Posts Tagged ‘Encouragement’

A Tribute to My Mentors & Heroes

Posted: March 6, 2023 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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They Fought the Fight of Faith and Finished the Race
Dr. Thomas Graham above; Dave with Dr. Richard Kaufmann

Two great men, who were heroes in the faith, spiritual fathers and amazingly wonderful mentors moved to heaven in February. Dr. Thomas Graham graduated to glory on February 17th. Dr. Richard Kaufmann left this earth on the next day February 18th.

The Lord has blessed me on my journey as a Christian leader with some outstanding spiritual fathers and mentors. Dr. Graham and Dr. Kaufmann were two of them. The other was Dr. William “Bill” Iverson. Bill is now the only one of the three who is still living. He celebrated his 95th birthday on February 19th.

It’s interesting to me that these three men who each helped me so much in so many ways are also linked by these consecutive dates in February.

Dr. William Iverson
Bill Iverson (in the middle in blue) Dave (on the bottom in red) with students from the International School of Theology. This photo was taken in 1984
Dr. Bill Iverson & Dave
Dr. William Iverson & Dave

Each of these men came into my life at pivotal moments. Bill Iverson when I was in my 20’s, as a young student in seminary. These were formative years for me. I was still a relatively young Christian when I first met Bill. The Lord used him to help me build a more solid foundation in my faith. He always used to talk to us students about theology with skin on, so I learned how to think and how to live while ministering with Bill. I also went on my first missions trip to Mexico with Dr. Iverson and a group of students. God used that trip to call me into missions. Bill is the boldest personal evangelist that I’ve ever met.

Dr. Thomas Graham
Dr. Thomas Graham

I met Dr. Tom Graham while I worked with Mission to the World (MTW) in Mexico City. I got to know him well when we left Mexico to live in Colorado Springs. Tom came into my life during a difficult transition in ministry and our family was going through a hard time as well. Tom was like a rock for me during those years in Colorado.

It’s so sad to say goodbye to people that we love who have had such a huge impact on our lives. Tom was one of the most important men, spiritual fathers in my life especially while I was in Colorado. He will surely be missed. We are thankful that we have the hope of heaven. The hope to see him again. 

I remember before we moved to Colorado Springs while we were still in Mexico City I met with my boss at the time, Jay Kyle. Jay told me that he talked to Tom and that Tom had agreed to mentor me. Jay said, “Dave, if you had to pay Tom for working with you and mentor you, you couldn’t afford him.” Tom became much more than a mentor to me. He was like a father. During our years in Colorado apart from my dad, Tom was definitely the most important man in my life. His influence and impact lives on in my life and in many others. I give thanks for him and all that he meant to my family and me.

Jayson Kyle

Jay Kyle

An interesting side note, is that Jayson Kyle, who Dawn and I worked with in Mexico had a connection with all three of these mentors. Bill Iverson introduced me to Jay when Jay was recruiting missionaries to work with him in Mexico. Then as I mentioned above Jay helped open the door for me to be able to work with Tom. The Lord also used Jay to help me to connect with Dick. When Dawn and I felt the Lord leading us on from Colorado Jay introduced me to Dick Kaufmann.

Jay was very gifted in connecting people. He was not only a boss and a friend, but the Lord used him to encourage me and I recognize I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Jay. Sadly, Jay suffered a massive stroke and moved to heaven last year on March 19th.

Dr. Richard Kaufmann

Dave with Dr. Richard Kaufmann

Dick Kaufmann guided me and gave me some great advice as I began ministering on the San Diego-Tijuana border. One of the things that Dick told me that I always remember. He said, “Dave, you are priestly, you have a pastoral heart. That’s good, but the problem is that you want to help everyone. You need to learn to say no.” Then he spelled out, “N-O, no.” Even though that may sound like very simple advice, it’s something that has stayed with me, and I think it’s been a good filter for me.

The Lord also used Dick to help me raise the funds for the first three or four churches that we helped Pastor Daniel Nuñez and Ministerios Transformación plant. Through that experience the Lord opened many doors for planting churches in Mexico, especially along the US/Mexico border. Dick helped me to focus on the things that God has gifted me in, and he connected me to his church planting network in San Diego, which at the time was called Harbor. I used to meet with Dick once a month for the first five years or so when we moved to the border. His time and advice were invaluable.

I give thanks for each of these men, and I realize that I’ve been blessed beyond measure to have more than one Giants of the faith that were willing to pour into my life.

