Posts Tagged ‘Christ’

Freedom in Colombia!

Posted: June 4, 2018 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Coffee with Special Friends in Colombia!
Dave & Dawn visiting our MTW missionary colleagues in Bogotá Colombia

Dave & Dawn visiting our MTW missionary colleagues in Bogotá Colombia

I loved the wonderful coffee in Colombia, and as wonderful as the coffee was there was much more for us to experience in Colombia. We spent the first part of our time in Colombia in Bogotá where we saw many of our MTW missionary colleagues, including Joe and Becky Harrell. We first met the Harrell’s when we served together with them MTW in Mexico City. From Bogotá, we went to Manizales.

Manizales is not far from Bogotá. It’s only about an hour by plane. Manizales is near coffee country. Dawn and I spent a few days with a young couple, Luis and Kerly who we first met in Ensenada where Luis was studying for his doctorate. They are a gifted and loving couple, and they love Jesus.

Something New in Manizales
Dave and Dawn helping launch the new cell group at Luis and Kerly's home

Dave and Dawn helping launch the new cell group at Luis and Kerly’s home

Luis and Kerly wanted to start up a cell group in their home and they were praying for a good time for them to start it up. They felt like the Lord was leading them to start it while we were there, and they wanted us to help them kick it off. Luis and Kerly asked us to share with the group some of the things that the Lord had put on our hearts.

Dawn and I had a wonderful time with the group, and we enjoyed sharing with them and leading them in prayer. Those who came responded really well to what we shared, and they told us that it helped them and it encouraged them. One particular couple wanted us to come to their house the next day.

Freedom & Forgiveness in Christ
Dave & Dawn with Luis & Kerly. Kerly is due with their second child any day now

Dave & Dawn with Luis & Kerly. She is due with their second child any day now. They opened doors for us to minister to their friends!

So on Saturday Dawn and I went to David and Maria’s house. After we shared a meal together we all went into their living room. Their two grown children and Maria’s mother also joined us. Dawn and I lead them in prayer, and as we prayed we discovered that Maria was carrying a lot of fear and guilt. She was very open with us and told us that when she was 17 years old she got pregnant and she was afraid and didn’t know what to do. Maria didn’t want to tell her parents so she decided to take some herbs that she thought would cause the baby to abort. She also got up on a chair and jumped down hoping that would cause the baby to be aborted.

She was still carrying tremendous guilt because of her attempt at aborting her baby!

In God’s grace, she wasn’t successful in aborting her child. And her son, Jorge was in the room with us and he was praying with us.

We lead Maria with the support of her family through some prayers to cut off the guilt and shame that she was carrying. We reminded her of God’s promises in Romans 8:1.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God promises to forgive those who are in Christ. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!

Dawn and I encouraged Maria to ask Jorge to forgive her for trying to abort him. It was such a beautiful moment. I wish you could have been there to experience it with us. Maria and Jorge were crying as they asked for forgiveness, and we all began to cry with them as we saw God move and bring healing.

Maria told us she felt the peace of Christ after our time of prayer! It was so good!😊 Thank you, Jesus!

The Power of the Gospel

After our time of prayer, we learned that Jorge was not following Christ and hadn’t yet given his life to Jesus. Yet he was there praying with us through the whole time, and he was so loving to his mom when she asked him for forgiveness. So I asked Jorge if he had ever prayed to receive Christ, and he said, “no.” I asked him if he would like to give his life to Christ, and he said, “yes!”

I took some time to explain the gospel message to him. How Christ died for his sins. Christ died the death that we should have died. He lived the life that we should have lived. He paid the penalty for us. Christ defeated sin, death, and Satan on the cross and through his resurrection. I went on to explain the importance in placing our faith in Christ in trusting His work and in calling on His name so that he might be saved from his sin.

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

After I shared these truths with Jorge I asked him again if he would like to pray to receive Christ, and he said, “yes.” Then I had the privilege of leading Jorge in prayer to repent of his sins and to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior. His family joined us in prayer. We were all rejoicing after that seeing God’s mighty hand.

