My Testimony: Yuni San

I was born in a communist country, Cuba, and raised in a humble family by amazing parents who sacrificed everything for their kids. However, no one was a Christian. At an early age, I learned a false concept of manhood: "A man is someone who has many women, knows how to fight, and drinks a lot."

In college, I had everything I thought I wanted—women, money, and fame—but my heart was still empty. I kept telling myself, "There is something more, but I don't know what it is."

When I was a junior in college, a brave black man was preaching at a bus stop. My friend started mocking him, and I told my friend, "Shut up and leave this place." (God is so good, He used me to defend one of His children.) I talked to the preacher one-on-one, and every question I asked, he answered by pointing to the Bible. He talked to me about the creation of the universe and humanity, the fall of man, Christ's sacrifice, and the eternal hope we have in Him. I told him that everything made sense, but at that time I wouldn't become a Christian because I didn't want to be a hypocrite (going to church on Sundays and spending the rest of the week at parties with women). After that day, Frank became a good friend of mine. In the last week of December, Frank invited me to a dinner. I told him that if it was in the church, I wouldn't go. He assured me it wasn't in the church but on a roof (the roof of a church, haha), and it was only for college students. I accepted, and something that captivated my heart was the unity, love, and environment of the people there. They were talking together as a family and knew each other well. I told Frank and Juanmi (another friend I made that night), "You guys look like aliens; I've never seen this kind of love, not even in my family." They said, "That's the love of Christ poured into our hearts; the Holy Spirit is the only one who can create this environment—it's supernatural." I had been making fun of Christians since high school, but at this point, I started to have a little more respect for them because if God truly exists and they are His children, I didn't want to be in bad standing with God. Two weeks later, Marelis, a devoted believer, was chosen to do a project with me. She saw me at the dinner and asked before starting the project, "Can I read something from the Bible?" I said yes. I don't remember what she read, but it was enough to make me think that I was born to be a Child of God. True life comes from that book. I didn't say anything, and she asked me, "Yunior, do you want to be a Christian?" I told her, "I can't. I don't want to be a hypocrite—going to church and then doing everything He hates." She said it isn't by human power; it is the power of God that changes a life. I replied, "No one can change me; I don't think God is powerful enough to change me." She asked if she could pray for me, and I said yes. While she was praying, God called me. I knew this was serious, and I couldn't play with God. I went outside, lifted my arms to the heavens (I didn't care what others thought of me), and said to God, "Father, I have broken many hearts and know the pain because my heart was once broken. I give you my heart and ask for a chance to do things your way because my way always fails." God gave me a second chance. He forgave my sins and made me a new creation after I prayed!

God changed my heart, gave me new desires, and a purpose in life. No one believed I was a new man. My friends thought I started going to church because of a woman (it wasn't the case; I was trying to show my girlfriend at the time that I had changed), but when they saw my behavior and that I was faithful to my calling, they left me. My family did the same: My mom cried for 365 days, hoping I would stop following Christ; my sister stopped following me; and my dad preferred that I listened to music he previously prohibited. I was a Math Professor for five years until I lost my job for preaching to my students in their free time. At that time, God called me to grow in my faith, and I started seminary at the Free Will Baptist Church. God provided me with an online job with a good income. I couldn't finish the seminary, but thanks to the good income, I helped my local church. During this time, I met my American wife and bought her tickets to travel between the USA and Cuba. She left everything in the USA to live with me in Cuba (from the best country in the world to one of the worst conditions) for eight months until she got pregnant and returned to the USA. God was so merciful to me that He performed a miracle, allowing me to come to the USA one month before my child was born, and I was present for the birth (just as I had prayed). We served God in a small Presbyterian Church for a bit until we found a Baptist Church and became members. I volunteered in a prison ministry. My job in the USA promoted me, requiring me to move out of town. Now, we are in the process of becoming members of a Reformed Church.

My mom sent me to two psychologists because she thought I lost my mind for preaching the Gospel to everyone near me. Despite this, I graduated with honors, and the college asked me to be a Math Professor. That was another calling from God. I rejected a career as a Chemical Engineer to be a Math Professor in a secular college to support Christian students and preach the Gospel to everyone.

By the Mercy of God I am who I am, I have a family and a job to provide for them. Soli Deo Gloria