Archive for the ‘San Diego’ Category

The Border Dance!

Posted: June 5, 2015 in Christianity, Ministry, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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One Border – Two World’s

The border is a unique place. It’s a place where two very different world’s intersect. The fence that draws a line between the two the United States and Mexico is part of the story here.

Families and friends live on both sides. Some people are not able to cross to see their family members, so this creates some hardships.

A friend sent me a video of a creative way some people do to try to interact at the border fence not far from where we live. I thought you would enjoy it, so here it is for your enjoyment.

Video Border Fandango

The Lord calls us to have compassion on the resident alien among other oppressed people.

… do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. (Jeremiah 22:3 ESV)

This is one among many reasons that the border needs the gospel. Jesus gives us hope. He offers an abundant life. O that many would come to know him! Hallelujah!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

God Lifts Us Up Through Faithful Friends!

Posted: February 16, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Faithful Friends
Hannah with her brothers, David Jr. & Jon

Hannah with her brothers, David Jr. & Jon

One of the things that gives me buoyancy as our family endures this trial is all of the faithful friends that God has given us. We are truly blessed by so many people who love us and have showered us with words of affirmation as well as prayer.

Pastor Daniel Nuñez is one of those friends. Pastor Nuñez leads the ministry of Lo Mejor del Trigo (LMT) in Tijuana. We are getting ready to help Daniel and LMT plant their 24th church.

A Common Vision
Pastor Daniel Nuñez sharing how God is renewing Tijuana

Pastor Daniel Nuñez sharing how God is renewing Tijuana

The vision to see a transformed city through a church planting movement is what brought Daniel and me together. Through our partnership we have become great friends. Our families have grown to love one another over the past four plus years.

Pastor Daniel and his family along with most of the pastors and churches with Lo Mejor del Trigo have been praying for us and for our daughter, Hannah. They send us notes via Facebook and texts letting us know they are concerned about us and they are praying for us.

One of the pastors, Abraham Velazquez devoted an evening of prayer at their church in Rojo Gomez for Hannah and our family. Many of the other pastors have told us that their church is praying for us. We feel very loved!

Recently, Pastor Nuñez came to our main partner church, Bridge to share all that God is doing in Tijuana and to get everyone excited about participating in the construction of the new church plant in March. The people at Bridge applauded Daniel’s testimony after he shared how God is working in Tijuana.

Then he had the opportunity to preach on how God works through the church to bring about growth. There are many examples of this in Acts. We pray the church will expand in marvelous ways on both sides of the border. Dawn and I give thanks for such wonderful friends, such wonderful partners in ministry.

Your Prayers Lift Us Up!
A dove nesting on the ledge of the entrance to our house

A dove nesting on the ledge of the entrance to our house

Thank you for all your prayers and uplifting words for our family. They do help! I can’t say we don’t get down, but the loving support keeps us going. It lifts us up! We see Hannah getting better even if it’s slower than we’d like.

This weekend we noticed a dove nesting at the entrance to our home. We’ve been praying that our home will be a haven of peace. The dove is a sign of peace and of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has used it as a still small voice reminding us that he hears our prayers and that he doesn’t abandon us. Thank you so much dear Lord!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

A Mind-Blowing 2014!

Posted: December 31, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Tijuana
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The Highs and Lows of 2014
The Sunset on the Pacific

The Sunset on the Pacific

At this time of year we tend to reflect on the past year. I like to take time to consider all that the Lord did in and through us during the year.

Questions like, what were the highs and lows of the year? What did we accomplish? How did my family and I grow in our faith?

God Uses Our Pain

In reflecting on the year I realize that this has been one of the hardest years I’ve experienced in a while. Yet even in the trials and pain God has shown up. In many ways, it’s been a mind-blowing year even amidst the difficulties.

The Lord has been with me all along the way! I believe some of my lows are connected to some of my highs. God has drawn me closer to him during those dark moments. He’s strengthened my faith and my love for him. I’ve seen the Lord also do an amazing work in the life of my family.

