Archive for the ‘God’s Leading’ Category

Hannah, Hope & Healing

Posted: November 15, 2016 in Christianity, Family Happenings, God's Leading, Journey, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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God’s Work of Healing
Hannah #AHannahPercent

Hannah
We love you #AHannahPercent

Today marks four weeks since Hannah passed away. Our family has felt so loved, and so embraced by all the friends who have sent us cards and notes. Friends and family who are praying for us and holding us up.

In the midst of this I’m slowly starting to get back involved in our work of ministry. Dawn and I covet your prayers as we move forward, because it is one of the hardest if not the hardest thing we’ve every had to deal with. God is greater! God is stronger than all our fears! Hallelujah!

Starting today I will begin ministering with my friends in Mexico to evaluate potential church planters. I need your prayers and an extra measure of grace.

More Glimpses of Heaven

The Lord has been so good to us in showing us glimpses of heaven as I shared in my last post.

Hannah is excited to be starting IMPACT 195

Hannah on her first day at IMPACT 195

Here’s a message from one of Hannah’s friends from her IMPACT 195 school. Her name is Marta, and here’s what she wrote.

Beautiful Family,

I just want to say that your daughter was the sweetest person I ever met. She came right up to me the first time I met her and just started complimenting me without even knowing me. That never happened to me before. She brought so much joy, so much love every where she went. When they told me what happened we were at the prayer chapel at IMPACT and started to pray.

God speaks to me in visions and He gave me a vision of her wearing a white dress looking even more beautiful and dancing with Jesus. She had that freedom dance with her hair everywhere, turning and just glowing so much! Filled with love and joy! She will never be forgotten and I can’t wait to see her again. I want to say that you did an amazing job raising her. I’ll be praying for you that God will bring you peace, comfort and may you completely trust that it was His timing.

Love, Marta

These added measures of grace that the Lord gives us are a huge boost to our faith. It’s a glimpse into what awaits all of us who are called by His name.

Hannah Diaso Memorial Facebook Group

I created a Facebook group called, “Hannah Diaso Memorial” if you’d like to join the group click on the link and I’ll add you in.

Thank you dear friends for going with us on this deep and difficult journey!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Seeking to Catch the Wave

Posted: August 21, 2015 in Christianity, God's Leading, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Vision & Strategy for the Border & the Baja

imagesLately I’ve been revisiting the vision and strategy for our team as we seek to make an impact for the kingdom on border and the Baja. God has given me some wonderful coaches to guide me through the process.

Part of my desire is that our strategy would be clearer. Today we had a team meeting and we talked about the draft I came up with, and it was obvious that it’s not clear enough yet.

One of the men coaching me said that he liked our team’s mission and vision, but that our strategy was a little hazy. How are we going to accomplish our vision? That question needs to be answered with a degree of clarity.

It’s not that we don’t have a strategy, but I haven’t articulated it in a way that is easy to grasp.

As I’ve spent time in prayer and sought to answer this question,d God has me dreaming. I love to dream about what God might do! I look forward to what he will do.

Pray with Us!

images-1Please join me in prayer as I look to the Lord for a God sized kingdom work. I’m thinking through what is the best way for us to carry out the vision the Lord has given us. Ideas come to mind, and much of this is already in process which is exciting. It’s not a complete overhaul, but more of a refining process.

God has brought to mind this passage from Ephesians, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20, ESV). This passage challenges me, and it leads me to cry out, O Lord, that there would be explosive growth of your church on the border and the Baja. Help us to catch the wave of what you are doing here. We want this work to be Spirit led and Spirit empowered. O Lord, hear my cry, hear our cry.

This gets me pumped up, because Paul says in this passage that it’s not just more than we ask or think, but abundantly more. God is a God of abundance, not a God of scarcity. He tells us to ask, and we will receive. So Lord, I do ask that you would surprise us, and do something magnificent here, and let us be a part of that.

Dave & Dawn

Dave & Dawn

Dawn and I appreciate you as you join us in prayer. We need prayer for clarity of vision and for the strategies that we are working on. We truly want to keep in step with the Spirit as we plan and strategize. This is our hearts desire – join us as we seek direction from our Lord and King eternal.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

Keep Trusting, Keep Believing – Don’t Give Up!

