Archive for the ‘Church Planting’ Category

A New Birth!

Posted: July 21, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Excited About the New Birth!
David & Jonathan in action (on the bottom left with their friend Jacob Betchol and on bottom right with me)

It is hard to contain my excitement over the latest new birth that our family has experienced! Although Dawn and I are thrilled with our granddaughter’s recent birth, in this case I’m referring to the birth of a new church. The church we built in memory of Dad and Mom, Ron and Virginia Diaso.

Thankful That So Many Helped!
Top left clockwise Davis & his son, Deivis; Blanca & her daughter, Damaris; Luz; Federico and his two sons, Daniel & David

The last two weeks there were one hundred or more people involved in helping us to build this new church. Our two boys, David and Jonathan came out from Colorado to pitch in. There were people helping from a number of different churches from both sides of the border. Some of our church planters that we work closely with also got involved. Pastor Davis and Luz Pardo, who are planting a church in Playas came one weekend. Then Pastor Federico and Blanca Muñoz, who are planting a church in Mexicali also made the 3 hour trip to contribute their time, energy and love.

It is an amazing time! I always enjoy watching the first wall go up. Since the foundation has already been laid, and some of the prep work is done we are able to get the roof up the first day. We had so many hard working people involved that we not only got the walls and roof up, but we began putting up the drywall on the first day.

After our two weeks of work the church was ready! Wow! It’s truly Amazing to witness.

As I’ve said before, “it never grows old seeing a new church go up.”

The Inaugural Service in Rosarito, Mexico
Starting upper right going clockwise at the inaugural service: Pastor Daniel Nuñez; Daniel Nuñez with Pastor Esteban Martinez and Dave; Worship; Pastor Esteban

Since this church was built in honor of my parents it made it extra special for our family. On Sunday July 18th we held the inaugural service. During the service Dawn and I had the opportunity to pray for Pastor Esteban and his wife, Cinthya. Pastor Daniel Nuñez, who is the leader of the ministry, Ministerios Transformación gave the charge to Pastor Esteban. Then we prayed for Esteban and Cinthya. Such a blessing from the Lord to be involved in the lives of special people who love and serve the Lord.

I shared about how the church in Acts 4 prayed for boldness. As they prayed God answered and they were all filled with the Spirit and the ground shook. It’s a wonderful reminder of our need today for boldness and the power of God. Zechariah 4 also emphasizes that it is not by our strength or power but by the Spirit. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

Pastor Esteban Martinez & Cinthya
Pastor Esteban & Cinthya – building the church and the inaugural service

While I sought to encourage Esteban and Cinthya as they begin this new work I couldn’t help but think about my parents, Dad and Mom. I was reminded of the cloud of witnesses spoken of in Hebrews 12:1. I had this sense that my parents were looking on with Christ cheering us on, which gave me peace. Maybe Hannah was cheering us on as well!

I thank the Lord for the special time that He gave us, and for the privilege of being involved in launching a new ministry in a needy community, Lomas Altas 2. Dawn and I give thanks for Pastor Esteban and his wife Cinthya. This is the second church that they’ve been involved in starting. They are building a team so that they can reach out and see fruit in both of the communities that they are ministering in.

Join Us in Prayer!
Having a good time while constructing the church

Join us in prayer as Pastor Esteban and Cinthya begin to minister and reach out in the community of Lomas Altas 2. Pray that many people will find the savior through this church.

Continue to pray for our familia on the Big Island as well. If you’ve been following the news at all you’ve seen that the situation on the Big Island has reached a boiling point, and that a number of people have taken to the streets to protest. They are upset about the lack of food, skyrocketing prices, rolling blackouts, and all the restrictions due to the coronavirus. They need our prayers, and our aid! Please extend your hands and give a donation today to help our familia.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

A New Birth is Coming!

