Over the following few days, the team had 15 house visits planned so they could reach out to the unsaved and encourage those who already were following Christ right in their homes.

Under a sweltering sun, they walked between dozens of apartment buildings, many of which were built in the Soviet era and some new ones that are under construction to house the crowds of families who cram into the Martí District—a sector named after the 19th century freedom fighter and national hero who is still honored across the nation.

They visited houses, shacks, and apartments where the team prayed and shared Christ alongside local pastors who host small congregations in their homes because legally they are not allowed to build a separate church building, and funds are in short supply in a nation where educated workers only earn about $40 USD per month. 

They saw 14 people accept for the first time or reconcile with Christ! Some were healed in their bodies, and others later started attending services at their local churches after we had left. As they ministered with these dear pastors, who live under great stress yet forge onward to bring the Gospel to their neighbors, they saw many give their hearts to Christ!

In one home a neighbor woman walked in the door and asked for them to come pray for her daughter who was sick in bed. The team went with her up a flight of stairs and into a room where a woman lay under a white sheet with a fan blowing on her. The mother said that her adult daughter couldn’t speak and that she had to have her leg amputated. As they prayed over her, the pastor spoke to the woman and told her to speak her name. Her broken voice crackled out the name, “Alexander.” That was not her name, the mother said. So the team prayed more– rebuking spirits and speaking the freedom of Christ over her. Soon, she was speaking and told us her real name!

In that house there was an altar to demonic powers in the practices of Santaría – a Cuban occult religion based on beliefs passed down over generations from African roots. They encouraged the mother to remove these items from her apartment, but she declined in fear.

After the mission trip was over, the team found out that the mother has started attending the local church a few apartments away from her home. Continue to pray for her family and for the strength to fully give her life to Christ!

In one of the simple houses the team was talking with a family when the father of the home came in the room. In a neat white shirt, he spoke with a voice that demanded respect, but with words that showed a humble heart.  He said that he is an official with the Cuban Communist Party who works on a local level to maintain the honor of the Cuban Revolution. He had seen the ministry to the children and the families during the conference and now he declared that he wanted to know what they were talking about. He wanted to accept Christ as his Lord!

The team prayed with this new brother. Since that time they have received reports that this official, and others who accepted Christ during the home visits, have been attending the church in their community to learn more about their new faith!