Posted: February 27, 2015 in Christianity, Family Happenings, God's Leading, Ministry, Prayer
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Where Will This End?
Hannah with her Grandpa

Hannah with her Grandpa

We feel like we’ve been in a marathon without knowing where the finish line will be. It’s exhausting at times, but the Lord sustains us! He gives us hope.

Many have asked about Hannah, others are wondering what is going on. Dawn and I have sought to be discreet in what we share. We believe it’s important to maintain Hannah’s privacy, and even that of our family.

Now I realize that we’ve published this out on a number of public forums.  We’ve done that, because we believe that prayer is so important. We are trying to walk a line between getting the word out, while not sharing too much.

I hope that makes some sense.

An Outpouring of Prayer & Love

Our family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and prayer. I believe that is one of the things the Lord has used to keep us strong and to keep us going.

Thank you! We need continued and ongoing prayer and support as we walk on this journey. We are praying that Hannah will be healed soon, even today. Join with us in believing God for his healing touch.

As I prayed this morning the Lord reminded me of the good he was doing through this trial. Paul encourages us to rejoice, because of the fruit that is produced through the difficulties of life.

… but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5, ESV)

Endurance – Ernest Shackleton’s Adventure
Hannah, Dawn and Dave

Hannah, Dawn and Dave

I finished my book on Ernest Shackleton and his crew, who were shipwrecked on Antarctica in 1915. They survived for more than a year in freezing temperatures in a very hostile environment.

I was impressed by how they endured. They chose not to give up, even though they were extremely tired and cold. When they finally made it to the Island where there were other people that could help them. They were on the wrong side of the Island, so three of them had to hike across the Island. No one hand ever done that before. This was after already surviving for a year in the icy climate.

As they hiked across the Island, they came to glaciers, cliffs where they couldn’t cross. They had to turn around and backtrack. I just can’t imagine all the pain and suffering, but they kept going. They finally made it, and they were able to rescue the whole crew. No one was lost.

Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus
The Sunset at Imperial Beach

The Sunset at Imperial Beach

The Lord has been reminding me to keep my eyes on Jesus. My family and I need to keep trusting, and to keep believing. God will hold us up. He will get us through this, even though we don’t know where the end is, he does! God knows and he goes before us!

He promises that he will not forget us and that we are tattooed to the Psalm of his hand in Isaiah 49. That encourages me. It gives me hope. I hope that it might be a blessing to you as well.

In His Loving Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

God is Building His Church in Baja!

Posted: January 2, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, God's Leading, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, Team Members
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The Expansion of the Church into Baja
Peter and Jenny Boling are in the middle with Dawn and Dave and Yolanda's mom on the left and Sophie (our intern), Yolanda and Daniel and Camila Nuñez on the right

Peter and Jenny Boling (middle) with Dawn and Dave and Yolanda’s mom (left) and Sophie (our summer intern – middle right), Yolanda and Daniel and Camila Nuñez (right)

One of the things that I’m most excited about as I look back on 2013 is the expansion of our team and missions presence. The Lord opened the door for us to begin working with Peter and Jenny Boling!

They are missionaries with Mission to the World (MTW). Peter and Jenny were ministering in Bogotá, Colombia, but they felt God tugging at their hearts and calling them to Los Cabos in Baja California.

Dawn and I are thrilled to work alongside the Bolings, and have them join our team. The only complication I’ve had is that I’ve called our team the San Diego-Tijuana team, so now we have to adjust some 🙂 . Although I always thought of it as San Diego-Tijuana and beyond!

God’s Answer for More Workers and Ministry Expansion
A map of Baja California Sur Municipalities hi...

A map of Baja California Sur Municipalities highlighting Los Cabos. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s thrilling to have more workers, which is one of the answers to prayer that we’ve seen this past year. We are so excited to see our missionary force expanding! Lord, please continue your work and send even more laborers.

Peter and Jenny moved to Los Cabos in September, and they are already connecting with ministries at the tip of Baja. The Bolings are caring and loving servants, who are full of grace. I believe that the Lord will use them in a powerful way in 2014 and into the future.

Peter was saved out of a gangs and a wayward life. This has given him a tremendous platform to minister to those that are caught up in a lifestyle of drug addiction, alcohol and gang warfare. One of the ministries that Peter has connected with has an effective outreach to those in gangs. Many gang members are coming to Christ and growing in their faith.