Posted: July 9, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Ron & Virginia Diaso Memorial Church
Dad & Mom, Ron and Virginia Diaso

Dawn and I just returned from a funeral for one of my best friends, who I’ve known since I was 5 years old. His name is Rod Jones, and his daughters organized a great celebration of life service. I hope to write more about Rod in a future post, but today I’d like to focus on the church we are getting ready to build in memory of my parents, Ron and Virginia Diaso.

Rod’s funeral reminds me of the need to give people hope beyond this life. That’s one of the reasons that I’m thankful to have this opportunity to build a life giving living memorial for my parents. We are building this church in partnership with our friends from Ministerios Transformación, which is led by Pastor Daniel Nuñez.

Dad and Mom were always our biggest supporters, so I’m grateful that we can honor them in this way. We are making this a family affair. Both of our boys, David and Jonathan are flying in for the weekend to help us build the church.

Church Number 43 in Rosarito
Dave with Pastor Tomas Duarte & Pastor Esteban Martinez at the church site

I went to visit the church site today, and the foundation is already laid, and the prep work is being done so we can start with a larger group on Saturday. The pastor for this church will be Esteban Martinez. Please pray for Esteban as he begins to reach out in the community of Lomas Altas 2 in Rosarito, Mexico. While I was with pastor Esteban and two other pastors, Tomas and Davis today we were able to pray together for the church. We went to the four corners of the church and prayed, and asked for the Lord’s blessing and protection as the gospel goes forth from this place.

This is the 43rd church that Ministerios Transformación has planted in the last 15 years. God gave pastor Daniel a vision to plant 50 churches, and he is getting close to that goal. When I first met him 11 years ago I think he had planted 8 churches. It’s exciting to partner with Daniel and his team. We love seeing their enthusiasm to reach the Border and Beyond with the life changing message of Jesus Christ.

I look forward to sharing more about this church planting project with you after we get it built. It’s so good to bring the light of Christ to shine in the darkness. It’s wonderful to honor my parents in this way. I believe that it’s part of the legacy that they left. We were able to start a new church in our daughter, Hannah’s memory in Mexicali, Mexico three years ago. We give thanks to our Papa God that he has provided the funds and the partners to be able to start new churches.

I know that I’ve mentioned this before, but I love what our son Jonathan told me the first time we went to visit the site where we built the church in Hannah’s memory. He said, “I’d much rather visit the church to remember Hannah than to visit the cemetery.” I feel the same way, and we give thanks that we can remember Dad and Mom in this way.

Join Us In Prayer
We prayed for and anointed the four corners of the church property
  • Pray for a successful weekend as we head down on Saturday morning with a group of friends to build the church.
  • Pray for Pastor Esteban and his team as they begin to do outreach in the community of Lomas Altas 2 in Rosarito.
  • Pray for the Lord’s protection as we endeavor work together this Saturday.
  • Thank the Lord for his provision for this church.
Extend Your Hands to Help
Our familia on the Big Island

Our familia on the Big Island told me about how they pray for friends hands. Those that extend their hands to help them in their need. When they explained the significance of the “friends hands” I decided to adopt it and use that phrase when I ask you to help. Dawn and I would like to ask you to extend your hands to help the church planting work in Mexico.

Our familia on the Big Island also needs your help. One of our friends there wrote me today, and said that the Big Island has collapsed referring to the financial situation. Things were bad before, but now they are experiencing rolling blackouts, to go along with skyrocketing prices for food and basic goods. They need our prayers and our help. you can give by clicking on the button below.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Extend Your Hands to Bless Those in Need

Posted: June 28, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is at Work Bringing Aid to Those in Need
Dave with Pastor *Daniel

I love to receive testimonies from our familia on the Big Island. Every month Dawn and I are sending aid to help the pastors, their families, the people in their church and those in their community. It’s always wonderful to hear the stories of how the Lord is working through the help that we give to them.

It saddens us to hear how they are suffering, but we are thankful that the Lord is at work and bringing hope and life to the people.

Pastoral Daniel’s Testimony
Pastor Daniel ministering to Our Familia on the Big Island!

One of the pastors that we work with, Pastor *Daniel shared the following testimony with us.

