Archive for the ‘San Diego’ Category

A New Season & A New Church

Posted: March 31, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Baseball & Church Planting
Dave with Pastor Ivan

Dave with Pastor Ivan on the foundation for the new church plant

I’m excited about two events that are going on this week. One is the beginning of baseball season, and second is the building of the new church in Tijuana.

On Tuesday I will be with some church planters to discuss church planting in Southern California and Tijuana. Then after the meeting we’ll go to a baseball game together. That’s like a day made in heaven!

Hope for Valle Verde

As much as I may enjoy baseball, the new church is even better. When you think of all the lives that will be touched, and the people who will be reached for the kingdom in the community of Valle Verde in Tijuana. Wow! What a privilege to play a part in that.

Join Us in Prayer
Meeting on Sunday with some of the people that will be going to build the church in TJ

Meeting on Sunday with some of the people that will be going to build the church in TJ

Pray with us for all the details as we make the final preparations for our trip to Tijuana with a group from the Harbor network of churches on April 5th and 12th. I’m still working on setting up all the van transportation, and getting all the insurance forms filled out. The details aren’t the fun part of the trip for me, but very necessary if we wish to have a successful trip.

Our church planting couple Ivan and Rocio Casados just got back from the church planting assessment center in Monterrey, Mexico. They did very well there, and told me that it was a real blessing for them to be there. Ivan said that they were able to learn more about themselves and church planting through their time in Monterrey.

Thank you Jesus for your good work!

One of the many things that encourages me as we serve here on the border is that the longer we are here the more we learn and we are able to improve. God’s grace enters in and allows us to do an even better work.

Rejoice with us! Pray for a wonderful two weekends and a Spirit  inspired launch of this new church plant.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

Two Churches, Two Cultures Serving Together 2

Posted: February 14, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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An Exciting Weekend Ahead!
Fun in Worship with the Children

Worship & Outreach with the Children in Rojo Gomez

Today I’m making the final preparations for our weekend taking Redeemer San Diego to Tijuana to work with Lo Mejor del Trigo in Rojo Gomez.

The prep isn’t my favorite part of the trip, but if you don’t prepare well the experience will reflect that. We want everyone from both churches, on both sides of the border to have a wonderful experience.

Your prayers are huge! So please continue to pray and lift us up.

Two Churches Working Together for God’s Glory

I am looking forward to working side by side with friends from these two churches. The churches bring so much energy, and it’s so good to watch them connect with people from a different culture, who speak a different language.

The love of Christ is very evident as those that come to serve bless their brothers and sisters in Christ. The light of Christ also shines brightly through these dear friends. The Lord uses the curiosity of those that live near the church to attract them. They are curious, because there are a lot of people, and most do not look like them or talk like them.

This will be the second time these two churches will work together, so over time relationships are built and God does some amazing things.

I look forward to writing next week about all that the Lord will do through this outreach.

Pray for a Fruitful Outreach in TJ
Dave at our missions table with Pastor Abraham and his wife Martha and their two children

Dave with Pastor Abraham and his wife Martha and their two children, Gadiel and Salmai

We head down to Rojo Gomez Saturday morning. Pray for the safety of the group, and that the Lord will use us to bless the community and the Lo Mejor del Trigo Rojo Gomez church. We will be building a home for Pastor Abraham and his wife, Martha. The church will also reach out in the community through fun children’s activities.

Thank you so much for joining us on this journey!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Two Churches, Two Cultures Serving Together

Posted: February 10, 2014 in Christianity, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Redeemer San Diego & Lo Mejor del Trigo
Tury Nuñez with Martha and Abraham Velazquez and their children Salmai and Gadiel

Tury Nuñez with Martha and Abraham Velazquez and their children Salmai and Gadiel

Yesterday was a great day! I spent the day at Redeemer San Diego’s missions fair with Pastor Abraham Velazquez and his wife, Martha along with their two children and Tury Nuñez from Lo Mejor del Trigo in Tijuana.

It was a wonderful day, because I love talking to people about our work. I love Abraham, Martha and Tury and the others we work with in Tijuana. It was fun to be with them.

It lifts my spirit when I find other people who are interested in our work on the border. They have a super group of people at Redeemer, and they have a keen interest in missions.

Upcoming Missions Outreach in TJ

I am leading 45 people from Redeemer down to Tijuana this coming weekend. They will be ministering at Abraham and Martha’s church. It warms my heart to see the growing relationship between Redeemer and Lo Mejor del Trigo church in Rojo Gomez.

Abraham and Martha are some of Dawn and my favorite people that we work with in Tijuana. We enjoy serving with them and they are easy to love.

It’s exciting that Redeemer is bringing down such a large group to TJ. As I was interacting with the people at the church a number of others told me that they wanted to go on the trip, but that it had already filled up by the time they decided to sign up!