The Lord’s Amazing Work!
Before and after with the whole group in front of the church before we left

Before and after with the whole group in front of the church in Ribera del Bosque

There have also been some wonderful accomplishments this past year. One of the highlights was helping start a new church plant in Tijuana with Lo Mejor del Trigo in Ribera del Bosque. Dawn and I have loved getting to know Pastor Ivan Casados and his wife, Rocio.

God is also doing some amazing things through some of our other pastor friends that we minister with in Tijuana. Pastor Daniel Nuñez leads the Lo Mejor del Trigo, and he and his wife are special friends. It’s always a joy to be with them.

There’s not space to mention all the pastors we work with, but here are some of the those that we’ve worked most closely with are Pastor Abraham and Martha Velazquez, Pastor Rodrigo and Nancy Vallarta, Pastor Jaime and Valentina Rodriguez and Pastor Leo and Gloria Nevarez.

VBS at the Nueva Jerusalén church in Ensenada

VBS at the Nueva Jerusalén church in Ensenada

Dawn and I have loved getting to know our friends from the Nueva Jerusalén (the New Jerusalem) church in Ensenada. God richly blessed the VBS outreach we held with them and Skyview Presbyterian from Denver this last summer.

I also give thanks for the pastors working in Tijuana and all of Baja California with the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico.

We are getting ready to launch a new church in La Paz, Baja California Sur. There are a number of great men and women represented in these churches.

Bridging Cultures at the Bridge Church
Baptism - the Lord's sign and seal is an element of being part of the family of God!

Baptism at Bridge Church

Dawn and I feel so blessed to minister with and to support the bi-lingual, multicultural Bridge Church and pastor Stephen Phelan north of the border. The church went through a difficult season this summer, but God is lifting us up and bringing healing. One exciting recent development is that one of the pastors from Lo Mejor Del Trigo, Jaime Rodriguez will be taking over as Spanish pastor for the Bridge church staring January 1st.

Giving Thanks for All the Lord has Done

I’m so grateful for all the Lord has done and is doing. He uses our brokenness. He doesn’t waste our pain. He lifts us up when we are down.

I look forward to an even better 2015!

You have played an important role in our 2014, as you’ve prayed for and encouraged us along the way. Dawn and I thank you for going on this journey with us.

Help Us to End 2014 Strong – There’s Still Time to Give

Since we are at Year-End, we are praying for the Lord to raise up the funds necessary to keep this ministry rolling.

DARK RED1 copyWould you consider a special year-end gift? You can give online here at donations.mw.org – select Diaso, David & Dawn, account #11717

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Christmas in the City!

Posted: December 15, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Prayer, San Diego, Video
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Christmas in City Heights
Our daughter Hannah serving with Timonthy Walter at the Mercy & Justice booth at CICH

Our daughter Hannah serving with Timonthy Walter at the Mercy & Justice booth at CICH

Saturday evening Bridge church, formerly Harbor Mid-City held a wonderful outreach event – Christmas in City Heights (CICH).

It’s an event that provides affordable gifts for families in the community of City Heights that are struggling to make it. Through donations and many volunteers the church is able to bless many families, so that they can give gifts to their children at Christmas.

Christmas in City Heights is a joyous celebration of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I love seeing the smiles, and watching people enjoy the season with their families.

The Greatest Gift
Pastor Paul Kim, his wife Linda and their children helping by manning the store of CICH

Pastor Paul Kim, his wife Linda with their children who volunteered by manning the store of CICH

One of the things I enjoy most is the opportunity to share about the greatest gift ever given to man. The gift of Christ. Christ is indeed the reason for the season.

People seem to be more open to the message of Christmas, because they realize that during this time of year we celebrate the coming of Christ. The Lord gave me the opportunity to share with a husband and his wife and two sisters. They said they were not sure if they would go to heaven if they were to die today.

