Pastor Daniel Nuñez praying over Pastor Hector and Perla at the inaugural church service
Dawn and I moved to the San Diego – Tijuana border in 2012. One of our main desires has been to extend the kingdom by planting new churches. God has far exceeded our expectations!
One of our key partners has been Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries) led by Pastor Daniel Nuñez. When we first met Daniel and his wife, Yolanda in 2010 he told us that he had a goal to plant 50 churches. I think they had planted 7 or 8 churches. At that time 50 seemed like a far off goal. On Saturday, January 28th of this year we joined Pastor Daniel and Yolanda and 500 others to inaugurate and celebrate church number 50!
Church number 50 – Esperanza de Vida (Hope of Life)
Wow! it’s so encouraging to see God building his church along the border and throughout Mexico. God has given us the privilege to partner with Daniel and Ministerios Transformación (MT) in a number of ways. We’ve helped evaluate, train, mentor and coach many of their pastors. The Lord has provided for us to raise the funds and build eight of their church plants in Tijuana, Rosarito and Mexicali. We’ve also aided in building and extending the ministry of another 7 churches. It’s been fun to be a part of building and planting churches from the ground up.
Pastor Hector and Perla Sigala
Perla and Hector
Church number 50 is being led by a young couple, Hector and Perla Sigala. Hector and Perla have three beautiful daughters. Dawn and I first met them at the Centro de Descubrimiento (Discovery Center) when they came through as church planting candidates last year. They were also involved in the evangelism course we led this Fall.
Hector and Perla hold a special place in our hearts. The first time we met them Perla was wearing a blouse with butterflies on it. Butterflies hold a special significance for Dawn as they remind of her of our daughter, Hannah. The Lord used Perla’s blouse and Hector and Perla’s sweet spirit to draw us toward them. Now it seems like almost each time we see them Perla gives Dawn a gift with a butterfly on it. We are excited for them as they lead this new church.
God is building His church!
Some people have asked Pastor Daniel what’s next, now that he’s reached the goal that the Lord gave him. He is raising up a new group of young leaders from MT. They have felt that the Lord is calling them to plant 500 churches. That’s a big goal, but God is able. He can do all things!
Each of these churches become a light that shines brightly in the community where they are planted.
Join Us In Prayer – Extend Your Hands to Help!
Damaris’ Quinceañera (15 year birthday celebration). From left to right: Junior, David, Federico, Damaris, Blanca and Daniel
God is on the move building His church. One of the goals that we have for this year is to build a church in Mexicali, Mexico for our church planters, Federico and Blanca Muñoz. Pray with us that God makes this dream a reality. (see video below)
We need $25,000 to build the church in Mexico. We’d like to ask you to prayerfully consider making a gift for this need. Your gift will allow us to accomplish the God-given vision to impact Mexicali for generations to come. Make a Donation Today.
Some of the pastors that we are partnering with – Our Familia
God is doing a wonderful work on the Big Island. I’m amazed by how much the church is growing despite the skyrocketing prices of staples like rice and beans. We think inflation is bad here, but what would it be like to live with a 500% increase in prices? Our familia has had to live without electricity for long stretches. Last year some families were without power for up to 20 hours a day. The other big challenge our familia is facing is that there is a shortage of medicine.
Yet, even with all these difficulties the pastors have remained faithful to serve, and people are responding to the gospel. They frequently send me photos of when they are out sharing the good news of the gospel with people that live in their neighborhood.
God’s Work of Multiplication
Evangelistic teams faithfully sharing the good news!
Last year the pastors that we are partnering with shared the gospel with 21,215 people and 5,223 of them came to faith in Jesus. In 2022 eighty six new churches were started. The aid that we sent helped 9,302 people. God is building his church and he is multiplying the gifts that we are sending.
Pastor Justin’s Testimony
Pastor Justin sharing the gospel with his team of faithful friends
Pastor Justin shared this testimony with us, “I want to thank David for his life and ministry. He not only supported our church and my family with training and mentoring, but also during this period of great scarcity. The economic situation of the pastors who live on the Big Island is complicated. Pastor David has raised love offering to support us for the last 3 years. He and his wife, Lety (Dawn) have demonstrated a beautiful ministry on the Big Island supporting many pastors.”
