Women on Mission - August 2026

August 2026 Update

Cuba's infrastructure may be crumbling, food may be scarce, and its government services — including healthcare, electricity, and water — may be dysfunctional, but its Christian people "are not falling apart there. The Lord is in that place," guest speakers Kathy Lehman and Carolyn Harris from First Baptist Blairsville and Barbara Turner from Blue Ridge told Women on Mission at their monthly meeting on Aug. 10. 

The three women sing with the Jubalheirs, the Georgia Baptist women's chorus, and were part of a 230-member Jubalheirs and Sons of Jubal team that made a mission trip with Global Missions to the island of Cuba in October 2025. The gospel message was presented at each concert, and some 125 people committed their lives to Christ as a result. 

The group performed five concerts in six days, all except the last before 5 p.m. daily because the Cuban government would not let them schedule concerts in the evenings. They also were restricted to performing only inside the churches' walls — not in any parks or open public areas.

Kathy and Barbara shared how God overcame their initial resistance to participating in the trip, leading them to realize "that this trip was not about me and all about God." Kathy cited four "God sightings" in her life that convinced her the trip was about trusting God. In spite of two unexpected "speed bumps" where she was assigned to room with a stranger and was housed at a different hotel away from the rest of the group — not to mention getting sick with a 101-degree fever — Kathy said the highlight of her trip was "singing praises in two languages."

Barbara, who has sung with the Jubalheirs for 25 years, felt her 85 years of age and health issues would preclude her from participating in the trip.  But she concluded the Lord "definitely wanted me to go and that He would help me get ready."  She called the concerts "life-changing because of the people there.  I came home revived" after seeing the joy of the Lord in those people. 

Carolyn described how God used a Cuban non-believer to facilitate visas for the group (some in the group had none when they arrived at the Atlanta airport for departure) and how the group transported more than 200 suitcases full of items unavailable in Cuba, including over-the-counter medications, clothing, shoes, musical instruments, and food.  Surrounded by great poverty, Carolyn related how group members in possession of U.S. currency to pay for meals and other items proffered large cash tips to Cuban restaurant and hotel personnel. 

Kathy and Carolyn, both nurses, also served on the group's medical team.  Carolyn noted that the Cuban people are suffering from a severe outbreak of mosquito-borne viruses and have few medications to fight them.  Few commercial or residential windows have screens so flies are everywhere — including on dishes and food, Kathy noted.  Food is so scarce that people — including the Jubal Chorus group members — eat the same meal three times a day.

WOM Local Mission Project

For our next mission project, Women on Mission will be collecting supplies for missionary Brian Williams in Copper Center, Alaska, including school supplies for 40 children, Walmart gift cards, pends, highlighters, Sharpies, and toys for children age 5 and under. Please bring items to the Sep. 14 WOM meeting.

Coming in September

WOM's guest speaker in September will be Josue Gomez, a church planter in New Orleans with the North American Mission Board.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Josue in 2023 planted Safe Place Church, an English-speaking church serving the greater New Orleans area.  Josue regularly serves in next-generation ministry, including opportunities to preach and share with students in local public schools. Safe Place also hosts and participates in numerous local outreaches throughout the year, creating opportunities to serve families, build relationships, and share the hope of Jesus throughout the New Orleans area.

Josue is currently enrolled at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he is studying psychology and counseling. Josue has served in creative ministry, praise and worship, and leadership roles for more than 10 years. Josue lives in Kenner, LA, with his wife, Helen, and their two children, Tatiana and Luca.

The Sept. 14 WOM meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a covered-dish luncheon in the Buchanan Hall at First Baptist, followed by the speaker's presentation at noon. 

Ongoing Activities