Archive for March, 2015

Celebrate! A New Birth!

Posted: March 31, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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A Celebration – A New Birth
Pastor Daniel anointing Victor and Sol as they begin the ministry in Plan Libertador

Pastor Daniel anointing Victor and Sol as they begin the ministry in Plan Libertador

What a wonderful celebration! Sol said she felt like she did on her wedding day on the day of the inauguration of the new church in Rosarito. Pastor Victor and Sol were so excited. They were radiant!

All of us who participated in praying for them and building the church felt the energy. We were glowing with gladness and filled with gratitude for God’s goodness.

A Dream Realized
Sol & Victor

Sol & Victor

Victor and Sol said they have been praying for seven years for a moment like this. God answered. He came through!

The Lord’s Spirit was very present during the service. One of the American pastors, David Feiser, who came down from Bellflower said he felt the Spirit moving as we worshipped.

The highlight of the service was when Pastor Daniel Nuñez lead us in the laying on of hands and anointing of Victor and Sol. I felt privileged to lay hands on them and pray for them along with the other pastors from Lo Mejor del Trigo present.

Victor and Sol cried tears of joy as they embraced. It was a special moment.

I always feel like the establishing of a new church is the highlight of the year for us. Especially for those churches that we are more directly involved in building and getting started.

A New Work Begins
David Feiser, Victor Bravo, Dave & Daniel Nuñez

David Feiser, Victor Bravo, Dave & Daniel Nuñez

As I had the opportunity to share during the service, the work is just beginning. Yet it’s off to a great start. This church is called to be a light in the community. That the gospel will shine forth brightly and bring freedom to many in the community of Plan Libertador and beyond!

I gave Pastor Victor and Sol a charge from Colossians 4:2-3:

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 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—”

I encouraged all those there to continue in prayer for Victor and Sol and this new church. I’d like to ask you to do the same. Lift them up in prayer. Plead to the Lord on their behalf, asking the door for the word may be open so that they can declare the mystery of Christ.

In my charge I encouraged Victor and Sol to faithfully proclaim the gospel and to be a light in the community. O Lord, that many will come to faith as a result of the witness of this church. Hallelujah!

God is so good. Praise him for his goodness!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Do You Feel Like the Sky is Falling?

Posted: March 27, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Bombs are Falling!
Dave at the U.S. Mexico border - Life on the Border

Dave at the U.S. Mexico border – Life on the Border

I read an interesting article this week that referred to the effects that the bombings had on the English in WWII. The Germans thought that if they bombed the English in their homeland that it would dishearten them. They thought it would weaken the English.

Interestingly enough it had the opposite effect. It emboldened the English. The people begin to think, if I could survive a bomb I can survive anything.

God Strengthens Us Through Trials
Pretty much how we hope things will be, and the reality of the trials of life

Pretty much how we hope things will be, and the reality of the trials of life

I think that’s a great picture of how God uses trials in our lives. We don’t like the curves in our lives. Maybe we’d like a little more routine, but the Lord uses the valleys to strengthen us.

That’s what Dawn and I are finding as we traverse this long and winding road.

I’m not saying that we don’t get down. What I am speaking to is how we grow, and we are strengthened even when it seems like there are explosions going off all around us.

God is Our Refuge

Maybe that’s what the Psalmist is feeling when he wrote Psalm 46.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”

Psalm 46:1-3 ESV

Hannah, Dawn and Dave

Hannah, Dawn and Dave

Even though everything around us is falling apart, we do not fear. We are not afraid, because God is there. The Lord holds everything together. When things seem chaotic they aren’t. God brings order out of chaos. He has a purpose in it all.

Our family has been walking through this trial with our daughter for two months now. It’s been a journey filled with low points and high points.

The only constant is that God is there, and he is carrying us through it. He is our rock and refuge.

Hannah reminded us the other day that she wants to love God and enjoy him forever. Which is the answer to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. What is the chief end of man?

As we seek to love God and enjoy him forever there are the good and bad moments. There are the high points and the low points.

Coming Forth as Gold

Job is a constant reminder of the Lord’s work in suffering. There are many nuggets to be found in Job. Here is one of them:

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”

Job 23:10 ESV

The Lord is refining us and making us into a pure gold.

I’ve been encouraged as our friends have come to me and said that the things I’ve written on this blog have encouraged them. When I write I feel like it’s cathartic for me. It also gives me joy to know that the Lord is using it to minister to others. I do pray that it will strengthen you in your journey.

Your love and your prayers do lift us up.

Lo Mejor del Trigo #24 in Plan Libertador

Lo Mejor del Trigo #24 in Plan Libertador

I’m amazed that even in this turbulent time, that the Lord is doing so much. The church is growing. The kingdom is advancing. This Sunday we will be celebrating the inaugural service for Lo Mejor del Trigo’s 24th church!

