I didn’t fully understand what I was walking into when I boarded that plane.
Cuba wasn’t just another destination, it was unknown territory. Limited connectivity. Different systems. Different rhythms. And for eight days, it would strip away a lot of what I was used to relying on.
And honestly, that started before we even got there.
Getting back would turn into its own story with delays, uncertainty, and being stuck in Miami longer than planned—but that’s part of what made the entire experience unforgettable. Because Cuba wasn’t just about what we went to do, it was about what it did to us.
⸻
Arrival: A Different World
The moment we landed in Havana, it felt like stepping back in time.
Classic cars. Weathered buildings. Heat that wraps around you the second you step outside. But more than that it was the people.
There was a resilience there. A quiet strength. A sense of community that you don’t always see back home.
We came thinking we were bringing something to them.
But it didn’t take long to realize… we were the ones about to receive.
⸻
The Work: Simple, But Not Small
Our days were filled with what might seem like simple things:
• Serving communities
• Supporting the local church
• Building relationships
• Sharing meals
• Showing up
Nothing flashy. No big stage moments.
But impact rarely looks dramatic in real time.
It looks like conversations.
It looks like listening.
It looks like being present when it would be easier not to be.
And in a place where resources are limited, those small acts carry weight.
⸻
The Shift: Perspective Changes Everything
Somewhere in the middle of the trip, something shifted.
You start to notice things differently:
• How little people have… yet how much they give
• How joy doesn’t require convenience
• How gratitude shows up in places you wouldn’t expect
Back home, we’re used to speed, access, options.
In Cuba, life slows down.
And when it slows down, you start to see what actually matters.
Faith isn’t theoretical there, it’s lived. Daily. Visibly. Dependently.
⸻
The Unexpected: When Plans Fall Apart
And then came the return trip.
Delays. Uncertainty. Getting stuck in Miami.
Not exactly the ending we planned.
But in a strange way, it felt fitting.
Because the whole trip had been about letting go of control.
Schedules changed. Expectations shifted. Comfort zones got stretched.
And even in the frustration, there was a reminder:
You can plan everything perfectly… and still not be in control.
⸻
The Takeaway: What Comes Home With You
I left Cuba with more than memories.
I brought back perspective.
• Gratitude for things I used to overlook
• A deeper appreciation for connection and community
• A reminder that impact doesn’t require perfection—just presence
• And a renewed understanding that faith grows strongest when it’s tested
We went to serve.
But we came back changed.
Cuba wasn’t just another destination, it was unknown territory. Limited connectivity. Different systems. Different rhythms. And for eight days, it would strip away a lot of what I was used to relying on.
And honestly, that started before we even got there.
Getting back would turn into its own story with delays, uncertainty, and being stuck in Miami longer than planned—but that’s part of what made the entire experience unforgettable. Because Cuba wasn’t just about what we went to do, it was about what it did to us.
⸻
Arrival: A Different World
The moment we landed in Havana, it felt like stepping back in time.
Classic cars. Weathered buildings. Heat that wraps around you the second you step outside. But more than that it was the people.
There was a resilience there. A quiet strength. A sense of community that you don’t always see back home.
We came thinking we were bringing something to them.
But it didn’t take long to realize… we were the ones about to receive.
⸻
The Work: Simple, But Not Small
Our days were filled with what might seem like simple things:
• Serving communities
• Supporting the local church
• Building relationships
• Sharing meals
• Showing up
Nothing flashy. No big stage moments.
But impact rarely looks dramatic in real time.
It looks like conversations.
It looks like listening.
It looks like being present when it would be easier not to be.
And in a place where resources are limited, those small acts carry weight.
⸻
The Shift: Perspective Changes Everything
Somewhere in the middle of the trip, something shifted.
You start to notice things differently:
• How little people have… yet how much they give
• How joy doesn’t require convenience
• How gratitude shows up in places you wouldn’t expect
Back home, we’re used to speed, access, options.
In Cuba, life slows down.
And when it slows down, you start to see what actually matters.
Faith isn’t theoretical there, it’s lived. Daily. Visibly. Dependently.
⸻
The Unexpected: When Plans Fall Apart
And then came the return trip.
Delays. Uncertainty. Getting stuck in Miami.
Not exactly the ending we planned.
But in a strange way, it felt fitting.
Because the whole trip had been about letting go of control.
Schedules changed. Expectations shifted. Comfort zones got stretched.
And even in the frustration, there was a reminder:
You can plan everything perfectly… and still not be in control.
⸻
The Takeaway: What Comes Home With You
I left Cuba with more than memories.
I brought back perspective.
• Gratitude for things I used to overlook
• A deeper appreciation for connection and community
• A reminder that impact doesn’t require perfection—just presence
• And a renewed understanding that faith grows strongest when it’s tested
We went to serve.
But we came back changed.