David and Maria and their family are such sweet people. Just like our friends Luis and Kerly. It’s like the Lord just knit our hearts together, and the Lord continues to grow our family. It’s one more way that I see the Lord redeeming our daughter, Hannah’s early home going. So painful, yet our Papa loves us and he brings healing and hope!

In His Loving Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

Divine Appointment: A Changed Life!

Posted: March 19, 2018 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Spirit is on the Move in Mexico City
Mario & Silvia with their son, Daniel

Mario & Silvia with their son, Daniel

Dawn and I are seeking to grow in being more sensitive to the Spirit as we go through the day. We are realizing more and more that much of ministry happens in the unplanned moments as we go through our day.

I’m in Mexico City this week! I love this city, because of all our friends here and the many years we lived here.

On Friday Mario Silva and I went out for breakfast at the local VIPS so we could talk. Well, we ordered and just began to eat our breakfast when I noticed a woman sitting at a table near us, and she was crying. I asked her if she was okay, and she said that she was going through a really hard time. Mario and I invited her to sit with us.

We soon found out that her name was Gaby. When we asked her what was going on, through tears she shared, that her husband who is a successful doctor has been sleeping around. Gaby went on to say that she found out recently that he was using Cocaine.

She was broken.

The Love of Christ Lifts Us Out of the Pit

4A5A59BE-5936-4084-8D85-1694D35DE032Mario and I began to share with her how much God loved her, and that was part of the reason she sat near us that morning. It was in the Lord’s loving plan for her to meet us, so we could share the love of Christ with her, and give her hope.

Then after we spent some time with her encouraging her, we also shared the gospel with her, and we told her the only way to fix her life was to let Christ into it. That’s where it all begins!

We asked Gaby if she would like to pray with us to receive Christ and she said yes! I had the privilege along with Mario to lead her in prayer to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior!

Pray for Gaby’s Spiritual Growth & More Divine Appointments

Mario’s wife, Silvia is a very godly and committed follower of Jesus, so we told Gaby we’d like to connect her with Silvia so she could help her grow in her new found faith, and give her some wise counsel as Gaby seeks to navigate some of the challenges she is facing in her life.

Dawn and I walk on this winding road of faith together

Seeking to share the love of Christ wherever we are, and whenever the Lord opens the door!

Dawn is usually the one to meet people in restaurants and share the gospel with them. She’s been a good example for me. I’d say on average Dawn shares her faith with at least one person every time we go to a restaurant and often with even more people. It was encouraging that even though my extroverted wife wasn’t with me that the Lord opened this door for us. Can you say, “Divine Appointment”?

Thanking Jesus! Every time something like this happens I believe it’s one more way that the Lord is redeeming our daughter’s early home going. It’s made Dawn and me even more bold to share the love of Christ with a lost and hurting world. Yay Jesus! 😃

In His Loving Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Paradox in Japan!

Posted: September 10, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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The Lord’s Special Gift!
Issaid & Dave with Issaid's English class

Issaid & Dave with the students Issaid’s English class

The Lord has blessed me with a special gift. I’m in Japan for a few days with our friends, Issaid and Mie Arechiga who Dawn and I first met in Mexico City. Next week I will be involved in Mission to the World’s (MTW) leadership meeting in Cambodia.

It seemed like the perfect time to visit Arechigas as I’m on my way to Cambodia. After we left Mexico City Dawn and I caught up to Issaid and Mie on the border. They were involved in our first church plant in Mexico, and then a church plant we are helping with on the border.

Last year they moved to Japan, where Mie is originally from. They are working on returning to the U.S. We’ve missed them a great deal. It’s a real gift to be able to spend this time with them.

The Beauty of Japan & The Need for Christ
One of the temples in Kyoto, Japan

One of the temples in Kyoto, Japan

Japan is a beautiful country with good people. It’s one of the safest places in the world to live. There’s only one problem, very few of them know Christ. Less than 1% of the population call on the name of Jesus Christ.

This is the paradox of Japan. On the outside things seem just fine, but when you lift up the hood you realize that it’s not as healthy as it first seemed.

It breaks my heart to see such a wonderful people lost. They are doing well in many ways. They are a moral people. For these reasons and more they don’t see their need for God.