It’s so encouraging to hear from the pastors that we are partnering with. They truly become like family to us, and we give thanks for each one of them. They are very gifted and some of the most committed people to the cause of Christ that I’ve ever met in my life.
Pastor Rolando’s Testimony
Another pastor that we are working with, Pastor Rolando had this to say. “God is working in a supernatural way in our ministry, because we work as a network of churches that are multiply more each day. Last year my team shared the gospel with more than 1,000 people and we planted 26 new churches. We also gave food and aid to 452 people. All of this work requires pastoral care for the church planters. We have to travel to all parts of the country to help support the movement. Even though I struggle with often being sick and diabetic God has strengthened by wife and me to continue the work.”
Extend Your Hands to Help!
Some of the families that we are extending our hands to help
God is doing a great and mighty work on the Big Island. Your prayers and your gifts are essential as the gospel goes forth. Thank you for the vital role that you play. TOGETHER we can make a difference! Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider extending your hands to support our familia on the Big Island. You can support one family for $25 a month. Make a Donation Today.
From left to right: Daniel, Federico, Blanca, Dave, Damaris, Paola, Junior with Mykela, and David
In my last post I wrote about Pastor Jorge Alvarado and his wife, Lucy who are planting a church in Mexicali. Dawn and I give thanks for them and for how the Lord is using them to shine the light of Christ in a dark place. Today I would like to highlight another church plant in Mexicali that we are excited about. The church is called, Verdad y Vida, “Truth and Life” and it’s led by Pastor Federico Muñoz and his wife, Blanca.
Federico and Blanca were renting a nice hall for their Sunday services, but the church wasn’t growing. They thought they were in a good location, but when you are a new church plant and you are not reaching new people that is a problem. Federico realized that they needed to do something different. He and Blanca prayed and they found another community where there wasn’t a church, and there was a need. They left the building and started meeting in a park. The weather isn’t always ideal in Mexicali, because it is a desert climate similar to Phoenix.
Even though it seems like a park wouldn’t be ideal they did start to grow. In a few weeks they doubled in size. This month they just completed one year of meeting in the park. The church has left the building!
The Gospel is Changing Lives
Fun during the ministry event at the park in Mexicali
Last weekend Federico and Blanca held an outreach event on Saturday afternoon. Initially we had a church from Southern California that was going to join them and help them with the event, but the church ended up not being able to come. The Muñoz’s felt like they should hold the event anyway. That is one of the qualities that I love about them is they are very committed and they will work through adversity.
Blanca praying for Kimberly while Federico is leading the group
They had a great response as many showed up for the games and food at the park. After the fun time Federico presented a gospel message to the people and thirteen people said “yes” to following Jesus. Pastor Federico and his team invited them to join them for church on Sunday and ten of them returned. Now they are busy following up and encouraging these friends in their new found faith. It’s so exciting to witness God changing hearts and building his church in Mexicali. We have six churches that we are working with in Mexicali and five of them are recent church plants. Eight years ago only one of these churches existed.
Join Us in Prayer and Extend Your Hands to Help
Isabel working with the children who came to the outreach in the park
One of my goals for this year is to raise the funds and find enough partners to come alongside us to buy some land for the Verdad y Vida church. I also would like to be able to build at least the initial building for the church. My prayer is that we can begin building the church by this Fall. Join Dawn and me in prayer that this dream will become a reality. We’d like to invite you to prayerfully consider giving towards the construction of this new church. We will need $25,000 to put a down payment on the land, and build the church.
Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift today.
Pastor Jorge & Lucy in front of the new church building as it was being built in April of 2022
I hope that your year is off to a good start! One of the things that I enjoy doing at the start of the new year is to think back over all the good things that God has done in the last 12 months. One of the highlights for us was helping to start new churches. It’s always encouraging to think of the good news of Christ being proclaimed in a new neighborhood. I love that we are able to change the atmosphere and bring light into a dark place.
In 2022 we helped build and start a new church in Mexicali, Mexico. We are actually involved in a number of church planting projects in Mexicali. Today, I would like to highlight the church that Pastor Jorge & Lucy Alvarado are leading in this capital city.
