To follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in order to carefully respond to the specific needs of the people of Cuba - physical, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual - by offering the Gospel of Jesus Christ through ministries of word, deed, and actions. - Mission Statement
Caring for Caribbean Communities was birthed out of âThe Beach Projectâ. In 2007, âThe Beach Projectâ began with a group of 10 from Grande Prairie going to Cojimar, Cuba to clean the beach. Since the beginning, we have developed relationships with members of the community and local churches. During this time we have seen Godâs hand in this project as we saw miracle after miracle. It is amazing how God instilled a love of this
country within us. We continue to work with the Cubans cleaning the beach. In 2014 the Caring for Caribbean Communities project, with a local community group was developed from âThe Beach Projectâ. The focus was on building a fence around the property (which has been completed), developing curriculum for Environmental and Nutritional Science, doing childrenâs activities in partnership with this local group and building a community center. The heart of this project is to build relationships with the Cuban people and show Godâs love through our words and actions.
country within us. We continue to work with the Cubans cleaning the beach. In 2014 the Caring for Caribbean Communities project, with a local community group was developed from âThe Beach Projectâ. The focus was on building a fence around the property (which has been completed), developing curriculum for Environmental and Nutritional Science, doing childrenâs activities in partnership with this local group and building a community center. The heart of this project is to build relationships with the Cuban people and show Godâs love through our words and actions.
We started a community garden project called The Almond Farm Project.
In the first few months of 2024, we have hired a gardener, put in the water line, built a fence and are preparing the land for planting.
As of July 2024, the garden has produced a bumper crop of corn and yucca (see story and photos below).
In the first few months of 2024, we have hired a gardener, put in the water line, built a fence and are preparing the land for planting.
As of July 2024, the garden has produced a bumper crop of corn and yucca (see story and photos below).
Bottles and Fundraising
We have been collecting bottles every month and the money is sent to Cuba to buy food for our families. We continue to collect bottles every month for the same purpose.
A Harvest of Faith: The Story of Caring for Caribbean Communities in 2024
In a struggling Caribbean community where food is scarce and faith is often tested by hardship, Johanna Ruxton and the Caring for Caribbean Communities team planted more than just crops in 2024; they planted hope.
At first, the community was skeptical about whether the Farm Project would work. They had seen efforts like this fail before. Over the last two years, something remarkable happened. The garden flourished.
Conversations about faith grew alongside the plants. Every Saturday, church members gathered at the garden, working hand in hand to support their gardener and nurture what God had given them. The community is now watching with awe as they are seeing Godâs work in the garden. Rows of bananas and vegetables thrive under the sun, defying expectations. The church now has fresh produce to feed its people, and for the first time, they were able to sell some of their crops, inching toward self-sufficiency.
In a struggling Caribbean community where food is scarce and faith is often tested by hardship, Johanna Ruxton and the Caring for Caribbean Communities team planted more than just crops in 2024; they planted hope.
At first, the community was skeptical about whether the Farm Project would work. They had seen efforts like this fail before. Over the last two years, something remarkable happened. The garden flourished.
Conversations about faith grew alongside the plants. Every Saturday, church members gathered at the garden, working hand in hand to support their gardener and nurture what God had given them. The community is now watching with awe as they are seeing Godâs work in the garden. Rows of bananas and vegetables thrive under the sun, defying expectations. The church now has fresh produce to feed its people, and for the first time, they were able to sell some of their crops, inching toward self-sufficiency.
And what goes well with vegetables? Protein. CCC purchased a pig. The church will soon have meat for their tables and piglets to sell, creating a cycle of provision. Encouraged by this success, we bought fruit trees in November, which should give a harvest in about 18 months.
But the journey isnât without challenges. The decline of tourism makes life even harder for the Cuban people. While the Ruxtonâs were there, they experienced a four-day power outage, and food was difficult to find. Gas shortages made travel nearly impossible. Yet, through every struggle, the church stood together. Eddieâs church has even taken on the responsibility of cleaning the beach.
Johanna continues to learn that as they work with imperfect people, they need to continue to show grace while being mindful of how they use the resources from our church family here. Looking ahead, Johanna dreams of something even bigger in Cubaâa fully developed farm that could provide not only for the church there but for the entire community. If successful, it would mark a turning point: true self-sufficiency, built on faith; the success and resources God has provided them with; and perseverance, knowing that God is with them. Caring for Caribbean Communities has built real relationships and shown exceptional stewardship while working on bringing people into the fold.
Johanna continues to learn that as they work with imperfect people, they need to continue to show grace while being mindful of how they use the resources from our church family here. Looking ahead, Johanna dreams of something even bigger in Cubaâa fully developed farm that could provide not only for the church there but for the entire community. If successful, it would mark a turning point: true self-sufficiency, built on faith; the success and resources God has provided them with; and perseverance, knowing that God is with them. Caring for Caribbean Communities has built real relationships and shown exceptional stewardship while working on bringing people into the fold.
For now, please continue to pray with themâfor land, for resources, for direction and for strength in the face of the daily grind. And above all, for the people they serve, that they may continue to see the evidence of Godâs love not just in words, but in the very ground beneath their feet.
Thank you!
A big thank you to everyone who supports us through prayer, time and finances. The leaders in Cuba are so grateful for everything we do for them.
A big thank you to everyone who supports us through prayer, time and finances. The leaders in Cuba are so grateful for everything we do for them.