Tom Graham, Dick Kaufmann and Jay Kyle will be surely missed. I give thanks for how the Lord used them so powerfully in my life and in the life of so many. I like to think about our Hannah up in heaven welcoming these friends and mentors into heaven. One day we will all be together, enjoying one another and our relationship with the Father.

Thank you Jesus for your love and care for me as demonstrated by these men.

Extend Your Hands to Help!

The influence and legacy of each of these wonderful mentors and heroes lives on. Their handprint is all over the ministry that God has called Dawn and me to. We are grateful to witness 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. Extend your hands to support our church planters, our familia today!

Make a Donation Today.

Click to Donate…

Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift to help our precious familia.

In His Grip, Dave

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

Miraculous Multiplication on the Big Island

Posted: January 30, 2023 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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God’s Wonderful Work
Some of the pastors that we are partnering with – Our Familia

God is doing a wonderful work on the Big Island. I’m amazed by how much the church is growing despite the skyrocketing prices of staples like rice and beans. We think inflation is bad here, but what would it be like to live with a 500% increase in prices? Our familia has had to live without electricity for long stretches. Last year some families were without power for up to 20 hours a day. The other big challenge our familia is facing is that there is a shortage of medicine.

Yet, even with all these difficulties the pastors have remained faithful to serve, and people are responding to the gospel. They frequently send me photos of when they are out sharing the good news of the gospel with people that live in their neighborhood.

God’s Work of Multiplication
Evangelistic teams faithfully sharing the good news!

Last year the pastors that we are partnering with shared the gospel with 21,215 people and 5,223 of them came to faith in Jesus. In 2022 eighty six new churches were started. The aid that we sent helped 9,302 people. God is building his church and he is multiplying the gifts that we are sending.

Pastor Justin’s Testimony
Pastor Justin sharing the gospel with his team of faithful friends

Pastor Justin shared this testimony with us, “I want to thank David for his life and ministry. He not only supported our church and my family with training and mentoring, but also during this period of great scarcity. The economic situation of the pastors who live on the Big Island is complicated. Pastor David has raised love offering to support us for the last 3 years. He and his wife, Lety (Dawn) have demonstrated a beautiful ministry on the Big Island supporting many pastors.”

It’s so encouraging to hear from the pastors that we are partnering with. They truly become like family to us, and we give thanks for each one of them. They are very gifted and some of the most committed people to the cause of Christ that I’ve ever met in my life.

Pastor Rolando’s Testimony

Another pastor that we are working with, Pastor Rolando had this to say. “God is working in a supernatural way in our ministry, because we work as a network of churches that are multiply more each day. Last year my team shared the gospel with more than 1,000 people and we planted 26 new churches. We also gave food and aid to 452 people. All of this work requires pastoral care for the church planters. We have to travel to all parts of the country to help support the movement. Even though I struggle with often being sick and diabetic God has strengthened by wife and me to continue the work.”

Extend Your Hands to Help!
Some of the families that we are extending our hands to help

God is doing a great and mighty work on the Big Island. Your prayers and your gifts are essential as the gospel goes forth. Thank you for the vital role that you play. TOGETHER we can make a difference! Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider extending your hands to support our familia on the Big Island. You can support one family for $25 a month. Make a Donation Today.

Click to Donate…

A Tale of Two Cities on the Big Island featuring Jessica’s prayer for toothpaste 

Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift to help our precious familia.

In His Grip, Dave

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

God is Building His Church on the Big Island!

Posted: December 20, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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The Gospel is Going Forth in the Midst of the Difficulties
Pastor Justin bottom left is always faithful to share the good news of the gospel

Dawn and I always enjoy connecting with our pastors, our familia on the Big Island. We love them and it’s great to learn about what the Lord is doing in and through them.

Life is still hard on the Big Island. Many people on the Island had been dealing with long periods without electricity. The good news is that has recently improved, and they have more electricity. Some of the challenges that they are facing is that the price of rice and beans, and other staple food items have skyrocketed. The average pastor makes 3,000 pesos a month, which is about $20 USD. One pound of rice now cost 150 pesos or $1 USD, and it used to only cost 5 pesos. Pastor Justin said they are only able to eat meat once a week. He added if it wasn’t for the aid that we’ve been sending they wouldn’t have enough to eat. The gifts that we are sending make a difference!

