Archive for November, 2014

Give Thanks – Joy is Coming!

Posted: November 29, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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Joy Comes in the Morning!
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving – From the Diaso family enjoying a wonderful meal with friends and giving thanks for his bountiful love and care

I love the focus on giving Thanks during Thanksgiving. It’s something that I need to practice more often.

This week as I was thinking and praying for friends, ministry and life in general the Lord brought to mind a verse from the Psalms. Joy comes with the morning is the phrase that Psalms 30:5 ends with.

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. —Psalm 30:5 ESV

Part of the reason this verse struck me is that this has been one of the most difficult years I’ve been through. We’ve seen much fruit, there’s much to be thankful for, but we’ve also endured some personal hardships. Trials that have affected our family and our ministry.

God Uses Trials for our Good
The Sunset on the Pacific - near Cabo San Lucas

Sunset on the Pacific

I feel like the Lord is giving me a glimpse of how he is working these trials for good as he promises in Romans 8:28. I’m hopeful that things are going to be even better than they were, because the Lord is pruning us and bringing his healing touch. We are going through the refiner’s fire.

The trials and tribulations aren’t enjoyable, but I’m grateful that they aren’t haphazard. The Lord has a divine purpose for all the things that happen in our lives.

Job is often referred to when one thinks of suffering. He suffered more than most, and God used it to build into Job’s life. Even thought Job’s wife and friends didn’t understand Job stayed true to his faith in the Lord.

Job said, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” —Job 23:10

Even though I don’t enjoy the trials of life, I give thanks for God’s good purposes. I’m thankful for his promises. The Lord is at work, refining us, giving us hope and even joy.

Rejoice

Rejoice with me friends for all God is doing, and for his wonderful promises. If your night looks dark, remember that joy comes with the morning!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Do You Enjoy New Things?

Posted: November 24, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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God’s Up to Something New!
Pastor Daniel Nuñez and Victor Bravo with Dave

Pastor Daniel Nuñez and Victor Bravo with Dave

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy new things. They get me excited. This is especially true when it has to do with new works that the Lord is doing.

Last week I went with Pastor Daniel Nuñez from Lo Mejor del Trigo and a new church planter, Victor Bravo to see the land where we are going to start a new church. This will be the fourth church that Lo Mejor del Trigo, the Harbor Network and Mission to the World have partnered together on. This will be the 24th church for Lo Mejor del Trigo of their vision to plant 50 churches.

I love the time I spent with Daniel and Victor. Both of them are great guys. Pastor Daniel has become a good friend that I love. Victor is a young, new pastor with many gifts.

Our New Church Planter Victor Bravo
The site of the new church plant in Rosarito

The site of the new church plant in Rosarito

Victor is married to Soledad, and the Lord is calling them to plant a church in Rosarito, which is just a little south of Tijuana. Victor has worked with YWAM for a number of years helping with outreach to the needy and building homes for the poor. He has a lot of energy.

As I talked to Victor he shared part of his vision to reach the community. He has some great ideas and it was wonderful to see his passion!

The land the church will be situated on is on a corner lot in a new community. In one of the pictures I took it looks like there is isn’t anything around, but on the other side of the street there are homes.

When I think about all the Lord has done in the other churches we have helped start, and some of the others that have been started by Lo Mejor del Trigo I just can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for this new work.

Join Us Prayer

Pray for Victor and his wife Soledad. Pray that the Lord will go before them and open many doors and many hearts as they bring the gospel to the community. We pray that they will plant a living a vibrant church!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

Does Ministry Have to be Boring?

Posted: November 19, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
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Thank God for the Good Times
Good times with our friends from Ensenada

Good times with our friends from Ensenada

Sometimes life can get too serious! Sometimes I get overly serious. There is a time for that, but thank God for all the fun we have in ministry.

So the answer to the above question is a resounding, NO!

Ministry does not have to be boring.

One thing I love about Mexico is how everything happens through relationships, which usually means there is food involved!

On Monday Dawn, David, Hannah and I enjoyed a great time with our friends from Ensenada. We got to know them this summer through the ministry we did with the Skyview missions team from Denver that came to work with the church in Ensenada.

We’ve grown to love the people and the church in Ensenada, La Nueva Jerusalén. They are a fun group!

