Pastor with his wife
Pastor Yasser Castillo and his wife Teresa with HF staff member Dick Samuels

Dear Friends,

I want to tell you about Pastor Yasser Castillo and his wife Teresa. They direct a drug and alcohol rehab ministry in inner-city Havana, Cuba, one of the world’s remaining five communist nations. Along with the current 12 resident men, Yasser and Teresa live in a small, dilapidated storefront that they’ve converted into a chapel and home.

Yasser and Teresa disciple and counsel the recovering addicts, and they try to teach them marketable skills. Teresa also ministers to prostitutes and female addicts.

They previously supported the drug rehab by means of three bicycle taxis that the residents pedaled, but about a year ago the Cuban government confiscated the bicycle taxis, saying that they were being used in an unlicensed, illegal business enterprise. The ministry struggled to survive. Earlier this year, however, the government relaxed its regulations on private business enterprises, and now Yasser and Teresa can operate their bicycle taxi business again as long as they obtain the required permits and pay their taxes—and find more taxis to replace the ones the government confiscated.

That’s where Heaven’s Family was able to help.

Seeing this as an opportunity to help a vital ministry become self-sufficient, we purchased three new bicycle taxis for the ministry through gifts to the Drug Rehab Fund. Yasser estimates that each bicycle taxi can generate at least $100 a month in profit—enough to meet the basic needs of the ministry. We also helped them buy food to sustain them until they can get the taxis into service.

Bicycle taxi
Heaven’s Family was able to purchase three new bicycle taxis similar to this one

I am so overjoyed at what God is doing in Cuba through Pastor Yasser and his wife Teresa. What a blessing it is to help this brother and sister as they fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples of former drug addicts and prostitutes. Your faithful gifts to the Drug Rehab Fund made this possible. Thank you for your heart of obedience to Jesus.

Eternally Grateful,

Bob Collins
Director, Drug Rehabilitation Fund

This correspondence is not intended to be an appeal for funds, but as an informational update for those who have already contributed to the Drug Rehabilitation Fund, have signed up to receive these updates, or know Bob and Carole personally. Our goal is to serve you as you serve the “least of these” among Christ’s family.

If, however, you would like to contribute again to this fund, we want to make it easy for you, either through credit card or automatic bank withdrawal. Just click the blue button above or call our office during regular business hours (8:30AM – 5PM EST) at (412) 833-5826.

To contribute by cheque in the U.K., please write the designated fund name in the memo line and mail it to Heaven’s Family, P.O. Box 7402, Bournemouth, U.K. BH11 0EJ.

Heaven’s Family is a 501c3 non-profit organization recognized by the IRS. Heaven’s Family is also a registered charity in the U.K., and most gifts qualify for Gift Aid, significantly increasing the size of your gift. We are committed to financial integrity and transparency. Please visit our website at HeavensFamily.org.