Posts Tagged ‘Colorado’

O Lord, Expand Our Borders!

Posted: January 30, 2019 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Journey Continues!
Dave in Quito - The Middle of the World
Dave in Quito – The Middle of the World

The above statement has been our prayer, especially since our daughter Hannah moved to heaven. God is graciously answering our prayer! I’m heading out today (Thursday) for Colorado then to Cuba, so I wanted to get something out before I took off. This year has started with a bang, as I’ve already gone on ministry trips to Mexico City and Quito, Ecuador. Not much time to rest, and we’ve had the added adventure of taking care of Dawn’s mom, Alice.

It’s a new season for us, and we are just taking one day at a time as we seek to keep our eyes on Jesus. I prefer having Dawn join me on our trips. She is a catalyst in many ways, as she meets so many people in the most unusual ways. You could say, this is a time of growth for both of us. The Lord is teaching us new things as he is so faithful to do.

We do enjoy having Dawn’s mom with us. They are both extroverted so they meet many people in their endeavors. Dawn and I both like to use of our home to minister to others, family and friends.

Giving Thanks for the Lord’s Good Gifts!
The Newlyweds – Jonathan and Hannah with David, Jr., Dawn and Dave

I feel excited about these trips. I’ll be in Colorado Springs for a missions conference, but there’s the added bonus of being able to see my boys and our growing family. This season has been wonderful! Jonathan just married, Hannah and David is engaged to Emily! Many fun celebrations after our time of mourning. It’s not like the mourning completely leaves, but it is so good to receive the Lord’s healing touch through the wonderful young women that Jesus has brought into our family.

Family in Cuba
Dave and Dawn with Pastor Mario and his wife, Yany
Dave and Dawn with Pastor Mario and his wife, Yany

After I’m in Colorado I leave for Cuba and I’ll be there for 11 days. Dawn and I have grown to love our friends in Cuba. Some of the pastors we minister to there call us dad and mom. That’s a huge encouragement to us, and it gives us much joy to stay in contact with them and to strengthen the pastors there. They are amazing people who have gone through so much. They are still cut off from much of the rest of the world. Internet access is expensive, so it makes it difficult to communicate.

Dave & Dawn with Pastor Luis and his wife, May
Dave & Dawn with Pastor Lucas* and his wife, Maria*

We are thankful that over this last year the internet presence in Cuba is slowly growing, and it’s becoming easier to communicate with our friends. The government restrictions make it challenging to travel to Cuba, but the Lord has used some of these difficulties to make the people hungry for the gospel. The Cubans we have met are good natured and fun loving people. It seems like they’ve had to learn to laugh in spite of their circumstances.

Join Us in Prayer!

Dawn and I would appreciate your prayers as I’m traveling and Dawn is at home with her mom. I need prayer covering especially for my time in Cuba. That the Lord will protect me both physically and spiritually while I’m there. Also, that we will see a breakthrough, that the Lord will do a mighty work in our friends and with those they minister to. Thank you so much for joining us in prayer!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Healing Through Tears

Posted: July 22, 2017 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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We Began The Trip With Some Fear

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Special Moments with dear friends

Dawn and I felt some apprehension as we returned to Colorado for the first time since Hannah moved to heaven. We saw many dear friends, who love us. Through tears Dawn and I retold the story of how Hannah passed from this life to the next. I would say it wasn’t an easy trip, but God showed up as he always does. He brought healing through our tears.

Maybe what we didn’t expect is as we shared our hearts, and friends empathized with us it strengthened us. We were afraid of being pulled down into the valley of the shadow of death, but rather the Lord lifted us up.

Comforted in Our Grieving

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Thankful for Opportunities to share our story like pictured here at Village 7 

Upon arriving to Colorado Springs we attended a conference for grieving parents. Then the next day, Dawn participated in a workshop of grieving mothers. When she arrived Saturday morning and saw all the pictures that had been made into button to be pinned on their clothes. Photos of all the children that passed away too early from our perspective. When Dawn saw those, she lost it. She wasn’t sure she would be able to make it through the workshop. Yet, the women were very loving and supportive and once she got through that she had a great day.

Overall, it was so good to see our friends. We loved visiting with people who care for us, friends who have been praying for us!