He said, “We were able to bless several brothers with the funds that you sent, how good it is to be part of this help and to be a channel so that other brothers are also blessed and helped. Glory to God in the highest and good will towards all men! We are grateful Brother, Glory to the Lord Jesus!”

“I was able to help a brother, his words shocked me, because his child and his wife were admitted to the hospital for 2 days and he had no more than $10 pesos in his pocket (the equivalent of about .20 US cents). What a joy because when I met him on the street and I greeted him and asked him about his family and he told me about the condition that they were in and I was able to bless him with part of the aid that you sent me. When I gave him the donation his face changed, his spirits were lifted and he had no way to thank me and I told him, ‘thank the Lord who was the one who made this blessing come to you, I am only an instrument.’ When I saw how it affected him it touched my heart and I wanted to share it with you, because once again I see that our Father really takes care of His children. Thank you Pastor, this happened because the Lord has filled your hearts with love for us.”

Pastor *Daniel (name changed for security)
Seeking to Encourage The Flock
Pastor Daniel praying for those in his flock!

Pastor Daniel went on to tell me how difficult it has been for the people, because in many of the places they are ministering they are locked down. They cannot leave their homes after 3 in the afternoon. They haven’t been able to meet as a church for 5 months. He seeks to encourage his flock by visiting them in the morning, and meeting in small groups in their houses. They have to be very careful when they meet. Pastor Daniel asked me to pray for their protection, and that the Lord will send workers to help him to continue to share the good news of the gospel.

Extend Your Hands to Help Today
Pastor Daniel giving food to the hungry

Sadly, the crisis is ongoing and it has only gotten worse as time has gone on. Not only is there a lack of food and basic goods, but the prices are skyrocketing and they are having to stand in long lines for hours at a time to get the little food that is available.

Join us in prayer for our familia, and consider a generous gift today to bring aid to these dear families. You can play a part in lifting the spirit of the people in need. God is at work. We are thankful that we can be an instrument to bless others, and we’d love for you to join us in this effort of offering food to the hungry, and drink to the thirsty.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia!

Posted: June 14, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Our Familia in Living in Crisis
Some of our familia on the Big Island

I’ve been wanting to write about the ongoing crisis that our familia has been going through on the Big Island for sometime. I know that many are concerned about what is going on, and that many are praying.

The sad news is that the situation has only grown worse. Even though much of the world is starting to open up, there are still reported cases of Covid on the Big Island. The churches in most areas are not allowed to meet, which has been extremely difficult, because all of the scarcity of basic needs and of food is causing much duress.

Since January of this year, prices have gone up for food and basic goods between 250 and 300 percent and it is projected to go as high as 500% this year.

Pastor Ronaldo’s Report on the Current Status on the Big Island
Ronaldo with some of the people that he is ministering to that we’ve been able to bless with food

One of the pastors, *Ronaldo that we are in contact with, had the following to say about the current status on the Big Island:

“We feel very burdened by the economic, social, and political situation. Honestly, the country is a mess. Hyperinflation is killing us, the cost of living has skyrocketed and there are no food supplies. To buy anything, you have to stand in long lines throughout the day (5 to 8 hours), just to buy a liter of oil [costing] 10% of my salary. The country is bankrupt, it is very sad, and we are very much affected.

This hyperinflation is hard for everyone. The finances of the church have greatly decreased and can barely cover 50% of my salary, which is 25 USD per month. That is only enough to buy a packet of coffee, a few bottles of [cooking] oil, and a packet of detergent.

It is possible now for pastors to work bi-vocationally, but the problem is that there are no jobs.”

It saddens us to see all that our familia is suffering through!

God is on the Move Despite the Suffering!
One of the young church planters that we’ve been able to help

I don’t want to be overly negative about what our dear friends are experiencing. Despite these trials, there is good news as well.

The church is growing and God is on the move!

One of our church planters reported that since January they’ve shared the gospel with more than 800 people and 60 have come to Christ. Another pastor told me that they have a goal of planting 10 new churches starting this year.

