Posts Tagged ‘building churches’

A Proud Papa: A New Church

Posted: May 18, 2023 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Thankful for God’s Provision
Pastor Federico and Blanca with the people from their church Verdad y Vida

I feel like a proud papa as Dawn and I minister with Pastor Federico and Blanca Muñoz in Mexico. We’ve just put a down payment on some property and hope to build on it this Fall. I’m thrilled for them, because they’ve been working so hard to plant this church. For the last year and a half they’ve been meeting in a park on Sunday mornings.

Even though it hasn’t been easy to meet at the park, Federico and Blanca said that a number of people are coming to faith as they hear the preaching and worship. It creates a curiosity, and causes people to come to see what is going on. They hear the message and they like it.

Church in the park

While there are some advantages to meeting in the park, the problem is that Mexicali has extreme weather. It’s a desert climate, so in the summer months it can get as high as 120. As you can imagine, not many people want to be outside in those temperatures. The other problem is that there are no bathrooms nearby.

God is Answering Our Prayers

We’ve been praying that we will be able to build a place to hold services by the end of this year. We found a property nearby that we like that is suitable for construction. It’s also in a community where a number of new families will be moving. Federico and Blanca took the people to the site on a recent Sunday to pray together over the property (photo below). This lifted their faith and created momentum as they begin the process of purchasing the property and work towards building a church.

Praying over the new church property

Pastor Federico put a down payment on the property in this week! Now we are praying for and working to raise the funds to finish construction in November of this year. The down payment and construction costs are $31,100.

We believe that the new property is the next step in seeing the church grow, and reach out in the community. A permanent location will give them a greater presence. We are excited that more people are coming to faith and growing in Christ. We thank the Lord for these testimonies of lives that have been changed by the gospel.

Our goal is to raise the funds so that we can build the church in November. We’d like to launch the first church services in early November of this year.

Join us in Prayer!
  • Pray for Federico and Blanca Muñoz that the Lord will guide and lead them.
  • Pray that many lives will be transformed.
  • Pray that the gospel continues to go out powerfully and effectively.
  • Pray that the Lord will raise up the $31,100.
  • Prayerfully consider making a donation today to help us build this church.
Extend Your Hands to Help!

Your generosity is bringing life transformation to families in Mexicali. Would you prayerfully consider joining us, and making a commitment to help us accomplish this God-given vision to impact Mexicali for generations to come. Make a Donation Today.

Click to Donate…

Video: God is Building His Church in Mexicali

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

Planting Churches, Transforming Communities

Posted: February 20, 2023 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Pastor Daniel Nuñez’s Dream
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.

Click to Donate…

Video: God is Building His Church In Mexicali
God is on the Move in Mexicali

Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift today!

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

The Ever Expanding Kingdom

Posted: January 19, 2023 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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God is Building His Church in Mexicali
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.

Click to Donate…

Video: Jesus is Bringing New Life to Mexicali
We Give Thanks for how the Lord is Building His Church in Mexicali

In His Grip, Dave
P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

Giving Thanks for New Life

Posted: January 12, 2023 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Helping Start New Churches in Mexicali
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.

Click to Donate…

New Birth in Mexicali, Mexico

In His Grip, Dave
P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

A New Birth in Mexicali

Posted: April 25, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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An Exciting Day – Building a New Church
Building the new church in Mexicali

Last Monday, the day after Easter was a wonderful day. I got up and I drove 2 1/2 hours east to Mexicali. Once I arrived at the church site, I noticed that the walls were already up for the new church. I count it a privilege to be involved in starting new churches. This particular church is being led by Pastor Jorge Alvarado along with his wife, Lucy.

I wrote about Jorge and Lucy in my last post. They have an amazing testimony that reminds me of God’s love and how He pursues prodigals. Our God transforms lives in the most astounding ways.

Pastor Jorge & Lucy’s Story
Pastor Jorge and Lucy

On this trip I not only was able to witness the construction of this new life giving church, but I was able to met Jorge’s mom, Petra and others to learn more about their story.

If you remember from my last post Jorge was caught in life of drugs and addiction for a number of years. He was so bad that he said that he would wear shoes that didn’t match in public, and his hair was a mess. People in the community where he lived disliked him, some even hated him. He and his wife Lucy were separated and she moved to another city a long ways away.