There is not the poverty here or the violence that one finds in Mexico. Yet, there is a profound spiritual poverty that they are blind to.

MTW has a large missions force here, and the Lord is using them to make a difference, but it is slow work. Pray for their strength and that the Lord will encourage them as they labor.

The only hope for Japan is found in Christ!

O Lord, would you open the eyes of the people here so that they would see their need for a savior. Work in their hearts so that they might realize that they are poor in spirit and in need of a great Savior, Jesus Christ!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Is the Gospel Advancing in Mexico?

Posted: April 27, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Meetings for the Advance of the Gospel
Our MTW team with some of the Mexican leaders

Our MTW team with some of the Mexican leaders

This weekend I’ve had the privilege of being in gospel advancement meetings in San José de Los Cabos. It’s been wonderful to be with fellow Mission to the World (MTW) teammates as well as pastors and leaders from the national church.

I must confess that at times the meetings were tedious, but overall I found our time encouraging. Everything happens through relationships in Mexico, and we had an outstanding time to get to know our Mexican brothers and sisters.

Christ-centered Preaching
Larry Trotter teaching on Christ-centered preaching

Larry Trotter teaching on Christ-centered preaching

We were able to play a key role in the meetings. On Friday my friend and our Mexico director, Larry Trotter did an excellent job teaching on Christ-centered preaching. He had the majority of the people there asking him when he could come speak and teach at their church.

Larry also preached a Christ-centered sermon on Sunday from Psalm 110. It was a great exclamation point to the churches 6th anniversary celebration. During the service three people publicly confessed their faith and they were baptized.

O Lord, That Your Church will Grow

On Saturday I enjoyed the opportunity to teach on church planting movements. My teammates, Peter Boling and Jim DeWitt assisted me. The group received it well, and I am very encouraged as we all leave.

IMG_5787

Dave teaching on Church Planting Movements

I do pray that the gospel will advance in Mexico, and I pray for your Holy Spirit to blow so that we will see many won to Christ, and many new churches planted. Jesus please do your might work!

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

 

 

On a Dark Day He Cried Out, It is Finished!

Posted: April 18, 2014 in Christianity, Reflections & Musings
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Crosses on the border fence

Crosses on the border fence in TJ

Friday is a dark day, but the light of Christ shines brightly from the empty tomb on Easter Sunday.

Thank the Lord for the cross, where Christ bore our sins. Where Christ paid it all – tetelestai, it is finished!

John 19:30

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Luke 23:46-49

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

God is Building His Church in Baja!

Posted: January 2, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, God's Leading, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, Team Members
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The Expansion of the Church into Baja
Peter and Jenny Boling are in the middle with Dawn and Dave and Yolanda's mom on the left and Sophie (our intern), Yolanda and Daniel and Camila Nuñez on the right

Peter and Jenny Boling (middle) with Dawn and Dave and Yolanda’s mom (left) and Sophie (our summer intern – middle right), Yolanda and Daniel and Camila Nuñez (right)

One of the things that I’m most excited about as I look back on 2013 is the expansion of our team and missions presence. The Lord opened the door for us to begin working with Peter and Jenny Boling!

They are missionaries with Mission to the World (MTW). Peter and Jenny were ministering in Bogotá, Colombia, but they felt God tugging at their hearts and calling them to Los Cabos in Baja California.

Dawn and I are thrilled to work alongside the Bolings, and have them join our team. The only complication I’ve had is that I’ve called our team the San Diego-Tijuana team, so now we have to adjust some 🙂 . Although I always thought of it as San Diego-Tijuana and beyond!

God’s Answer for More Workers and Ministry Expansion
A map of Baja California Sur Municipalities hi...

A map of Baja California Sur Municipalities highlighting Los Cabos. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s thrilling to have more workers, which is one of the answers to prayer that we’ve seen this past year. We are so excited to see our missionary force expanding! Lord, please continue your work and send even more laborers.

Peter and Jenny moved to Los Cabos in September, and they are already connecting with ministries at the tip of Baja. The Bolings are caring and loving servants, who are full of grace. I believe that the Lord will use them in a powerful way in 2014 and into the future.