Wow! I look forward to what the Lord will do through this group this weekend.

Abraham told me that a number of people from his church will be coming to work on the building project and outreach this weekend. I think it’s going to be a great time to bring people from two countries and two or more cultures together to live and serve together for a couple of days.

Join Us in Prayer
Dave at our missions table with Pastor Abraham and his wife Martha and their two children

Dave at our missions table with Pastor Abraham and his wife Martha and their two children

Pray that the Lord goes before us and richly blesses our time this weekend. We need the Lord to protect those that are participating, and to give us his success in our efforts to serve.

Pray for Hunter Benson, who is the missions pastor at Redeemer and who is working with me to organize the trip. There are a lot of details and planning that go into making sure this a good experience for everyone.

I appreciate your continued prayers for my family. We aren’t through the trials yet. I think things are getting better, but at a much slower pace than I would like. “O Lord, grant me and my family patience, wisdom and grace during this time. Thank you for watching over us, and giving us your strength to endure.”

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Thankful for God’s Work in 2013: Ministering to Pastors

Posted: December 31, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Tijuana
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God’s Blessings in 2013
Roberto & Mana Shim with Dawn & Dave

Roberto & Mana Shim with Dawn & Dave

There are so many things to be thankful for as I think back on 2013! I shared some of the reasons I am grateful for God’s grace in the way he worked and used us this past year in my last post.

One of the ministries that encouraged my heart was mentoring and coaching pastors. Dawn and I just love to be able to love on the pastors and their wives. I suppose a big reason for this is the way God has wired us.

Loving Pastors and Their Wives

He’s given us a passion for coming alongside and encouraging pastors. I also think it is one of the most strategic things we can do, as it provides the opportunity for us to influence the leaders. Our prayer is to see a church planting movement spread along the San Diego – Tijuana border that will eventually fill all of Baja California. For that to happen we need a team of strong godly leaders.

Abraham and Martha with Dawn and Dave

Abraham and Martha with Dawn and Dave

The Lord gave us the opportunity to work with a number of pastors and their wives, but the one’s that we’ve gotten closest to are Daniel and Yolanda Nuñez leader of Lo Mejor del Trigo (LMT), Roberto and Mana Shim at Harbor Mid-City, Rodrigo and Nancy Vallarta at LMT Pípila, Abraham and Martha Velazquez at LMT Rojo Gomez, Cesar and Kristina Zavala at LMT Vida Abundante and Leo and Gloria Nevarez at LMT Rosarito. There are others that we are starting to get to know better and we look forward to ministering with them.

God is On The Move as the Gospel Goes Forth

It fills our heart with joy to see how the Lord is using these men and women, and how the Lord is blessing them as they serve him.

Dave and Dawn with Rodrigo, Nancy and Luz

Dave and Dawn with Rodrigo, Nancy and Luz

The churches these friends are leading are doing wonderful things. They are preaching the gospel and seeing families won to Christ and growing in their faith. They are feeding the hungry, ministering to homeless and those caught in a lifestyle of addiction.

I’m so thankful for all God is doing, and for the opportunity for Dawn and me to minister in our sweet spot. It also is further confirmation that we are in the right place, and doing the right things.

Thanks for praying for the expansion God’s kingdom on the border and beyond!

Happy New Year!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Rejoicing in God’s Grace

Posted: December 29, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Journey, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Tijuana
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Pastor Daniel Nuñez with his wife, Yolanda

Pastor Daniel Nuñez with his wife, Yolanda (Daniel is the leader of Lo Mejor del Trigo)

As 2013 draws to a close, it causes me to reflect on all the wonderful works our Lord has done in the past year.

I believe this has been one of the most fruitful and most fulfilling years for Dawn and me in our 25 years of marriage. We couldn’t wait to move to the border, and dig into the ministry on the San Diego – Tijuana border.

It’s been even better than we imagined!

Not everything has been perfect. We’ve experienced some challenges and setbacks as well, but overall it’s been an outstanding time of ministry.

Rejoicing with our Wonderful Partners
Worship at Christmas in City Heights

Worship at Harbor Mid-Cities, Christmas in City Heights

God has given us wonderful partners to serve with here. We love working with Harbor and it’s network of churches north of the border. South of the Border we have a great and growing relationship with Lo Mejor del Trigo and their network of churches. The Lord has opened up some new doors for us as well with the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico.

Rejoicing in the Fruit God has Given
feeding the homeless at El Bordo

feeding the homeless at El Bordo with Pastor Leo and his wife Gloria

Through our partnership with these ministries we’ve seen more than 100 come to Christ in the churches we are directly involved with. Untold hundreds of homeless have been fed and cared for. The poor and unfortunate families have been given hot meals in the name of Christ. Those that were once addicted to drugs have found a Christ-centered drug rehab, and they are healing.