 

We enjoyed speaking in two churches, Cheyenne Mountain and Village Seven. We shared our story with them and many others. We told how our hearts still ache for the loss of our precious Hannah. Yet, that’s not the whole story, because the Lord has been healing and redeeming Hannah’s untimely passing.

Encouraged by All That The Lord is Doing

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Raising Funds for the Hannah Diaso Memorial Church!

It encouraged us as we shared about the changed lives through the church planting work and other ministries on the border, the Baja and Beyond. I think it lifted our spirits, because those who came, and listened were excited with us and for us. Also, we challenged people with getting involved in helping us to raise the funds, $30,000 so we can plant a new church in early 2018 that will be a memorial church. A church to honor Hannah’s memory and her legacy! In doing so we know that it will also bring glory to our loving Father.

Dawn and I realized anew that we can’t do what we do without an army of friends standing with us!

An Exciting Week Lies Ahead of Us

 

It seems like we just got back home in time to catch our breath, as we head out today to Ensenada with Skyview Presbyterian for a week of ministry. Pray for our time there, and that the Lord will use it in a powerful way to extend his kingdom in Baja California.

Yes, we were afraid, but God came through again. He rescued us, and he continues to redeem our pain and our suffering for that we give thanks!

Thank you as well, dear friend! What would we do without your faithful prayers and encouragement?

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Gospel Advance on the Border and Beyond!

Posted: October 7, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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God’s Mission in Wyoming & Colorado and Beyond

Dave sharing about missions on the border with Cheyenne Moutain Presbyterian Church

Dave sharing about missions on the border with Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church

This last weekend I was in Lander, Wyoming and Colorado Springs, Colorado. While there I had the opportunity to present what God is doing on the border, in the Baja and around the world.

The Lord strengthened my spirit as he opened doors for me to challenge pastors, leaders and interested church members to consider the cause of world missions. God has been reminding me that part of my calling is to ring the bell for missions.

I find that most of us get so focused on where we live and work that we fail to look up and see the marvelous works God is about all around the world.

World Missions on the Border

I love what I do and our work on the San Diego – Tijuana borders. It’s the largest bi-national city in the world. The needs are overwhelming, yet the church is growing. There is advance. God is at work.

We have helped start three churches in the last three years, and we are connected to other new works. There are four new works we hope to start in three different cities in Baja California in the next three years.

Transformed Lives

Dave with Pastor Ivan Casados

Dave with Pastor Ivan Casados

These churches represent transformed lives and works of compassion. One of my favorite stories is How the gospel is reaching a family in Ivan Casados church, which we just help start. last April. Joanna tried to commit suicide. One of her neighbors who attends Ivan’s church found out about it. She shared the gospel with Joanna, and invited her to come to church. Joanna came to Christ and her husband has also started coming to church.

They are new believers with a lot of challenges. They are in need of much prayer and care, but God is making a difference in the life of this family!

The Encouraging Advance of the Gospel

When I interact with other missionaries who are serving around the world I hear their stories. Stories of how the gospel is entering in and transforming lives.

As you pray for, support financially and bring the blessing of encouragement you play a part in God’s bigger and ever-expanding story around the world. You are connected to the expansion of the Lord’s kingdom where you and as it goes into the outermost parts of the world.

Praise be to God!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Joy of a Daughter

Posted: October 11, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Ministry, Reflections & Musings
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Hannah & Dave

Hannah & Dave

One of the benefits of my ministry meetings and preaching in Colorado this last weekend was that I was able to see my daughter. I praise the Lord for my daughter and the relationship we have.

We had such a good time together. She went with me on Sunday when I preached at Sky View Presbyterian. When she wasn’t working or in school we got some good father-daughter time in.

I remember when my daughter, Hannah was born that I was afraid to raise a girl. I grew up with two brothers and no sisters. My first two children were boys. I thought I had guys figured out, but I didn’t know what to do with a daughter.

Hannah as the baby in the family and my only daughter always has had a special place in my heart. She surprised me in that I realized what a joy it is to have a sweet little girl. Even though Hannah is now a grown young woman, she will always be my little daughter. I like to call her, my beautiful little daughter that I love!

My Beautiful Little Daughter that I Love, Hannah!

My Beautiful Little Daughter that I Love, Hannah!