The Light of Christ is Shining Brightly Through His Church
Worship in Mexicali as the church was being built. Lower left: Dave & Dawn with Lucy & Jorge on the property before construction had begun.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts Jorge and Lucy have an amazing testimony. Jorge was saved out of a life of addictions. He was also literally brought back from the dead. God rescued Jorge and Lucy’s marriage. They were divorced, and the Lord used their daughter to bring them back together. It’s amazing that they are now ministering together to people in the community where Jorge lived with his parents when he was younger. These neighbors have seen a huge change in Jorge’s life over the years. What a difference Jesus makes! Hallelujah!
God brought them back to this neighborhood to reach all the hurting people. They are reaching a number of men and women who are struggling with addictions. The Lord has given them a heart to see these people’s lives transformed by Christ. Men and women who are caught in some of the same addictions that Jorge used to deal with, before God set him free.
Children’s Ministry in Mexicali
Children’s ministry at the church in Mexicali, Mexico
Jorge and Lucy love to send me photos about the people that they are ministering to. There are also a number of families and children that live in the community where the church is located. Just this last week they were able to bless the children with gifts provided by Samaritans Purse. If your church participated in Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child your gift might have blessed one of these children.
There is always a lot of good life giving activities going on in Mexicali through the ministry and outreach of Pastor Jorge and his wife, Lucy. They live very simple and humble lives. They have demonstrated that are willing to make sacrifices and give the little that they have to make a difference in the someone else’s life. It’s one of the many reasons that we give thanks for all that God is doing through them. (See video: New Birth in Mexicali below)
Extend Your Hands to Help Reach the Lost in Mexicali!
The new church building
Last year we helped raise almost all of the funds needed to build their church, and buy the property that the church sits on. Just yesterday I met with Pastor Daniel Nuñez the leader of Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries). Daniel told me that they just need $2,000 more to finish paying off the property. I told Daniel that we would like to cover the remaining $2,000, so that the church owns the property, which will take a huge burden off of Pastor Jorge and Lucy.
Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider giving to this need. Help us pay off the last $2,000 that the church owes to pay off their property. You can make a difference by making a donation today.Click on the donate button below.
Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift today.
Evangelism training course for pastors and leaders in Tijuana
I hope that you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. Dawn and I celebrated Christmas at home this year, and we spent the afternoon with some good friends for an outstanding meal and a fun time.
It’s hard to believe that 2022 is almost over. One of the highlights for us this last year was the evangelism training we helped lead for pastors and leaders in Tijuana. We teamed up with a friend, Steve Dueck who works with Cru. He and his wife, Alyssa were missionaries in Italy and now they’ve been ministering in the San Diego area for the last 8 years or so.
Dawn and I enjoyed partnering with Steve in training pastors and leaders about how to share their faith in a natural way. This experience took us back to our roots, because when we first met in our 20’s I was attending Campus Crusade’s seminary, the International School of Theology and Dawn was on staff. Campus Crusade, which is now called, Cru used to be headquartered in San Bernardino, California. We met there in the mid-80’s, and we were married just outside of San Bernardino in Redlands.
CoJourners: Showing Others the Way to Jesus
Steve Dueck and Dave leading the evangelism training course in Tijuana
Steve led the training, and I recruited the pastors and leaders. I also translated for Steve as we went through the four week training. We made the time interactive and it filled my heart to hear the testimonies of those that participated. There were 20 pastors and leaders that went through the material with us. It was so encouraging to get feedback from them on how they were putting the principles that they were learning into practice. One of the main things that stood out to me was when we talked to them about the importance of praying for people that don’t yet know Christ. We explained how it’s essential to lay the groundwork through prayer. All of them had testimonies of family members and friends that they have been praying for. Some of them have already come to Christ. God is at work in drawing people to himself through the prayers and testimonies of his people!
The course is called, CoJourners: Joining Others in Spiritual Journey. The basic idea is that everyone is on a spiritual journey, and we get to join them on their journey. God is already at work in other people’s lives. He uses us to help guide and lead them towards Christ. We have the privilege of showing them the way to Jesus.
One of the main reasons that people don’t share their faith is because of fear. Fear can paralyze us. Many are afraid that if someone asks them a question they won’t have the correct answer. People are also afraid of rejection. These are some of the things that we address in the training.
