Posts Tagged ‘Daniel & Yolanda Nuñez’

Joy in the Journey!
Dave with our friends from Ministerios Transformación

Dave with our friends from Ministerios Transformación

One of the joys of persevering in ministry is many surprises the Lord brings and all the wonderful people that we get to know along the way. Sometimes my friends and I joke around and say that, “the ministry would be great if it wasn’t for the people” 😉 but in reality the opposite is true. Ministry is great, because of the people.

I’m so grateful that some of my best friends are the people that I serve alongside!

A little over a week ago I celebrated my birthday, and to my surprise a couple days later at the Ministerios Transformación monthly pastors meeting they made a cake for me. Not only that, but they took time out of their meeting to share about how Dawn and I had ministered to them in different ways over the years.

Wow! We felt so loved!

The experience was a huge honor for me, and one of the highlights of all of my years in ministry. To have so many pastors recognize the contribution we have made to them and their church efforts was so encouraging. I told them that it made both Dawn and me feel loved. It was an amazing time!

It’s interesting that right before the meeting I was feeling a little down. Partly due to some disappointment I felt regarding certain aspects of the work. Also, I find that special days are harder for me emotionally now that Hannah’s gone.

Hannah loved to celebrate others. She loved to party, and she had a way of making me and others feel loved and special. So it seems like there is a big hole when she’s not with me on these days.

Thankful for our Friends & God’s Faithfulness
A great night to celebrate our friendship and all that the Lord has done!

A great night to celebrate our friendship and all that the Lord has done!

God is so faithful and he shows his concern, his care and his love for me through others. Our good friends, Daniel and Yolanda Nuñez who lead Ministerios Transformación came up with the idea to encourage me at their meeting. The time was so special for a number of reasons. It was unexpected, and they are friends that Dawn and I love and respect. They walked through Hannah’s passing with us. They’ve prayed for us and encouraged us along the way. We’ve sought to do the same for them.

I’m grateful that by God’s grace we’ve helped them to plant five churches. We’ve also raised funds to help five churches expand as their ministry has grown. These churches are making a difference in the communities that they serve in. We do it all for the glory of the Lord, to make his name great. We’ve been able to train a number of their pastors in leadership, church planting, and coaching. A truly wonderful relationship that we give thanks to the Lord for.

What a joy to count them as our friends!

Dawn and I are very rich, because of them!

Thank you, Jesus! Thank you for your grace and your continued work, and thank you for all our wonderful partners!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Hannah, Dawn and Dave with Yolanda and Daniel Nuñez in Rosarito - south of TJ

Hannah, Dawn and Dave with Yolanda and Daniel Nuñez in Rosarito - south of TJ

Should we abandon missions in Tijuana, because of the security issues that this border town faces?

Last Wednesday, Dawn, Hannah, and I along with our BEAMM teammate, Ray Call spent the day with Daniel and Yolanda Nuñez in Tijuana. You can read more  about our visit here…

We did feel like we needed to careful and observant, but we didn’t sense any grave danger while we were there. Nonetheless the question above is one that may haunt many. On the one hand we shouldn’t abandon a place out of fear, but we do need to be wise. I believe it’s one of the many reasons that we need an army of friends standing with us in prayer.

Actually there has been some very good news lately about how Tijuana has experienced less violence, and is becoming a much safer place. Business although still slow is starting to pick up. Pray with us for a revitalization of this city. 

While we were in TJ I shot some video and interviewed Daniel Nuñez. I think you will enjoy Daniel’s perspective on Tijuana, and the good work he is doing there. His ministry Lo Mejor Del Trigo (The Best of the Wheat) is a bright light in a dark place.

We are thrilled about our growing relationship with Daniel. In my next post I will upload another video clip about our kingdom work, and the bringing together of important partners for God’s glory!

Let me know what you think about my question above. Do you think we should abandon Tijuana? Should the safety concerns change the way we go about ministry there?

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

Daniel Nuñez, Ray Call and Dave - The Three Amigos!

Daniel Nuñez, Ray Call and Dave - The Three Amigos!

On Wednesday, Dawn, Hannah, Ray and I were able to explore Tijuana with Daniel & Yolanda Nuñez. We had a wonderful time! The more time I spend with Daniel and Yolanda the more I love them. They are great servants of the Lord. It’s a real privilege to minister with them.

We explored much of TJ and Rosarito. It was exciting to be back in Mexico. Hannah hadn’t been in Mexico for 12 years, and it’s been a several years for Dawn as well. It encouraged my heart that they enjoyed being there as well. Hannah said it brought back a lot of memories from her childhood.

Hannah enjoying some elote (corn)

Hannah enjoying some elote (corn)

Our prayer is that Tijuana will be reached with the gospel. Tijuana is a global city with over 2 million people. It’s exhilarating to see the city, and to get to know it a little better.

There were many positives to being in TJ, and it was great to get some good time with Daniel and Yolanda. I just love the colors, the life, the food, the Spanish, the culture, etc. My friend, Tom Steller says, “Mexico is a part of you, because of all your time there.” I think he’s got a point. It has marked me and my family.

Yet even with all the good things that I love, there are some terrible things in TJ. It was sad to drive along the border fence, and see all the crosses for many people who died trying to cross into the U.S..

The Crosses on the Border Fence

The Crosses on the Border Fence

We also saw the women of the street in the light of day. Sex trafficking is legal in TJ. There were big signs on the hotel advertising rooms for $99 Pesos an hour, about $8 USD. Wow, so sad! When I showed my friend, Tom a the picture I took of the sign he said it made him sick. That is an appropriate response.

“O God, that the gospel would powerfully go forth in the city of Tijuana and bring transformation!”

Ray & Daniel on the land where the church will be built with Harbor

Ray & Daniel on the land where the church will be built with Harbor

One of the many reasons we are enthused about our partnership with Daniel Nuñez is that he is working to see the city transformed by the good news of Christ. I shot some video of Daniel while we were there. I will try to post it soon.

When we were in Rosarito we visited the property where Harbor Church is going to help Daniel build one of the next church plants. They have 11 churches now, and they are hoping to have 15 soon. I think they are working on starting at least two now!

Thank you, Lord for the good work you are doing. We do trust you and look to you to minister in a powerful way in TJ. Bless the city, and use us to be a blessing. Amen!

Hannah, Dawn and Dave with Yolanda and Daniel Nuñez in Rosarito

Hannah, Dawn and Dave with Yolanda and Daniel Nuñez in Rosarito

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Our ESL training class starts tomorrow on Friday, March 23 through Saturday, March 24. Please pray for God’s rich blessing and protection. We’ve already had some problems with the electricity, so we had to move the location for the training. We have 24 participants coming!

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org