God is so good. We feel privileged to serve him, and see such awesome advance!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

God Did It! The Church is Built!

Posted: March 24, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God came through again!
Our group working hard to build the church!

Our group working hard to build the church!

We are so thankful that God came through again. He answered your prayers, and he gave us an outstanding day on Saturday.

The church is built! We accomplished the goal!

The Lord gave us a great group of over 50 people to build the church. Everyone worked hard, and cooperated really well. It was one of the smoothest days we’ve had on a church build.

The Charge to Pastor Victor
Pastor Bob Klein (on the right) giving the charge to Pastor Victor

Pastor Bob Klein (on the right) giving the charge to Pastor Victor

At the end of the day one of the pastors that was accompanying us on the trip, Bob Klein from Harbor Mira Mesa gave a charge to pastor Victor Bravo. As Bob gave the keys for the church to Victor he prayed that the community would be open to the gospel as the Word goes forth.

Pastor Victor couldn’t hold back the tears as Pastor Bob shared these encouraging words. It was such a rich blessing to be part of that moment. I pray that it will be the first of many God moments that emanate from this church.

I’m so thankful for the work God is doing on the Border!

In the middle of the afternoon when we were getting close to being done with the construction, a number of us went out into the neighborhood to invite the people to the church’s inaugural service which will be held this coming Sunday. The people in the community responded openly to the invitation. We are looking forward to an amazing celebration!

Join Us In Prayer
Dave with Sol & Victor

Dave with Sol & Victor

Pray with us for many to come, and that through this church many lives will be touched. We pray that many will come into the kingdom of God through the testimony of this church.

Thanks again for standing with us – The Lord truly heard and richly blessed our day!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

A New Birth in Rosarito – 2nd Trimester

Posted: March 21, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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Rosarito Church Plant
The new church in Rosarito!

The new church in Rosarito!

Today we are headed down to Rosarito, Mexico to finish up the church that we started last week. I’m thrilled, those that are going down to build the church are excited, and pastor Victor and his wife, Sol can’t wait.

We have a big group of 50 joining us to finish up this project. We will put up the dry wall, shingle the roof, and put in the electric sockets.

Some of the people from our group will also go out in the community to invite the people to the inaugural service that will be held on Sunday, March 29th.

Pray For God’s Loving Care
Pastor Victor Bravo and Sol

Pastor Victor Bravo and Sol

Pray with us that the Lord cares for our group, and gives us a wonderful day. Last week we saw God come through in giving Hannah and Dawn a good day while David and I were in Mexico. Pray that Hannah and Dawn will have another awesome day today!

Pray for Victor and Sol as they lead this new church. I spoke with Victor a couple of days ago, and he’s so encouraged. It’s a dream come true for both Sol and him. They had tear filled eyes last week when they saw the building standing.

The Lord Lifts Us UP!

Dawn and I have been walking through a deep valley over the last two months, so we are so grateful to see something like this happening. Even in the darkness there is light. Because of all a church represents – the changed lives, the gospel going forth, the kingdom expanding, etc. it’s one of the highlights of the year for us.

Last week I wrote about my fears, and some of the struggles I was going through, but God lifted us up this week. The Lord continues to come through for us, and show up even as journey on this long and winding road.

Kingdom Advance in Tijuana
Jeff Sloan, Pastor Ivan Casados & David Jr. - they all worked on the church last week

Jeff Sloan, Pastor Ivan Casados & David Jr. – they all worked on the church last week

Another thing that lifted me out of the pit this week was the time I spent with pastor Ivan Casados. Last year at this time we were building the church for Ivan. Now every time I’m with him he shares how God is blessing and how the church is growing and reaching out.

Ivan told me about a couple in the community that recently gave their lives to Christ. Now they are growing in their faith. God is good!

The church has also started going to El Bordo, where many homeless people live on the border. They are taking food to the people and sharing the love of Christ with them. One of the men who’s struggled with addictions dedicated his life to our savior, and now he is in a rehab center near Ivan’s church.

Rejoice with me, for the good work our Lord is doing on the border and beyond!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

A New Church is Born – 1st Saturday

Posted: March 18, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Super Saturday – An Amazing Day
Pastor Victor Bravo and Sol

Pastor Victor Bravo and Sol

Saturday was an amazing day for all of us involved in the new church plant. Pastor Victor Bravo told me that it brought tears to his eyes when our vans drove up to start building the church Saturday morning.

When we arrived there was only a concrete slab. By the time we left there was a standing building, a church! There is still work to be done to finish up, but the progress in one day is nothing short of amazing.

A group of twenty-three from the former Harbor network of churches showed up to build the church. They were joined by a local team and another church group that came down from Orange County. This Saturday fifty are ready to go down and finish up the work.