One of the exciting things is that these ministries will only get stronger in 2014. The Lord will extend the reach of the church through his people.

What a privilege it is for Dawn and me to be a part of all that God is doing. That is why we are rejoicing in God’s grace.

In my upcoming posts I’d like to highlight in some more specific ways that we’ve seen God work in 2013. Today I wanted to cast the vision, and give an overview of our Lord’s mighty deeds. We truly see his heart for the border as we live and serve here.

Dave and Dawn - thankful for the Lord's renewing work on the border

Dave and Dawn – thankful for the Lord’s renewing work on the border

Rejoicing in Christ’s Call

Thank you Jesus for calling us to serve you here, and for moving in such a powerful way. We do cry  out and ask you to continue to touch the hearts of men, women and children so that we will see your kingdom extended on the earth.

Consider a Year-End Gift

If you are looking for a fantastic way to give, please consider making a year-end gift to our ministry on the border. You can give online by clicking on this link: https://donations.mtw.org/donate/AddDesignation.aspx?No=11717

In His Grace, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Christmas in City Heights

Posted: December 20, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Ministry, Prayer, San Diego
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Worship at Christmas in City Heights

Worship at Christmas in City Heights

This week I’ve posted a couple of times (Christmas in the City and The Importance of Confession) about the inspiring outreach we held this past Sunday. Christmas in City Heights was amazing to be a part of. It was such a great way to bless the community, and share the gospel of Christ.

We were thrilled to see so many receive the greatest gift as 17 people gave their lives to Christ!

Here’s a short video that will give you a glimpse into the some of what happened at Christmas in City Heights.

Please pray for us as we follow-up on those that came to Christ. We are praying that they will get involved in the life of the church, and grow in their new found faith!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Christmas in the City

Posted: December 16, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Prayer, San Diego
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A Banner Day!
We Worshipped Outside Today at Hoover High

We Worshipped Outside Today at Hoover High

Today (Sunday) was one of those banner days! I wish there were more days like today, but I cherish them when they come.

We at Harbor Mid City held a special outreach event to the community of City Heights called, Christmas in City Heights. The idea behind it is that people from the church purchase gifts through donations and fund-raisers.

Then the people in the church invite friends in the community who are from low-income families. There are a limited number of invitations given. Our desire is to help families that someone in the church has a relationship with.

It takes a tremendous amount of planning, and more than a hundred volunteers to pull the event off.

Wrapping Presents for All Our Guests

Wrapping Presents for All Our Guests

We invite these families to worship with us. It’s a great time of celebration.

After church we open the Christmas store, where parents can buy presents for their children at much reduced prices. Then we gift wrap the presents for them.

It’s such a great way to bless the community.

God Works Through Weaknesses

I must admit that despite such a wonderful event, and such a wonderful day that I had a bad attitude earlier in the day. God’s Spirit convicted me, and I confessed my struggles. It seemed like after that the clouds parted and skies were blue the rest of the day.

In the afternoon a group of us who were part of the prayer team decided to move our place of operation, because we weren’t getting any “business,” so to speak at the prayer booth. We placed ourselves near the exit, so when the people had already received their gifts we could talk to them.

Many Received the Greatest Gift
Great to see some of our Students from ESL enjoying Christmas in the city

Great to see some of our Students from ESL enjoying Christmas in the city

As they were walking out we asked them if we could pray for them. Everyone of them said they would like for us to pray for them, once we changed our location. Wow! God really opened the floodgates after that.

Dawn and I along with others on the prayer team spent more than two hours interacting and praying for people. We talked to them about the greatest gift that Christ came to bring through his incarnation, perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross.

The amazing thing was that these people were ripe for the harvest. A number of them prayed to receive Christ with us. I counted at least 15 that gave their life to Christ, but I believe there were more. They were all Spanish speakers, because they make up the majority of the population in City Heights.

Some were moved to tears as they heard the good news, and received the gift of life.

A Moving Story of God’s Grace
Pastor Roberto Shim preaching the Good News!

Pastor Roberto Shim preaching the Good News!

All of the people and stories behind them were unique and beautiful. I think my favorite one was with a woman named Elena. She came, because she used to clean the home of one of the woman in our church. Roberto Shim our Spanish-speaking pastor was sharing the gospel with her, and he invited me over.

I had the privilege of being there and supporting them as Roberto explained the gospel message to Elena. Roberto asked her if she wanted to pray to receive Christ, and she responded, “yes”. Then as Roberto was leading her in prayer, she began to cry, so I called Dawn over to comfort Elena.

We continued and Elena with tear-filled joy gave her life to Christ!

Then after a while we saw the woman, who invited Elena to the event. Her name is Ursula. Roberto told Ursula that Elena had come to Christ. Then Ursula began to cry, which touched Elena so that she too wept.

