Archive for July, 2016

VBS – Celebrate God’s Good Work!

Posted: July 29, 2016 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Video
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Our Best VBS Yet!
A Fun-filled week at VBS

A Fun-filled week at VBS

We’ve had a great week of VBS in Ensenada with La Nueva Jerusalén church and Skyview Presbyterian. This is the third year in a row that these two churches have come together to partner on VBS.

The children and teachers alike are saying that this is the best VBS yet. It’s been fun, and the children don’t want it to end! That is very encouraging.

Our ongoing prayer is that the Lord will use the VBS to reach children and their families for Christ. We pray that they will grow to love Jesus and his church.

Today (Friday) we will be holding the closing ceremony. It’s a celebration of all that God did during the week. Also, it gives the church a chance to love on and care for the parents as there will be a brief presentation for them as well. Wow! What a wonderful opportunity, and boy do we ever need prayer.

Petri will lead the ceremony and give the presentation to the parents. Here’s a short video that we’ve put together for the parents. The brief interviews are in Spanish, and I believe you will get the main gist of it. Next week I will post an English video of the VBS.

Video of VBS Highlights from Ensenada, Mexico

Thanks so much for praying. We know the Lord hears the prayers of his people!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Summer VBS in Ensenada!

Posted: July 27, 2016 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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A Fun Week!
VBS at La Nueva Jerusalén church in Ensenada

VBS at La Nueva Jerusalén church in Ensenada

Our week has gotten off to a fun and exciting start with VBS in Ensenada. A group of friends from Skyview Church in Denver is here! It’s the third summer in a row that they have come, and it’s always a good time.

This year they are helping lead a VBS at two sites. One of the sites is La Nueva Jerusalén in Ensenada, and the other one is Mission Gracia Eterna in nearby Maneadero.

Skyview & La Nueva Jerusalén Serving Together
Yudy leading the children in a fun learning activity

Yudy leading the children in a fun learning activity

Skyview is partnering with La Nueva Jerusalén to reach out to children in the surrounding communities. 55 children have come to the morning VBS in Ensenada and 35 have come to the afternoon session in Maneadero.

This is the third year that Skyview has come, but the first year that they’ve helped lead VBS at the mission church in Maneadero. It makes for a long day, but all those involved have had a wonderful attitude and real servant hearts.

The Lord has used these short-term summer mission trips to help the church to be a light in the community. The group from Skyview has served as an encouragement to those from La Nueva Jerusalén. The leaders from the local church said that before they weren’t as motivated to organize a VBS. They felt worn out from the school year, but Skyview has given them energy and they’ve come to enjoy and even look forward to the week-long outreach.

A Fruit-filled Week
Luz teaching her group of young children

Luz teaching her group of young children

Dawn and I have worked with a number of short-term groups and this has been among the best of them as far as the fruit that we see. The two main church groups that have worked with La Nueva Jerusalén over the last three years are Skyview from Denver and Redeemer from San Diego. The Lord has used both of these churches in a powerful way here.

Now we are working with the leaders Petri and Yudy on a new church plant that we hope to start later this year.

It’s fun to watch the children smile, laugh and have a good time. I love seeing the parents bring their children to a VBS for the first time, and seeing how it encourages them as well. God is working in ways that we don’t even know.

Thanks so much for holding us up in prayer, and continuing to pray for the work in Ensenada Mexico. We pray that many will come to know Jesus as the Word of God is proclaimed in various ways!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

Get Ready for VBS in Ensenada!

Posted: July 22, 2016 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Skyview Returns!
The group from Skyview with some of the leaders from La Nueva Jerusalén

The group from Skyview in the summer of 2015 with some of the members from La Nueva Jerusalén

This week we are gearing up for the arrival of our friends from Denver, Skyview Presbyterian Church. This is the third summer in a row that they’ve come to work with us, and partner with the church in Ensenada.

The wonderful thing about when a church like Skyview makes a commitment to keep coming back and minister with the people is that they get to know each other. They grow to love each other!