This opened the door for me to explain how they could know for sure. I shared the story of Christmas that Christ came to seek and save the lost. That they could receive the gift of grace, the gift of salvation that Christ came to give us.

All four of them said they wanted the gift of Christ. They wanted to have a personal relationship with God. So I had the privilege of leading them in prayer to repent of their sins and to put their faith in Christ. To trust Christ in order to receive the gift of heaven.

It warms my heart to watch people respond to the gospel message. Now they are part of God’s family. The church will help them grow in this grace.

Thanks be to God for his wonderful work and for his saving grace.

Christmas in City Heights Video

Thanks for standing with us in prayer. God uses your prayers to prepare the hearts of men and women to meet the King!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Crisis on the Border!

Posted: December 10, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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The Plight of El Bordo
pastor Leo leading us in prayer

Pastor Leo leading us in prayer during an outreach event at El Bordo

I read an interesting article today that highlights the plight on border caused by all the deportations. No matter where you stand on immigration issues, it’s important to see the condition that people are living in on the border. They are horrific!

The article was featured in the Huffington Post: Crisis in El Bordo.

All the deportations have led to an influx of people living right at the border fence in Tijuana, where the Tijuana canal passes through. Approximately 2,000,000 people have been deported since 2009, which is the most ever by a U.S. president. 40% of the people have been deported at the San Ysidro-Tijuana border and now 4,000 of them are stuck and live in El Bordo.

A man washing his clothes in the Tijuana River in El Bordo

A man washing his clothes in the Tijuana River in El Bordo Photo by Cyrus Saatsaz from Huffington Post

It is sad to see the conditions they are living in, and many of them are stuck there. They have no place to go, and they don’t have the money or resources to find a way out.

The church must follow Jesus’ lead, and minister to the broken and downtrodden. I’m thankful that some of the churches that we’ve helped establish, and that we partner with minister to the people in El Bordo.

Join us in Prayer

I pray that these ministries will continue to flourish as they feed and care for so many hurting people. Lord, bring your peace, and I pray the gospel will bring lasting change to the border.

Join us in prayer for these hurting people. They have physical and spiritual needs.

O Lord, hear our prayer!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

My Faith Filled Friends!

Posted: December 2, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Counting the Blessings of Special Friends!
Pastor Daniel Nuñez and Victor Bravo with Dave

Pastor Daniel Nuñez the leader of Lo Mejor del Trigo and Victor Bravo, one of our newest church planters with Dave

I’m often reminded of the many blessings Dawn and I have in working with the people we minister alongside with on the border and in the Baja. I just love the variety of those we serve with. Their love for Christ and growth in Christ challenges me to grow.

I find that some of the most valuable lessons are learn are from very humble people who love Jesus. They may not have all the training that I have, but they love our Lord and they challenge me to grow in my faith.

One of the dangers of having studied a lot is that it is easy to become like the pharisees and scribes. You might remember that Jesus didn’t speak very highly of them. It is not my goal to be like a hard-hearted, stiff-necked pharisee. By the way, you don’t have to have studied a lot to become like a pharisee. It’s a danger for all of us.

God Uses Our Friends in Our Lives for His Good
Good times with our friends from Ensenada

Our friends from Ensenada from the church La Nueva Jerusalen

The friends that we serve with challenge my faith. They don’t let me rest on my laurels. Some of the pastors that Dawn and I work with have very little training, and yet we learn so much from them. We grow in Christ, because of them.

I’m grateful for the bigness and the grandness of the kingdom. There are no little people in God’s kingdom. Those that are in Christ have significance, because of who we have become in Christ. This is one of the great truths of the Bible.

We are sons and daughters of our Father. We have been adopted into his family. We can call our Father, Abba, Father! He is our daddy!