While Jorge was on crystal meth and involved with the wrong people he was shot three times. Once in each leg and once in his stomach. He was in the hospital for 50 days, and in a coma for 3 of those days. There was a point were the doctors took Petra outside of the room where he was being treated, and they said he was dying and that there wasn’t anything else that they could do. While they were outside giving Jorge’s mom that devastating news, Jorge cried out, “Madre!” (Mom!).

A Miracle!
Jorge with his mom, Petra

The medical staff rushed back into the room. Petra said when she walked backed into the room that all eight of the people on the medical staff had gotten on their knees and they said it’s a miracle.

One of the amazing pieces to this story is that neither Jorge nor his mom were believers at the time. Yet, God decided that He had a better plan for Jorge.

After this incident Jorge got into a Christian based drug rehab center where he gave his life to Christ.

A Restored Marriage
David & Dawn with Lucy and Jorge

His wife, Lucy was living in another part of Mexico with their daughter. They were not yet believers either. Their daughter found Jorge on Facebook, and told Lucy that she wanted to go back to Mexicali to be with her dad. God brought them back together and restored their marriage and gave them new life in Christ.

That’s just amazing! It warms my heart when I hear their testimony. I found that when I’m with Jorge and Lucy and we are sharing and encouraging one another one of us if not all of are crying.

Jesus Light Is Shining in Mexicali
Dave with Pastor Jorge, Pastor Juan Huape and Pastor Daniel Nuñez, who are all part of Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries)

They not only came to Christ, but now we are partnering with them to build a church and shine the light of Christ in the community where they now live. This is the same community that laughed at Jorge. No one liked him, but God changed all of that. Now he is respected and God is using him to bring the good news of the gospel to the people. Many others who were or are caught in addiction are finding Christ through this church.

I’m so thankful for the life and testimony of Jorge and Lucy. It’s a beautiful picture of God’s grace and His power to bring life transformation. I give thanks that we can partner with them to start this new church.

You Can Help!
The Partially built church in Mexicali

Last week we had enough funds to frame the walls and put up some of the roof, but we weren’t able to finish. We still need $6,000 to finish building the church. That’s where you come in.

First, pray for Jorge and Lucy and this vital ministry.
Second, prayerfully consider making a gift today.

Mexicali is in the desert. It’s hot, and the temperature often exceeds 100. The church needs a finished roof and walls and air conditioning as they head into the summer months.

Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider making a donation today to help us finish building this church. We are almost there! Please consider giving a gift of $50, $100, $250, $1,000, or more to plant a new church in Mexicali, Mexico. Dawn and I appreciate the critical role you play in bringing the light of the gospel to Mexicali and Beyond!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

A New Birth!

Posted: April 13, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is Building His Church in Mexicali
Pastor Daniel & Yoli with Pastor Jorge & Lucy on the property where the church will be built

Next Monday, April 18th the day after Easter we are building a church in Mexicali, Mexico. We are partnering with our good friends, Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries) to begin construction for a new church plant. Pastor Daniel Nuñoz who leads Ministerios Transformación has a God given vision to plant 50 churches. Pastor Daniel has almost accomplished this goal. This will be the 45th church that he’s started.

Dawn and I love the friendship that we have with Daniel and his wife, Yoli. They’ve become some of our closest friends. This is the 8th church that we’ve help them start. God has enabled us to raise funds to expand the ministry of 7 of their other churches as well. Dawn and I have enjoyed our relationship with all the pastors and leaders with Ministerios Transformación. We give thanks to the Lord for opening the door for us to train and mentor many of them. It’s one of the most fruitful church planting ministries that we’ve partnered with in all of our years in missions.

God Rescued Pastor Jorge and Lucy

Pastor Jorge and Lucy

The church in Mexicali will be lead by Pastor Jorge Alvarado and his wife, Lucy. Jorge has an amazing testimony. He was enslaved to drugs for many years. God rescued him from this life, and now he is serving as a pastor. After being saved from a destructive lifestyle, God has given Pastor Jorge a heart to help men who are stuck in addictions. His dream is to someday be able to open a drug rehab center as a ministry of his church.

