Archive for June, 2019

A Time for Advance, A Time for Expansion

Posted: June 28, 2019 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
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God is on the Move in Amazing Ways

I’m writing this as I fly from Mexico to Colombia, and by the time you read this I will be in Colombia. We are excited about all the Lord is doing in our lives right now!

There are periods when the ministry is slow and not as invigorating as we’d like. Yet during those times we have to stay at it, and continue to plant and water that we might see growth and fruit down the road. Dawn and I feel like we are in a period of growth now. We are reaping some of the fruit from the seed we have sown. There is so much going on in our family and in the ministry. God is on the move in some amazing ways.

Pastor Petri leading Renuevo Church

Over the last week I connected with four of the church planters we are working with, who are ministering all along the border. Sunday I was at the church plant in Ensenada, Renuevo. We celebrated the Lord’s supper together. It’s encouraging to see that church grow and mature.

I also connected with two of our new church planters, which is energizing for me. To see something new started, even though it requires more time and work it is thrilling.

Pastor Federico and Blanca getting set up for Mexicali

(From left to right) – Junior, Dámaris, Federico, Blanca, David & Daniel

On Monday I was with Federico, Blanca and their four children helping them to find furniture to get set up in Mexicali.

After we spent the day picking up some of the furniture they needed we were able to stop and have some tacos. I enjoyed spending time with the family and helping them get set up. Their 14 year old son, Daniel, said that the Lord was going to bless my life threefold. He said this as he observed me help his family and as I was able to be a blessing to them. Those words really touched me at a deep level, and I almost started to cry. I held it in, which maybe isn’t good. I guess it’s part of my struggle as a guy to show much emotion at times like that.

I genuinely enjoyed working with Federico and Blanca, and helping them to move into a nice place so that they can reach out in that community. Yet, the words of their son touched me in deep way. It was a moment that money can’t buy. They were simple words, but the Lord used the words of a young boy to minister to my spirit.

There are a lot of challenges to starting a church, and there is some stress that goes with it. I’m still raising money for this project, which in my weaker moments causes me to worry. Yet in the midst of this I’m excited and looking forward to what God is going to do. I think Federico, Blanca and their children are growing in their faith as they trust the Lord for his provision and to raise up this church.

Pastor Davis & Luz – A new church in Tijuana

Pastor Davis & some of the people we are working with in Tijuana. From left to right, Davis, David, Blanca, Stan, Aaron & Liliana

It also gave me great joy to meet with and encourage Pastor Davis and Luz as they are working towards planting a church in Tijuana. As I encourage and minister to them it strengthens me as well. God is so good to bless us when we serve him. I’m not saying that we don’t experience hardship on the journey, but rather that He is a good good Father and he desires to give good things to his children.

Jesus taught about this and he used the Father’s goodness as an example when he taught us to pray in the gospels.

Davis and Luz have been beaten down a lot in the ministry. The same could be said for Federico and Blanca. Unfortunately, many of the challenges that they’ve encountered have come from inside the church not from outside. It’s one of the reasons why we need new gospel centered, Spirit filled churches. We need to live out the love of Christ as we live and serve. This type of church is authentic Christianity and it is attractive to the watching world.

Join us in Prayer

Join us in prayer for these special friends who are chosen by God to serve him and to see the kingdom of God extended on the earth. We continue to pray that it will be on earth as it is in heaven. We know there is love and not hatred, jealousy and unkindness in heaven, so we pray that we will live out and experience this type of love on the earth.

There are two big requests that we have as we ask for prayer. One is that these couples get set up for healthy living situations, so that they can minister and reach out in the community. The other is for the provision that we still need in order to fund these church plants. Thanks so much for standing with us in prayer.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Inevitable Growth of the Church

Posted: June 18, 2019 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Kingdom Expansion

The Red de Multiplicación conference in Mexico City

I was in Mexico City in May for a big conference with a number of different denominations and churches involved in church planting. There were church planters and leaders from throughout Latin America as well as a few from Europe and Africa. It’s exciting when groups come together from different traditions within Christianity for the cause of seeing the Kingdom of God extended.

The conference is sponsored every Spring by Red de Multiplicación “Multiplication Network“. The conference location goes from South America to Northern Latin America. Last year it was held in Montevideo, Uruguay, and this year Mexico City.

Lord, Increase Our Borders

Our church plant in Ensenada led by Pastor Petri and his wife, Yudy

Dawn and I had been praying for the Lord to increase our borders, and for an opportunity to network with others to see more churches planted. We are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with Red de Multiplicación. We believe that our relationship with them not only extends our reach, but it also helps us here.

Dawn and I are excited to see all the Lord is doing and to serve here on the U.S. Mexico border on the Baja and Beyond. We are starting to see movement, there are more churches being planted. We helped launch a new church plant last year in Mexicali with Ministerios Transformación. That’s a very special church for us, because we built it in Hannah’s memory. Two years ago we launched a new church in Ensenada. Now we are praying for and working towards getting three churches off the ground. One of them is in La Paz, Southern Baja California. One is in Mexicali and the other one is in Tijuana.