Our dear friends, Petri & Yudy

Our dear friends, Petri & Yudy

I’ve enjoyed observing the relationship, and how it has grown. Tim and Kari Berglund, who lead the trips have developed a very close relationship with Petri and Yudy Petrikowski our leaders in Ensenada. Even though the Petrikowski’s don’t speak English and the Berglund’s aren’t fluent in Spanish they are able to communicate. They use Google translator to help them.

I must say that these computer translation tools have come a long ways. They do a good job and come pretty close to getting the translation right!

Skyview is bringing a group of 10 to work with La Nueva Jerusalén, and one of their mission churches. They will partner together to hold a VBS outreach.

Join Us In Prayer!

Pray for us as we all make our final preparations for the week of outreach, which will start this Saturday, July 23 and go until the following Saturday.

Prayer is always a huge need and greatly appreciated!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Living a Dream

Posted: July 15, 2016 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Reflections & Musings
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Family Fun & Baseball
Family Fun!

Family Fun!

This summer has been jam-packed, and we are only half way through it! Even with all the busyness, I feel extremely blessed. This week Dawn, Hannah and I have been able to take a break from some of our normal activities as both David and Jon came to visit us! Woo-hoo!!

We’ve just had a wonderful time enjoying our family being together, which is a special treat. To top it off this year the Baseball All-Star game was played in San Diego. There’s been all kinds of fun activities from last Saturday till this Tuesday.

All-Star Game in San Diego

All-Star Game in San Diego

I grew up a big baseball fan. I played baseball as a young boy, and then I coached my two boys when they played. If you spend time around our family you know that we like to talk about baseball. I suppose to some we talk about it too much. I’m sure Dawn and Hannah feel like we get carried away at times.

On the positive side, even though Dawn isn’t a baseball fan, she let’s me indulge. Hannah doesn’t follow baseball, but she enjoys going to the games with me. I need a baseball buddy, since the boys no longer live here.

Fulfilling a Dream
David & Jonathan at the Home Run Derby

David & Jonathan at the Home Run Derby

The Lord blessed us with an opportunity that I didn’t think I would every have. David Jr. and Jonathan were able to go to the Home run derby on Monday. Then on Tuesday David and I were able to go to the All-Star game. What a wonderful memory with my boys! I’m so glad that now that they are adults there is something that we connect around.

Our faith and walk with Christ are always central and I believe they serve to unify us, and help us get through the rough patches. It’s a gift from the Lord that we can also enjoy baseball together!

David Jr. said that it was a childhood dream of his to be able to go to the Home run derby and the All-Star game. All three of us, David, Jonathan and I enjoyed the festivities that went along with the games.

David Jr. & David Sr. at the All Star Game!

David Jr. & David Sr. at the All Star Game!

I thank the Lord for the gift that this was for our family, especially the men in the family. Even though Dawn and Hannah didn’t go to any of the All-Star activities they loved having David and Jonathan here for a visit. In between the All-Star weekend festivities we found some time to spend together as family. We learn to cherish these moments more and more as our children are now grown, and David & Jonathan live in other cities.

Thank you Lord for allowing us to enjoy family and sports activities together! I’ve found that sporting events are a good way to connect with other church planters as well. The Lord has connected me to some wonderful people who are laboring in the extension of the kingdom on the earth at sporting events! Thank you Jesus for the many good gifts that you give us.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Amazing Healing Grace!

Posted: July 7, 2016 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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God’s Work of Healing
Hannah celebrating the good news with her favorite Starbucks drink!

Hannah celebrating the good news with her favorite Starbucks drink!

Today we received some wonderful news. Dawn, Hannah and I went to see Hannah’s psychiatrist and he said that Hannah is doing so well that she no longer needs to be on any medication. Wow!

We’ve prayed for this for a long time. Two and a half years to be exact. A number of people have prayed for us and with us! Well guess what? God answered our prayer!

You can read about some of our trial here…

After we left the doctor I told Hannah that I wasn’t sure that I should share this, because it is sensitive info and I didn’t want to hurt or offend her. Hannah told me right away that she wanted to share it, and thought I should share it as well, because it’s a testimony of God’s goodness, God’s healing power and his amazing grace.

