertain, and wondering if she could make a difference.
“At first, it was a huge challenge for me,” she admitted. “I didn’t like speaking in public and had no experience as a clown. But the Bible says God equips those He calls, and He has. The hardest part is keeping the children motivated when they’re carrying heavy burdens, like not sleeping well because the electricity went out, but we do everything we can to help them feel like real kids again.”
Despite local restrictions and economic challenges, Shepherding the Lambs continues to grow. New communities are waiting, and children’s hearts are ready to hear the Good News.
“I love what I do,” Rosabel told me. “Not only am I helping children, but I’m doing God’s work. I get to see what He does in their lives, and that’s what keeps me going.”
But there’s still work to be done. Children yet to be reached. Villages yet to be visited. And hearts yet to know the love of Jesus.
When I asked Rosabel how people could pray, her list came quickly: “Pray that the children here in El Cobre will be reached for Christ and stand firm in their faith. Pray that God will give us passion every day for those who don’t yet know Him, and that He will strengthen us spiritually. Pray for the material resources we need for our street work.”
Give – Help provide meals and discipleship each week.
Pray – Join our prayer team. Pray for deeper roots of faith in these young hearts, and for the team’s strength and vision.
Go – Join a Forward Edge mission trip and see the transformation up close. I did and it changed my life.
This blog is a part of an ongoing series on Forward Edge’s Pearl Partners. Check out our highlights on Cuba and Haiti and enjoy this interview with Jane Wathagana. 20 years ago, Jane Wathagana was a successful businesswoman in Kenya, the Director of Animal World Safaris and Elangata Luxury
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Iris lives with her parents, 7 siblings and her sister-in-law in a six-room adobe house with a tin roof and concrete and dirt floors. With so many inhabitants, the house is not maintained well. The property is large and has a separate kitchen, outside bathroom, and patio. The family cooks with wood and has access to water from a hose on the property.
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