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Hopeful For What's Ahead in 2026

1/26/2026

Happy New Year! As we kick off 2026, I’m deeply grateful to be part of the hope we’re sharing with people in Cuba and beyond. I continue to be amazed by the impact of our small but incredibly dedicated team as we serve both the physical and spiritual needs of God’s people.

Together, over just the past few months, we’ve delivered containers of food and medical supplies, built new friendships, strengthened longstanding relationships, and supported communities with prayer and care in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Last summer, I had the opportunity to visit Jaguey Grande, and the resilience and joy of our Cuban neighbors, despite serious challenges, left a lasting impression on me.

In this new role as Executive Director, I’m excited to walk alongside the board, staff, and supporters of the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation (ARMF), listening closely and learning how we can better understand and respond to the needs of those we serve. A planner and collaborator by nature, I’m honored to build on the past 13 years of bridge-building in Cuba and throughout the Caribbean.

I’d truly love to hear from you. What are your hopes for ARMF in 2026 and beyond? Click the button below to send me an email - I look forward to connecting with you and continuing this work together!

Cynthia Redwine
Executive Director, Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation

CLICK HERE TO CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA REDWINE

Recent Medicine Distribution

12/31/2025

In October, funds were sent to Cuba to purchase 500 ten-pill packs of acetaminophen for distribution to individuals and families. While acetaminophen is a household staple here in the United States, in Cuba it is scarce and often difficult to find. These essential, life-saving medicines are helping communities address everyday health needs where access to basic care is limited. The photos below show recipients in Cuba receiving these supplies as part of our ongoing efforts to provide practical support and care.

On The Other Side Of The Storm: Chronicles Of A Mission Trip

12/15/2025

Hurricane Melissa swept through eastern Cuba with unprecedented force, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Torrential rains, hurricane-strength winds, and overflowing rivers damaged homes, flooded fields, and destroyed livelihoods. Remarkably, unlike in neighboring countries such as Jamaica, Cuba reported no deaths, thanks in large part to timely evacuations from areas most at risk.

A Cuban pastor in the eastern region shared a reflection that captures the gravity of the moment: In a situation like this, we pray that God protects the place where we are, where our family is, where the brothers of the church are, and the properties we have; but this time, wherever we ask the Lord to turn it, we know it will end up where it passes.

Indeed, Hurricane Melissa moving through the Caribbean was devastating, and no one would call it a gentle experience. Yet even amid such destruction, the Rock of Christ held firm in the hearts of the Cuban people.

A Board Member of the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation recently traveled to Cuba to deliver relief donations directly to communities in the storms path. The mission involved long travel from the United States to Havana, followed by a twelve-hour bus ride to the eastern region, the area hardest hit by the hurricane. The journey brought challenges including exposure to tropical viruses, prolonged blackouts, and limited internet access.

While listening to local pastors describe their experiences, our Board Member reflected on stories from their own family living in Cuba: the survival of their maternal grandparents during Hurricane Flora, sleepless nights with their mother during storms on the coast, and the countless times they had previously visited communities and churches after cyclones or hurricanes in their role as facilitator and interpreter. This time, however, the experience was different - they were living it from within.

Churches in Cuba are unlike those in many other countries, as most congregations meet in pastors’ homes rather than dedicated buildings. These house churches serve as both places of worship and community centers. Many were damaged or destroyed by the hurricane, leaving pastors and congregations without a physical meeting place. Despite this, the people of Cuba remain resilient and committed. They are willing and capable of rebuilding their churches on their own; what they need most is financial support to purchase building materials, while their own sweat equity provides the labor to restore their communities.

Local pastors in less-affected areas of Cuba are already organizing collections of food, clothing, and other resources to assist the hardest-hit communities. Stories of fear, loss, and divine protection during the storm highlight both the challenges and the faith-filled resilience of these communities. This outreach embodies the principle that service is carried out with the hands of those who give, the knees of those who pray, and the feet of those who go. By delivering aid and supplies from the United States, supported by prayers and contributions from around the globe, this simply demonstrates that God’s work knows no boundaries and continues through the faithful efforts of His people.

