Archive for April, 2013

Sowing the Seed

Posted: April 29, 2013 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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Dave sharing the gospel in Mexico City with Isabel Cisneros

Dave sharing the gospel in Mexico City with Isabel Cisneros (circa 1987)

Jesus shared the parable of the sower and the seed. The seed that fell on fertile soil bore fruit.

Part of our work is sowing the seed. Sometimes the seed falls on infertile soil. Yet, it’s so wonderful when the seed does produce. We rejoice with the angels when there is a new birth.

Fruit From the Summer of 1987

This week a friend of mine from Mexico City told me they met a woman who I shared the gospel with in the summer of 1987. This woman came to Christ through our seed sowing, and she is now a leader in the church.

In the summer of 1987 I was doing an internship while I was in seminary. God used that summer internship to confirm my call to serve in Mexico. I was going out with a small team almost every day in an impoverished area east of Mexico City. We were visiting people, sharing the gospel and praying for the sick.

God used that summer to grow me. I’m grateful that he also used it make a difference in people’s lives. It warms my heart to hear how someone we shared the gospel with those many years ago is continuing to be a faithful member and leader of the church.

God Makes it Grow
Sowing, 1495

Sowing, 1495 (Photo credit: Marcel Douwe Dekker)

I realize that I only played a small part. Our team planted the seed, but others watered and God caused the increase.

Paul says in relationship to his sowing of the gospel,

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:6,7 ESV)

This is a reminder to me that we must continue to be faithful to sow the seed of the Word of God. We may not always be around to see the fruit, but some of the seed will fall on good soil. God uses different people in his kingdom to produce fruit. He ultimately is the one who has to make it grow.

Thank you Lord, that you do work through us. Sometimes our efforts are feeble, but you still work through them.

Thanks to our faithful friends for standing with us, as we sow the seed. Continue to pray with us that God will cause much growth as we serve him on the border.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Goodbye to Our Faithful, Little Friend

Posted: April 24, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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Princess celebrating Christmas with us

Princess celebrating Christmas with us

On Sunday evening we received a phone call that our little dog, Princess passed away. Dawn and I have been traveling, so Princess was with some friends. We felt doubly bad that we weren’t there when she passed away, and that this fell on our friends.

I wasn’t sure whether I should post this or not. My blog is mainly to highlight our ministry on the border. Then I thought, well, I notice that people are very interested in our family, and Princess was like part of the family. For those of you that aren’t dog lovers, please accept my apologies!

Princess was about 14 years old, and she was experiencing more aches and pains. It’s good that she doesn’t have to suffer any longer.

She was a very loving little toy poodle. She enjoyed cuddling with us.

One of the things that I will miss about her is that in the morning when I read the news and had my devotions she sat with me. It was a good way to start off my day. She also was a good companion when I watched TV. Our little Princess fit the bill for the saying, “man’s best friend.”

Daisy and Princess - (Daisy is on top of the couch, and Princess is in the background)

Daisy and Princess – (Daisy is on top of the couch, and Princess is in the background)

In God’s grace he’s provided another toy poodle, Daisy. Daisy came into our family in January. She loves to do all the things Princess did, but she has more energy. Every time I head out the door she assumes it is to take her for a ride in the car, or for a walk.

Well, Dawn and I just said good-bye to two of our children, Jonathan and Hannah last night. It never gets easy.

We are about ready to board a plane and head off to Orlando to mobilize workers for our ministry on the border. Please join us in prayer that it will be a fruitful and productive trip.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Value of Friends and Family!

Posted: April 23, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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English: View of Pikes Peak from the Universit...

English: View of Pikes Peak from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, sometime before 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dawn and I have been in Colorado Springs for the last week. We came out for some ministry meetings, and the opportunity to connect with friends and family.

When we left Mexico City at the end of 1999 we moved to Colorado Springs. We thought our family would only be in the Springs for a year or so. I remember Dawn saying to me, “It’s cold there, and we don’t know anybody.” I replied, “We’ll only be there for about a year, we can handle it.”

Well, we actually lived in Colorado Springs for 12 years, just slightly more than a year, right? 🙂 I guess, that’s one reason we are having a hard time getting our kids to leave Colorado. It really did become home for us.

The Lord called us to the Mexican border and we left Colorado last August. Mexico has bookended our time in Colorado.

Hannah and Dave enjoying some father - daughter time

Hannah and Dave enjoying some father – daughter time

While we lived in the Springs the Lord gave us many wonderful friends. We are grateful for them. They pray for us and encourage us along the way.

