Sparking Hope after Hurricane Ian

It's incredible what a little hope can do. Like a small candle flame in total darkness, it instantly changes the environment and the people around it. God is planting hope in Cuba, and He has invited New Hope to help.

With the vision to make new disciples and establish a global missional presence, New Hope has been partnering with the Western Cuban Baptist Convention since the spring of 2018, specifically supporting First Mariel Church of Mariel Bay. Our partnership started strong, deploying four separate teams to help First Mariel with the construction of their education building, teaching Bible classes, and conducting community evangelism. Then the pandemic hit, shutting the door to our ministry opportunities in

Cuba since the spring of 2020.

After the disaster from Hurricane Ian, God opened up the door to Cuba this past October, and four New Hope members made the journey to Mariel Bay for a two-day visit that ultimately brought not only supplies, but brought desperately needed encouragement to a devastated community. With great ease and favor from God, our team traveled with seven 49 pound-packed resource bags full of supplies, and, without any interference from the Cuban government, delivered them to the church. With these supplies, First Mariel became a source of provision, answers and hope for their community.

God's provision for this community started back in Cedar Park, Texas, where He inspired New Hopers and Hope Groups to generously donate supplies and resources for this trip. Because of your generosity, we were able to bless Mariel Bay with:



• 105 eye glasses
• 600 medical gloves
• 20 flashlights
• 900 toothbrushes
• 400 tubes of toothpaste
• 100 bars of soap
• 5,000 adult vitamins & 5,000 children's vitamins
• 30,000 pain medication tablets
• 2,000 sq. ft. of mosquito netting
• 5,000 allergy medication tablets
• 30 4oz. bottes of children's allergy medicine
• 29 medical inhalers
• 400 catheters
• 747 butterfly IVs

Despite the numerous challenges, set backs and recent hurricanes, First Mariel Church is passionately pursuing the Lord and sharing the good news of Jesus with their community. Our team members were deeply encouraged by the strong spiritual leadership of the church, and were even able to assist in their weekend services and visits to the homebound.

First Mariel confirmed they would gladly be willing to host a missionary team in 2023, and we look forward to returning on mission in October of next year. If you would like to know more about our ministry efforts, partnership or how you can be a part of what God is doing in Cuba, contact Ryan Nelson.

Hope is sparking in Cuba, and we invite you to be a part of spreading it!