Steve and I had actually started talking about doing some training like this over two years ago, but then COVID happened and it slowed down our progress. This was a pilot run for us. Everyone that went through the course with us loved it, so in 2023 we’d like to work with more pastors and leaders. Pray that the Lord guides us and leads us as we prepare and plan for 2023!
Extend Your Hands to Help!
Starting from bottom left: Pastor Federico & Blanca Muñoz; bottom right: Pastor Eliel & Jessica Osorio with Sarvia and Tirsa; Top right: Pastor Ernesto with his wife, Dayana and their daughter; Top left: Our familia on the Big Island
You can help us to end the year strong, so that we can continue training and coaching leaders. Our desire is to spread the flames of faith and ignite church planting movements on the Border, the Baja and Beyond!
Please consider giving an extra gift of $25 $50, $100, $500, or more to plant a new church and to equip and encourage ministers who are bringing the love of Christ to the Border, Baja, and Beyond.
Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift today.
The Gospel is Going Forth in the Midst of the Difficulties
Pastor Justin bottom left is always faithful to share the good news of the gospel
Dawn and I always enjoy connecting with our pastors, our familia on the Big Island. We love them and it’s great to learn about what the Lord is doing in and through them.
Life is still hard on the Big Island. Many people on the Island had been dealing with long periods without electricity. The good news is that has recently improved, and they have more electricity. Some of the challenges that they are facing is that the price of rice and beans, and other staple food items have skyrocketed. The average pastor makes 3,000 pesos a month, which is about $20 USD. One pound of rice now cost 150 pesos or $1 USD, and it used to only cost 5 pesos. Pastor Justin said they are only able to eat meat once a week. He added if it wasn’t for the aid that we’ve been sending they wouldn’t have enough to eat. The gifts that we are sending make a difference!
God is on the move, and he is building his church. In spite of all the obstacles that they are facing the church is growing. Justin told us that he and his wife were able to share the gospel with over 1,000 people this year and 450 said ‘YES’ to Jesus. The Lord used Justin and those who are partnering with him to plant 15 churches in 2022. We give thanks to the Lord for how lives are being transformed by the life giving message of Jesus.
Pastor Ernesto Shares His Thanks for Our Help and Encouragement
Top photo: Pastor Ernesto with some of the people from his church; bottom right: Pastor Ernesto giving aid to a family; bottom left: Pastor Ernesto with his wife, Dayana and his daughter
As we celebrate Christmas and come to the end of the year I thought you would enjoy a greeting from pastor Ernesto, one of the pastors on the Big Island that we have been supporting for the past year. “Pastor, a big hug from our family and to all the brothers and sisters who have helped us and blessed us through the ministry of you and Lety (Dawn). This year that is passing and is about to end, has been very hard for our nation, but we thank the Lord because despite being a difficult year with many needs in many areas, we have been able to see His hand caring for us and providing for us. We have been able to see God’s caring hand very much alive through you and your ministry, sending not only financial aid, but also the Word of life. In my case many times the words of encouragement that you send picks me up off of the floor and strengthens me to continue. THANK YOU PASTOR THANK YOU!”
Pastor Ernesto said that they saw 200 people come to Christ in this last year. They started seven new churches. Despite their lack they are committed to reaching out to those who are lost and without hope.
Pastor Marco & Pastor Jesus’s Need
Top photo: Pastor Jesus, Pastor Marco, Yolanda, Miguel and Raquel in front of the church; bottom right – Pastor Jesus & Raquel; bottom left – Yolanda, Raquel and Jesus leading worship
Pastor Marco, One of the other pastors we are working with shared a need that he has as they are starting new churches. The building for one of their church plants collapsed recently during the stormy season. Jesus, a young church planter who is working with Marco is planting this church. Jesus and his wife, Raquel are faithful evangelist sharing their faith in the city where the church is located. It’s wonderful to see how people’s lives are being changed by the gospel as they share the good news of Jesus. In the last year 60 people came to Christ through their outreach. I asked Marco and Jesus how much it would cost to rebuild the church, and they said $1,000 USD. That’s not much for us in the USA, but it’s a fortune for their economy. I told them that we would let you know about their need, and trust the Lord to raise the funds to rebuild the church.