The Church in Mexicali

The church in Mexicali will be planted by Federico and Blanca Muñoz. We are excited for them. They’ve faced some huge challenges in getting to this point, but the Lord is so faithful and he has carried them through. When they first moved to Mexicali about 4 years ago, they didn’t have any furniture and they were sleeping on the floor for almost two years. I don’t know how they made it through that time.

Federico graduated from seminary in early May, and they just found a place to rent in the community in Mexicali where they would like to plant their church. Again we are praying for the Lord’s provision for them. They still have almost no furniture, and it’s very hot this time of year in Mexicali. We need the Lord to come through for them, and we know he will, we just don’t know how yet.

More Growth in Tijuana
David & Dawn with Luz and Deivis. Wonderful friends and ministers of the gospel

The other church planting project that we are just starting is in Tijuana with Davis & Luz Pardo. They are in a similar situation where they are looking for a place to live, and their income is limited right now. We are actually working with them on the possibility of helping to be involved in a business which would help them to earn an income and to support them.

These are faith building experiences. I’m working on raising funds for them, and at the same time praying and seeking the Lord so we can find creative ways to support them and provide for their needs. I think ministry is challenging any where. The battles one faces may be slightly different, but they are still there. In this case in Mexico it’s funding the church plant and getting it to a point where it’s a fully self sustaining church.

Join Us in Prayer

Dawn and I appreciate your interest and your desire to pray with us and even support this wonderful work of the Lord. Pray with us for the Lord’s provision for Federico & Blanca and Davis & Luz. Pray that the Lord will lead them to the right people and community where the light of Christ will shine forth with power.

These projects are impossible for us to do in our own strength. We will not succeed without the Lord being at the very center of what we are doing. We also desperately need friends to be standing with us in prayer. Friends that are willing to to in battle with us for the kingdom!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

On Earth as it is in Heaven: Kingdom Connections

Posted: June 11, 2019 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is on the Move

Our family at David & Emily’s wedding – Jonathan, Hannah, Grandma Alice Moore, Dawn, David Jr., Emily, David Sr., Grandpa Ron Diaso

Wow! So much is happening that it’s hard to keep up. With our son, David’s wedding with his bride, Emily, and our travels to Pennsylvania it’s been difficult to write and post all that the Lord is doing.

Today in trying to decide what to write about I went back and forth between writing about the wonderful advance in church planting throughout Latin America or about what is going on in Cuba and beyond. The Lord is doing an amazing work in Cuba and through our Cuban friends right now. The people of Cuba are going through a heartbreaking trial right now. Our Cuban brothers and sisters need our prayers, so I will focus on them today.

Our Concern for our Friends in Cuba

Article from The San Diego Union-Tribune from Sunday May 12, 2019 on the Cuban economic crisis

Cuba is going through a shortage of food. This has grown even more pronounced since the start of the year. Our friends have been writing to us and telling us that they are having a hard time getting basics like cooking oil, bread, eggs, pork, and chicken. There is also a shortage of soap. When these items are available they have to wait in long lines for them, and sometimes even travel to other cities to purchase them.

All of our Cuban friends who are pastors and live throughout the country have asked us to pray. So I wanted to make you aware of what is going on and to ask you to join us in prayer for this country and her people. The church goes through even greater persecution depending on the part of the country that the pastor lives and works in.

Kingdom Expansion in the midst of Trials
Luis & May with their children Zuri & David

Lucas* & Maria* with their children Zuri & David

Even amidst all the challenges, there are rays of light that shine as the gospel goes forth. Pastor Lucas* and his wife, Maria* shared with us how they just baptized 23 people, and they are grateful that the church continues to grow.

Over the last two weeks, we’ve been helping Lucas and Maria reach out to a minister in Colombia, whose name is Andres. Lucas and Maria have never been to Colombia, but somehow they connected through the ministry in their church.

Freedom in Christ in Colombia
Prayer in Camaguey. These people are warriors!

Prayer in Camaguey. Where Pastor Lucas & Maria minister. Their people are warriors!

Andres’ dad, Jose Diego is in the hospital in Colombia. He has blocked arteries and he’s been in critical condition. Jose Diego has practiced white magic and voodoo. Andres shared the gospel with his dad and used some prayers that we shared with Lucas and Maria and his dad prayed to receive Christ. Andres said that his dad looked better and healthier after they prayed together. Then Andres lead his father through some prayers to break off his involvement with the occult. After the time of prayer, Jose Diego told Andres to go to his house and remove and destroy all the idols and altars that he had in his house.