It’s unbelievable to witness the resilience and commitment that these pastors have shown under some of most difficult of circumstances. God is faithful to build His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it, as the church continues to march forward.

Dawn and I are sending aid monthly to help the pastors, their families and the families in their churches to be able to survive. Your gifts, your generous donations make it possible for us to continue sending them aid.

Pastor Lucas and Maria’s Appeal
Our Familia in Need on the Big Island

Pastor *Lucas and his wife, *Maria recently wrote to thank us for what we’ve done and to encourage you to continue to give to their needs and to pray for them.

“David and Dawn know about our struggles and sufferings as pastors and as parents due to the great lack in the economy. They have seen our tears when not only our own children go to bed without eating food during day, but there are many children in many families who also suffer. Men, women and elderly come to our our church not only in search of God but also for a morsel of food. Many of the children come to Sunday School without even being able to drink a glass of milk, because they don’t have any at home.

We give thanks for all that David & Dawn have done for the work of the Gospel on this Island, in our city, its people, our ministries, and my family. We give thanks for all who have given us a piece of heaven on earth through your gifts. Thank you for giving bread to those who hunger and water for those who thirst. We humbly ask you in the love of Christ that you will extend your prayers, your support, and your helping hands to us!”

Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia

Click on the button below to send a donation to today and help a family in need!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

*not their real names for security reasons

Remembering Dad & Mom: A New Church to Honor their Memory

Posted: May 31, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Family Happenings, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Memorial Day Brings Back Memories
Virginia & Ron Diaso’s Wedding Photo (a good looking couple)

I remember when I was growing up that my grandma, Joan Diaso, used to tell us what a bad time of year her birthday fell on. She was born on May 30th, and since that is when our country has set aside a day to remember and honor those that have gone before us, and those who have died in battle it wasn’t a good day for a birthday celebration. My grandma would go to the cemetery to take flowers to the graves of her loved ones. That didn’t put her in a celebratory mood.

I thought about that this last week, because Dawn and I went to Fresno and visited the cemetery where my parents are buried. My grandparents on both sides are also buried in the same cemetery. I wanted to go to the cemetery in part, because it was one year ago on May 26th that my dad moved to heaven.

I can’t say that I enjoy visiting cemeteries, but it does make me feel a little closer to my loved ones, in this case my parents. I realize that only their bodies are there. It gives me comfort knowing that they are now celebrating in heaven.

On the day we left Fresno I felt sentimental as we drove out of the city. I realized that much of my past and one of the primary reasons I visit Fresno, the city where I grew up, was no longer there. My parents have moved on.

It does give me much comfort knowing that both of my parents are now in heaven. As we like to say, “they’ve moved to heaven.” I love the hope of heaven and that there is no sadness, no sickness and no separation in heaven. Hallelujah!

Honoring My Parents Memory
My parents headstone at the cemetery

Dawn and I felt like one of the best ways to honor my parents memory was to help start a church in memory of them. This July we will be partnering with our good friends from Ministerios Transformación, led by Pastor Daniel Nuñez, to build a church in honor of my parents memory.

We are excited that we are getting close to the date in July when we will go down to build the church. A new church means that the light of Christ is coming into a new community. It means transformed lives. These are some of the reasons we love to start new churches.

Extend Your Hands to Pray and Give!
I love this photo of Mom & Dad, makes me think of them dancing on the streets of gold.

You can play a part in helping us to make this dream a reality by making a donation for the Ron & Virginia Diaso Memorial Church. Pray for us as we work with Pastor Daniel and his team to build the church. Pray that many will be won to Christ through this church. Make a donation today by clicking on the donate button below.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

A New Birth in Mexicali!

Posted: May 30, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Launching a New Church in Mexicali Today
Dave & Dawn with the Muñoz family – front row: Junior and Paola; back row: Damaris, Dave, Daniel, Federico, Blanca, David, Dawn

Today is an important day. Not only do we remember those who have gone before us, and those that have given their lives to protect the freedoms that we enjoy, but we are launching a new church in Mexicali today. Although it is Memorial Day weekend in the USA, Mexico doesn’t share this holiday with us.