As I mentioned Victor had tears in his eyes when we arrived. His wife, Sol was crying tears of joy as we left.

My son, David, Jr. put together a short video that shows the progression throughout the day. I always find it amazing how quickly these buildings go up!

Rosarito Church Plant Day 1

Join Us in Prayer

We look forward to finishing up the work this week by putting up the drywall, shingles on the roof, electricity and trim. I’m thankful that we have a large group of 50 that is joining us this Saturday.

Apart from completing the construction we will take a group out to evangelize in the community. We are praying for a wonderful inaugural service on March 29th. Join us in prayer that many will come to know the savior through the witness of this church.

Pray for Pastor Victor and his wife, Sol as they lead this new church.

Thanks for praying for Hannah and our family. She did very well last Saturday, and the Lord continues his healing work!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

A New Birth in Rosarito – 1st Trimester

Posted: March 14, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
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Church #24 for LMT
The material has arrived and the work has begun

The material has arrived and the work has begun

Today I will be leading a team of 25 from 4 different churches to put up the walls and the roof on Lo Mejor del Trigo’s (LMT) 24th church. This church is located in Rosarito, Mexico. LMT’s second church in Rosarito.

On Thursday and Friday all the materials came in and a group led by pastor Daniel Nuñez began preparing everything for our arrival. We can’t wait to start!

Victor and Sol with their son on the church property

Victor and Sol with their son on the church property

Pray for a good day. By the end of the day the shell of the church will be up. Next week I have over 50 coming to finish the work. We will put up the dry wall, electrical and shingles on the roof.

It promises to be an amazing time.

On March 29th, the church led by pastor Victor Bravo is planning on holding their inaugural service.

Yes, we are excited!

Cry Out to the Lord!

Pray that the Lord keeps us all safe, and that we are a good witness exhibiting the grace of God. Pray also for my family. My son, David, Jr. will be going down with me. He loves to cut out the spaces for doors and the windows. Hannah and Dawn will stay behind. Especially lift up Hannah that she does well while we are gone, and that the Lord grants Dawn his grace and strength throughout the day.

Mother & Daughter - Hannah & Dawn with Daisy

Mother & Daughter – Hannah & Dawn with Daisy

Thank you friends. Churches planted represent the gospel going out in a new community. It represents new people encountering Jesus and coming to a saving faith and growing in Christ. Hallelujah! There is opposition, so we must stand firm in our faith and in prayer always looking to Jesus.

All of you that stand with us in prayer, encouragement and financial support play a part in seeing the kingdom expanded through this ministry. We thank the Lord of you!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Border, The Baja & Beyond in Video

Posted: March 11, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana, Video
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God’s Amazing Work!
Dave & Dawn

Dave & Dawn

Dawn and I are thrilled by all that God is doing here on the Border, the Baja and Beyond!

About five years ago we felt that God was calling us to work here. We prayed that we could be involved in a church planting movement. We asked God to give us some wonderful partners.

The Lord has wonderfully answered these prayers!

Some friends of ours from Pacific Crossroads Church in Los Angeles came down to the border and worked with us to put together this video for us.

Lisa Carrick and Martin Vielma did a wonderful job. Lisa is the missions coordinator at Pacific Crossroads, and she organized and made this happen. Martin is the expert videographer.

We are so thankful for them!

The video tells the story of the ministry on the border and beyond. The story continues. Thanks for joining us on this joy filled journey of faith.

The Story of God’s Work on the Border, The Baja & Beyond

 

Join Us in Prayer

Continue to pray with us that the Border, the Baja and Beyond will be transformed by the gospel one person at a time and one neighborhood at a time. That God will so move that the good news of Christ will fill the bi-national city of San Diego-Tijuana, the nation and the world!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

A Call to Prayer! The Lord Will Deliver Us!

Posted: March 11, 2015 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Ministry, Prayer
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I Will Bless the Lord
Hannah, Dawn and Dave

Hannah, Dawn and Dave

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in Psalm 34. Today this Psalm especially ministers to me, as I find myself struggling with fear.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 34:1-4:

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

I thank the Lord for this promise, that as I seek him he will answer. He will deliver me from all my fears. 

Dawn and I have had our highs and lows as we’ve endured this trial with our daughter, Hannah. Some days we feel very encouraged, and our hope is strong and bright. Then at other times when we focus more on the weight of the problem, or the duration it wears on us and we feel weighed down.

Looking to Jesus to Come Through Today!

Today is a big day. We need much prayer support.

The Sunset at Imperial Beach

The Sunset at Imperial Beach

We have some friends that will be helping us this afternoon, and we are hoping for a breakthrough. I suppose the uncertainty of it all combined with the other happenings in our lives makes it feel heavy.