Thank You For An Unforgettable Evening of GRATITUDE & Giving

10/25/2025

What an incredible evening! We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us for An Evening of Gratitude and Giving. This was our very first in-person event since before COVID, and it was truly uplifting to see so many friends, supporters, and new faces gathered in one room. The joy of reconnecting, sharing a meal, and celebrating our mission of hope as a community was beyond measure, and your presence made the evening so meaningful.

We are overwhelmingly thankful to our generous sponsors: Sallie Greenfield, Pitts Watts Group-Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Fairview Moravian Maggie Styers Missionary Chapter, First Bank, Ken Jones - Edward Jones Investments, US Foods, West Highlands Capital, and Holly Poultry Company, our Meal Sponsor, whose support helped make this night possible.

We are grateful to everyone who helped make An Evening of Gratitude & Giving such a success - our generous sponsors, donors, dedicated volunteers, Moravian youth, and board members. Your kindness and commitment made this night possible and filled it with joy, connection, and purpose.

The evening was rich with inspiring moments - from heartfelt words shared by Bishop Armando Rusindo and Tania Sánchez Fonseca in Cuba, to Frank Chitty receiving the Outstanding Service Award, to the excitement of the live and silent auctions. Together, we celebrated faith, hope, and unity across the Caribbean and we look forward to gathering again next year!

Click here to view all the event photos!

Save the Date: An Evening of Gratitude & Giving

7/1/2025

Mark your calendar for An Evening of Gratitude & Giving, a special dinner fundraiser benefiting the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation. Enjoy an unforgettable evening with delicious food, live music, inspiring speakers, and exciting auction opportunities - all in support of our mission to serve those in need across the Caribbean and beyond.

Saturday, August 16, 2025
6PM - 7PM | Social Hour & Silent Auction
7PM - 9PM | Plated Dinner, Program, & Live Auction

Masonic Center of Winston-Salem
4537 Country Club Rd
Winston-Salem, NC 27104

Be on the lookout for additional details, how to order tickets, and variety of sponsorship opportunities in the upcoming weeks. We can't wait to see you there!

One Container, Countless Blessings

5/21/2025

In last month’s update, we celebrated the arrival of ARMF’s Container of Hope in Cuba. Today, we are thrilled to share the impact this shipment has made on communities throughout the country including Havana, Matanzas, Santa Clara, Camagüey, and Guantánamo, blessing countless lives. This container was filled with food and supplies - including rice, black beans, oatmeal, cooking oil, clothing, medical supplies, wheelchairs, and more - is now being distributed to those in need.

We have been deeply moved by the heartfelt messages of gratitude pouring in from those involved in the distribution process and those receiving the food and supplies. These stories and videos serve as a powerful reminder that the Container of Hope is not only nourishing bodies but also spreading the love of Jesus through hope, compassion, and unity.

We invite you to watch the incredible impact firsthand through the two videos below, sent directly from Cuba over the past few weeks.

The Spirit is Moving And Ministries Are Growing

4/30/2025

God is at work in Cuba and throughout the Caribbean, moving through communities with a spirit of renewal, hope, and unity. Believers are coming together with hearts full of praise. Worship is vibrant and heartfelt, with voices lifted in song and hands raised in gratitude. We are reminded that the faith of the Cuban people remains rich and resilient. God’s presence is unmistakable as lives are being transformed and the Church continues to grow in both number and spiritual depth. As Jesus said, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8, NIV).

The Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation is honored to be a part of the many ministries that are growing throughout the country. God is using people of all ages to share the gospel and support one another. Below are just a few images of worship, prayer, and fellowship capturing a glimpse of God’s People standing strong in faith - evidence that God’s light shines in all circumstances.