Hannah’s Amazing Testimony!
Hannah with our two loving brothers, David & Jonathan

Hannah with her two loving brothers, David & Jonathan

Actually Hannah posted this just a few minutes after we left the doctor’s office. She was so excited, and so were we!

Two and a half years later and my heart is full of joy. If someone would have told me then that I would be here now I would not have believed them. This is a testament of God’s faithfulness. I went to see my doctor today and he approved to release me. Today I can say… I am off ALL of my medications. I am NOT depressed, manic, anxious, or any other diagnosis. My name is Hannah and I AM a daughter of the King Most High.
This verse has meant a lot to me from the start, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
No matter what situation you are in…. Nothing is impossible with God. NOTHING.
God is good all the time… And all the time God is good.

We walked through some very deep waters to get to this point. I feel like it was the most painful thing I’ve ever been through, but God rescued us.

God is Our Deliverer
Hannah, Dawn and Dave with Uncle Jim

Hannah, Dawn and Dave with Uncle Jim and Daisy

He is Jehovah Rophe our healer, and Jehovah Mephalti our deliverer!

God brought us out of the pit and healed our daughter in an amazing way. We like to call her our princess warrior, because of all she’s been through and all that she’s had to battle against.

God is indeed greater. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!

I want to thank each of you who stood with us through this uphill climb. My wife and our two boys were amazing in the ways they prayed for, encouraged and loved Hannah! God brought us the right people at the right time to help us through.

Rejoice with us dear friend! And again I say rejoice!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

It’s Not Easy to Say Goodbye

Posted: July 6, 2016 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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The Despedida for Larry and Sandy Trotter
Larry & Sandy Trotter

Larry & Sandy Trotter

This week two of our good friends and colleagues, Larry and Sandy Trotter will be moving back to the United States after serving in Mexico for almost 30 years. The Trotters’ arrived in Mexico City in 1990 the year before Dawn and I landed there.

They served in Mexico City for four years, and planted one church there before they moved to Guadalajara. They’ve ministered in Guadalajara, since around 1994. While in Guadalajara they’ve planted I think five churches, and started numerous mercy ministries.

God has used them in a powerful way in Mexico. They will be missed!

Over the last five years Larry has served as the country director for Mission to the World in Mexico.

It’s Hard to Say Good-bye
Dr. Larry Trotter teaching on Christ-centered preaching

Dr. Larry Trotter teaching on Christ-centered preaching

It’s sad to say good-bye to such special people. Yet if you have to go, I think they are doing it right. They are leaving behind a wonderful legacy of hundreds who have come to Christ and many more have been touched by them as they tangibly demonstrated the love of Christ.

Both Larry and Sandy are very intelligent, they have many gifts and they love the Lord! Larry is a strong and wise leader. He is an excellent teacher and preacher. Sandy is caring and gentle. She is a wonderful counselor.

They make a great team as a couple. The Lord has also blessed them with two beautiful daughters.

Over the last few years I served on Mexico’s leadership council with Larry and I appreciated his leadership. The Lord used him to help me grow as I ministered alongside him.

Dave and Larry Trotter with Pastors Cesar Santizo, Felipe Hernandez, Benjamin Romero & Victor Hugo Herrera

Dave and Larry Trotter with Pastors Cesar Santizo, Felipe Hernandez, Benjamin Romero & Victor Hugo Herrera – leaders of the Presbytery called Fronterizo Noroccidental (Northwestern border)

Last Fall the Trotters’ were able to come out together and visit us. We had a wonderful time, and we were able to show them around some. Sandy said it was the first time she had been to the West Coast. We didn’t know then it would be the last time they would visit us while they were still with MTW.

One of the great things about being a missionary is you meet and serve with many outstanding people. I give thanks for Larry and Sandy and their family. They are finishing their ministry in this country well.

They plan on moving to Florida where they have family. Upon arriving they will plant a church there. They still haven’t lost the fire!

Larry and Sandy will leave a hole that won’t easily be filled, but we know that God is faithful and he will grow his church. The church is stronger in Mexico, especially in Guadalajara, because of their ministry of love to the people there.

Lord, I pray that you guide and lead the Trotters as they leave Mexico and make this huge transition in their lives. Richly bless them as they continue to faithfully serve you.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org