Paul and Linda Kim with the pastors from Lo Mejor del Trigo

Some of the wonderful pastors from Lo Mejor del Trigo In Tijuana and San Diego that we serve with

One of the reasons my friends who are in ministry challenge me to grow in my faith is that they are different from me. I see them trusting God in incredible ways. Some of them live in very humble surroundings. It’s hard, but they serve joyfully. They have an amazing amount of faith. I praise the Lord for them!

I aspire to be more like my faith filled friends. I’m grateful to call them amigo and to walk this journey of faith with them!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Gospel Advance on the Border and Beyond!

Posted: October 7, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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God’s Mission in Wyoming & Colorado and Beyond
Dave sharing about missions on the border with Cheyenne Moutain Presbyterian Church

Dave sharing about missions on the border with Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church

This last weekend I was in Lander, Wyoming and Colorado Springs, Colorado. While there I had the opportunity to present what God is doing on the border, in the Baja and around the world.

The Lord strengthened my spirit as he opened doors for me to challenge pastors, leaders and interested church members to consider the cause of world missions. God has been reminding me that part of my calling is to ring the bell for missions.

I find that most of us get so focused on where we live and work that we fail to look up and see the marvelous works God is about all around the world.

World Missions on the Border

I love what I do and our work on the San Diego – Tijuana borders. It’s the largest bi-national city in the world. The needs are overwhelming, yet the church is growing. There is advance. God is at work.

We have helped start three churches in the last three years, and we are connected to other new works. There are four new works we hope to start in three different cities in Baja California in the next three years.

Transformed Lives
Dave with Pastor Ivan Casados

Dave with Pastor Ivan Casados

These churches represent transformed lives and works of compassion. One of my favorite stories is How the gospel is reaching a family in Ivan Casados church, which we just help start. last April. Joanna tried to commit suicide. One of her neighbors who attends Ivan’s church found out about it. She shared the gospel with Joanna, and invited her to come to church. Joanna came to Christ and her husband has also started coming to church.

They are new believers with a lot of challenges. They are in need of much prayer and care, but God is making a difference in the life of this family!

The Encouraging Advance of the Gospel

When I interact with other missionaries who are serving around the world I hear their stories. Stories of how the gospel is entering in and transforming lives.

As you pray for, support financially and bring the blessing of encouragement you play a part in God’s bigger and ever-expanding story around the world. You are connected to the expansion of the Lord’s kingdom where you and as it goes into the outermost parts of the world.

Praise be to God!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Come Together

Posted: July 7, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, San Diego
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Unity at the Table
The Lord's Supper, image by www.adcrucem.org

The Lord’s Supper, image by http://www.adcrucem.org

Yesterday I led communion at our Harbor Mid-City church. Our service is bilingual, English and Spanish, which adds a degree of difficulty when we are leading the church.

I appreciated the opportunity to lead our people to the Lord’s table. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on our unity in Christ.

People at the border waiting to cross into the U.S.A.

People at the border waiting to cross into the U.S.A.

When I go to Mexico I see the fence or wall that separates our two countries. It’s a reminder of the division between Mexico and the United States. Even in our own country there are many things that serve to divide us: race, culture, status, etc.

The Apostle Paul speaks of how Christ broke down the wall that divides us. He makes us one in the family of God.

Galatians 3:26-29 (ESV)

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

The Lord’s Supper, the communion table is a beautiful picture of our unity in Christ. We are all sinful needy people, who depend on a Savior, who is Christ Jesus our Lord. In the Lord’s Supper we are remembering what Christ did for us on the cross. We are also proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes.

There is unity at the cross.

Brokenness and Bridging
Worship Service at Harbor Mid-City

Worship Service at Harbor Mid-City

Harbor Mid-City has been going through a difficult season. In part this is due to the difficulty of bridging the gap between the Hispanics in our church and the English speakers. Last Sunday we had a time of corporate repentance with foot washing. It was a beautiful expression of the love of Christ.