Dawn and I will be leaving on Wednesday morning, and it will be very hard to say good-bye. It always is! It makes it even harder when we have to say to good-bye to two of our children, Jonathan and Hannah.

I thank the Lord that he has given us such a fruitful visit, and for the blessing of friends who love and support us in our ministry.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

God’s Faithfulness to Our Family

Posted: April 19, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Journey, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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Our Three Kids: Jonathan, Hannah & David Jr.

Our Three Kids: Jonathan, Hannah & David Jr.

I must admit one of the principle things I worry about is my children. My kids, David Jr., Jonathan and Hannah, are now grown. Dawn and I just became empty nesters when we left Colorado last August.

I am learning to trust God in deeper ways through this time. God is indeed faithful!

One of the Hardest Things I’ve Ever Done
The beauty of Colorado Springs (taken by Terry Bradley)

The beauty of Colorado Springs (taken by Terry Bradley)

I can still remember the day we drove off from Colorado Springs, and said good-bye to Jon and Hannah. It was a bittersweet day. Sweet because we attained a dream we had worked for in moving and ministering on the San Diego – Tijuana border. Bitter because Dawn and I had to say good-bye to two of our children.

When the Lord first called us to serve on the border I felt that he confirmed in my heart that he would not tear apart our family. I’ve clung to that promise as Dawn and I have been on this journey.

Jesus’ Healing Words

This morning I was reading in Luke 12. Jesus speaks words of comfort to my soul in this passage found in verses 22 and following.

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

—Luke 12:22-26 (ESV)

The impression I get from Jesus’ words is that these basic things we worry about are very simple for God. Your Father loves you, he is good and he promises to take care of you so why do you worry?

Why do I Worry?

I realize one of the reasons I worry is my faith often wavers. I forget that God is good. I forget that God promises to take care of me and my family.

The other reason I worry is that I make an idols out of my children or other things. The problem with idols is that they never satisfy. They can never fill our hearts. Only our Heavenly Father can meet our deepest needs.

Thank you Lord, for being so loving and so patient with me.

Hannah & Jon having some fun

Hannah & Jon having some fun

One of the reason that I’m reminded of all this today is that Dawn and I are in Colorado Springs. We are spending some time with Jon and Hannah. I still would love to have them closer to us, but I’m grateful that our loving Father is taking such good care of them. I’m thankful for Village Seven Presbyterian Church. A church where they have friends, and they can grow and learn.

Thank you Lord, that you are faithful even though I doubt. You are faithful even when I am not.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

God’s Math in TJ!

Posted: April 15, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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Dave preaching at Lo Mejor del Trigo in Rojo Gomez

Dave preaching at Lo Mejor del Trigo in Rojo Gomez

God’s Math in Tijuana is the same as it is anywhere else around the world. The Gospel + nothing = everything!

On Sunday I spoke at one of the Lo Mejor del Trigo (The Best of the Wheat) churches in Rojo Gomez, which is an area in eastern Tijuana.

It was so encouraging, because there was a great group of people. Pastor Abraham Velazquez asked them to invite their friends and family to the service. They did just that!

The Message of Grace

I preached on Galatians 1:1-9. I love this passage. Paul speaks somewhat harshly to the Galatians, because they are turning to a different gospel. Then he adds, not that there is another one. If you change even the smallest part of the gospel you lose it all together. The gospel of Christ, is that Jesus is the only way. It is through Christ’s sacrifice and his resurrection that we receive the grace of God. We can’t add to the perfect work that Christ has already done for us.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel– not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.  —Galatians 1:6-9, ESV

The simple message of the gospel is that in Christ alone are we saved, by grace alone, through faith alone. It’s elementary math, but unfortunately we often like to add to this formula that God has laid out for us.

Dawn, Dave and David Jr. with Abraham & Martha Velazquez and their children

Dawn, Dave and David Jr. with Abraham & Martha Velazquez and their children

My good friend, pastor Abraham told me that he’s been preparing his people and preaching about grace. At first they resisted the message of grace. They thought he was teaching that it didn’t matter how they lived, but that is not the point. If you believe that you can live in sin you’ve missed it altogether. It’s just that we don’t get to God through our good works.

Another big part of the teaching of grace is that only the gospel can truly change us from the inside out.

Through Abraham’s preaching and the work of the Spirit the Lord had prepared the heart of the people. They were ripe to receive the message.

A Wonderful Response to the Gospel
David Jr. and Dawn with the young couple that visited the church for the first time

David Jr. and Dawn with the young couple that visited the church for the first time – pray for God’s continued work in their lives.