Peter was saved out of a gangs and a wayward life. This has given him a tremendous platform to minister to those that are caught up in a lifestyle of drug addiction, alcohol and gang warfare. One of the ministries that Peter has connected with has an effective outreach to those in gangs. Many gang members are coming to Christ and growing in their faith.

The Lord set the Bolings up in 2013, which allows us to be in prime position to start a new church planting project in La Paz in mid-2014. It’s amazing to see how the Lord brings things together.

Join Us In Prayer for the Bolings & the New Church Plant
Peter Boling sharing his testimony at Fuente de Vida mission

Peter Boling sharing his testimony at Fuente de Vida mission

We appreciate your prayers for Peter and Jenny as we begin to work on this new project. The Bolings are still in the process of getting rolling themselves. One of the things we still need is a Mexican National church planter to lead the project. We hope to identify one by the end of March.

Pray that the Lord will bring all the loose pieces together. Our desire is to honor him and see people won to Christ through this new church. Those that come into the church will become mature followers of Jesus, and as the Lord brings the increase we will see more churches started.

I feel that we need a lot of wisdom as we set the church plant up. There are a number of things that still need to fall in place.

Please join us in lifting these needs up to the Lord!

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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The Joy of Christmas and God’s Increase

Posted: December 24, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Family Happenings, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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The Joy of the Season!
David & I both celebrate our birthdays in December. The cake got the best of us - "Mordida"

David & I both celebrate our birthdays in December. The cake got the best of us – “Mordida”

Today is a doubly special day in our home. We celebrate the birth of our first-born son, David Jr. and we celebrate the birth of Christ.

Like many my family and I enjoy this season. It’s a great time to reflect on the many gifts the Lord has given us. I love having all the family together, at least my immediate family. I do wish I could be with my parents and my brothers and their families. It becomes more complicated to bring everyone together, but I am so thankful that our kids can be with us.

God Provides the Increase

When I reflect on this last year, and some of the gifts and blessings the Lord has given us I’m reminded this has been one of the most fruitful years we’ve had in our 25 years of ministry. I realize that the Lord provides the increase, but it’s so good to be on this journey. It’s so good to witness God working in the hearts of men and women.

Paul says it best in 1 & 2 Corinthians:

I planted, Apollos water, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. – 1 Corinthians 3:6,7

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. –2 Corinthians 2:15

God is doing a Healing and Restorative work!

Dawn and I love the people we work with. The pastors we are able to serve alongside on both sides of the border. We are grateful that our relationship with them has deepened.

He is moving and bringing many to a saving faith. It is beautiful to be a part of a ministry where we witnessed over 100 come into a new relationship with Christ. Many of those that came to Christ are now growing in their faith.

Just last week we saw 17 people come to Christ through our Christmas in City Heights outreach!

Dave with Daniel Nuñez and two of the church planters, Ivan Casados and Jose Luis Rivera

Dave with Daniel Nuñez and two of the church planters, Ivan Casados and Jose Luis Rivera

There were also many in Tijuana that came to Christ through are partnership with Lo Mejor del Trigo and our church plants there.

Here’s the story that one of our friends, Pastor Ivan Casados and his wife, Rocio shared with us about a family that has been changed forever by the gospel.

Recently, Rocio met a woman who lives in the neighborhood, Veronica. Rocio asked Veronica if she could pray for her. Veronica said that she needed prayer for her back, and that she was scheduled to have surgery later that week. Veronica was nervous about the upcoming operation.

Rocio prayed and Veronica felt God’s peace, which carried her through the surgery. This comforted and encouraged Veronica and it opened a door for Rocio and the church to share the love of Christ with her. Veronica gave her life to Christ with her. Later her husband, Saul and her son, Samuel came to Christ. Now the family is growing in their faith and they are part of the core group for this new church.

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

One of the things we are excited for 2014 is that we are getting ready to help Ivan and Rocio plant a new church in Valle Verde in Tijuana.

Prayer is Key

I strongly believe that one of the reasons God is blessing the ministry on the border is the prayer of so many friends. Thanks for holding us up, and standing with us in prayer.

Merry Christmas! Worship the King!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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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