Pastor Federico and Blanca Muñoz will be holding their first public service in Mexicali today at 6 PM PDT. The launching of a new church, reminds us of the life giving work of Jesus. Sunday is a special day set apart to celebrate the resurrection of Christ!

When I think of those that have gone before us, it helps to remember that Christ took away the sting of death for those in Christ. He defeated sin, death and Satan on the cross. His saving work gives us hope. This is the good news that we preach!

Pray for Federico & Blanca and the New Church
Federico leading worship in Mexicali

I don’t usually post on Sunday, but I wanted to get this out, so that you could join us in praying for Federico and Blanca and their team as they launch the church. Church planting is a spiritual work. We need God’s grace and the Spirit’s powerful work to see lives changed by the good news of Jesus. That’s why we start new churches so that people might hear the message of the Jesus. The wonderful life giving message of the gospel.

Pray for Federico and Blanca today that the Lord will guide and lead them today. That Jesus will be glorified in their midst. Pray that their friends and those that they’ve invited will come. They’ve weathered a long period of the pandemic which has restricted their ability to meet, so this is a huge and an important step for them. Also pray for them as Federico’s brother passed away yesterday. Pray that the Lord of all comfort will bring him and his family His comfort and His love.

God’s Mighty Work Through His Church
Pastor Federico sharing the good news of the gospel in front of his house

Recently as I’ve been reading the Bible, I’ve been camping out in Acts 4. The early church encountered opposition, and they began to pray for boldness and that they would see the mighty hand of God work among them. Then the whole place was shaken and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Pray that Federico and Blanca will be bold and that they will experience God’s earth shaking power today!

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:29-31‬ ‭ESV‬‬
Extend Your Hands to Help Those in Need
Our Familia in Need on the Big Island
One of the young church planting families that we are supporting on the Big Island

Dawn and I would like to invite you to not only to pray, but to make a donation today to help the gospel to go forth in Mexicali. We also are raising funds to aid our familia on the Big Island. We have ambitious goals to give to the needs of the pastors and families each month, so that they do not suffer, and that they can continue in ministry, and preach the life saving message of Jesus!

Give a donation today to the needs of the church and our familia. Your prayers and generosity will aid these families and the gospel in undeniable ways. Make a donation today by clicking on the link below!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Choosing God’s Best for the Task!

Posted: May 21, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Freedom in Tijuana
Tijuana Discovery Center with Ministerios Transformación

After this last year with so many restrictions it was wonderful to participate in a Discovery Center with my friends and partners in Tijuana. Ministerios Transformación held a church planters ministry assessment. This is the first one that we’ve done in Mexico for more than a year.

I hadn’t seen some of our friends, some of the pastors that we work with in Tijuana for this last year, so it was so good to be reunited. It was refreshing to minister together again. Even though the Discovery Center creates some apprehension for the candidates, we all had a good time. We laughed a lot.

God has Blessed us with Like Minded Partners
Tijuana Discovery Center

Pastor Daniel Nuñez leads Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries) and they’ve planted over 40 churches in the last 15 years. When I first met Daniel about 11 years ago, they had only planted 7 churches. Dawn and I have loved partnering with them in ministry, and they have become like family to us.

We’ve helped them plant a number of these churches, and we’ve raised the funds to build 6 churches, and we are getting ready to build the 7th this summer.

When I first met Daniel Ministerios Transformación didn’t have a way to evaluate their church planting candidates. About 6 years ago they began the Discovery Centers in partnership with Excel Leadership Network. One of the many things I’ve enjoyed about ministering on the border is all the outstanding partners the Lord has given us.

Dawn and I prayed for the Lord to give us like minded partners as we prepared to move to the border to minister. One of my mentors Dick Kauffman, who started the Harbor church planting network in San Diego told me how important it was to be aligned and to work with like minded people. This has proved to be very wise advice.

