- Covered In His Dust
- Posts
- We're being called to Cuba
What a day! There is momentum growing, but we need your help.
This is where we stand:
Our goal is to raise $135,000 to cover the operating costs of the ministry. Before we launched the fundraiser, someone donated $10,000 to be matched! Then, shortly after, another incredible person stepped in and offered to match up to $5,000!
TWO MORE PEOPLE HAVE STEPPED UP WITH FUNDS TO MATCH BRINGING THE TOTAL TO $45,000!
To date, we've raised $9,240, which, when matched, is $18,480, IN TWO DAYS!
We need you tonight. Dig deep. Momentum is building...
We still have $35,760 that can be matched and remember our goal is $135,000. I don't want to leave anything on the table.
We’re Being Called to Cuba
In the Covered in His Dust Bible study, I’ve been reflecting on Acts 16:6-7:
"And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them."
These verses show how active the Holy Spirit was in guiding Paul. His plans to share the Gospel in Asia and Bithynia were redirected by God. Paul didn’t resist; he trusted God’s “no” as part of His greater plan. That trust led to Philippi, where Lydia became the first recorded European convert and a key supporter of Paul’s ministry.
Closed doors aren’t failures—they’re invitations to trust God’s bigger plan.
So what does this have to do with Cuba?
Everything.
For the last five years, Vonda and I have felt called to hard-to-reach places where the Gospel is scarce or even dangerous to share. During Secret Church with David Platt, we both heard it clearly: Cuba.
Cuba is one of the most difficult places to share the Gospel in the Spanish-speaking world. Persecution is rampant. Churches are monitored. Pastors face interrogation, and arrest, if they challenge the regime.
The minimum wage is $18 a month, while it takes about $300 a month to support a small family. Survival often involves navigating a black market alongside ministry work.
Last April, I took a vision trip to Cuba. I followed what felt like breadcrumbs, connecting with a local pastor named Andy Quezada. I arrived at a house church—50 people gathered on a patio, sitting on mismatched chairs, listening to sound doctrine being preached.
Over 10 days, I met over 20 pastors. They’re humble, passionate, and on fire for the Lord. I don’t have the words to fully capture it. It’s like they’re living the Book of Acts—desperate to share the Gospel as if Jesus is returning tomorrow.
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
These pastors are living that scripture. Pair it with Isaiah 6:8: “Here I am! Send me” and you’ll begin to see their hearts.
Paul probably wanted—and even prayed—to share the Gospel in Asia, but God said no. He then tried to go to Bithynia, but again, God didn’t allow it.
How did the Holy Spirit redirect them? The Bible doesn’t give us specifics, but here are some possibilities:
Direct Revelation or Vision: Paul had received visions before, like the vision of the man from Macedonia later in this chapter (Acts 16:9-10). It’s possible the Holy Spirit communicated directly to Paul or his team to make it clear they shouldn’t go.
Circumstances: God may have closed doors through external challenges—political unrest, illness, or even travel obstacles. These circumstances could have been a way of showing them where not to go.
Inner Conviction or Restlessness: Paul and his team might have felt uneasy or convicted that moving forward wasn’t right. The Holy Spirit often works in our hearts this way, guiding us by what feels unsettled.
Unified Decision through Prayer: They may have prayed together and collectively sensed that God was redirecting their path.
Vonda and I were convinced the Holy Spirit was calling us to Cuba.
For years, we prayed to be part of sharing the Gospel in hard-to-reach countries. God planted this desire in our hearts, and Scripture confirmed it. When I went on a 10-day vision trip, I was sure it was preparation for our family to move there.
But the Holy Spirit isn’t calling us to live in Cuba. Here’s why:
It’s illegal for foreign missionaries or pastors to work in Cuba.
As Americans, our visas only allow us to stay for three months at a time. While we could return to Guatemala and then go back to Cuba every three months, it’s not financially feasible with our five little ones.
Our daughter relies on speech therapy and services for her cochlear implant, which we’ve been blessed to find in Guatemala. There are no services like this in Cuba.
Medical care in Cuba is unreliable. Even basic medical supplies must be provided by the patient before surgery. If one of our kids got seriously ill, there would be no adequate care.
The list goes on, and it’s clear we aren’t being called to move to Cuba—at least not yet.
As we see in the book of Revelation, Paul eventually made it to Asia, where his ministry had a profound impact. Cities like Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum became centers of vibrant Christian communities. In Ephesus alone, Paul preached for over two years, and the Gospel spread throughout the entire province of Asia (Acts 19:10).
So who knows.
What God IS calling us to do in Cuba is partner with the pastors we met.
They’re the best hope for spreading the Gospel in Cuba.
Here are the ways we have partnered with pastors in Cuba to help spread the gospel.
In 2024, Ordinary Missionaries helped one pastor move to Havana to co-pastor a growing church.
We have increased the salaries of nine pastors and missionaries to $100 a month. Recently, we learned that the church in England, which helps fund these pastors, will run out of money by the end of March.
We’re committed to covering that gap and increasing their salaries to $150 a month sometime in 2025.
As missionaries, we understand the loneliness of ministry. Vonda and I have shared meals with every pastor we support, and we are devoted to encouraging them and lifting them up in prayer.
The safest way to get money into Cuba is to fly in and carry it in a backpack. I plan to visit Cuba 3 times a year to bring money in to support the pastors and to build relationships.
These are the scriptures we're holding onto.
"And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again." Philippians 4:15-16
"They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed." Acts 28:10
"I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf." Romans 15:30
"At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak." Colossians 4:3-4
If you could go back in time, would you financially support the Apostle Paul?
It’s incredible to think that in the early days of Paul’s ministry, the church in Philippi was the only one that consistently supported him financially. Their generosity helped fuel one of the greatest Gospel movements in history.
If you’ve ever been encouraged by our newsletter or Bible study, if the Lord has used the work in Guatemala to encourage you, or if your heart burns like ours to support Cuban pastors and missionaries—take some time to pray about how God might be leading you to donate tonight.
I’m 58 years old, and my passion, to the bone, is to spread the Gospel. Here in Guatemala, directly through our ministry. And in Cuba, by supporting pastors who are urgently sharing the Good News as if Jesus were coming back tomorrow.
We want you on our team.
No.
We need you on our team.
Here are all the ways you can give.
Credit card via Pushpay: https://pushpay.com/g/ordinarymissionaries
Paypal: send to [email protected]
Venmo: send to George-Sisneros
Zelle: send to [email protected]
Write a check to Ordinary Missionaries
Send checks to Greg Dix (President) 6021 Wild View Drive Fort Collins, Colorado 80528 Add "2024 fundraiser" in the memo (reply to let us know - we'll add it to the total.)
If you would like to pledge a gift for a later date, reply to this email, and we'll work out the details.
If you would like to donate monthly, let us know, and we'll work out the details. $100 a month = $1200 towards our goal!
If you would like to increase your monthly donation, reply to this email so we can count it towards our goal.
See you tomorrow night! ♥️
We love you.
George and Vonda
Ordinary Missionaries
George Sisneros is a full-time missionary in Guatemala and the founder of Ordinary Missionaries and the El Rosario Christian Academy for Boys.
He’s been married to his wife, Vonda, for 26 years. He’s a father to nine children, five adopted.
In 2024, George and his wife expanded to Cuba, joining forces with nine pastors committed to transforming lives through the gospel.