Compassionate People Care
Our 2025 Mission Trip
In January 2025, the Compassionate People Care missionaries took a week-long trip to Cuba in an effort to support Cubans through hands-on work providing humanitarian aid to those in need. Over the course of the trip, our missionaries led with compassion, made memories, and fostered connections. Now that our missionaries are back in the states, they are able to reflect on their experience and apply what they learned in Cuba to life in the U.S.
Meet the Missionaries
Our Impact
Food
Provided food for approximately 500 people, including a Sunday breakfast for close to 100 people.
Medication
Over 100 over-the-counter medicines were distributed throughout the community.
Water
A dozen water filters were installed in communal homes, providing clean drinking water for hundreds of families across the island.
Expansion
Financial support was given to expand the church's humanitarian efforts and the humanitarian aid center itself, allowing them to help more people.
Youth Programs
Provided craft and school supplies for dozens of elementary school students as well as musical equipment for the young musicians and church groups.
Sports Day Camp
Approximately 60 kids ages 5-18 partook in a day and a half long sport day camp. They were supplied with sporting equipment, lunch, and water.
Transportation
Dozens of families received transportation to the medical & humanitarian aid centers. A motorcycle was utilized as transport for humanitarian aid.
Maintenance
Tools and paint supplies was provided to aid in maintenance and upkeep of the humanitarian aid centers facilities.
Humanitarian Aid Leaders
3 dozen humanitarian aid leaders were trained and supplied with essential materials, flashlights, rain attire, sunscreen, batteries, bug spray etc.
Before the Trip
For many of our missionaries the decision to join us on the 2025 mission trip was simple. They heard about the work we did through a current missionary and wanted to support the cause. An infectious compassion radiates off of the missionaries and it naturally attracts people to the cause. The 2025 trip was filled with old and new faces as new missionaries expressed interest in the goals and former missionaries returned to continue their service. With them they brought a unique love of sports, arts, and service that allowed them to connect to the people of Cuba.
Life in Cuba
Travel
Like most trips, the Cuba mission began at the airport. The missionaries started their trip by going through customs at the airport and getting everything they need before leaving. The airport was one of the first deviations from life in the U.S. It was reportedly very small and antiquated, a drastic juxtaposition from the large, business filled airports of America. Once the missionaries get through customs and get their passports stamped, the true adventure begins!
Living Arrangements
While in Cuba, our missionaries stayed in a humanitarian aid center. The center is within the community meaning the missionaries were surrounded by members of the community from the time they stepped outside to the time they went to bed. In living within the Cuban community, they were able to witness their life firsthand and see the adversity they faced. The community was exceptionally kind and eager to share their hospitality. One of the ways they opened their homes to the Cuban missionaries was through gifts. They would often bring food and visit the missionaries with well wishes, though they didn't have a lot, they always gave what they could to our missionaries and they are eternally grateful.
Humanitarian Aid
Naturally, the main focus of the trip was the humanitarian aid our missionaries were able to provide in Cuba. Some of their central care to the people of Cuba involved the delivering of basic necessities, including but not limited to...
- Portable water filters providing clean, drinkable water
- Groceries for families
- Shoes for children who go barefoot
- Over-the-counter medications
- Toiletries
- Summer Clothing
Another essential part of their aid was the providing of non-essential items to help strengthen community ties and improve general quality of life. These comfort items and amenities included...
- Art and school supplies a for the after-school program
- Children's sporting equipment
Quality of Life
In Cuba, life is simultaneously simple and challenging. Twenty-hour blackouts weren't a rare occurrence due to poor infrastructure, but life persists and everyday needs had to work around electricity. Food insecurity and medicine shortages are also progressively worsening problems in the country. At every turn there's poverty, but within the turmoil, there's a sea of smiling faces and interesting perspectives.
Cuba at a Glance
Accomplishments
Praying in Color
The Praying in Color initiative is a program designed to guide individuals in letting God's love enter their souls and minds. Each year Kathy Bender and the Pastor's wife work to create as many Spanish Psalm coloring books as possible using an "underground printer" (a fellow church member). They bring colored pencils and sharpeners for everyone to use during the activity. They enter the church then gather around on the pews and floor as Kathy Bender, with the help of an interpreter, reads a prayer. Soothing music is played as everyone sits and colors for the duration of the 2-hour event. The Church reaches a state of complete joy and tranquility as they communicate with God and allow him to enter their souls.
Valuable Connections
Another major accomplishment of the trip was the fostering of meaningful connections with the Cuban community. For the most part, everyone was a stranger to one another but through compassion and commitment, they left as friends. Connection is the root of everything we do at Compassionate People Care as connection is the first step towards leaving a community better than you found it. In developing sincere relationships with the community they left the Cuban citizens with more than just supplies, they left them with hope.
A Change in Perspective
Since returning to the United States our missionaries have had time to reflect on their Compassionate People Care experience. What the majority of them claim to have learned the most about was gratitude. After seeing life in Cuba and the consistent kindness of Cubans, the missionaries were inspired to appreciate all they have. They also developed a heightened respect for people in need, realizing that you truly never know someone's circumstances until you're there experiencing it for yourself. The entire trip was a masterclass in empathy and the human responsibility to care for others.
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