Top: Federico and Blanca Muñoz family at Damaris’ quinceañera; bottom right: Noe & Eneydi Reyes family; bottom left: Eliel and Jessica Osorio family
The church is growing all throughout Mexico, and we are excited that we get to be a part of all that God is doing. The expansion of God’s church is inevitable. We see from the book of Acts how the church has grown. Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Then in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost the promised Holy Spirit was poured out and the church began to grow like wild fire. The once fearful disciples, became bold and brave when they encountered opposition.
We have the same Holy Spirit today who emboldens his people. The gospel is going forth in power. Lives are becoming transformed by Jesus Christ. That is why we start new churches. We pray for and work for the ever growing expansion of God’s kingdom through the proclamation of the good news of Jesus.
I put together some videos with my good friend and fellow missionary, Jim DeWitt that highlight some of the church plants that we are working on in Mexico. Oaxaca led by Pastor Eliel and Jessica Osorio. Durango led by Pastor Noe and Eneydi Reyes. Mexicali led by Pastor Federico and Blanca Muñoz. Each one of these churches are making an impact in the communities that they are reaching. In the video I expand on what each church is doing. How the Lord is using them for His Glory!
Video: God is Building HIs Church
Extend Your Hands to Help!
Dawn and I are grateful that we can be a part of the great and mighty work that God is doing in Mexico, on the Big Island and the Dominican Republic. Your prayers and your gifts play a critical role as the gospel goes forth. We are supporting church planters and the life changing ministries that they are involved in. Extend your hands to support our church planters, our familia today!
Aunt Hannah & Uncle Jonathan meeting Serafina on FaceTime. Yes, we are obsessed!
We can’t get enough of our beautiful granddaughter, Serafina Grace Diaso. She was born to David, Jr. and Emily on April 29th. She’s a small baby at 6 lbs and 3 oz and 19 inches. David said that she would be considered a premie in size, but that all her organs are perfectly developed, so we thank the Lord for that.
Dawn and I are thrilled to be first time grandparents!
God’s Work of Restoration
Love seeing our son, David care for his daughter. He’s a good dad
The Bible is filled with stories of redemption and restoration. Dawn and I have prayed that our Papa God would bring our family healing, especially since our daughter, Hannah moved to heaven. God is answering our prayers. He hears our cry!
Serafina was born in April the same month that both Dawn and Hannah have a birthday. We believe that’s a special gift from our Heavenly Father. It’s a kiss from heaven. God has big plans for Serafina, and the Lord is blessing our family through her. We give thanks for the Lord’s goodness and his redemptive work.
This reminds me of Psalm 30:5b, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” The Lord used that passage to comfort me on many occasions as I mourned Hannah, Mom, and Dad. God is so good.
Hope Filled Promises from Joel
Enjoying some FaceTime with Serafina and David. Our friends from Ensenada, Petri, Yudy and Luz Angela are in the background
Just this morning I was reading Acts 2 where Peter quotes from the prophet Joel. Peter is preaching on Pentecost. The last days which Peter refers to began at Pentecost when he gave this sermon and shared this wonderful promise of God pouring out His Spirit on all believers. If we go back and look at the context of Joel 2, where this promise and prophetic word comes from we see that God is promising restoration to his people. Earlier in the chapter, Joel 2:13b, says, “for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” God’s promises never fail, and his mercies are new every morning.
Here is the prophecy from Joel that Peter refers to in his sermon on Pentecost. It’s filled with hope and promise for us today! I pray that each of us will grow in these ways as God’s Spirit works in us.
“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Acts 2:17-21 NIV
Our Papa God’s love and desire to bring healing and restoration encourages us. Serafina is a gift to our family. She is a demonstration of God’s love for us, which gives us reason to rejoice. The timing of her birth reminds us of his care for us. His desire to bring restoration. We are hopeful for the even greater things to come.
Pray with us as David and Emily care for Serafina. Pray for her health as she grows in strength and wisdom.
Extend Your Hands to Help – Donate Today!
One of the young church planting couples that we are helping on the Big Island
Also, Dawn and I believe that it’s important for us to continue to ring the bell for Our Familia on the Big Island. We feel compelled by our love to keep bringing the needs of our familia before you. Basic needs and food prices are skyrocketing, while their pay stays the same. It’s not possible for them to support a family on what they are earning. We remain committed to sending aid to the pastors and families each month.
Give a donation today to the needs of the church and our familia. Your prayers and generosity will aid these families and the gospel in undeniable ways. Make a donation today by clicking on the link below!
A great time at the “convivio” at our house on Sunday afternoon
One the many things I love about our Latino friends is that they are strong relationally. Whereas, you might say Americans tend to be more task driven, Latinos are driven more by relationships. One isn’t better than the other, but Dawn and I do enjoy the latino culture.
One of my core values, or philosophical beliefs about ministry is that
Ministry flows out of relationship
That belief is not unique to me. The last time I was in Mission to the World’s headquarter’s I noticed they have a big banner that says exactly that, “Ministry Flows out of Relationship.” The point being that if you don’t have the foundation of a relationship with someone it’s hard to move forward. It’s hard to get the task done.
Convivio and the Bible
In Spanish a gathering is called a “convivio” the verb is “convivir” which literally means, to live together. This aptly describes time that is well spent living, laughing and loving with others.
This idea brings to mind some passages in the Bible, that express God’s heart for true fellowship.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. —Acts 2:42-44 (ESV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. —Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
“O Lord, that this would be a true expression of the activity and level of relationships exhibited here.”
The Importance of Building on a Strong Foundation
If you need to build on the firm foundation of a relationship in the U. S., it’s even more true in Mexico and other Latin countries. Much ministry is done over meals. Food is a wonderful way to enjoy one another and to get to know each other. When I take our American friends into Mexico I usually remind them of the importance of breaking break together. When we are willing to spend time with someone, it demonstrates that we are interested in them personally.
enjoying some tacos with Pastor Daniel Nuñez and Pastor Rodrigo Vallarta and their families in TJ
On the border two very different cultures merge. I see this every time I cross the border and go into Mexico. I also experience it in our church, because we have two languages (Spanish and English) and people from different cultures in our church.
I remember when I started going into Tijuana to get to know the pastors and ministry of Lo Mejor del Trigo. I asked Daniel Nuñez, the leader of the LMT movement in TJ, how I could work with the pastors. He recommended that I begin by spending time with them, and building a relationship with them. That was very sound advice. Since we moved to the border, Dawn and I have worked hard at getting to know the pastors and their wives. We’ve grown to love those that we’ve developed a relationship with.
Also, we’ve eaten some great tacos, and other wonderful Mexican cuisine along the way.
Lord, Hear Our Prayer
One way you can pray for us is that we will build a firm foundation for ministry here that the Lord will use for the expansion of his reign on earth as it is in heaven.
Beyond Borders 