Congratulations to our Alumni of The Year John-Michael Cabot, Class of 2001!
"I may be a little biased because I’m married to this amazing man, but I want to nominate John-Michael Cabot for the Alumni of the Year award. Not only is he an incredible husband, father, son, and friend, but he is an amazing leader and example for everyone around him. John-Michael was awarded Manager of the Year at his job this past September, and he spends his days mentoring and leading his team of employees towards success (and let’s be real, most of his nights too).
He has also built an incredible cabin rental business, all the while completing his Bachelors and Masters degrees, raising his beautiful daughters, and pouring his heart in to his true passion – mission work. He has gone on countless missions’ trips throughout his life, and this year alone, John-Michael has taken two trips to Cuba, with another one coming up next week. When he was there in March, he realized the dire need that these men and women have for basic necessities and hygienic products. With a torn heart, he began researching and dreaming every single night of different ways he can bring the love of God and ultimately help the people of Cuba.
After talking to a dear friend who is a Pastor in El Bon Cuba, John-Michael learned that most Cubans bring in about $10-$12 per month and were spending a majority of it on essentials like soap. That’s when John-Michael took initiative and decided that teaching the Cubans how to make their own resources out of things they already have available to them would be the best option! And so began his “Cuban Coffee Soap” making journey! I cannot begin to describe the amount of time and energy that John-Michael has poured in to learning the ingredients, the tedious soap making process, and researching what the Cubans in El Bon have available to them that can be easily turned in to the components that produce soap. He has spent the past year making endless amounts of Cuban Coffee soap, passing it out to friends and family members for them to try it and critique, and he has finally perfected the process. John-Michael has even begun to sell his Cuban Coffee soap so that he can use the money to buy all of the equipment that the Cubans will need to begin making their own.
I’m so incredibly proud to say that we leave next week to take all of his hard-earned work and research back to the people of El Bon Cuba where John-Michael will teach them how to make their own Cuban Coffee soap. To say I am proud of this man would be an understatement. I truly look up to John-Michael, and I’m so grateful for his foundation at Bayshore Christian where the Lord was instilled in his life. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and share the love of God with our brothers and sisters in Cuba."
-Ivy Cabot
