Hope Amid Darkness: ACSI Cares is Helping Cuban Families in Need

Imagine sitting in the dark for 22 hours a day.  

Garbage piling up because basic services have stopped.  

Public transportation nearly halted.  

For many families in Cuba, this is daily life. 

Cuba is amid an unprecedented, multi-front crisis. The island is experiencing the worst economic decline since the 1959 revolution. This situation has been compounded by the country’s energy grid on the verge of failure, fuel shortages, food insecurity, and a string of natural disasters.  

Yet, even in the darkness, there is hope. As the growing crisis threatens basic survival needs of Cuban families, ACSI has teamed up with Rysr, The Raygar Foundation, and SERV International to provide meals to Christian school families across the island.  

“Helping Cuba is my heart,” Patrick Stuart, COO of Rysr, said. “It is special to do this with ACSI.” 

Dr. Larry Taylor, ACSI President and CEO, first worked with Stuart when he served as Head of School at Prestonwood Christian Academy.   

“Pat is one of my heroes,” Taylor said.  “He has spread the Gospel in so many ways, and I am thankful for his continued dedication to Christian education.” 

Stuart recently introduced Dr. Taylor to Steve Kasha with SERV International, a ministry committed to meeting physical needs as a platform for sharing the hope of Christ. To date, SERV International has distributed more than 107 million meals around the world.  

“Praise God for what He is doing,” Taylor said. “Through Steve’s great work, ACSI will be able to help Christian school families in need.”  

A shipping container holding one million meals is expected to reach port in Cuba soon. Each meal is a dehydrated blend of lentils and vitamins that cook like rice and can be seasoned as desired.  

For Dr. Taylor, this work is deeply personal.  

“Cuba has been part of my ministry work for many years,” he said. “My wife’s father was raised in Cuba. We have taught the Kingdom Schools Institute in several places across the island.”  

Taylor also expressed gratitude for Cuban Christian education leaders who continue to serve faithfully. 

“I praise God for men like Yaniel Marrero and Israel Martin who have carried the baton of Kingdom Education in Cuba further than I ever could,” Taylor said. “These men are helping to meet not only academic needs of the next generation, but their spiritual and physical needs as well.”

ACSI is honored to be part of helping meals reach Cuba and families in need. In the days ahead, ACSI looks forward to sharing stories of hope, provision, and transformation as families receive meals and hear the good news of Jesus Christ.