Our Story

August 7, 2026

My name is Reinhold Buxbaum. I am a retired pastor living in Sebring, Florida, and this is the story of how an unexpected idea grew into a ministry reaching thousands of children in Cuba.

In 2024, my daughter Rebecca, a registered nurse here in Sebring, asked me if I would like to fly to Havana, Cuba, for a weekend adventure. I have always loved to travel and explore new places, so I quickly agreed.

Before making plans, I decided to speak with my good friend Abner, who attends the same church. Abner serves as the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) Director for South America and Cuba, so I thought he could give us valuable insight.

A few days later, we met over coffee and croissants at Panera Bread.

After I shared our travel plans, Abner smiled and said, "That's wonderful. I'd like to send $5,000 with you."

He explained that CEF workers in Cuba had not received any financial support for six months. After verifying that carrying the funds was completely legal, I gladly agreed to deliver the money.

That simple act opened many doors. We met the leadership of CEF Cuba, who graciously offered us a place to stay. Their "guest house" was very basic. The downstairs served as an office, while upstairs were two small bedrooms and a simple kitchen. Yet their hospitality was generous, and we were deeply grateful.

We promised that on our next visit we would bring suitcases full of gifts. They even arranged transportation for us in a borrowed vehicle and introduced us to other ministry leaders. We met Victor and his wife Abba, who lead CEF in Cuba, as well as Maykel and Vivian, directors for Western Cuba, including Havana. Their daughter, Malu, studies English and often serves as our translator.

Before long, we returned with suitcases packed primarily with food and supplies. After delivering the gifts, I gathered the leaders together and told them I had something important to share.

A few weeks earlier, God had awakened me during the night with an unusual idea.

"What if," I said, "every child attending a CEF club receives a piece of candy? And if that child brings a friend, the friend receives a candy too. At the beginning of the club year, every child would get a piece of candy simply to experience what an American candy tastes like."

As I spoke, I opened a bag of candy and passed it around.

"Try one," I said.

After everyone had tasted a piece, I asked, "Do you think this could help increase attendance at the clubs and, even more importantly, bring more children to Jesus?"

To understand their excitement, you need to know something about life in Cuba. Many families struggle with extreme poverty. For some children, a piece of hard candy is an almost unimaginable treat. To them, candy can feel like Christmas.

The leaders looked at one another and almost simultaneously said, "Let's do it!"

I answered, "It's a deal. Let's get candy from America for all 1,000 clubs serving 150,000 children across Cuba."

Everyone was excited, including me. But deep inside I whispered a prayer:

"Lord, how are we ever going to buy and ship so much candy?"

Yet God gave me an overwhelming peace. In my heart, I felt Him say:

"It's going to work out. Don't worry."

A few months later, I returned to Cuba with three other pastors. One was Jeff, a missions pastor from North Carolina. Another was a retired pastor from Sebring, and the third was a local youth pastor.

Maykel arranged visits to four CEF clubs, and Malu translated for us. As we watched the clubs in action and saw the children participating, all three pastors became excited about the vision.

The result was remarkable. Both churches began supporting the ministry. The Sebring church adopted the support of the Cuban leadership families. The North Carolina church committed to helping fund the candy project beginning in January 2027.

Meanwhile, God continued opening doors. I shared the vision at men's meetings, Sunday school classes, a Christian school, and with many individual believers.

Little by little, support began to grow.

Soon enough, God provided all the funds needed to purchase and ship enough candy for 100 clubs. That amounted to approximately 250,000 pieces of candy weighing nearly 5,000 pounds.

Every dollar came through God's provision.

Today, additional pieces are falling into place. God has provided people to serve in key roles, including a secretary, treasurer, three trustees, and me as president.

At the same time, I continue receiving photos and reports of children placing their faith in Christ. The past six months have felt like a dream.

Could it really be that God is using a handful of ordinary people to impact an entire nation?

Not only are children coming to the Lord, but many are also bringing their parents to church.

Yet we are only at the beginning.

The goal is not simply to reach 100 clubs. The goal is to reach all 1,000 clubs across Cuba, and to keep supplying them every four months.

We believe God can do that and far more.

So first, let us pray. Let us pray for the children of Cuba. Let us pray that the doors remain open for ministry. Let us pray for healing and hope throughout the country.

And if God leads you, consider helping provide the candy and shipping needed to reach even more children with the Gospel.

May God richly bless you.

Reinhold Buxbaum

Sebring, Florida