I do want to taste and see that the Lord is good today! I desire this each day, but I especially need it today.

Dear Jesus, Come to our rescue. There is healing in your wings and we do look to you.

The Psalmist continues in Psalm 34:5-8, 17-19:

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

O Lord, thank you for your wonderful promises, that give me hope. Thank you that you promise to be near as my family and I endure troubles. Thank you that you will deliver us!

I also give thanks for all our friends who help carry this burden. I will bless the Lord, and I will praise him even in these difficult days!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

A New Birth is on the Way!

Posted: March 6, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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LMT #24 is coming!

Pastor Daniel Nuñez and Victor Bravo with Dave

Pastor Daniel Nuñez the leader of Lo Mejor del Trigo and Victor Bravo (in the middle), one of our newest church planters with Dave.

This month is a big one. Some thrilling things are going to take place.

On March 14th and 21st a group from the former Harbor network of churches (Redeemer SD, Bridge, Grace Renewal, Harbor City Church, Harbor UTC, and Harbor Miramesa) is going to go to Rosarito, just south of Tijuana to build a church. This project will help Lo Mejor del Trigo (LMT) start a new church. It will be church number 24. Pastor Victor Bravo will lead this church along with his wife, Sol.

Dawn and I are excited to be a part of this project. We give thanks to the Lord and to our friends from Lo Mejor del Trigo and the collection of former Harbor Churches. We feel so blessed to serve the Lord here on the border and to work with Pastor Daniel Nuñez who leads LMT.

Victor and his wife, Sol have a strong call and they are wonderfully gifted. We look forward to what God is going to do through them in this new church. We love being a part of kingdom expansion with them.

Lift Up Your Hands In Prayer!
Dave at the U.S. Mexico border - Life on the Border

Dave at the U.S. Mexico border – Life on the Border

Join us in prayer as we finish bringing the team together that will build this church. There are a number of logistical details that still have to come together. I feel like the Lord has given us an added measure of grace, but if you’ve been following our story you are aware that we are in the midst of a huge trial.

We continue to pray and to look to the Lord for our daughter, Hannah. God is bringing healing, but this trial has gone on for a while now, so at times we do grow weary.

In Need of God’s Healing Touch
Hannah with her brothers, David Jr. & Jon

Hannah with her brothers, David Jr. & Jon

Continue to lift us up in prayer. Continue to pray for Hannah’s complete healing! Every time I get a little down, and I send out a plea for prayer God responds. My family and I see and feel the difference. Do not grow weary in doing good. I realize as this trial wears on, that even those who are lifting us up get tired. You are making a difference.

We thank the Lord for you! As we have some busy and important weeks coming up we need extra prayer covering.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

All Hope Is Abandoned: Can We Endure?

Posted: March 4, 2015 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Prayer
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Hope Lost
Father & Daughter, Hannah & Dave

Father & Daughter – Hannah & Dave

When Paul and his companions lost all hope of being saved, then there was nowhere to turn but to God. That’s probably a good place to be when we are forced to depend on God.

Acts 27 describes Paul’s voyage to Rome. It was an adventure. Maybe not quite to the degree of Ernest Shackleton’s voyage and survival on Antarctica, but it was fraught with danger nonetheless.

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. —Acts 27:20, ESV

When a trial drags on I’m sure it’s common to lose hope. All hope of being saved was abandoned while Paul was on his journey. No sun or stars. There was no light at the end of the tunnel and they were in the midst of a huge storm. It’s disheartening when we don’t know when or where the storm will end!

Feeling Weighed Down
A dove nesting on the ledge of the entrance to our house

A dove nesting on the ledge of the entrance to our house. A reminder of God’s peace.

The length of this trial the Lord has us on is weighing on me. Today was not a very good day. I may not be to the point of feeling like all hope is abandoned, but I’m tired.

Yet I must do the simple things – look to Jesus. Remember that when I am weak, he is strong. Thank him for the army of friends that surround us and love us.

Paul in Romans 5:3-4 says that “…suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character…”. This gives us hope in suffering, but it’s not easy to endure.

If you want to endure you have to stay in the suffering. Not a fun place to be!

The Lord does sustain us. He does gives us the strength in our suffering.

Our Rock & Refuge
The Sunset on the Pacific - near Cabo San Lucas

Sunset on the Pacific

I wrote this last night and today is a new day, and his mercies are new every morning. So even though I was a little down yesterday, and a little worn out I choose to believe. I choose to look to Christ. He is my rock and my refuge.

Thanks so much for holding up our weak hands through this trials. Thanks for your enduring prayers for Hannah and our family. Things are improving, even if the pace is slower than we’d like.

Keep praying, Keep believing – Don’t Give up!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org