Jorge had a near death experience before he came to Christ. He was shot 3 times in a drug related shooting. While he was in the hospital he laid in a coma for three days. The doctors told his mom that he was was going to die, and it would take a miracle for him to survive. Jesus showed up and miraculously healed Jorge. God had a different plan, a better destiny for Pastor Jorge.

When Jorge told me his story it brought tears to my eyes. It made me think of my daughter, Hannah. God’s plans and purposes are mysterious in many ways, but I love redemptive stories, like Jorge’s.

Dawn and I went to see the site where we are going to build the church for Pastor Jorge and Lucy. It’s a simple place in a poor neighborhood. We have been impressed by their commitment to serve the Lord and to sacrifice for Christ.

Jorge and Lucy set up a canopy for shade and have started holding services. The church is growing even though they don’t have a building! People are coming to know Jesus!

We are so excited by what God is doing, and how He is building His church.

Extend Your Hands to Help Us Finish Building This Church
Dave & Dawn with Lucy & Jorge

Even though we are starting to build the church this coming Monday we still don’t have all the funds we need to finish the church. We will begin construction, but we need to raise $6,000 more to complete the project.

Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider making a donation today to help us finish building this church. We are almost there. Please consider giving a gift of $50, $100, $250, $1,000, or more to plant a new church in Mexicali, Mexico. Dawn and I appreciate the critical role in play in bringing the light of the gospel to Mexicali and Beyond!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

Planting Churches, Transforming Communities

Posted: March 7, 2022 in Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Our Desire to see the Kingdom of God Extended
Pastor Mere Godinez & Edna at the church in Mexicali that we built in memory of our daughter, Hannah

Dawn and I moved to the San Diego – Tijuana border in 2012. One of our main desires has been to extend the kingdom through planting new churches. God has far exceeded our expectations!

We’ve been involved in various stages of helping plant 117 churches in Mexico. One of the ways that we’ve done that is through raising the funds to build a church. God has provided for us to build seven churches with our partners Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries). We’ve also aided in building and extending the ministry of another 7 churches. It’s fun to build churches, because we go from the ground up. These churches start with nothing but the land, and end up being the light of Christ that shines brightly in the community.

The Ron & Virginia Diaso Memorial Church
David Jr. and Jonathan  in action (on the bottom left with our friend Jacob Betchol and on bottom right with me)

The last church we built was in July of 2021. We built that church in memory of my parents, Ron and Virginia Diaso. In this case we not only brought the gospel to a new community, but we honored my parents in the process. Both of our boys, David and Jonathan came out to help us build the church. I think David has participated in all of the churches we have built and Jonathan has also been involved in at least 3 of them.

I love seeing all the smiles when we are building the churches

I always enjoy watching the first wall of the church go up. It is an amazing experience! When we start building the foundation has already been laid, and some of the prep work has already been done, so we are able to get the roof up on the first day. When we built the church in memory of my parents we had so many hard working volunteers pitching in that we not only got the walls and roof up, but we began putting up the drywall as well.

After our two weeks of work the church was ready! Wow! It’s truly Amazing to witness. On Sunday, July 18th we held the inaugural service to launch the church.

As I’ve said before, “it never grows old seeing a new church go up.”

Video: Ron & Virginia Diaso Memorial Church

You can read more about the church we built in memory of my parents by clicking here…

Pastor Victor & Sol with their son, Abraham
Pastor Victor & Sol with their son, Abraham are helping to lead the church we started in my parents memory as well as leading another church that we built in Rosarito
Extend Your Hands to Help
Pastor Uriel and his wife Arely who are planting a church that we built in Rosarito, Mexico

You play an important part in seeing the extension of the kingdom of God in Mexico and on the Big Island! We’d like to ask you to extend your hands to help those in need. Your gift will help us to accomplish the God given vision to impact, Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, La Paz, Colima, Oaxaca, and Beyond the borders of Mexico to the Big Island for generations to come.

Our familia on the Big Island is still dealing with staggering needs. Sadly, the crisis is ongoing and it has only gotten worse as time has gone on. We are thankful that we can be an instrument to bless others, and we’d love for you to join us in this effort.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

New Beginnings: A New Church

Posted: August 16, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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2021 A Year of New Beginnings
Starting from top left clockwise: Pastor Federico Muñoz and their first worship service, bottom right: Pastor Daniel Nuñez with Dave, David Jr., Dawn and Jonathan; bottom left David Jr. with our granddaughter

I’m still reveling in the latest church that we started one month ago. This year has been a year of new beginnings for us, which is much welcome! After experiencing the loss of both of my parents and the worldwide pandemic in 2020, Dawn and I give thanks for the newness of life in 2021.