God is on the move, and he is building his church. In spite of all the obstacles that they are facing the church is growing. Justin told us that he and his wife were able to share the gospel with over 1,000 people this year and 450 said ‘YES’ to Jesus. The Lord used Justin and those who are partnering with him to plant 15 churches in 2022. We give thanks to the Lord for how lives are being transformed by the life giving message of Jesus.

Pastor Ernesto Shares His Thanks for Our Help and Encouragement
Top photo: Pastor Ernesto with some of the people from his church; bottom right: Pastor Ernesto giving aid to a family; bottom left: Pastor Ernesto with his wife, Dayana and his daughter

As we celebrate Christmas and come to the end of the year I thought you would enjoy a greeting from pastor Ernesto, one of the pastors on the Big Island that we have been supporting for the past year. “Pastor, a big hug from our family and to all the brothers and sisters who have helped us and blessed us through the ministry of you and Lety (Dawn). This year that is passing and is about to end, has been very hard for our nation, but we thank the Lord because despite being a difficult year with many needs in many areas, we have been able to see His hand caring for us and providing for us. We have been able to see God’s caring hand very much alive through you and your ministry, sending not only financial aid, but also the Word of life. In my case many times the words of encouragement that you send picks me up off of the floor and strengthens me to continue. THANK YOU PASTOR THANK YOU!”

Pastor Ernesto said that they saw 200 people come to Christ in this last year. They started seven new churches. Despite their lack they are committed to reaching out to those who are lost and without hope.

Pastor Marco & Pastor Jesus’s Need
Top photo: Pastor Jesus, Pastor Marco, Yolanda, Miguel and Raquel in front of the church; bottom right – Pastor Jesus & Raquel; bottom left – Yolanda, Raquel and Jesus leading worship

Pastor Marco, One of the other pastors we are working with shared a need that he has as they are starting new churches. The building for one of their church plants collapsed recently during the stormy season. Jesus, a young church planter who is working with Marco is planting this church. Jesus and his wife, Raquel are faithful evangelist sharing their faith in the city where the church is located. It’s wonderful to see how people’s lives are being changed by the gospel as they share the good news of Jesus. In the last year 60 people came to Christ through their outreach. I asked Marco and Jesus how much it would cost to rebuild the church, and they said $1,000 USD. That’s not much for us in the USA, but it’s a fortune for their economy. I told them that we would let you know about their need, and trust the Lord to raise the funds to rebuild the church.

Extend Your Hands to Help Those in Need!
Pastor Jesus’ church that collapsed

You can help Pastor Marco and Pastor Jesus rebuild their church so that more people will hear the good news of Jesus Christ. You can also give towards the needs of the other pastors and families that we are sending monthly aid to so that they can put food on the table.

Your gifts do make a difference in this nation. God is using you, because even where your feet cannot reach, your prayers can reach! Your offerings of love can reach!

TOGETHER we can make a difference! Pray with us and extend your hands to help our familia. Help us to end the year strong and bring hope to our familia Make a Donation Today.

Click to Donate…

A Tale of Two Cities on the Big Island featuring Jessica’s prayer for toothpaste

Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift to help our precious familia.

In His Grip, Dave

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

Happy Thanksgiving! Give Thanks & Extend Your Arms to Help Those in Need

Posted: November 22, 2022 in Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Give Thanks for the Lord’s Many Blessings & Remember Those in Need
Dawn and I (Dave) wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a great time of year to stop and give thanks for the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us. Dawn and I give thanks for you, for our family, for all of our friends and for our latina familia.

As I take time to give thanks I can’t help, but think of those who lack, and do not enough. I think especially of our familia on the Big Island. The reports coming out from the Island are heartbreaking.

One of my missionary friends, Russell who has made more than 300 trips to the Big Island told me that he thought that they are going through their worst economic crisis in their history. News reports that I have read say that it’s the worst economic crisis in 30 years. Dawn and I are continuing to send aid, but the pastors and those in their congregation struggle to find food to buy. They are going without electricity for long periods each day, which causes their food to spoil.

I would like to share a testimony that one of our friends, Yolanda wrote us in the last couple of weeks. This will help give you an idea of what our familia is suffering through, and move you to pray for them. I translated it from Spanish, and the English is a little rough, but I hope it will serve to give you a better picture of what she and our familia are experiencing.

Yolanda’s Testimony
Our familia on the Big Island

Pastor God bless you. You don’t know how much good the reflection that you sent me about casting our burdens on the Lord has done for my walk with Christ. Now I would like to share with you what is going on with my family and me.