One of the many things that gives me joy as Hannah matures is to see her tenderness towards others, and things of the Lord. She has a strong desire to know God better, and to grow in her relationship with him.

The only bummer is that Hannah lives in Colorado and we live in Southern California. It’s too far away, and I miss her dearly. I’m glad that the Lord provides opportunities for us to visit one another. I am so grateful that she loves Jesus!

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.                       Proverbs 31:30,31 (ESV)

It is so hard to say good-bye. I can’t wait to see her again.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Gospel in the Rockies

Posted: October 9, 2013 in Christianity, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
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Dave preaching at Skyview Presbyterian Church

Dave preaching at Skyview Presbyterian Church

I just returned from Colorado where I gave a report to a number of pastors and other leaders in the region about our ministry on the border. I left encouraged, because I know these leaders are praying for our work. They want to see the gospel advance. Their desire is to see the church grow in Mexico and among our Hispanic friends in San Diego.

On Sunday I went with my daughter, Hannah to Skyview Presbyterian Church in the Denver metro. I preached on Genesis 37, God Goes Before Us. A number of people after the service shared with me how the Lord used the sermon to touch them.

There is power in the gospel, and I’m privileged to be a messenger of the good news of Christ.

Skyview is a key partner church with us in the ministry on the border. They have a keen interest in what God is doing. I appreciate their frequent communication, asking how we are doing, and seeking to spur us on in the work. I loved this opportunity to connect with them, and through it we were able to encourage one another.

It lifts Dawn and me up knowing that we have friends in Denver, Colorado Springs and other places around the U.S., and even the world who are praying for us. People who stand with us in this ministry.

God is the one who supplies the increase, but it takes a team to serve effectively in ministry.

Hannah & Dave

Hannah & Dave

After the service Hannah and I had lunch with some friends who are on the church’s missions committee. Apart from enjoying a wonderful meal we talked about some possible projects that the church might bring a group down to serve on this next year.

We pray that the Lord will open the door and make the way for Skyview to be able to send a group down to join us in ministry in the summer of 2014.

Pray with us as we plan and prepare for future projects that strengthen our relationship with the churches we are getting to know here.

Over the next month Dawn and I will have numerous opportunities to promote our work on the border in colleges, churches and at Mission to the World’s (MTW) Global Missions Conference. We are praying for more workers, and for churches and individuals that will invest in our work here and partner with us in ministry.

Please join us in prayer as we prepare for and go out to present the good work that God is doing here!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

God’s Blessing: The Arrival of Our Son, Jon!

Posted: May 28, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, God's Leading, Journey, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Tijuana
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Jon and Dave embarking on the cross country trip from Colorado Springs to Chula Vista

Jon and Dave embarking on the cross-country trip from Colorado Springs to Chula Vista

I’ve been on the road the last week, which has made it harder to get on the internet to post anything. Last Thursday I flew out to Colorado to help our son, Jonathan move to Chula Vista.

I can still remember the tears and the pain of saying good-bye to Jonathan and Hannah last August! God is so good to provide a way for Jonathan to be with us again.

One of the difficulties of living out the life of a missionary is all the painful good-byes. You keep thinking that it might get easier, but it doesn’t, at least not for me.

The Lord has put us in the wonderfully unique situation of living and serving in missions on the border. Because of where we live we can minister on both sides of the border. In two different countries with two radically varied cultures. This makes it possible for us to be closer to our grown children. It’s an opportunity many missionaries do not have.

In Jeremiah the Lord encouraged the Israelites to seek the welfare of the city where they had been sent. As God blessed the city they too would be blessed. That is really our heart here. We pray that we will see San Diego – Tijuana blessed by God. We trust as the Lord showers down his blessings on the city that our family and friends will experience God’s rich and bountiful care as well.

God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:7 & 11, gives us comfort and hope:

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find welfare… For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jon & Hannah right before we began our trek

Jon & Hannah right before we began our trek

Dawn and I love what we do, and we love where we live. It affords us the opportunity to minister to Latinos in San Diego and in Tijuana. God has given us some great partners to work with. We continue to pray that the Lord’s kingdom will be expanded on the border as it is in heaven.

“Thank you Jesus for calling us to serve on the border! Thank you for making it possible for our son, Jon to move so he can be near us. We pray for your watchful care over our whole family. Thank you that we can trust you!”

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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