The Lord set the Bolings up in 2013, which allows us to be in prime position to start a new church planting project in La Paz in mid-2014. It’s amazing to see how the Lord brings things together.

Join Us In Prayer for the Bolings & the New Church Plant
Peter Boling sharing his testimony at Fuente de Vida mission

Peter Boling sharing his testimony at Fuente de Vida mission

We appreciate your prayers for Peter and Jenny as we begin to work on this new project. The Bolings are still in the process of getting rolling themselves. One of the things we still need is a Mexican National church planter to lead the project. We hope to identify one by the end of March.

Pray that the Lord will bring all the loose pieces together. Our desire is to honor him and see people won to Christ through this new church. Those that come into the church will become mature followers of Jesus, and as the Lord brings the increase we will see more churches started.

I feel that we need a lot of wisdom as we set the church plant up. There are a number of things that still need to fall in place.

Please join us in lifting these needs up to the Lord!

In HIs Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Giving Thanks that God Uses Our Pain

Posted: November 27, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, God's Leading, Journey, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, San Diego
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Thanksgiving Amidst the Trials
Hannah & David at the airport when Hannah arrived for her surprise visit!

Hannah & David at the airport when Hannah arrived for her surprise visit!

The Lord says he stores up our tears in a bottle. This gives me comfort knowing that he cares deeply about our pain.

Last week I wrote about some of the pain that our family and some friends of ours endured. if you missed it you can read about it here Trials & Tears!, and Trials & Tears: Part Two, Answers.

This week especially we focus on the many blessings that God has given us, and it truly has been a better week.

My daughter, Hannah, who was in a bad car accident last week is here with us to celebrate Thanksgiving. My son, Jon, who had an emergency eye surgery last Friday is recovering. It will be a while before he gains full use of his right eye, but the surgery was successful. We give much thanks for that, and we continue praying for a full and complete recovery.

God Uses Ana’s Pain to Bring Adam to Christ!
The same creative and powerful God who made the beauty of the Sunset cares for you and me!

The same creative and powerful God who made the beauty of the Sunset cares for you and me!

Our friend, Ana who was detained last week was set free last Friday. She is now back with her family!

Ana made a wrong turn last week when she was taking a friend’s son to school. That wrong turn led to her being detained.

The father of the boy Ana was taking to school is named, Adam. After all that happened last week Adam came to church last Sunday with Ana and her family. He heard the gospel, and he gave his life to Christ. God works in mysterious ways, doesn’t he? Yet, he is always working, and doing so in such a way that he gets the glory.

We don’t always understand the reasons why, or the how’s, but we can trust that he is working.

God’s Loving Care
English: "The First Thanksgiving at Plymo...

“The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth” (1914) By Jennie A. Brownscombe (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Lord cares for you. He tells us he will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He says that the plans he has for us are good (Jeremiah 29:11). He encourages us to ask him for our needs, for even a father will give his child a piece of bread when he asks for it (Matthew 7:9).

Aren’t those wonderful and encouraging promises? We just need to lean on him and trust him.

Lift Our Voices in Thanks to Our God

Lord, I praise you that, because of you we have much to be thankful for. Thank you for hearing our prayers. Thank you for giving us friends and family to love!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you my friend!

In HIs Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Vision to Reach Northwestern Mexico

Posted: September 23, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, God's Leading, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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A Church Planting Network in Mexico
Monterrey, Mexico

Monterrey, Mexico

God opened my eyes even wider as I was challenged to consider working with others to reach Northwestern Mexico for Christ. I found myself feeling encouraged and at times overwhelmed.

I felt overwhelmed, when I got my eyes off of the cross, and focused on my own efforts, and how I would be able to accomplish the task of seeing the gospel extend to other parts of Mexico. I was encouraged as I considered joining with others, and an already strong church planting network that is based in Monterrey, Mexico.

The Church Planting Center

The Centro para la Plantación de Iglesias (Church Planting Center) is a ministry of Mission to the World (MTW). Dawn and I played a small part in the beginnings of this effort. We served in Mexico City when the seeds for this work were being sown.

Not everything that MTW has done in Mexico has borne fruit, so it’s thrilling to see when God does put his finger of blessing on a work.