When I was recently converted, I used to carry a lot of burdens. When I prayed for people it was as if they were putting a very heavy sack on my back. I spent a lot of time feeling the weight of it until God took that feeling away from me. At that time I told my pastor that I did not know how to give my burdens to God, and he gave me some good advice.

In recent times I have tried to encourage others to rest in the Lord to give their burdens to him.

Here in Cuba we are experiencing a lot of pressure in terms of food, the high prices that everything costs and the scarcity. People are very burdened because instead of seeing improvement in the country, it is quite the opposite.  My husband, Rene is one of those who does not spend a day that he is not agitated and burdened. I pray a lot for him.

Typical transportation on the Big Island – a horse drawn carriage

He gets up every day at dawn and goes six kilometers in a horse carriage to work. There are moments when he arrives at work that he can’t even get anything done, because there is no electricity then when he returns home he is so frustrated. He says to me, “you tell me to rest in the Lord, but when you tell me that there is no rice for lunch and that our baby does not have even a snack to eat, how do expect me to respond when you tell me to rest in God.”

Today in the afternoon we were without power. I was sitting in the doorway with my baby. I was talking to God asking him to help my husband to rest in him, because he is working so hard to try to make sure that our family does not need, and that we have at least the basics. At times, I feel that as a family we have been neglected.

Rene arrives very late from the place where he works. Then after a day on the job he goes to the land where his mother lives to plant tomatoes and work some more. He does this so that we have food and to be able to make puree when the tomato is ready to be picked.

He comes home very late and that’s the way it is every day. I just try to pray for him and leave everything in God’s hands, because as his wife God has put me with him and I must support him. I know that Rene works hard. Please help me to pray for him.

Thank you for the good testimony that you shared with me about casting our burdens on the Lord. I sent it to every possible person I could think of, because of what you know that we are going through. 

Today at dawn I have asked God to help me not only believe these truths in my mind, but in my heart as well. This way by giving God my burdens he will take care of them and carry them and thus help me. May the Lord help me every day to depend on him

It is as Pablo says, “I have known how to live in abundance and in scarcity.” I only hope that God continues helping my life to always believe in him and to deposit my burdens on him, because I totally depend on his love and mercy. When the enemy wants to make me see all THE needs, and all that am I going through. I don’t want to lose my focus, because I confess to you that there are times when I lose strength, but God helps me and encourages me. Thank you for being one of those people who help my walk in Christ for good.

I send you a big hug Pastor from the depths of my heart for all your family.

Extend Your Hands to Help Those in Need!
That laughter on the lips or the cackles set off by anything at all have disappeared from Cuban streets. (14ymedio)

Cubans tend to try to see the bright side and they like to laugh, but much of their optimistic spirit has disappeared, because of all the difficulties that they are having to live through. It’s sad to see how challenging every day living has become.

Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider making a gift today to help our familia. Make a gift this Thanksgiving to help a family, like Yolanda’s. You can give by clicking on the link below.

Click to Donate…
Video: A Tale of Two Cities
Tale of Two Cities featuring Jessica’s prayer for toothpaste

Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift to help our precious familia.

In His Grip, Dave

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

Give Thanks: God is Restoring What You’ve Lost

Posted: November 9, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is Answering Our Prayer for Restoration
These are just a few of the special friends that the Lord has brought into our life who have become like family to us.
From the top going clockwise: Yudy, Petri, Dawn, Dave, Roberto, Eliel, Jessica, Tirsa, Sarvia, Berenice, Mariel, Jose Luis, Blanca & Federico; Eliel & Jessica with Sarvia & Tirsa; Juan, Viki, Lucy, Jorge, Dave, Dawn, Blanca and Federico; Monse, Dawn, MiRae and Dave; Dave, Davis, Luz, Dawn, Ashley, Emi and Deivis.

Last Tuesday Dawn and I had lunch with a pastor’s wife from Moscow, Russia. She was telling us about her experience in Russia, and how although she was living in Russia she was actually from Ukraine, and her husband was Russian. It was interesting to hear her perspective on what was going on and how hard life is in Russia. She said that the people in Russia and Ukraine are used to suffering – in that they are used to having to live without things. Our new friend’s name is Tatiana. Dawn even met Tatiana’s daughter.