Extend Your Hands to Help Those in Need!
Pastor Jesus’ church that collapsed
You can help Pastor Marco and Pastor Jesus rebuild their church so that more people will hear the good news of Jesus Christ. You can also give towards the needs of the other pastors and families that we are sending monthly aid to so that they can put food on the table.
Your gifts do make a difference in this nation. God is using you, because even where your feet cannot reach, your prayers can reach! Your offerings of love can reach!
TOGETHER we can make a difference! Pray with us and extend your hands to help our familia. Help us to end the year strong and bring hope to our familiaMake a Donation Today.
Give Thanks for the Lord’s Many Blessings & Remember Those in Need
Dawn and I (Dave) wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a great time of year to stop and give thanks for the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us. Dawn and I give thanks for you, for our family, for all of our friends and for our latina familia.
As I take time to give thanks I can’t help, but think of those who lack, and do not enough. I think especially of our familia on the Big Island. The reports coming out from the Island are heartbreaking.
One of my missionary friends, Russell who has made more than 300 trips to the Big Island told me that he thought that they are going through their worst economic crisis in their history. News reports that I have read say that it’s the worst economic crisis in 30 years. Dawn and I are continuing to send aid, but the pastors and those in their congregation struggle to find food to buy. They are going without electricity for long periods each day, which causes their food to spoil.
I would like to share a testimony that one of our friends, Yolanda wrote us in the last couple of weeks. This will help give you an idea of what our familia is suffering through, and move you to pray for them. I translated it from Spanish, and the English is a little rough, but I hope it will serve to give you a better picture of what she and our familia are experiencing.
Yolanda’s Testimony
Our familia on the Big Island
Pastor God bless you. You don’t know how much good the reflection that you sent me about casting our burdens on the Lord has done for my walk with Christ. Now I would like to share with you what is going on with my family and me.
When I was recently converted, I used to carry a lot of burdens. When I prayed for people it was as if they were putting a very heavy sack on my back. I spent a lot of time feeling the weight of it until God took that feeling away from me. At that time I told my pastor that I did not know how to give my burdens to God, and he gave me some good advice.
In recent times I have tried to encourage others to rest in the Lord to give their burdens to him.
Here in Cuba we are experiencing a lot of pressure in terms of food, the high prices that everything costs and the scarcity. People are very burdened because instead of seeing improvement in the country, it is quite the opposite. My husband, Rene is one of those who does not spend a day that he is not agitated and burdened. I pray a lot for him.
Typical transportation on the Big Island – a horse drawn carriage
He gets up every day at dawn and goes six kilometers in a horse carriage to work. There are moments when he arrives at work that he can’t even get anything done, because there is no electricity then when he returns home he is so frustrated. He says to me, “you tell me to rest in the Lord, but when you tell me that there is no rice for lunch and that our baby does not have even a snack to eat, how do expect me to respond when you tell me to rest in God.”
Today in the afternoon we were without power. I was sitting in the doorway with my baby. I was talking to God asking him to help my husband to rest in him, because he is working so hard to try to make sure that our family does not need, and that we have at least the basics. At times, I feel that as a family we have been neglected.
Rene arrives very late from the place where he works. Then after a day on the job he goes to the land where his mother lives to plant tomatoes and work some more. He does this so that we have food and to be able to make puree when the tomato is ready to be picked.
He comes home very late and that’s the way it is every day. I just try to pray for him and leave everything in God’s hands, because as his wife God has put me with him and I must support him. I know that Rene works hard. Please help me to pray for him.
Thank you for the good testimony that you shared with me about casting our burdens on the Lord. I sent it to every possible person I could think of, because of what you know that we are going through.
Today at dawn I have asked God to help me not only believe these truths in my mind, but in my heart as well. This way by giving God my burdens he will take care of them and carry them and thus help me. May the Lord help me every day to depend on him
It is as Pablo says, “I have known how to live in abundance and in scarcity.” I only hope that God continues helping my life to always believe in him and to deposit my burdens on him, because I totally depend on his love and mercy. When the enemy wants to make me see all THE needs, and all that am I going through. I don’t want to lose my focus, because I confess to you that there are times when I lose strength, but God helps me and encourages me. Thank you for being one of those people who help my walk in Christ for good.