We admitted that we had failed to love our brothers and sisters in the ways we should have. We confessed together how we hurt one another. People expressed their faults. Many tears flowed that evening as God’s Holy Spirit came in and began to repair and restore broken relationships.

Healthy relationships are not easy to maintain, and it’s even harder when we seek to do this across cultures and languages.

One day we will all be standing before the throne of the Lamb of God worshipping together.

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”” —Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭9-10‬ ESV

We ask at Harbor, “why not now? Why can’t we see people from different nations, cultures and languages worship together in unity now?” This was the vision that God gave pastor, Stephen Phelan when he started the church.

Pray with us that this vision will be a reality in our church as we seek and serve our savior and one another.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Immigration Reform and the Gospel

Posted: May 13, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Tijuana
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Our hope for the Border

Our hope for the Border

A friend of mine, Susie Fikse who went with her family to one of our recent outreach trips to Tijuana just wrote a helpful article on immigration issues. Click on the link to read the article Immigration: Reforming Hearts as well as Policy.

I like to highlight articles like Susie’s that can help us think through an issue that many people feel strongly about. Yet, I think most of us don’t understand all the complexities that are involved. What is our responsibility as Christians? How should the church respond to the needs of the immigrant community? Difficult questions for sure.

Fikse in her article cited above asks,

What are our deepest beliefs about immigration? Are they influenced more by the political parties and the media, or by Scripture and the heart of God? As Christians more fully understand the deeper issues embedded in the immigration debate, grasp God’s love and compassion for the “alien,” and begin to love those in our midst, our political positions will be infused with the compassion and truth of our Heavenly Father.

These are the types of issues and questions that we deal with daily here on the border. On the U.S. side of the border I frequently interact with people who live here, who have out stayed their visas. On the Mexican side some of the ministries that we are directly involved in are reaching out to the homeless and disenfranchised.

Ministering to the Needy on the Border
pastor Leo leading us in prayer

Pastor Leo leading us in prayer at the border

There are many people living in Tijuana right at the border line that have been deported, and they have nowhere to go. Fortunately, there are loving friends like, Leo and Gloria Nevarez who care for these people. They share the good news of the gospel with them, and they feed them.

The complexity and challenges of the border are some of the things that drew Dawn and me here. Jesus loves the foreigner, the alien, the lost and the destitute, and he calls us to do the same.

One of the passages that the Lord used to call us here is found in Isaiah 61.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound… They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. (Isaiah 61:1,2,4 ESV)

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

I Wish Every Day was Easter!

Posted: April 21, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Video
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He is Risen!
Jon, Hannah, David Jr., Dawn and Dave

Jon, Hannah, David Jr., Dawn and Dave

We celebrated a wonderful Easter with our friends from Harbor Mid-City.

Easter Sunday is such an exciting day. I love the excitement that surrounds the resurrection. All the energy that the visitors bring. You can feel and hear the joy as we sing.

Christ is Victorious!
Many friends from Harbor Mid-City on Easter Sunday

Many friends from Harbor Mid-City on Easter Sunday

I think I’m not the only one that loves Easter. I can hear it in the voice of those directing the worship. Even during the announcements there is more energy.

It’s an uplifting day, because of all that Easter Sunday represents in the resurrection of Christ. Christ paid it all on the cross. He defeated sin, death and Satan through the cross and his resurrection. Hallelujah what a savior!

The Spring weather also adds to my enjoyment of this special day.

After the service today, we all enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Phil’s BBQ. It was a truly special and blessed day. O Lord, give us more times of worship like we experience on Easter!

Danny Kim, who directs worship and communications at Harbor Mid-City put together an uplifting video about the transformation that Christ brings. It’s part of the Easter story.

What’s Your Story?
Jesus’ Exhortation to Share His Story

Jesus spoke to his disciples after his resurrection and said to them,

Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

—Luke 24:46-47

I hope you enjoyed your Easter. We are the Easter people.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

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