Dawn and I shared with Tatiana about our daughter, Hannah and how just a couple of weeks ago it was the 6th anniversary of when Hannah moved to heaven. Tatiana was very encouraging as she listened to our story. We told her that since Hannah died we have been praying for God’s restoration and redemption of what we’ve lost and suffered. One of the ways the Lord is answering this prayer is through all the young people that God has brought into our lives that we’ve adopted into our family. They’ve become like family to us. Special friends mainly from Mexico and Cuba. In the last year the Lord blessed us with a special friendship with a young woman from Korea. God is expanding our borders and our family.

We encourage and love on these special friends. They have told us how much they appreciate us, and many of them call us their, Padre and Madre, (Dad and Mom). This is more common in the Latin context, and we love the connection we have with them. The Lord has been wonderfully gracious to grow our family in this way. These relationships are some of the highlights of our ministry. Some of the fruit of our work and God’s work in us.

Our special friends from Ministerios Transformación (MT) led by Pastor Daniel Nuñez and his wife, Yolanda (photo middle left). Some of the church planters we are working with going through an orientation and training (top photo). Dawn praying with Pastor Victor Bravo and his wife, Sol and their son, Abraham (middle right). Our sons David & Jonathan helping build one of MT’s churches in Rosarito (bottom right). Pastor Ivan & Rocio Casados with Dawn and Dave (bottom left).

Someone said recently that a seed has to die and then it goes into the ground and it bears fruit. Although I must admit I don’t understand Hannah’s untimely death I do believe that God is restoring what we have lost. We are seeing increased fruit. I used to feel guilty when I would sense that we were somehow being blessed in someway since Hannah died. God is giving me more peace in this area, and I’m seeing God answering our prayer for restoration.

After we shared our story about Hannah and praying for restoration. Tatiana said she thought we should also start thanking God for answering our prayers. He is answering it through all these beautiful people, sons and daughters that he has brought into our family. God has even given us some additional grandchildren through these relationships.

As Tatiana was sharing with us and encouraging us my eyes began to tear up, as I sensed God’s love and grace.

Job’s Example of Perseverance in Suffering
Some of our familia from the Big Island – From upper left clockwise: Dunesky; Rene & Yarelis; Ernesto & Damara; Adnier & Mariesly (who are now in Dominican Republic); Oniel & Heidy; Mario, Dave, Sara & Yany; Sara, Dave & Justo; Luis & May with their family. What a great group!

The next day the Lord continued to confirm what he was saying to us through Tatiana. I was reading through my devotional and it led me to read about Job in James and in the book of Job.
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“Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

James‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ (emphasis mine)

“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.”
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Job‬ ‭42‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV (emphasis mine)

Even though I had read these passages before this time it hit me in a new way. The timing of when the Lord led me to read about Job’s life was amazing. God uses Job’s perseverance as an example in the New Testament. He was patient in the face of suffering. Job 42 speaks specifically about how God restored what he had lost. I especially love that it says, “The Lord blessed the latter par of Job’s life more than the former part.”

Wow! God is so good. He is full of wonderful kindness. It’s easy to miss if we only look at the pain and suffering. I thank the Lord for His love, and for the amazing ways that he has brought about restoration to our family. It’s an ongoing work, but I already see so much evidence of God’s restorative work!

I hope my reflections would be of encouragement to you. God is able and willing to restore what you have suffered.

Our daughter, Hannah loved the work that we do. She loved ministering with us. She prayed for the pastors we work with. We are raising funds right now to support our two church plants in Mexicali, and our church plant in Oaxaca. We continue to support our familia on the Big Island well.

Join us in Prayer & Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia
Our last family photo taken in July of 2016

You can make a gift to support these works in memory of our daughter, Hannah by clicking on the link below.

Dawn and I invite you to join us through prayer and by giving a special gift today to help advance the kingdom through our church plants on the Border, the Baja and Beyond! Thank you for praying for our family and considering this request!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

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

Celebrating the Advance of the Gospel!

Posted: September 26, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Thankful to be On the Road to Recovery
Dave & Dawn with Monse Santiago the night before my surgery celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day. Lower right Pastor Eliel & Jessica Osorio in Oaxaca. Lower left the celebration on the plaza in Mexico!

I’m grateful for all those that prayed for me this last week. On Friday, September 16, which is also Mexican Independence Day, I had my surgery. I stayed in the hospital overnight, and came home the next day. I’ve been home resting and recovering since then. I’m feeling much better now, so I give thanks to the Lord for His healing work, and for the prayers of his people.