I send you a big hug Pastor from the depths of my heart for all your family.
Extend Your Hands to Help Those in Need!
That laughter on the lips or the cackles set off by anything at all have disappeared from Cuban streets. (14ymedio)
Cubans tend to try to see the bright side and they like to laugh, but much of their optimistic spirit has disappeared, because of all the difficulties that they are having to live through. It’s sad to see how challenging every day living has become.
Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider making a gift today to help our familia. Make a gift this Thanksgiving to help a family, like Yolanda’s. You can give by clicking on the link below.
These are just a few of the special friends that the Lord has brought into our life who have become like family to us. From the top going clockwise: Yudy, Petri, Dawn, Dave, Roberto, Eliel, Jessica, Tirsa, Sarvia, Berenice, Mariel, Jose Luis, Blanca & Federico; Eliel & Jessica with Sarvia & Tirsa; Juan, Viki, Lucy, Jorge, Dave, Dawn, Blanca and Federico; Monse, Dawn, MiRae and Dave; Dave, Davis, Luz, Dawn, Ashley, Emi and Deivis.
Last Tuesday Dawn and I had lunch with a pastor’s wife from Moscow, Russia. She was telling us about her experience in Russia, and how although she was living in Russia she was actually from Ukraine, and her husband was Russian. It was interesting to hear her perspective on what was going on and how hard life is in Russia. She said that the people in Russia and Ukraine are used to suffering – in that they are used to having to live without things. Our new friend’s name is Tatiana. Dawn even met Tatiana’s daughter.
Dawn and I shared with Tatiana about our daughter, Hannah and how just a couple of weeks ago it was the 6th anniversary of when Hannah moved to heaven. Tatiana was very encouraging as she listened to our story. We told her that since Hannah died we have been praying for God’s restoration and redemption of what we’ve lost and suffered. One of the ways the Lord is answering this prayer is through all the young people that God has brought into our lives that we’ve adopted into our family. They’ve become like family to us. Special friends mainly from Mexico and Cuba. In the last year the Lord blessed us with a special friendship with a young woman from Korea. God is expanding our borders and our family.
We encourage and love on these special friends. They have told us how much they appreciate us, and many of them call us their, Padre and Madre, (Dad and Mom). This is more common in the Latin context, and we love the connection we have with them. The Lord has been wonderfully gracious to grow our family in this way. These relationships are some of the highlights of our ministry. Some of the fruit of our work and God’s work in us.
Our special friends from Ministerios Transformación (MT) led by Pastor Daniel Nuñez and his wife, Yolanda (photo middle left). Some of the church planters we are working with going through an orientation and training (top photo). Dawn praying with Pastor Victor Bravo and his wife, Sol and their son, Abraham (middle right). Our sons David & Jonathan helping build one of MT’s churches in Rosarito (bottom right). Pastor Ivan & Rocio Casados with Dawn and Dave (bottom left).
Someone said recently that a seed has to die and then it goes into the ground and it bears fruit. Although I must admit I don’t understand Hannah’s untimely death I do believe that God is restoring what we have lost. We are seeing increased fruit. I used to feel guilty when I would sense that we were somehow being blessed in someway since Hannah died. God is giving me more peace in this area, and I’m seeing God answering our prayer for restoration.
After we shared our story about Hannah and praying for restoration. Tatiana said she thought we should also start thanking God for answering our prayers. He is answering it through all these beautiful people, sons and daughters that he has brought into our family. God has even given us some additional grandchildren through these relationships.
As Tatiana was sharing with us and encouraging us my eyes began to tear up, as I sensed God’s love and grace.
Job’s Example of Perseverance in Suffering
Some of our familia from the Big Island – From upper left clockwise: Dunesky; Rene & Yarelis; Ernesto & Damara; Adnier & Mariesly (who are now in Dominican Republic); Oniel & Heidy; Mario, Dave, Sara & Yany; Sara, Dave & Justo; Luis & May with their family. What a great group!
The next day the Lord continued to confirm what he was saying to us through Tatiana. I was reading through my devotional and it led me to read about Job in James and in the book of Job.
“Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
James 5:10-11 NIV (emphasis mine)
“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.”
Job 42:10-12 NIV (emphasis mine)
Even though I had read these passages before this time it hit me in a new way. The timing of when the Lord led me to read about Job’s life was amazing. God uses Job’s perseverance as an example in the New Testament. He was patient in the face of suffering. Job 42 speaks specifically about how God restored what he had lost. I especially love that it says, “The Lord blessed the latter par of Job’s life more than the former part.”
Wow! God is so good. He is full of wonderful kindness. It’s easy to miss if we only look at the pain and suffering. I thank the Lord for His love, and for the amazing ways that he has brought about restoration to our family. It’s an ongoing work, but I already see so much evidence of God’s restorative work!
I hope my reflections would be of encouragement to you. God is able and willing to restore what you have suffered.
Our daughter, Hannah loved the work that we do. She loved ministering with us. She prayed for the pastors we work with. We are raising funds right now to support our two church plants in Mexicali, and our church plant in Oaxaca. We continue to support our familia on the Big Island well.
Join us in Prayer & Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia
Our last family photo taken in July of 2016
You can make a gift to support these works in memory of our daughter, Hannah by clicking on the link below.
Dawn and I invite you to join us through prayer and by giving a special gift today to help advance the kingdom through our church plants on the Border, the Baja and Beyond! Thank you for praying for our family and considering this request!
Pastor Eliel & Jessica Osorio decided to throw a party on Saturday. They called it, “Noche de Vivos” (Night of the Living). On November 1 and 2 the “Día los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) is celebrated in Mexico. In the USA Halloween is celebrated on October 31st. Some of these traditions and celebrations have crossed borders and cultures over the years. There is much darkness associated with these days.
Eliel and Jessica decided to turn the tables and celebrate life instead of death. They promoted this event in the city of Oaxaca where they are planting their church. 90 people showed up to play games, have fun and hear about life in Christ. Our God is the God of the living!
The God of the Living
Pastor Eliel Osorio leading the churchWorship in Oaxaca at their new place on Sunday morning
I asked Eliel about their celebration, and he told me that, “during these days many people celebrate, and in some ways invoke death. They do this both consciously and subconsciously, which only adds to their misery.”
“Jesus taught us that we have a God of the living and not a God of the dead, therefore we live full of hope. The Master of Galilee also challenged us to be the light of the world, precisely in situations like these where there is much darkness.” Eliel went on to say, “our church is committed to being a light, even when there is the deep darkness.”
I love the creativity that Eliel and Jessica used to turn what can be a negative and dark time into a celebration of life. A message and an event filled with much hope. The fact that almost 100 people showed up to their church’s event shows they hit a nerve. People definitely resonate with a message of hope!
Join Us in Prayer!
Eliel & Jessica with their two girls Sarvia and Tirsa
Pray for Pastor Eliel and Jessica as they reach many young people in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Pray for wisdom as they build a team and disciple those that the Lord is bringing to them.
Thank the Lord that they found a good place to meet, and that they have access to this new location every day of the week.
Pray for the Lord’s provision for this church plant, and other church planting projects that we are involved in.
Dawn and I invite you to join us through prayer and by giving a special gift today to help advance the kingdom through our church plant in Oaxaca and Beyond! Thank you for praying for this ministry and for considering this request!
On Monday, October 17th, six years ago just before midnight Dawn and I found our daughter, Hannah on the floor in her bedroom. Her lips were blue and she was not breathing. We tried to resuscitate her, but we were not successful. We also called 911 and the paramedics arrived soon after, but they couldn’t revive her.
I still remember when the woman came downstairs and told me that they did all they could, but unfortunately they were not able to save our daughter. I was in shock. Numb. Dawn was crying, but I didn’t even know how to react. There’s nothing in life that can prepare you for such a horrendous experience.
Since it was 6 years ago this year the day that it falls on is the same, because we found her on Monday, October 17th. They pronounced her deceased on the 18th, and that is what her death certificate reads. Obviously these are difficult dates for our family.
Yesterday I was sitting in church getting ready to share about a short term missions trip to Mexicali, Mexico and I started remembering all that happened 6 years ago on the days leading up to Hannah’s move to heaven.