Witnessing God’s Miraculous Wonders
Dave with Jorge at the Discovery Center

The Discovery Centers are very valuable tools in helping both the candidate and those evaluating to discover their strengths and weaknesses. It helps the candidates to know areas that they need to grow in. If the church planting candidate gets the green light it can also serve as an affirmation as to their calling.

The candidates are asked to share their testimonies and we have the opportunity to interview them and ask them questions. One of the candidates, Jorge told us that he was shot three times about ten years ago. The doctors told his mom that he was dead, and that only a miracle could save him. That’s exactly what happened a miracle! God brought him back to life! He was rescued from the brink of death. He wasn’t a believer during that time, nor was anyone in his family, but God in His tender mercy wasn’t finished with Jorge yet. He had a greater plan for him. This testimony deserves more time and space. I hope to write more about Jorge and how the Lord rescued him in a future post.

This was just one of the testimonies that I heard!

One of the things I enjoy the most is connecting with those involved in the Discovery Center both the staff and the candidates. I love being able to build into their lives, and to have the opportunity to speak into their lives as well. It’s also an amazing blessing to hear their stories of how the Lord has worked in their lives!

This Discovery Center was extra special, because I was able to see so many people that I hadn’t seen face to face for quite some time. The other thing that is special and that I love is we are helping these church planting candidates to extend the kingdom through starting new churches. I continue to pray that the Lord will allow me to be involved in helping plant at least 1,000 churches and this is one of the ways that I’m able to do that!

Pray with us as these new church planters begin their ministries. They are all bi-vocational which is not easy. They have a tremendous amount of commitment, which is one of the reasons I love being around them.

Extend Your Hands to Help – Donate Today!
Our familia on the Big Island – one of the young church planting families

Also pray for our familia on the Big Island as they battle to keep their families fed, and to continue to minister. Unfortunately, Basic needs and food prices are skyrocketing, while their pay has not increased. It’s not possible for them to support their family on what they are earning. Dawn and I remain committed to sending aid to the pastors and families each month. 

Give a donation today to the needs of the church and our familia. Your prayers and generosity will aid these families and the gospel in undeniable ways. Make a donation today by clicking on the link below!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

It’s Time to Celebrate

Posted: April 21, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Celebrate God’s Good Work in the Church
Pastor Ivan & Rocio with Dawn & Dave

Dawn and I enjoyed a wonderful time of celebration with our good friends, Pastor Ivan Casados, and his wife, Rocio this past Sunday. The church was celebrating its 10th anniversary. We helped Ivan and Rocio plant their church. There was a lot to celebrate. The church is called, Belen and it began 10 years ago, and we helped them build the church 7 years ago.

Our hearts were filled with joy as we participated and listened to all the wonderful testimonies of God’s mighty work. Many people have come to Christ through their outreach in the community. People who were enslaved to drugs and alcohol. Others had trouble in their marriages and with their families. The Lord came in and brought healing and restoration.

A Special Church for Our Family
David Jr., Dave, Dawn and Jonathan in front of Belen church when we were building it

One of the things that makes this church extra special for Dawn and me is that our whole family participated in helping start this church. Both of our sons, David and Jonathan came down when we built the church. Hannah visited the church with us and she ministered to the people. Hannah loved to pray for people. She loved to pray for healing and for the Lord’s comfort.

Ivan and Rocio have become very good friends of ours over the years as we’ve ministered alongside them. One sad, but special memory I have with Ivan is from when Hannah died. I called Ivan to tell him the news, and he started weeping. His tears and sorrow meant a lot to me. They were like the healing balm of Gilead for my soul. You can say that we’ve cried together as well as we’ve rejoiced together.

We met Pastor Ivan and Rocio not long after we moved to the San Diego-Tijuana border. God has given us some opportunities to travel together in Mexico, but we’ve mostly worked together in Tijuana. They are wonderful friends that we love, and we give thanks for them and for all that the Lord has done through them.

Transformed Lives
From construction of the church on the left to the 10 year anniversary celebration!