After the message I asked people to come up for prayer if they felt they had a need in their life. Many came up! Then I wondered how we were going to pray for them all, but little by little Dawn, Martha, Abraham and I prayed for them.

One woman, Rosa gave her life to Christ. A young couple who came for the first time asked prayer for their marriage. They came with many needs, and I believe the Lord’s Spirit touched them and brought healing to their broken places!

Pray for pastor Abraham and his wife, Martha. They are a beautiful young couple who love and serve the Lord. God has given them many gifts, and he is blessing them as they serve at the church in Rojo Gomez.

Thank you Lord, for giving me and my family the opportunity to minister to these dear friends.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Ringing the Bell for the Border

Posted: April 12, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Team Members
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Mobilizing in Charlotte
Mexican border fence

Mexican Border

On Thursday I presented our border ministry to seminary students at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. I’m ringing the bell for the border with the hope that someone will hear.

As I visit schools and churches, I have the opportunity to let people know about the crushing needs on the border. I don’t always get the immediate response that I’d like, yet it is a great experience interacting with people and letting them know about what we are doing.

There is value in making people aware of the mission we are on. Dawn and I are praying for a team of workers to join us. It takes time. I’ve spoken with some of my friends who now have larger teams, and they remind me that it is a process.

Dream Big! Dig Deep! Start Small!

Dick Kauffman has been coaching and mentoring me and I am so grateful for his support. He is a very wise and godly man with a wealth of experience. He keeps reminding me, “it is good that you aren’t building your team too quickly. It gives you more time to know what your needs are.” I believe he’s right, but that’s not to say it’s easy to wait! 😉

When I mentioned to Dick recently that I thought my team was slow in coming together he reminded me of something that Pastor Frank Barker used to say, “Dream big! Dig deep! Start small!” Dick added, “sounds to me that you are doing just that.”

I pray that Dawn and I will dream God sized dreams, and patiently wait for his timing. One thing that does help as we wait is that the Lord has already given us wonderful partners to work with, and we do minister with them as a team.

Dave & Dawn on the Border

Dave & Dawn on the Border

Jesus told us to pray for workers, which means we have to ask God and make an appeal to others to go on mission with God together. The words of Jesus still ring true today:

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. —Matthew 9:37,38

I find it encouraging that it is his harvest. This is ultimately the Lord’s work, and he is the one that will raise up the workers. That is why I will keep ringing the bell for the border.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

We are the Easter People!

Posted: April 9, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Video
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We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song —Pope John Paul II

Harbor Mid-City Easter Sunday! Worship

Harbor Mid-City Easter Sunday!

The message of Easter is one of hope. Light breaks through the darkness. We live in a world that seems hopeless and in despair. The resurrection is the game changer. That’s why hallelujah is our song!

When God enters in it is reminder that there is hope. When the gospel truly does break forth it gives us reason to rejoice. Often we are not singing hallelujah, because our spiritual eyes and ears are not open to what the Lord is doing all around us. Maybe we’ve forgotten what our savior did for us on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

One of the ways we learn of how God is working in a community is listening to the testimony of his people. On Easter Sunday, Danny Kim put together a marvelous video that tells the story of three changed lives.

Moses and Oliva both came to know the resurrected savior in a very personal way this last year. God worked in Timonthy’s heart and gave him the strength to forgive someone who had abused him years ago.

It brought tears to my eyes to observe how the Lord had redeemed the lives of these friends. I know that the Lord used the testimonies of these transformed lives to touch the hearts of many who were there to worship the risen savior.

Resurrection: Finding New Life in Jesus Christ!

Give thanks with us for the Lord’s marvelous work, and for these transformed lives!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Announcing A Ministry Transition

Posted: April 8, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, God's Leading, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Prayer, San Diego
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Edgardo Avila, Dave Diaso and Stephen Phelan (from left to right) announcing Edgardo's ministry transition

Edgardo Avila, Dave Diaso and Stephen Phelan (from left to right) announcing Edgardo’s ministry transition

Change on the Horizon for Harbor Mid-City

There were many tear filled eyes on Sunday during the church service when we announced that our Hispanic pastor, Edgardo Avila will be making a transition from Harbor Mid-City. Edgardo and his wife, Elizabeth have served faithfully at Mid-City for six years. They worked with pastor Stephen Phelan to launch the church.

We celebrate Pastor Edgardo’s and Elizabeth’s sacrifice and service to Mid-City for 6 years. It is a bittersweet moment celebrating what The Lord has done in and through them and we will be celebrating their faithful service on May 17th.