On Saturday the 15th six years ago we finished building a church that we were helping to plant in Rosarito, Mexico. On Sunday the church held their inaugural service. I wasn’t able to attend, because Hannah wasn’t doing well. That evening, Sunday evening we had some friends come over to pray with us for Hannah. It was a special experience, but we were concerned for Hannah, although we didn’t think she was in danger of dying.
Then Monday evening we experienced the worst pain that we’ve ever experienced.
The Pain and Sorrow of Death
Hannah liked going with me to Starbucks and taking selfies
As I mentioned before I never thought too much about how horrible death was until Hannah died. I used to think for a Christian it’s not so bad, because now they are in heaven. Of course, it is true that we have the hope of heaven and it is a sure hope. Yet, our loving Heavenly Father created the world perfect and without death. Death did not enter the world until man fell in sin. Sin ushered in death and pain.
I don’t want to belabor that point, but it’s helped me to understand that God created the world perfect, and there was no death in Eden.
Other points that have helped me in my grief is Jesus’s life and experience with Lazarus. Jesus wept when Lazarus died, which has always puzzled me. Jesus who knows what heaven is like more than anyone that has ever lived cried when his friend died. He cried even though he knew the glory and perfection of heaven. He wept even though he knew that he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead.
Why did Jesus cry?
I think he wept at least in part, because he loved his friend and he hated how sin affected Lazarus and man.
Hope as We Wait
Hannah with David & Jonathan
We struggle to understand how terrible sin is and how it corrupted man and God’s once perfect creation. Paul teaches us that all of creation groans until the day of redemption. We eagerly await for God’s powerful and loving plan of redemption to be fulfilled.
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
Romans 8:20-25 ESV (emphasis mine)
Paul speaks of the groaning as we wait along with creation for our liberation from the bondage to corruption. We wait in hope. I give thanks for this hope. God is so good to give us hope. What would we do without hope? Biblical hope is speaking of a sure thing. It’s not maybe yes, maybe no. It’s a sure hope.
Another passage that Paul wrote that has encouraged me since Hannah moved to heaven is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13.
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13 ESV
We grieve. It is sad 😢. Yet we have hope, we don’t grieve like those without hope. Thank Jesus for the Hope that we have in Christ!
Our loving Father continues to bring us healing, and He uses our suffering. We’ve seen the Lord give us many opportunities to minister and love people who experience loss and pain. We are more able to weep with those who weep.
You Have Turned My Mourning into Dancing
Hannah on the night she graduated from the ministry school she was involved in IMPACT 195. This photo was taken just two months before she moved to heaven.
Just last week a new friend gave me a word of encouragement. He told me that our tears will turn to joy. I thank the Lord for the promises that He gives me. Hope in Christ is one of the most important things that has sustained me during these years since Hannah moved to heaven. In Psalm 30 the Psalmist says that the Lord changed my mourning into a joyous dance and he took off my mourning clothes and clothed me with joy. I know that many, the vast majority of us have lost someone close, a loved one – maybe your dad, your mom, your brother or sister or a child or someone else that you were close to and it’s not easy. Only God has the power to sustain you. Only God can comfort you. Only God can take off your mourning clothes and clothe you with joy.
One of my prayers and one of the desires that I have for my life and that of my family and for you too is that God is restoring what we have suffered, that God is redeeming what we have lost. And I trust that my Papa God hears my requests and He answers my cry. And He does the same for you. That is why our mourning will turn into joy.
Angel in the sky taken on the 1 year anniversary of when Hannah moved to heaven. This photo was taken from our backyard
“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”
Psalm 30:4-5, 10-12 ESV
We do praise the Lord and we will give thanks to him forever. I do not doubt God’s goodness. There’s much that I don’t understand. There are mysteries too high for me to grasp, but I don’t doubt my loving Father. I don’t doubt His goodness and His loving care for my family and me!
Hannah loved the work that we do. She loved ministering with us. She prayed for the pastors we work with. We are raising funds right now to support our two church plants in Mexicali. We continue to support our familia on the Big Island well.
Our last family photo taken in July of 2016
You can make a gift to support these works in memory of our daughter, Hannah by clicking on the link below. Thank you for praying for our family and considering this request!
Beyond Borders 