Dawn and I had planned to be in Mexico City for a Discovery Center, our church planter evaluation. We were going to be part of the team to assess and evaluate the church planting candidates. Unfortunately, we missed the Discovery Center, but it went well without us. The only hiccup was an earthquake in Mexico City on the 19th. It wasn’t a major earthquake, but it did cause some fear. It’s interesting that this is the 3rd time since 1985 that there have been earthquakes in Mexico City on September 19th. The last two did cause a lot of damage.

God’s Work Continues to Advance!

Our church planters in Mexicali have been giving us some encouraging updates about how the Lord is working. We actually have a number of church plants going on in Mexicali right now. The two most recent start ups are being led by Pastor Federico and Blanca Muñoz and Pastor Jorge and Lucy Alvarado.

Every week they are sending me photos and encouraging testimonies.

Pastor Federico & Blanca: New Life in Mexicali
Blanca praying for Teresa

Federico and Blanca are still meeting in a park on Sundays. We are praying for a better more permanent place for them, but in the meantime they are faithfully sharing the love of Christ in the park. Blanca loves to send me photos of the church services and the people that they are ministering to. She has a heart to pray for those that come.

She recently told me that she was praying for the people in the park and one of the women that she ministered to is Teresa. She came with her son Fabricio, who is 10 years old. Teresa told Blanca that from the first time she saw them worshipping in the park, her son really wanted to come and participate. In fact, he was insisting that they go. Teresa shared with Blanca how the preaching that morning had touched her. She was very encouraged and she said that she will continue to attend, because she felt God minister to her life and to her son as well. Praise God! (See video below about how Jesus is bringing new life to Mexicali).

Pastor Federico and Blanca Bringing New Life to Mexicali
Pastor Jorge & Lucy: New Birth in Mexicali
Pastor Jorge & Lucy Alvarado

Jorge and Lucy our other church planters in Mexicali are working with a number of people that are being set free from a life of addictions. God has given them a special heart to reach out to people many of whom are living on the streets. It’s so exciting to see these lives that are transformed by the power of the gospel.

We are raising funds for Jorge and Lucy so that they can finish building their church. We only need $2,200 for the windows, doors and air conditioning. It’s great that we are getting so close to finishing! As I’ve mentioned before Mexicali is in the desert, so an air conditioner is essential. (See video below about the new birth in Mexicali.)

New Church led by Pastor Jorge and Lucy
Extend Your Hands to Help!
Dave & Dawn with Jorge and Lucy as their church is being built

Dawn and I are praying for these special friends who are like family to us. We are working on raising funds for their church planting projects. We need $2,200 to finish building the church for Pastor Jorge and Lucy. We are just beginning to raise funds for a building for Pastor Federico and Blanca, so we still need $30,000 for their project. God can do it! It’s exciting to be on this journey with Jesus.

Dawn and I invite you to join us through prayer and giving a special gift to help advance the kingdom in Mexicali and Beyond! We appreciate the pivotal role you play!

  • Join un in prayer for Pastor Jorge and Lucy Alvarado, and for Pastor Federico and Blanca Muñoz
  • Prayerfully consider making a gift today, by clicking on the link below
Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

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

Strengthen the Hands of the Weak

Posted: September 12, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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A Wonderful Trip
Dave and Dawn with Jonathan and Hannah in PA

Dawn and I are returning from a trip to Pennsylvania. We were able to see our son, Jonathan and his wife, Hannah. The Lord also gave us the opportunity to see a few other friends and family who live in the area. We took advantage of the trip to visit two churches one in the Annapolis, Maryland area and one in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

It was a great trip as we hadn’t see Jonathan and Hannah for a year. We loved the opportunity to update our friends in the churches about all that God is doing in Mexico and on the Big Island. When I think about our many friends at the churches that support the ministry, I’m reminded of the importance of prayer for the gospel to expand successfully in the places we are ministering. These friends are so kind and they do truly infuse us with renewed strength to carry on.

Encouraging One Another
Dave and Dawn with Pastor Eliel, Jessica and their two girls Sarvia and Tirsa

I love the interest that people show in what we are doing, and in what God is doing through us. Sometimes we forget the importance of these connections when we are separated.

We don’t always realize how important it is to have people in our lives that encourage us. Friends who stand with us in the battle.