Dawn preparing the wonderful meal with Leo & Luz

Dawn preparing the wonderful meal with Leo & Luz

We took advantage of our time together to plan and dream together. I’m working with the leadership of the church, Jesus & Yudi Petrikowski and Jorge & Luz Salazar on a medical outreach in Ensenada this Spring. Redeemer San Diego is going to be sending down a group of doctors to minister with the church.

Jesus shared about some of the missions projects they have going on in and around Ensenada. We hope one day to be able join hands with them on a new church planting project. Pray with us that the Lord will make a way for that to happen! We have a couple that is interested in joining our MTW team, and they would like to minister in Ensenada. Lord, hear our prayer!

Join us in Prayer!

Pray for the Lord’s church to grow through new church planting projects in La Paz and Rosarito as well. I was able to spend some time with the pastor for the next church planting project we are working with Lo Mejor del Trigo on today. It’s so exciting to see new things happening all around us. Especially when the new things are new ministries!

I will write more about the new church plant in Rosarito in my next post.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

How Does Ministry Happen?

Posted: November 15, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions
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God’s Wonderful Servants
The humble ministry center that Myrta and Soltero minister out of, which has also been their home. Their home and the ministry center were damaged in the hurricane.

The ministry center that Myrta and Sotero minister out of, which has also been their home. Their home and the ministry center were damaged in the hurricane.

One of the many things that I enjoy about this work on the border and the Baja is the wonderful people we meet.

Peter Boling who ministers in Cabo San Lucas has introduced me to some of the people who serve in Los Cabos. Most people know Los Cabos as a vacation spot, a place for cruises to stop, the arch and great fishing. Yet there is another story, another side of Los Cabos. There are many people who live in poverty and have huge needs.

Ministering to the Needy
Soltero and Myrta with their daughter

Sotero and Myrta with their daughter

One of the families that I have enjoyed meeting is Sotero and Myrta. They live in a poor community on the edge of town. God is using them to make a difference there.

They are reaching out through feeding children and families for a very low price. Sotero and Myrta love to tell the story of Jesus. They hold Bible studies and they show the love of Christ through acts of compassion.

Hurricane Odile has left many without work. Others have lost their homes. Sotero and Myrta’s home was destroyed in the hurricane. But they haven’t given up the ministry continues.

God uses willing and able servants like Sotero and Myrta to make things happen. Don’t you agree that I am privileged to meet people like them? I hope one day you can meet them too!

Thank you Lord for such choice servants.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

Why the Church? Is it Still Valid Today?

Posted: November 12, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Should We Get Excited About the Church?
Dave & Peter (the small guys in the back) with Benjamin & Blanca Romero and Victor & Fanny and Karis Gonzalez in Los Cabos

Dave & Peter (the small guys in the back) with Benjamin & Blanca Romero and Victor & Fanny and Karis Gonzalez in Los Cabos exploring a new church planting project for La Paz

We talk a lot about planting churches. You could say we get excited about seeing new churches start-up. And maybe you wonder why? To some the church seems like a mess. I mean how could God use it? Just read the newspaper and you will find some bad news about a church somewhere.

Those are good questions.

And yet despite its shortcomings, God in his infinite wisdom chose the church as his vehicle for his kingdom to grow on the earth. Jesus taught us to pray, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We pray for the expansion of the Lord’s kingdom as he works through his church.

Life Transformation is Why!

One of the main reasons why we do what we do is because of the transformed lives. It’s gets us stoked to see and hear the stories of a life changed by the gospel. When Jesus enters in and turns someone’s world upside down.

This last Sunday at the multi-cultural, bilingual church, Bridge Church (formerly Harbor Mid-City) that we partner with Dawn and I were able to share in the story of wonderful story of a man with many last names who God claimed as his own.

Robert’s Story – Covenant Renewal

Many people were moved to tears as they listened to Robert’s testimony. Watch the video here, and see if you don’t agree that God has done an amazing work in Robert’s life.

Dawn and I feel privileged to get a front row seat to what God is doing in the lives of people through the work of his church. As feeble as the church may be Jesus reigns supreme and he is the giver of life. He gives us hope and through the gospel we see life transformation.

Some Exciting New Works

I just returned from Los Cabos and La Paz Mexico where we are working on a new church planting project. We are working and praying for the right church planter to lead this project.

We are also talking to Pastor Daniel Nuñez about partnering with Lo Mejor del Trigo to start a new church planting project near Rosarito in Mexico. God is on the move here and he that keeps us busy.