Praise God for what they have done!

Many have come to Christ, and many lives have been changed through Edgardo and Elizabeth’s ministry. Dawn and I along with many at Harbor count them as dear friends.

Seeking the Lord’s Guidance

They believe the Lord is leading them on. As Elizabeth and Edgardo have come before the Lord they sense that God is calling them to serve in another ministry. They are still seeking clarity as to where that new calling will be. Edgardo said he felt like Joshua in the book off Joshua, where God was calling them to a new place, but there where many unknowns as they entered the promise land.

Join us in prayer for the Avilas’ as they seek clarity for their future.

New Leaders for the Hispanic Ministry

Along with the announcement about Edgardo and Elizabeth moving on, we announced that Roberto Shim will be leading the Spanish-speaking ministry at Harbor Mid-City. Roberto and his wife, Mana also need our prayers as they step into this new role. We pray the Lord will use them to take our Hispanic ministry to a new level.

Dawn and I will greatly miss Edgardo and Elizabeth. We love them, and the Lord has used them in incredible ways.

Despite our sorrow over seeing the Avilas’ move on, we are excited about who the Lord has provided to take their place. Roberto and Mana are wonderful servants of the Lord, and we have a growing relationship with them. They are special friends, and we look forward to ministering side by side with them.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

A Celebration: Thank You For a Good Wife and Friends!

Posted: April 5, 2013 in Family Happenings, Journey, Ministry, Reflections & Musings
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Dawn and Vicente after the mordida

Dawn and Vicente after the mordida – you might say they enjoyed their cake!

Surprise! That’s what our family and a friends yelled out as my wife walked into the door last night. We celebrated Dawn’s birthday with people we love here on the border. God has blessed us with a number of wonderful relationships!

One of the families that we’ve gotten close to is the Salinas family. Vicente and I go out every week to evangelize and promote our ESL class. His son, Vicente Jr. recently reached a milestone as he just turned 20. We celebrated Dawn and Vicente’s birthday together.

What a great time we enjoyed with everyone that joined us for the festivities. The festive occasion reminded me of how privileged I am to have just a good wife, and so many wonderful friends.

We love what we do here, and a lot of that has to do with the people we are ministering with. We are on a journey with Jesus, but this journey is not one of solitude. Thank you Lord that you’ve surrounded us with such a wonderful family and friends!

Our celebration was extra special, because Dawn’s parents and Jonathan were also able to be here. They joined in the festivities!

I think to of the many friends we have in other places who love us, and hold us up in prayer. The Lord is giving us some wonderful opportunities as he opens doors for us, and we are so thankful that we are not going it alone!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

I Wish Everyday was Easter!

Posted: April 1, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, San Diego
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Harbor Mid-City Easter Sunday! Worship

Harbor Mid-City Easter Sunday!

I was so encouraged by all the Lord did today!

The Power of the Spirit of the Lord

Today we celebrated our first Easter Sunday here on the border at Harbor Mid-City. The Lord’s Spirit was moving in a powerful way during the service. I love the hope that the resurrection brings.

It was such a good day. We celebrated changed lives, and people who have been set free through the resurrection power of Christ. I was moved to tears as I saw a good friend of Dawn and mine come up for prayer, and ask God to bring healing to his life.

The worship, the celebration was so good, and so joyful. Later I thought, I love Easter. When I reflect back on past Easter’s I believe Easter is the best day of the year. I wish everyday could be Easter. It doesn’t hurt that the weather was beautiful, and the sun shone brightly.

Bring Good News to the Poor…

When Dawn and I first felt called to move to the border, the Lord impressed on our heart the message from Isaiah 61:1-4 (ESV, emphasis mine).

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion– to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.”

The power of the resurrection - the flowered Cross

The power of the resurrection – the flowered Cross

The Powerful Message of Easter: Restoration of Many Generations

All these wonderful acts of healing and restoration are the types of things we are seeing and experiencing in our ministry with Harbor on the border. It just fills me up, and I’d love to feel this way everyday! I continue to believe a huge reason we are seeing such an outpouring of God’s Spirit and his redeeming work is because so many are praying.

We are thrilled to witness God working in such a marvelous way. The Lord’s is bringing healing and hope, and somehow we are right there where’s it’s taking place.

O Lord, bring home the story, the message and the celebration of Easter to me, my family and friends each day. Make the truth of your death and your victory over death more real. O that we will fall on our face and worship you, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Amen!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org