Isaiah 35:3 mentions the importance of strengthening the hands of those who are weak. Paul in Galatians 6:2 writes about bearing one another’s burdens. Dawn and I seek to do strengthen the pastors and leaders we are working with.

Showing Concern for Those in Need
Ernesto sharing the aid that we send with a family in need

Just recently one of our friends, Anna from the Big Island wrote me and said, “You are an excellent pastor, always showing concern for others. This is not very common. I notice that there are fewer pastors and I believe it’s because many of them don’t have someone like you to encourage them.” When I read this I thought, wow! I don’t always realize how important it is to show care and concern for our leaders. I’m grateful the Lord is using both Dawn and me in this way to strengthen the hands of those who are weak, and to help bear others burdens.

Another friend wrote me today and said, “you have been a great blessing to my family and to me. You are to me, as I’ve told you on other occasions, like the apostle Paul. You encourage me and exhort me in the Word of God. God bless you!”

We all need someone to stand with us and to encourage and to exhort us along the way. I recently heard that many pastors in the USA have been leaving the ministry because of discouragement especially during this season that we’ve been living through. The circumstances are even more difficult in Mexico and on the Big Island, so we pray and we seek to strengthen our friends. Our desire is to see healthy ministers of the gospel, who have strong families.

Who Cares for the Pastors?
VBS at one of our churches on the Big Island

Who cares for the pastors? Often pastors and leaders feel lonely and isolated. They don’t know where to go for the support that they need.

I think we tend to underestimate the necessity of having friends and family in our corner who show concern for us. We desire to be those friends for the pastors and leaders that we are working with. We also give thanks for the many friends that help us along the way. I think that is one of the privileges that we have as missionaries. There are a lot of people who pray for us, and who are cheering us on.

Thank you for being one of those friends. You are very important to us. You play a pivotal role in our lives and ministry. We give thanks for you!

Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia
From an article in the BBC, August 17 2022. You can read the article here…

As stated in the photo above our familia on the Big Island is facing their worst economic crisis in 30 years. Dawn and I are sending aid every month to help the pastors and families on the Big Island. Since the COVID-19 hit in March 2020, we’ve been able to help more than 2,000 people in 9 different cities.

Your gifts are making a difference in this nation with tremendous needs that are difficult to meet. God is using you, because even where your feet cannot reach, your prayers can reach! Your offerings of love can reach!

You can be part of a team in the hands of God, and TOGETHER we can make a difference! Pray with us and extend your hands to help our familia. Make a Donation Today.

Thank you for your prayers and for your support for this work on the Big Island!

Click to Donate…
Video: A Tale of Two Cities

Tale of Two Cities featuring Jessica’s prayer for toothpaste

Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift to help our precious familia.

In His Grip, Dave

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

God’s Healing Hand in Oaxaca

Posted: July 26, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
Tags: , , , , ,
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Stories of God’s Goodness & Grace

Angel, Damaris, Sarah and Amelie

One of the joys that Dawn and I experience as we minister is the wonderful people we meet. We love hearing their stories. Many of them have amazing testimonies of God’s goodness and grace.

On our past trip to Oaxaca we met new friends. It was so good to get to know the team that Pastor Eliel and Jessica have assembled to work with them on their church plant. We enjoyed meeting them, and hearing all that God has done and is doing in their lives.

Angel and Damaris Ocampo – Leading Worship
Angel and Damaris

One of the special families that we met was Angel and Damaris. Eliel and Jessica recruited them to lead worship for the church. They have wonderful gifts in music, and their love for the Lord is evident. We loved worshiping the Lord with them.

After church on Sunday we went out for lunch with the leadership team which included Angel and Damaris. While we were eating our Tlayudas, which is like a Mexican pizza, we got to know them better. Dawn told Angel and Damaris that I was having some problems with my prostate and that my doctor wants to perform a surgery to improve my health. We asked them to pray for us, and specifically for God’s healing hand.

Damaris’s Amazing Testimony
Angel and Damaris leading worship in Oaxaca

When we finished our meal Damaris wanted to pray for us. She believes that God can heal my prostate. In the process she told us how God had healed her.

A few years ago Damaris had some fibroids growing in her uterus. The doctor felt like they needed to perform a surgery to take them out. when they went in to surgically remove her fibroids they discovered that the problem was bigger than they first thought. For this reason they had to take out Damaris’s uterus. The doctor told her that she would never be able to have children.