It was beautiful to see God work through so many people. The Lord uses the body of Christ working together in harmony to touch others with the gospel.

The light of Christ shone brightly today in City Heights, and I pray it will only grow to shine brighter.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer. These things only happen as God in his grace moves through his church as we come together to seek and serve him.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Taking Jesus to the Border

Posted: December 6, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Tijuana
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Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone For Christ
Jon with Leo and Gloria at El Bordo

Jon with Leo and Gloria at El Bordo

On Wednesday my son, Jonathan and I felt awkward and uncomfortable for the gospel. God used our time at El Bordo on the border to move us to compassion through the people we met there. We were also in awe of how God’s grace penetrates through the witness of our friends Pastor Leo Nevarez and his wife, Gloria along with the San Diego/Baja YWAM (Youth With a Mission) team.

Leo and Gloria go to El Bordo with a number of young people from YWAM every Tuesday. They share the love of Christ through song, testimony and the Word of God. The compassion and mercy of the Lord also shine in this dark place as they bring a warm meal for more than one hundred homeless people who live right on the border.

El Bordo: A Place for the Homeless
Entering the homeless park, El Bordo in Tijuana

Entering the homeless park, El Bordo in Tijuana

El Bordo is a park that sits right at the border crossing. You can see the crossing where the cars drive into Mexico from the park. Many homeless and deported immigrants live there. Most of the residents, who sleep in tents in the city park are men, but there are some women.

It was such a huge blessing that my son, Jon could accompany me. You might remember that two weeks ago he had eye surgery! He is still recovery, but God is bringing healing.

Compassion for the Hurting
feeding the homeless at El Bordo

feeding the homeless

I find myself feeling uncomfortable when I’m among so many hurting people. There are so many in need of hope. They also have very basic human needs like for food and clothing.

God uses these uncomfortable moments to break us, and touch our heart.

The need is just crushing!

The Gospel in El Bordo

It encouraged my heart to see Leo and Gloria, some people from their church and all the young people from YWAM out there praying for and ministering to the people. They are willing to take a risk, and to get dirty for the gospel.

One of the guys that went with us, Jaime began a conversation with a couple of people at the park. He called me over and asked me if I could help him. Together we began to share the life-giving message of the gospel with a man and a woman.

The man, Fernando didn’t seem as interested. He told me he had bad cholesterol and that he couldn’t think clearly.

The woman, Agustina said she was seeking to grow in faith. She has a friend who is a believer that she’s gone to church with. We sought to encourage her in her faith in Christ.

The others that went with us also had opportunities to share with the people and pray for them.

Rehab on the Border
pastor Leo leading us in prayer

pastor Leo leading us in prayer

Many of the people at El Bordo are caught in addictions. God has used Leo’s background, as the Lord saved him from drug abused, so that he can reach these people. Leo and Gloria have started a rehab center. They take those that desire to get off of drugs, and they work with them so that they can get back on their feet.

They are in the process of building a rehab center right behind their home to house those interested in rehab. These hurting men and women are hearing the good news!

The light of the gospel shines forth in this dark place. It’s worth feeling uncomfortable and even awkward at times as we roll up our sleeves to share the love of Christ.

Hear Our Prayers!

O Lord, that your grace will break loose at El Bordo, and that many of the lost that live there will find their way back home. They will find their way to you.

Thank you Lord, that in you there is hope for the outcast.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Giving Thanks that God Uses Our Pain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lift Our Voices in Thanks to Our God

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

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you my friend!

In HIs Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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A Testimony of God’s Mighty Work

Posted: November 20, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana, Video
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God Has Blessed us with Kingdom Partnerships

photo 1One of the many things that excites me about what God is doing on the border is the wonderful partners that God has given us to work alongside.

On the U.S. side of the border, Dawn and I have a strong and growing relationship with Harbor Presbyterian Church. In Tijuana the Lord has blessed us through our relationship with Daniel Nuñez and his network of churches called, Lo Mejor del Trigo (The Best of the Wheat).

This past Sunday Harbor celebrated its 13th year, since they began. It’s super encouraging to see all the Lord has done through Harbor. The movement started with Dick and Liz Kauffman. Today Harbor has 8 sites, and Redeemer Presbyterian, which used to be Harbor North County.

The celebration this past Sunday was held at Redeemer Presbyterian church in Encinitas.

Praise the Lord for the many good works he has done!

A Testimony of God’s Rich Blessing

Here’s a short video that highlights how Harbor and Lo Mejor del Trigo have come together to see new churches planted South of the Border.

God Bless Your Church

May the Lord continue to bless San Diego – Tijuana through these strategic partnerships. O Lord, we pray that churches will multiply on the border as we work tougher for your glory!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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