Please join us in prayer that we will see the Lord open the necessary doors and bring everything together so that these churches will be healthy from the beginning.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Are We Living in the Most Violent Era Ever?

Posted: November 9, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Tijuana, Video
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The Fascination with Life on the Border

Living and working on the border is a fascinating experience. I love learning more about this part of the world. It’s past and present while looking to the future.

Today I read an article about a Tijuana born singer, Ceci Bastida. The article was written to promote her latest album, La edad de la violencia, The Age of Violence. The album was influenced by all the violence in the United States and Mexico over the last several years. She says she remains hopeful, but with all the news she felt at times like she was living in the most violent era ever.

You can read the article here… There is also an interview along with some of her music.

Ceci Bastida – Music with Commentary

What do you think about what she has to say? Do you at times feel like we are living in the most violent age ever? The media can make it seem like we are.

I’m thankful for the hope that we have in Christ. Also, the problems in the world are a reminder that we are not in heaven yet.

“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. —Romans 8:22-25 ESV

Thank you Jesus for the hope you give us in this world filled with many trials and violence. You are the King and ruler over all. You are with us through our trials and you give us hope for a better tomorrow!

In His Grip, Dave
DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Torment – The Aftermath

Posted: November 7, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Lost Homes in Los Cabos
Peter Boling with Maria and Pepe

Peter Boling with Maria and Felipe in front of their home

One of the tragedies caused by Hurricane Odile is that many people were left without a home. I met with some of the families that lost their home in the storm. The winds were horrendous.

Peter Boling said it sounded like a jet engine while they hide in the bathroom to protect themselves from the flying debris.

Some of the homes that were destroyed were in an impoverished area behind the Vida Nueva church that the Bolings attend. One of the members of the church noticed a family that was living under a blanket after the hurricane hit.

Maria the woman who lost her home had not eaten for days. She was in a diabetic coma, so they had to get her some medical help.

The Love of Christ
Damage caused by Hurricane Odile

Damage caused by Hurricane Odile

The church pitched in to build Maria and her husband Felipe a new home. Peter and I visited their new abode. Maria looked much better.

Maria and Felipe are grateful for the love of Christ that was shown to them.

We hope that many more like Maria and Felipe will receive help. The love of Christ shown to the poor of the world.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Learning to Practice What I Preach!

Posted: November 4, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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I find that often after I preach a message that the Lord soon gives me an opportunity to put into practice what I preached on. Maybe it’s because I’m a slow learner? 😉

A New Work in La Paz
Dave & Peter (the small guys in the back) with Benjamin & Blanca Romero and Victor & Fanny and Karis Gonzalez in Los Cabos

Dave & Peter (the small guys in the back) with Pastor Benjamin & Blanca Romero and Pastor Victor & Fanny and Karis Gonzalez in Los Cabos

Last week I was in La Paz and Cabo San Lucas in Baja California. I was with fellow MTW missionary Peter Boling and a Mexican church planter that is considering leading a church planting project in La Paz. We were also to see some of the sites and people affected by Hurricane Odile.

The Lord blessed our time together. It’s encouraging to think about starting something new, especially a new church in the capital city of Southern Baja California. I hope to write more about our time in La Paz and Los Cabos in my next post.

Continuing to Learn to Rest in the Lord’s Hands

While that was going on there were some troubles at home, so I had to leave earlier than I was planning on. That’s when I especially needed to apply what I had preached on – The Incomparable Peace of Christ. 

The Lord promises us a supernatural peace that will guard our hearts like soldiers guard a city. He encourages us to pray and not to be anxious.

I was listening to some praise songs today, and one of the songs I heard sang, You hold me in Palm of your hands. What a wonderful promise.

God has often reminded me as I pray for my family that he loves them even more than I do.

Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭15,16‬ ESV)

Isn’t that a comfort to know that God will not forget you? He cares for you, and that you are continually before him. This promise gives me great hope. Isn’t it good to know that the Lord cares for you in such a loving and tender way?

These are some of the things that I had to remind myself of as our family encountered some difficult trials. It seems to be a hazard of my trade. Yet, God hasn’t forgotten us. He has a good plan for us and he uses it for his good, which is ultimately for our good as well.

Thank you Lord for your loving care. Thank you for your tender mercies. You are so gracious to remind me of the truth of your Word and your promises.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org