Connecting Movement Leaders
Andres Garza and Daniel Nuñez chatting over a wonderful Mexican meal

Andres Garza and Daniel Nuñez chatting over a wonderful Mexican meal

One of the most exciting things for me on this weekend was that I was able to introduce Daniel Nuñez from Tijuana and a movement leader in his own right to the group here. I’m not sure what God will do as a result of the connection that Daniel was able to make with Andres Garza, who leads the Church Planting Center, but it’s fun to watch.

I enjoy dreaming about what might be. What could be! That’s at least part of what vision is all about.

I dream of a day when San Diego and Tijuana will be an even bigger hub for the extension of God’s kingdom on the border, and in northwestern Mexico.

Andres Garza sharing about the dream of MTW for northern Mexico

Andres Garza sharing about the dream of MTW for northern Mexico

I learned this weekend that 96% of the Presbyterian churches in Mexico are in the southern Mexico. There is a huge need for the church to grow and be strengthened in northern Mexico, and even more so in the northwest.

Keep Praying

I believe that part of the reason the Lord is increasing our vision and in doing so our boundaries is because of so many of you lifting us up in prayer.

Tomorrow I leave for some meetings in the La Paz, Baja California where we will discuss the opening of a new church planting field in that city. La Paz is the capital of Lower Baja California, and we don’t have any churches there. It’s a strategic city with a huge need. Join us in prayer that the Lord will go before us and bless our time in La Paz.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Don’t Laugh at God

Posted: September 11, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, God's Leading, Ministry, Prayer, San Diego
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A Stressful Week
Dave, Dawn and David Jr. with Dave's parents, Virginia and Ron

Dave, Dawn and David Jr. with Dave’s parents, Virginia and Ron

Last week the Lord brought my dad through an open heart bypass surgery, for which I’m very grateful. Thanks for praying.

It was a stressful week!

My dad going through such a huge surgery. Then the owner of the home we are renting said that she might want us to move out in two months, or she is going to raise the rent. We had some other family challenges back in Chula Vista. I felt stressed, and I thought the enemy was trying to discourage us.

God’s Loving Care

I took all this to the Lord in prayer. God reminded me that he is going to take care of our housing needs.

I felt like he spoke to me in this way, “The Father wants to give me good gifts not a stone or a serpent. Wait on the Lord. He will show me in due time. God is going to do a great and mighty work. Trust. Have faith. Wait.”

I’m not sure I have a clear sense on what God is going to do, and in my weaker moments I doubt.

The View of TJ from the local Starbucks

The View of Tijuana from the local Starbucks near our home

Dawn and I were praying and talking about our concerns and our hopes for a house. We love the location of our home, and it seems too early to have to move, since we’ve only been here one year.

It would be close to impossible to move right now with all the things we have going on through the rest of this year. If we were to move it also seems like such a waste of time and energy!

Don’t Laugh, Trust God

Then Dawn said a few people had told her with all the ministry we do out of our home we may need a bigger home, maybe a five bedroom home. I laughed, because homes are so expensive here and it would take a true act of God for us to be able to afford a home like that. Yet, I shouldn’t laugh because this is not too big of a challenge for our God.

Dawn warned me, “You shouldn’t laugh. Do you remember what happened to Zechariah the priest, the husband of Elizabeth when he doubted? He was unable to speak and he remained mute until John the Baptist was born.” (Luke 1:5-23)

I didn’t really care for Dawn telling that, but she does have a point. What is difficult for man is not difficult for God. The Lord can and will do a great and mighty work in our midst. He didn’t bring us here to abandon us!

Lord, forgive me for my unbelief. Do lead us as we look to you for your provision for our home, which is our ministry launching pad!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Blown Away By God’s Blessings!

Posted: July 19, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, God's Leading, Journey, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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Ray and Dave with some pastors and friends for the National Church .

Ray and Dave with some pastors and new friends from the National Church in Mexico

God is on the Move in Baja

I’m blown away by God’s grace and the wonderful doors that the Lord keeps opening up for us. Some of these opportunities are coming from unexpected places.

Dawn and I are experiencing God’s blessing as we continue on this journey with Jesus. Recently, the Lord introduced us to some people and places in Mexico that lift up our spirit.