Dawn and I were talking to one of the women in the church that we’ve known since the church started. Her name is Veronica. She loves to share her faith, and the Lord has used her to see many people come to Christ. Yet, she has a son, Samuel who is a prodigal. Veronica told us that our daughter, Hannah prayed with Veronica a number of years ago for her son. She prayed that he would return to God. Hannah told Veronica that she believed God would work in Samuel’s heart and bring him back to Christ. Just recently Samuel started coming to church, and there is evidence of God’s wonderful redeeming work in his life. She was thankful and remembered with gratitude Hannah’s encouragement and prayers for her and her son. Praise Jesus!

God is so good! He is so faithful to work in families!

I’ve shared other wonderful testimonies from the ministry of Belen on other posts. One of my favorites is how A Taco Leads to Transformed Lives – you can read about it by clicking here…

Join us in Prayer
Our daughter, Hannah with Rocio, Ivan and Aaron in front of the Belen Church

Join us in prayer for Pastor Ivan and Rocio as they lead the church. Pray for the Lord’s continued wonderful life-changing work through Belen.

Extend your hands to give to the needs in Mexico as we plant the seed of the gospel on the Border, the Baja and Beyond. This summer we are planning on building a new church in my parents, Ron & Virginia Diaso’s memory.

The situation on the Big Island is heartbreaking. I hope to write more about this in my next post. Since January of this year, prices have gone up for food and basic goods between 250 and 300 percent and it is projected to go as high as 500% this year. The cost of living has skyrocketed and there are no food supplies.

Give a donation today to the needs of the church and our familia. Your prayers and generosity will aid these families and the gospel in undeniable ways. Make a donation today by clicking on the link below!

Click to Donate…

In His Loving Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Church is Advancing in Mexicali & Beyond! 2

Posted: April 15, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Pastor Federico & Blanca Muñoz
Dave & Dawn with the Muñoz family – front row: Junior and Paola
Back row: Damaris, Dave, Daniel, Federico, Blanca, David, Dawn

Dawn and I feel like proud parents when we think about all the church planters that we are working with who are ministering in Mexico and on the Big Island. The couples become like family to us, which we enjoy. It’s one of the ways the Lord is bringing redemption and restoration to us, which is something we’ve prayed for especially since Hannah moved to heaven. A number of the church planters refer to us as their mentors and as their father and mother, which is a real privilege for us to have that type of relationship with them.

I’d like to highlight one couple that we are especially proud of, Pastor Federico and Blanca Muñoz, who are planting a church in Mexicali. Federico and Blanca stand out, because of their deep commitment, boldness, and creativity in sharing the gospel. It’s been fun to partner with them, and watch them in action.

Church Planting in the Midst of the COVID Crisis
Pastor Federico sharing the love of Christ in front of his house

They started their church plant in the summer of 2019. They had 6 months to reach out and develop relationships before the pandemic hit. Over the last year, it’s not been easy to make contacts, which is key when your goal is to start a church with people who don’t yet know Jesus. I have sought to encourage Federico and Blanca as they have gone through this most unusual year. I thought that since so many people are fearful because of the Covid crisis, that it was an opportunity for the gospel.

As we prayed, God gave this young couple an idea to try to hold services outside in their carport. Their children are gifted musically and they love to help out and they enjoy leading worship. Their teen children pitched in when they started to make the shift to outdoor services. Surprisingly, their neighbors showed interest and they came out of their homes to listen and participate.

Church in the Park
Pastor Federico & Blanca Ministering with their family in the park

Later, Federico and Blanca ended up needing to move to a different house, so we prayed that the Lord would open up new doors for them and show them how to reach out in this new community. They began to hold Bible studies both outdoor and online. Then in March of this year, when some of the restrictions in Mexicali were lifted, they began to hold services in a nearby park. Through their boldness and creativity, they started meeting more people in the park. They asked the new friends who they were meeting if they could pray for them, and most of them said, “yes”!

I have to admit the restrictions have slowed down our church planting progress, yet I see how the Lord has also opened some doors. It’s forced our church planters to be more creative, and people who would not have had the opportunity to hear the gospel are being reached, because of the change in plans.