Jose Diego is supposed to be moved to another hospital this Thursday for the operation on his blocked arteries. They are praying and trusting the Lord for complete and total healing. Andres also shared with us that they are praying that through this that salvation will come to their whole family, all the aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. Pray with us that the Lord will use Andres and the testimony of his father, Jose Diego to bring many to Christ.

Encouraged by Kingdom Connections

Pastor Mario & his wife, Yany. Two of our other very dear friends that live and minister in Cuba.

Also, pray for Lucas* and Maria* who are amazing evangelists that the Lord will guide them as they encourage and minister to Andres and his family. Pray for the other pastors that we are working with like Pastor Mario and his wife, Yany (photo above).

Isn’t it amazing how the Lord works!?! Here Dawn and I are on the San Diego-Tijuana border ministering to and encouraging Lucas and Maria, who live in Cuba and they are ministering to Andres and his family in Colombia. Dawn and I have never met Andres, but somehow the Lord has connected us and extended our reach as the kingdom of God grows. We continue to pray that, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 ESV).

Thank you, Jesus, for your great and might work!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Breaking the Mold – The Newlyweds

Posted: June 1, 2019 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Ministry, Prayer
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The Newlyweds – Mr. & Mrs. David Anthony Diaso

The Newlyweds – David & Emily by emoorephotography

We celebrated the marriage of our son, David jr. to Emily (Tenison) Diaso this past weekend. It was an amazing experience in many ways. The Lord blessed us with many family members and friends joining us for the grand event. My dad, Ron, who is almost 84 years young flew out to celebrate with us. My mom can’t travel, because of her health, and we missed her, although I know she was praying for us from California.

It’s a miracle that Grandpa Diaso was able to join us for this wedding, and he also came out for Jonathan’s wedding last December. Two and a half years ago my dad was told that he had mesothelioma, which is cancer in the lungs caused by asbestos. The doctor at the time said that he only had six months to a year to live. We began to pray, and the Lord healed my dad, Grandpa Diaso. Thank Jesus, for giving Grandpa strength and healing him!

Thankful to have Grandpa Diaso with us to celebrate David & Emily’s wedding

Dawn’s mom, Alice, who is 81 traveled with Dawn and me for the wedding. The Lord came through in a big way regarding grandma Alice. The night before we were supposed to fly out for the wedding we had to take Alice to the emergency room, because of some health concerns related to her neck and back. We spent the whole night in the hospital and we didn’t get home until almost 3 AM. For a while Dawn and I were wondering whether Dawn’s mom would be able to fly out with us. Unfortunately, we did miss our flight, and we had to reschedule for the next day, but we finally made it to Pennsylvania and Alice is feeling better now.

Yay God!

Grandma Alice is all smiles as she’s escorted by Grant Currey and Jonathan Diaso

The Lord also blessed us with the weather. The forecast was for potential rain the afternoon of the wedding. It actually did rain just about the time we were ready to start the wedding, but it was only a short downpour. Once the storm passed through, the sun came out, as if God were smiling down upon us, and we had blue skies for a beautiful outdoor wedding.

Believe it or not I officiated the wedding, which I did for Jonathan and Hannah’s wedding as well. It was a wonderful privilege that I’ll never forget and it made the ceremony more personal.

A Wonderful Day of Celebration

It was fun to see Emily’s excitement!

One of the highlights for me of this extra special day was seeing how excited Emily was. She was literally bouncing with excitement as I performed the ceremony. She could not hold in her excitement, which was refreshing to see my son marrying someone who loves him so much. David was more composed, but I could tell he was trying to hold back the tears. This was especially true when he saw Emily for the first time walking down the aisle. It was a tender moment, and it made me feel sentimental as well.

I’m believing for and praying for a marriage and a family that will be a vibrant testimony of the love of Christ. This is my hope for both of my sons and their families. Our churches and our communities desperately need families that exhibit Christ’s love. I trust the Lord is going to raise up a generation that is going to be used to transform the world!

The Lord Has Blessed David & Jonathan and Our Family

Hannah sent this picture to me and said, “The faces we made when we realize we get to marry Diaso men ❤️”. We are truly blessed to have Hannah & Emily join our family!!!

I believe that the Lord is using the gift of Hannah and Emily to bring joy and healing to our family. While we realize that no one can ever replace our daughter, Hannah, yet our Papa is kind and he redeems our pain and our loss. That’s what our Father does he loves to bring healing to his children. He is a God of redemption.

I also wonder at times about the thin veil between heaven and earth. Our daughter, Hannah may be more involved than we realized. Those are some of the pleasant mysteries of life.

David walking Dawn down the aisle as we began the wedding ceremony

Thank you Lord for bringing Emily into our son, David’s life and for the great gift that she is to him and to our family. Thank you as well for bringing Hannah into Jonathan’s life. What a huge blessing and gift, each of these young beautiful women are to our boys and to our family. Thank you, Jesus! Hallelujah!!!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org