Hannah’s Field of Hope: A Soccer Field Born Out of Spiritual Battle
The Border, The Baja & Beyond
It was 114 degrees as we drove across the desert toward a small church in Ejido el Marítimo, about 35 minutes south of Mexicali.
But the scorching heat wasn’t the greatest challenge we encountered that day.
We had come to visit a church built in memory of our daughter, Hannah, and to pray over the neighboring property we hope to purchase, a piece of land where we dream of building Hannah’s Field of Hope. This soccer field will serve the children and teenagers of this community for years to come.
What we discovered reminded us that God is building far more than a soccer field.
He is advancing His Kingdom in the middle of a spiritual battle.
A Warm Welcome, and a Hard Season
Last week, Dawn, Jonathan, our dear friend Polly, and I spent the day with Pastor Favian, his wife Ana, and their three boys—Favian, Emanuel, and Asael.
It was a wonderful reunion filled with laughter, encouragement, and prayer.
Yet as we sat together, they shared the reality of serving Christ in this community.
Witchcraft is deeply rooted in the area, and they have experienced significant spiritual opposition as they faithfully minister to their neighbors.
One heartbreaking example involved someone who had been attending the church while simultaneously praying to Santa Muerte (“Saint Death”), a figure associated with occult practices that has gained influence throughout parts of Mexico, Cuba, and Latin America.
Pastor Favian and Ana recognized the spiritual battle they were facing and intentionally prayed for God’s protection over their family and church. As they continued standing firm in Christ, those unwilling to leave behind occult practices eventually chose to leave the fellowship.
Sadly, this isn’t unique.
We’ve witnessed similar spiritual battles throughout Mexico, Cuba, and other places where we serve.
Yet we’ve also seen something even greater.
The light of Christ is always stronger than darkness.
Lifting a Burden Together
One of the greatest privileges of our visit was simply encouraging this precious family.
We prayed together.
We listened.
We worshiped.
We reminded them they are not fighting alone.
A couple of days later, I saw Favian again, and he told me how deeply our visit had encouraged both him and Ana. God used our time together to lift a burden they had quietly been carrying.
Sometimes the greatest ministry is simply reminding pastors that they are seen, loved, and supported.
Why a Soccer Field?
Most of our visit took place inside the air-conditioned church. Summer in Mexicali is no joke, but eventually we stepped outside into the blazing sun to walk the vacant lot beside the church.
Standing there together, we prayed over the land.
We asked God to provide everything needed so this empty desert property can become Hannah’s Field of Hope.
Pastor Favian shared that there are many children and teenagers in the community, but very few safe places for them to gather.
Recently, the church had been using another soccer field for youth outreach, and as word spread, more and more young people began coming.
Then, unexpectedly, they lost access to the facility.
Once again, the children had nowhere to play.
That conversation reminded us why this project matters so much.
A soccer field isn’t simply about sports.
It’s about creating a place where relationships are built, the Gospel is shared, and young lives are transformed.
A Dream That Began Eight Years Ago
This dream actually began when we built the church eight years ago.
Our friend Polly, who loved Hannah dearly, noticed something that none of us could ignore.
Every day, children gathered around the construction site.
Jonathan, Polly, and others spent hours playing with them while the church was being built.
Watching those children laugh and play, God placed a dream on Polly’s heart.
“What if one day there could be a soccer field here… dedicated to Hannah’s memory?”
Today, that dream is becoming Hannah’s Field of Hope.
Help Us Turn This Empty Desert Into a Field of Hope
To make this dream a reality, we need to raise:
- $13,600 to purchase the land beside the church.
- $16,000 to build the soccer field with artificial turf and lighting so it can be used safely into the evening.
Total Project Cost: $29,600
Together, we can transform a dusty, empty lot into a place where children will play, families will gather, friendships will grow, and many will hear about the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us?
Every gift—large or small—moves us one step closer to breaking ground.
👉 Click below to give a special gift toward Hannah’s Field of Hope.
Hannah’s Legacy Continues
This soccer field is the next phase of a beautiful ongoing story. While our hands-on work in Mexico has primarily focused on partnering with local pastors to plant churches, including the very church built here in Hannah’s memory, her legacy has also reached far and wide through Hannah’s Toys of Hope.
Though the toy ministry is most active in Cuba, bringing tangible smiles, school supplies, and the Gospel to thousands of children, both efforts share the exact same heartbeat: to plant seeds of hope, share the love of Jesus, and support local leaders in transforming their communities from the ground up.
A church built in Hannah’s memory.
A ministry bringing hope to children.
And, Lord willing, soon a soccer field where another generation will laugh, play, and encounter Jesus.
If you’d like to invest in reaching the next generation, Hannah’s Toys of Hope is a wonderful way to make an eternal difference. Your gift helps open doors to share the Gospel while meeting tangible needs. Watch the video below to see God at work.
Join Us in Prayer
Please pray:
- That God will continue giving Pastor Favian and Ana wisdom, strength, and protection.
- That the Lord will provide the $29,600 needed for Hannah’s Field of Hope.
- That God will bless Polly as she helps champion this vision.
- That the soccer field will become a place where children, teenagers, and families encounter Christ.
- That many new believers will grow into mature disciples despite the spiritual opposition around them.
Somewhere tonight in Mexico or Cuba, a family will gather around a meal, a child will smile, and a church will worship because faithful partners like you chose to invest in God’s Kingdom.
Thank you for standing with Pastor Favian, Ana, and their boys—and for standing with us—as together we continue planting and strengthening churches across the Border, the Baja, and Beyond.
With love and gratitude,
David & Dawn Diaso
P.S. We cannot purchase this land or lay the turf without your help. If God is putting it on your heart to support the children of Ejido Marítimo, you can make a tax-deductible donation right here.