Bringing Hope, One Container At A Time

2/23/2025

We are excited to share an update on our recent Container of Hope shipment! This container filled with essential food and supplies - including rice, black beans, oatmeal, cooking oil, clothing, medical supplies, wheelchairs, and farm equipment - is now being distributed across Cuba!

The impact of the container is already being felt in communities across the country. The Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation’s mission of hope is reaching Moravian Churches in Havana, Matanzas, Santa Clara, Camagüey, and Guantánamo, ensuring that these items bless as many lives as possible.

Below are photos of our Cuban brothers and sisters receiving food that arrived in the container. Many volunteers have worked tirelessly to divide and disperse all the items from the container, to ensure they bless as many people as possible.

CELEBRATING THE SECOND CONTAINER OF HOPE DELIVERY

1/29/2025

We are overjoyed to share an update on our Containers of Hope program. Late last week, Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation's (ARMF) second container of humanitarian aid was officially released from Port Mariel in Havana and delivered safely to a church in Havana, where it will serve as a storage area for the Moravian Church.

This container was filled with food and a variety of other items, including (but not limited to): Rice, black beans, oatmeal, clothing, medical supplies, wheelchairs, and farm supplies.

The container contents have been uploaded, and organized, and will soon be distributed among Moravian Churches across Cuba, as well as, some other denominations, providing food and support to our Cuban brothers and sisters. In the upcoming days, volunteers will be working tirelessly to divide and disperse all the items from the container, to ensure they bless as many people as possible.

We encountered a few challenges along the way, including delays caused by U.S. dockworker strikes in early October. But as always, we trust in God’s perfect timing and are grateful for the opportunity to fulfill His directive to feed and support those in need.

We first want to extend heartfelt thanks to ARMF’s generous donors for helping to make the Containers of Hope program a reality. A thank you to the Moravian Mission Foundation (MMFA) for a grant helping offset the cost of this project and to Bruce Ledwith who helped secure the grant. We also want to recognize a few individuals who were extremely involved: Ron Vogler for securing the food products, Frank Chitty for organizing the medical supplies, and Dave Mitchell for designing water purification systems.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support. Once again, we are reminded from this container – we are making a difference in Cuba.

ARMF 2024 Year End Review: Project & Initiatives

12/22/2024

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of the Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation (ARMF) over the past years. Your kindness and support have allowed us to help countless individuals in need as they face daily challenges.

This past year has been especially active for the Foundation, as we have supported many projects and initiatives in Cuba:

Sent two shipping containers which included:

- Approximately 50,000 lbs. of food
- Medical and personal hygiene supplies
- Bibles, clothing, and educational materials
- Farm supplies, seeds, and a variety of
agricultural tools/equipment
- Seven water systems

Sponsored a Women's Sewing Ministry
Supported Jaguey Grande Hospital for the mentally and physically challenged, by suppling fans, medical supplies, and food preparation equipment.
Helped with the elderly assistance programs, as specific needs arose.
Assisted with the church and daycare center in Guantanamo.
Aided with hurricane support in Eastern and Western Cuba - this included the church in San Antonio del Sur, Guantanamo where major destruction occurred.
Sponsored four individual camps held in four different provinces attended by roughly 150 children; unfortunately, youth from the USA were unable to attend this year.

As you know, our mission primarily supports the Moravian Churches in Cuba, along with several other denominations there. Occasionally, we also feel called to respond to disasters closer to home, such as when Hurricane Helene devastated the southeastern part of the United States. Thanks to your continued generosity, we are able to offer assistance in these times of need through monetary and physical donations.

Donated $5,000 to Samaritan’s Purse designated for the purchase of heaters and generators.
Contributed an additional $6,000 that was distributed to several North Carolina counties for additional hurricane relief.
Provided over 3,000 lbs. of cleaning supplies, clothes, personal hygiene items, etc. through local collection efforts.

Thanks to the unwavering support of our prayer partners and donors, we are thrilled to share the continued growth of the Foundation.

God Bless,
Joe Jarvis
President, Armando Rusindo Mission Foundation