Imagine never experiencing Christmas or Easter. No family gatherings, church services, or holiday traditions. No opportunity to experience the love and awe that surrounds the most significant days of the life of Christ. Instead, these holidays are exactly the same as every other day – filled with worries about the future and the challenge of meeting basic necessities.

Such was the case for Yarely Garcia, a loving mother looking to give her two children the life they deserve. In Cuba they experienced shortages of everything; food, drink, daily essentials – both physical and spiritual nourishment. The Cuban government ended religious activity after the 1959 revolution that put Fidel Castro in power, and although that ban ended in 1997, the impact of an entire generation growing up without ever having attended church cannot be understated.

Last year, Lutheran Services Florida met Yarely and her kids after they left Cuba as political asylees. We helped them adjust to life in Ft. Myers through our case-management, employment, and legal support services. We also helped them have a special Christmas this year – complete with presents under the tree. As Easter approaches, not only do they have hope for tomorrow, they have experienced the love of Jesus in a practical way through the impact of LSF and through you, our loyal supporters.

But the task of serving those in need is monumental, and we need your continued support!

LSF has been bringing God’s healing, hope and help to the clients we serve for decades. In fact more than 35 years ago, we began in a tiny room of a church. Back then, like we do now, LSF was responding to the tremendous needs within our community. We accompanied people through incredibly difficult situations and tumultuous periods of their lives. We were there when people had no other hope. This has always been the core of our mission and will always be the focus of our work.

To continue our work, we count on your prayers to help guide us and your donations to help ensure we have the funding needed to transform lives. As the Apostle Paul reminds us:

You must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
– Acts 20:35

There are millions of people across Florida just like Yarley, for whom every day is a struggle. Only together can we achieve our vision of a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.