A Gown with a Greater Purpose
When you talk to people in Cuba, they share their blessings rather than challenges, radiating a positive outlook that inspires others. When we created the itemized shipping list for the export license, wedding dresses weren’t originally on the list—after all, the need for essentials like food and medicine is so great. Yet, God has a way of connecting people and placing the right tools in the right hands to fulfill His greater purpose.
Don and Sally Meredith founded Christian Family Life in 1971. The young couple quickly learned marriage was challenging, so they turned to Scripture, which transformed their marriage. Peers took notice, resulting in a book, Two Becoming One, numerous speaking conferences, and inspired a fellow mentee couple to establish a weekend retreat. In 1981, they created a course based on the book’s content, and the ministry began international expansion.
The ministry expanded into Cuba through Darrel Wright, when he met denominational leaders who shared that their greatest need was strengthening the marriages of pastors and lay leaders. After visiting Cuba in 2006, Don put resources into translating the book and curriculum into Spanish. He began preparing for a marriage conference when paths crossed with Roland and Tammy Martinez, and Don invited Roland to translate for the Cuba conference in 2009. The couple’s Cuban heritage and Roland’s cultural knowledge and language fit well. In 2015, Roland formally assumed the role of president of Christian Family Life. The Cuban ministry now covers the entire island, with key couples leading in each of the 16 provinces.
Since both organizations operate an established ministry in Cuba, mutual investors introduced Roland to Wayne, Atulado’s Executive Director. Ever since, the two have collaborated on ideas and thoughts about the island. Roland keeps up with Atulado through the monthly newsletter and learned about the recent export license.
When Roland first traveled to Cuba to translate for the conference, he learned that many couples don’t marry in Cuban culture, and financial challenges often prevent them from having a wedding or celebration. Without a role model of marriage for people to follow and living under oppressive conditions and a housing shortage, it’s common for three to four generations to live together. Christian Family Life believes marriage is crucial. By strengthening marriages, families and communities are strengthened.
Therefore, as part of the first conference in 2009, a recommitment ceremony was held for the couples. The women dressed in traditional wedding gowns and were supported by other women as they prepared for their special moment. Their reactions were deeply moving, with many crying tears of joy over what the ceremony meant to them. A wedding gown is more than just a dress—it has a greater purpose to unite people and provide a beacon of hope and happiness amid daily challenges.
The ministry started acquiring wedding dresses and taking them into Cuba as part of the Two Becoming One program. In 2015, a bridal shop in California went out of business and donated 80 dresses to the program. With no way to ship 80 dresses to Cuba, Roland and others going to the island would fill their duffel bags with as many gowns as they could carry onto the plane. So, they took 80 dresses to Cuba over a nine-year period.
Getting resources into the island has been challenging for Christian Family Life for years, which resulted in some donations being denied. Storing an inventory of gowns and the slow process of getting them to Cuba can be costly and time-consuming. However, working with Atulado to send wedding dresses through the export license changes everything for the ministry and those receiving them.
For example, Roland received a call with a donation of 240 wedding dresses. Knowing he could ship them using the license, he accepted. The wedding dresses will arrive soon in Cuba, bringing hope and joy to many newlyweds beginning their lives together in Holy matrimony. What once took nine years to deliver 80 will take just weeks to deliver 240 wedding gowns.
This shipment will be delivered to Havana and distributed to local churches in most of the 16 provinces. By equipping local churches, pastors and leaders can embrace opportunities to share the Gospel with more people. One pastor, for example, was marrying six couples—a common practice is to marry more than one couple due to the cost. Before the formal ceremony began, he led the couples, dressed in their wedding attire, on a walk through the village. By the time they arrived back at the church, they had attracted a crowd of curious onlookers. The pastor used this moment to share the Gospel with everyone in attendance, impacting the newlyweds and the community in which they live.
While shipping resources has become easier, the ministry still faces hurdles similar to the challenges other ministries in Cuba face. Years of work on the island have fostered strong relationships with trusted, vetted leaders. However, the mass exodus of people fleeing the island’s dire circumstances has reduced the number of people on the island with whom they have long-term relationships. Also, a recent mission trip was canceled due to power outages. Undeterred, Roland made the trip anyway to deliver resources and support leaders. Equipping and empowering those who remain on the island is vital to continuing the mission and transforming communities.