In April our first granddaughter was born. In May Federico and Blanca Muñoz launched their services for their church, Comunidad Cristiana Verdad y Vida, “Truth and Life Christian Church,” in Mexicali. In July we started church number 44 with our partners Ministerios Transformación in Rosarito, Mexico, in the community of Lomas Altas 2.

The Church Advances Despite the Obstacles
Pastor Uriel Garcia with his wife, Arely and their three children

Despite all the challenges that we may face. Even with all the obstacles that stand in our way, God is forever faithful to build His church! One of our church planters, Uriel García who is also working in Rosarito told us recently that he was sharing the gospel in the community and someone came out with a gun, and told him that he wasn’t interested. I guess you would call that a definite, “NO!”

Also on the Big Island our familia continues to face many hardships as most of the churches have not been able to meet for the last 7 months. Also, in some of the areas of Mexico where we are working the churches have been forced to only meet virtually, which definitely hurts a new church’s momentum. Yet even with these set backs I’m receiving reports of families coming to Christ.

I’ve been reading in the book of Acts lately, and there are few points that stand out. One reality is that there will be opposition, but despite the obstacles the growth of the church in inevitable. There is no doubt about this. We are victorious in Christ, and the church is triumphant! Hallelujah! Amen!

Celebrate the Advance of the Church

Even with the roadblocks seeking to impede our progress, there is much to be grateful for. We celebrate the advance of the church! We give thanks to Jesus for building His church. He promises that even the gates of hell will not stop the expansion of the kingdom of God.

We put together a video to give you a glimpse of what it was like to build the church in Rosarito. It was so invigorating to see so many from different churches from both sides of the border join together for one common objective to build the church in order that the gospel will be proclaimed in Lomas Altas 2.

Video: Ron & Virginia Diaso Memorial Church
Pray & Extend Your Hands to Help
Pastor Esteban & Cinthya Martinez

Join us in prayer as Pastor Esteban and Cinthya are sharing the love of Christ in the community of Lomas Altas 2. Pray that many people will find the savior through this church. 

Continue to pray for our familia on the Big Island as well. If you’ve been following the news at all you’ve seen that the situation on the Big Island has reached a boiling point, and that a number of people have taken to the streets to protest. They are upset about the lack of food, skyrocketing prices, rolling blackouts, and all the restrictions due to the coronavirus. There is also a shortage of medicine, so we have friends who are in poor health and they are not able to find the medicine they need. They need our prayers, and our aid! Please extend your hands and give a donation today to help our familia.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Remembering Dad & Mom: A New Church to Honor their Memory

Posted: May 31, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Family Happenings, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Memorial Day Brings Back Memories
Virginia & Ron Diaso’s Wedding Photo (a good looking couple)

I remember when I was growing up that my grandma, Joan Diaso, used to tell us what a bad time of year her birthday fell on. She was born on May 30th, and since that is when our country has set aside a day to remember and honor those that have gone before us, and those who have died in battle it wasn’t a good day for a birthday celebration. My grandma would go to the cemetery to take flowers to the graves of her loved ones. That didn’t put her in a celebratory mood.

I thought about that this last week, because Dawn and I went to Fresno and visited the cemetery where my parents are buried. My grandparents on both sides are also buried in the same cemetery. I wanted to go to the cemetery in part, because it was one year ago on May 26th that my dad moved to heaven.

I can’t say that I enjoy visiting cemeteries, but it does make me feel a little closer to my loved ones, in this case my parents. I realize that only their bodies are there. It gives me comfort knowing that they are now celebrating in heaven.

On the day we left Fresno I felt sentimental as we drove out of the city. I realized that much of my past and one of the primary reasons I visit Fresno, the city where I grew up, was no longer there. My parents have moved on.

It does give me much comfort knowing that both of my parents are now in heaven. As we like to say, “they’ve moved to heaven.” I love the hope of heaven and that there is no sadness, no sickness and no separation in heaven. Hallelujah!

