Month 8 debrief, in a hotel in Siem Reap, I heard about this program called Project Searchlight. Project Searchlight is a program designed for World Racers who have just come off the field and helps align them with the famous question, “What’s next?” During my month 8 debrief, I knew that The Lord would speak to me at Searchlight. Today, 2 weeks removed from Project Searchlight, I can officially put out what He told me then.
My long-term ministry is with the country of Cuba. I don’t know how this will happen; I just know that I was created to do it. My family is from Cuba. My grandparents were imprisoned for years attempting to leave the island. I was born in Miami as a 1st generation Cuban-American in my family. There are thousands more who have lost their lives trying to flee the communist regime that has been in power for over 50 years.
I’ve known since the first time I visited Cuba in 2011 that I would be doing missions work there, I just never wanted to be called there. Seriously, Cuba is no joke! This is a place where people get arrested at the whim of those in power. There are no rights, no freedoms. Growing up in my family, all I ever heard were horror stories of fears and losses. Why would I ever go, and possibly live there, willingly?
At Searchlight, God spoke to me very clearly. He cares less about my fears and more about the love he has for the Cuban people. He hears their cries. His heart breaks for the relational separations caused by the government. He wants Cubans to know how much He loves them.
And here I am. I am a follower of Jesus. For years I never spoke Spanish. Having spent 3 years living with my grandparents, the Spanish I speak now is purely conversational and done with a heavy Cuban accent. I live in a city with the largest Cuban population in the country and in the closest proximity.
Put it all together, The Lord has been preparing me for this moment my whole life!
How did I respond to the Lord’s call? I was broken by it. Seriously though, I cried for 2 days by the weight of the call. So many fears and thoughts of imprisonment flooded my mind. For my sake, the Lord spoke clearer than ever to me while in the community of my G squad family. Gosh they were supportive. In my tears, they came up and encouraged me in incredible ways. My teammate Tia prayed for me while I was flat on my face in tears, my teammate Micah gave me a word of encouragement, and my teammate Liz (aka Lil Sugar) said she’d come rescue me if I were ever imprisoned. The Lord allowed his message to sink in the midst of great community that built me up.
So here we are with the long term named but not fully defined. What’s next?
As the Lord builds me up for the work I will be doing in Cuba, He is calling me to Antigua for the next 6 months. AIM, the organization that sent me on the World Race, opened a base of operations in Antigua, Guatemala. Their goal there is to make disciples. The vision is to send the nations to the nations, to make Guatemalan missionaries that can get into places that Americans can’t, like Cuba.
I spent my 2nd month of the race in Antigua. It was my favorite city that we did ministry in. This beautiful city is filled with Cobblestone streets, many coffee shops, and many wonderful people to share the love of Jesus with.
My goals in Antigua are to:
- Be discipled- I’m not truly sure how to disciple someone. The reason is that I believe that I need to be discipled. My sole goal in life is draw closer to the heart of Jesus. The goal of the Antigua base lines up with the Great Commission. Learning how to get this process started from scratch is experience that will help me in the future.
- Disciple others- While I don’t feel like an expert, I know that the Lord has taken me on a crazy journey so far. I bring a value as a Son of God to usher in freedom in those I come across. The Lord has set me free in many areas of my life and I can share my stories and experiences with those who need it.
- Improve my Spanish- Being in a country that speaks only Spanish is going to help me broaden my vocabulary as well as my ability to translate English/Spanish. Currently, there are no missionaries in the Antigua base who have this ability. Improving in this area is going to help me with communicating in the future when my Cuba ministry launches.
This is my vision over the next 6 months. But I need your help. This trip to Antigua is not free.
The total cost of the trip is $5,500, a far cry from the $15,500 the Lord raised for my World Race.
In order for me to leave for the launch of this vision, which is Sept. 1st, I need to have $2,850 raised. I currently have about $400 raised already.
All the monies given are used to further the kingdom of God. We each have a part in this.
I have been praying for you who are reading this since before writing this blog. I pray that the Lord bless your generosity, that he multiplies your giving 10 fold. The bible teaches: Deuteronomy 16:17
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.
I encourage you to give in whatever manner you can. If you have to give in a one-time donation or monthly, any donation would be spectacular. I ask before you even consider giving that you first pray about it. Ask the Lord what He is saying.
I am certain that I am called into this next season, and I know that our Heavenly Father has prepared your heart for this moment as well. This speaks volumes to His goodness and He receives all the glory!
Don’t forget that all donations are also tax deductible as well (woot woot!).
To give, click the link on the left side of the screen that says Support Me.
If you have any questions, email me at [email protected]
I look forward to what the Lord does and thank you for even reading through this.
Feel free to read my past blogs that document my experiences on the race.
Also, please share this blog with as many people as you can as the more people who know about this journey the more fame it brings to the work of God.
Thanks!
Gabe