I don’t want to overstate things. There are some challenges that we face, yet I believe we are to praise God and give thanks to him as he shows us the way.

On Thursday, Ray Call and I met with some pastors in Tijuana. It was the first time I had a chance to meet them. We spent a good amount of time talking about our desire to see churches started in various cities in Baja California. Oh Lord, make it happen! We pray that your church will grow. We pray the your kingdom will expand.

I wrote about one of the new projects we are working on in Baja with a new missionary family and the Mexican church a couple of weeks ago. That was one of the projects we discussed, but there were others.

English: The port of Ensenada, Baja California...

The port of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. One of the places that we are seeing God open doors for us! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lord, Bring the Increase!

Also, God is leading Dawn and me to other ministries in Mexico that we can connect with and partner with to see the our reach not only expand, but to grow deeper. We pray for God’s deep healing work. Oh Lord, that you would transform many lives for your grace and glory!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Blown Away By God’s Blessings!

Posted: July 19, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, God's Leading, Journey, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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Ray and Dave with some pastors and friends for the National Church .

Ray and Dave with some pastors and new friends from the National Church in Mexico

God is on the Move in Baja

I’m blown away by God’s grace and the wonderful doors that the Lord keeps opening up for us. Some of these opportunities are coming from unexpected places.

Dawn and I are experiencing God’s blessing as we continue on this journey with Jesus. Recently, the Lord introduced us to some people and places in Mexico that lift up our spirit.

I don’t want to overstate things. There are some challenges that we face, yet I believe we are to praise God and give thanks to him as he shows us the way.

On Thursday, Ray Call and I met with some pastors in Tijuana. It was the first time I had a chance to meet them. We spent a good amount of time talking about our desire to see churches started in various cities in Baja California. Oh Lord, make it happen! We pray that your church will grow. We pray the your kingdom will expand.

I wrote about one of the new projects we are working on in Baja with a new missionary family and the Mexican church a couple of weeks ago. That was one of the projects we discussed, but there were others.

English: The port of Ensenada, Baja California...

The port of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. One of the places that we are seeing God open doors for us! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lord, Bring the Increase!

Also, God is leading Dawn and me to other ministries in Mexico that we can connect with and partner with to see the our reach not only expand, but to grow deeper. We pray for God’s deep healing work. Oh Lord, that you would transform many lives for your grace and glory!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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God’s Blessing: The Arrival of Our Son, Jon!

Posted: May 28, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, God's Leading, Journey, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Tijuana
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Jon and Dave embarking on the cross country trip from Colorado Springs to Chula Vista

Jon and Dave embarking on the cross-country trip from Colorado Springs to Chula Vista

I’ve been on the road the last week, which has made it harder to get on the internet to post anything. Last Thursday I flew out to Colorado to help our son, Jonathan move to Chula Vista.

I can still remember the tears and the pain of saying good-bye to Jonathan and Hannah last August! God is so good to provide a way for Jonathan to be with us again.

One of the difficulties of living out the life of a missionary is all the painful good-byes. You keep thinking that it might get easier, but it doesn’t, at least not for me.

The Lord has put us in the wonderfully unique situation of living and serving in missions on the border. Because of where we live we can minister on both sides of the border. In two different countries with two radically varied cultures. This makes it possible for us to be closer to our grown children. It’s an opportunity many missionaries do not have.

In Jeremiah the Lord encouraged the Israelites to seek the welfare of the city where they had been sent. As God blessed the city they too would be blessed. That is really our heart here. We pray that we will see San Diego – Tijuana blessed by God. We trust as the Lord showers down his blessings on the city that our family and friends will experience God’s rich and bountiful care as well.

God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:7 & 11, gives us comfort and hope:

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find welfare… For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jon & Hannah right before we began our trek

Jon & Hannah right before we began our trek

Dawn and I love what we do, and we love where we live. It affords us the opportunity to minister to Latinos in San Diego and in Tijuana. God has given us some great partners to work with. We continue to pray that the Lord’s kingdom will be expanded on the border as it is in heaven.

“Thank you Jesus for calling us to serve on the border! Thank you for making it possible for our son, Jon to move so he can be near us. We pray for your watchful care over our whole family. Thank you that we can trust you!”

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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