Feb 14, 2018 Love in The Mission Field

When Danielle Harvey heard about Quiet Hour Ministries’ mission to Cuba, she thought it was an answer to prayer. She felt God impressing her that this was part of His plan for herÑshe had no idea!

Her first day in Cuba, Danielle spotted a good-looking, young pastor, named Edward Cerza. Her heart leapt when she discovered she would be speaking for the evangelistic meetings at his church. Quickly brushing away her excitement, she willed herself to focus on the mission work she had come for.

This was Danielle’s first mission trip and she didn’t have very much public speaking experience. Before her first sermon, she was pacing around the church, nervously prepping. Edward walked in and spoke words of encouragement, putting her at ease. He was not fluent in English but, right from the start, they understood each other like they were speaking their own language.

The new friends began having long conversations over meals. Every day, their conversations grew deeper and longer. I knew, early on, that this man was the one, says Danielle. But I didn’t understand how it would work since he lived in Cuba and I live in Michigan. I started praying.

Danielle and Edward’s connection grew as they saw each other’s love for God. Everything about this relationship was different because God was at the center, she says. When Edward held my hand for the first time, it felt so natural.

Following the mission trip, Danielle and Edward stayed in touchÑexchanging hundreds of emails! Danielle even made a few trips back to Cuba. Four months after their first meeting, during one of her visits, Edward asked Danielle to marry him!

It was so romantic! she gushes. We were having dinner with his family and he just reached out and proposed. I was so happy.

Another four months later, Daniel Harvey became Danielle Cerza when the pair were married in Cuba!

When she looks back on the last year of her life, Danielle is in awe of the way God led her, saying, I am just so glad that I was obedient to what the Lord impressed on my heart and I went on this trip.

Doing missions brought Danielle, not just a husband, but a stronger faith and the boldness to spread God’s word. Since I have been home, I have spoken and shared my testimony with many. I know that my husband and I will be going on more mission trips. We have only just begun our journey of sharing the Lord.

Now, Danielle is working on the immigration process to bring Edward to the U.S. God has shown that He is faithful, so we are trusting Him to lead our future, she says.