Honoring My Parents Memory
My parents headstone at the cemetery

Dawn and I felt like one of the best ways to honor my parents memory was to help start a church in memory of them. This July we will be partnering with our good friends from Ministerios Transformación, led by Pastor Daniel Nuñez, to build a church in honor of my parents memory.

We are excited that we are getting close to the date in July when we will go down to build the church. A new church means that the light of Christ is coming into a new community. It means transformed lives. These are some of the reasons we love to start new churches.

Extend Your Hands to Pray and Give!
I love this photo of Mom & Dad, makes me think of them dancing on the streets of gold.

You can play a part in helping us to make this dream a reality by making a donation for the Ron & Virginia Diaso Memorial Church. Pray for us as we work with Pastor Daniel and his team to build the church. Pray that many will be won to Christ through this church. Make a donation today by clicking on the donate button below.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

It’s Time to Celebrate

Posted: April 21, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Celebrate God’s Good Work in the Church
Pastor Ivan & Rocio with Dawn & Dave

Dawn and I enjoyed a wonderful time of celebration with our good friends, Pastor Ivan Casados, and his wife, Rocio this past Sunday. The church was celebrating its 10th anniversary. We helped Ivan and Rocio plant their church. There was a lot to celebrate. The church is called, Belen and it began 10 years ago, and we helped them build the church 7 years ago.

Our hearts were filled with joy as we participated and listened to all the wonderful testimonies of God’s mighty work. Many people have come to Christ through their outreach in the community. People who were enslaved to drugs and alcohol. Others had trouble in their marriages and with their families. The Lord came in and brought healing and restoration.

A Special Church for Our Family
David Jr., Dave, Dawn and Jonathan in front of Belen church when we were building it

One of the things that makes this church extra special for Dawn and me is that our whole family participated in helping start this church. Both of our sons, David and Jonathan came down when we built the church. Hannah visited the church with us and she ministered to the people. Hannah loved to pray for people. She loved to pray for healing and for the Lord’s comfort.

Ivan and Rocio have become very good friends of ours over the years as we’ve ministered alongside them. One sad, but special memory I have with Ivan is from when Hannah died. I called Ivan to tell him the news, and he started weeping. His tears and sorrow meant a lot to me. They were like the healing balm of Gilead for my soul. You can say that we’ve cried together as well as we’ve rejoiced together.

We met Pastor Ivan and Rocio not long after we moved to the San Diego-Tijuana border. God has given us some opportunities to travel together in Mexico, but we’ve mostly worked together in Tijuana. They are wonderful friends that we love, and we give thanks for them and for all that the Lord has done through them.

Transformed Lives
From construction of the church on the left to the 10 year anniversary celebration!

Dawn and I were talking to one of the women in the church that we’ve known since the church started. Her name is Veronica. She loves to share her faith, and the Lord has used her to see many people come to Christ. Yet, she has a son, Samuel who is a prodigal. Veronica told us that our daughter, Hannah prayed with Veronica a number of years ago for her son. She prayed that he would return to God. Hannah told Veronica that she believed God would work in Samuel’s heart and bring him back to Christ. Just recently Samuel started coming to church, and there is evidence of God’s wonderful redeeming work in his life. She was thankful and remembered with gratitude Hannah’s encouragement and prayers for her and her son. Praise Jesus!

God is so good! He is so faithful to work in families!

I’ve shared other wonderful testimonies from the ministry of Belen on other posts. One of my favorites is how A Taco Leads to Transformed Lives – you can read about it by clicking here…

Join us in Prayer
Our daughter, Hannah with Rocio, Ivan and Aaron in front of the Belen Church

Join us in prayer for Pastor Ivan and Rocio as they lead the church. Pray for the Lord’s continued wonderful life-changing work through Belen.

Extend your hands to give to the needs in Mexico as we plant the seed of the gospel on the Border, the Baja and Beyond. This summer we are planning on building a new church in my parents, Ron & Virginia Diaso’s memory.

The situation on the Big Island is heartbreaking. I hope to write more about this in my next post. Since January of this year, prices have gone up for food and basic goods between 250 and 300 percent and it is projected to go as high as 500% this year. The cost of living has skyrocketed and there are no food supplies.

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!

Click to Donate…

In His Loving Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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