God is Building His Church!

I’m often reminded of Joseph’s reply to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (NLT). The Lord protects us and He goes before us. It’s important to remember as we build the church that it is His church, and as the Lord promises the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church.

God is building HIs church in Mexicali and Beyond
Please Pray & Extend Your Hands to Help

Please join us in prayer for Federico and Blanca Muñoz as they share the love of Christ in Mexicali. Pray that the Lord will lead them to people who are open to the gospel and that the church will grow as they reach out in the community. Dawn and I would appreciate prayers for all of the church planters that we are working with so that we see lives changed and communities transformed by Jesus.

Consider a donation today to help us plant the seed of the gospel on the Border, the Baja and Beyond!

The situation for our familia on the Big Island continues to worsen. The cost of goods are increasing by 400 – 500%. You can read more about the situation on the Big Island here… Your prayers and generosity will aid these families and the gospel in undeniable ways. Make a donation today by clicking on the link below!

Thank you!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Light Invades the Darkness – 2

Posted: March 16, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
Tags: , , , ,
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The Goodness of God!
This building was once used for witchcraft to worship idols – it is now being converted into a church! The white altar in the middle has been removed – it was used for their pagan ceremonies.

God is so good. He is a good Father, and it’s wonderful to be on mission with him. It’s not always an easy journey, it’s filled with twists and turns. We are on an adventure, and as we love and seek our Papa God there is joy and fulfillment.

A Life and a Church are Transformed by the Gospel
Dave on a video call with Lazara

Just a few days after wrote my last post, The Light Invades the Darkness, I met the woman that had been in involved in witchcraft on the Big Island. Her name is Lazara, and she and Pastor Nelson shared more of her story with me. She just recently gave her life to Jesus. I talked to Lazara on a video call (photo on the left). I was able to encourage her and pray for her. As I prayed, she began to cry. It was special to see God touch her over the phone and through the miles.

Lazara used to lead a group involved in spiritism and witchcraft. She has a building like a church where they met to hold their ceremonies. Now that she has come to Christ they are in the process of cleaning out the building of all the articles that were used to worship idols and demons. The white altar which was used for their ceremonies in the photo above has been removed. They put up a cross and they are placing the Ten Commandments and Bible passages on the walls of the building. What a glorious transformation!

Nelson wrote me this morning and said that the Lord is using Lazara to bring many to Christ. The building that was used to worship Satan is now being converted into a church! It reminds me of the Apostle Paul and his amazing conversion. God used him in a powerful way to bring many to Jesus.

This testimony is so rich, and it reminds me of the power of the gospel. We often pray for transformation. We pray for people to come out of the darkness and into the light, so it’s so good to see it happen right before our eyes.

Gospel Expansion
Sara, Justo’s wife discipling some of the women that recently came to Christ

One of the other pastors on the Big Island, Oniel told me about a wonderful story of grace renewal. He went with his leaders to the homes of two families that recently received Christ and they helped them destroy their idols that they used for witchcraft. The church also baptized 14 new believers in the past week!

Another special friend, Pastor Justo told me that their church had seen 20 people come to faith in the last month! God is on the move. Dawn and I are receiving a number of reports about people coming to faith and being released from the bondage of witchcraft. It’s exciting to be part of God’s kingdom work.

Please Extend Your Hands to Help!
Our Familia in Need on the Big Island

At the same time, because of the ongoing pandemic the economic situation continues to worsen. Pastor Jorge just wrote me this morning about how bad things are getting, and he asked us to pray. Jorge is one of the pastors that we’ve been sending financial aid to. I think the Lord is using the scarcity to cause people to see their need for Christ. Yet, the needs are very real, and it hurts our hearts to see our familia suffer.

Dawn and I want to continue to help, and do more so that we will reach even more families on the Big Island! Your prayers and generosity will aid these families and the gospel in undeniable ways. Click on the button below to give today. Extend your hands to provide food and basic necessities for a family in need!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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