Damaris is short of stature, but she is mighty of faith. She believed that she would one day have children and she prayed for God to bless her in this way. Even when she recounted this story to us we could see the strength of her faith.

She never lost hope and Angel and Damaris prayed together. Damaris said that friends and some family members began to tell her that maybe she should accept the fact that she couldn’t have children by natural birth. Yet, Damaris was determined, she believe and she continued to pray.

After some time she thought that she might be pregnant. Damaris took the the pregnancy test and it came out positive. She went to the doctor, and told the doctor about her test. The doctor said, “that’s not possible, you don’t have a uterus.” Damaris insisted that the doctor check. Finally, they did an exam, and said in surprise, “we don’t know how, but you are pregnant!”

The doctor couldn’t believe it! He said, “it’s not possible since you don’t have a uterus!” When he performed the medical exam he noticed that her uterus was perfectly healthy. God does good work when he heals! Angel and Damaris had a little girl, who they named, Sarah. Since then the Lord has given them the gift of another little girl, Amelie.

Damaris with Sarah

Damaris’s testimony strengthened Dawn and my faith. We hope it might do the same for you! After she shared her testimony she prayed for us. She prayed that God would do a miraculous healing work in my life. As she prayed we felt the presence and power of God. God is so good! He does indeed hear and answer our prayers.

I did have my prostate checked this week, and I’m not healed yet. The doctor said that I need to have surgery in the next 6 weeks. We are praying for God’s healing touch, while realizing this might come through the doctor.

Damaris and Angel’s testimony encouraged us a great deal, and we hope it will strengthen and encourage you as well.

Join us in Prayer
Dawn in Oaxaca with Eliel, Jessica, Tirsa (she’s a little tired from the day out) and Sarvia
  • Pray for Angel & Damaris and they lead worship and minister with Pastor Eliel and Jessica.
  • Pray with us for Pastor Eliel, Jessica and their team as they plant the church in Oaxaca.
  • Pray for a more permanent place for them to meet where they can make the best impact.
  • Pray for more lives to be transformed by the gospel.
  • Pray that the Lord will provide the funding for the land and for this church planting project.
  • Please prayerfully consider making a donation today to help Pastor Eliel and Jessica reach Oaxaca for Christ.
Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia
Some of the people and families that we are helping 

We are still sending funds every month to help the pastors and families on the Big Island. We would like to raise at least $18,000 this year to cover these needs.

Since the COVID-19 hit in March 2020, we’ve been able to help more than 2,000 people in 9 different cities, because of the generous gifts of many friends like you. Although we cannot help all 11 million people on the Big Island we can help some. It is a nation with tremendous needs. Where your feet cannot go, your prayers can go! Your offerings of love can go! You can extend your hands to bless these men, women and families who are waiting for a miracle every day.

Help us help the church and our familia! Will you join us? Please prayerfully consider partnering with us to help us bring aid to these beautiful people.

Thank you for your prayers and for your support for this work on the Big Island!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

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

God’s Amazing Story in Oaxaca!

Posted: July 19, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
Tags: , , , , ,
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The Church is on the Move in Oaxaca
Pastor Eliel, Jessica and their two girls, Sarvia and Tirsa

Dawn and I just returned from an amazing trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. We are thrilled with all that God is doing in this city through Pastor Eliel and Jessica Osorio.

Dawn and Dave in Oaxaca

Eliel and Jessica have raised up an amazingly talented young team that are helping them plant their church in the northern part of of the city. They began planting their church in the middle of the pandemic, which is no easy task. At first they were forced to meet remotely, but in September of 2021 they launched their services, and the church took off!

Every week they have new people coming to the church. Dawn and I enjoyed meeting a number of them while we were there. God is clearly on the move, and they’ve become our fastest growing church plant. On Easter Sunday 110 people showed up, and they’ve been averaging 82 since then. Pray for them as they reach young people for Christ.

A Birthday Celebration – A Changed Life
Celebrating Irving’s birthday with friends (he’s seated in the middle)

We attended a birthday celebration 🥳 at their house on Saturday evening. One of the young men, Irving celebrated his 20th birthday. When Irving’s mom asked him how he wanted to celebrate his birthday, he said that his friends at church had become like family to him, and that he wanted to have a party with them. The only problem was that Irving’s parents home isn’t big enough to host all the people. Eliel heard of Irving’s dilemma, and said why don’t you have the party at our house.

It was a great time, and so good to see all the happy faces at the fiesta, which included a piñata🪅!

Eliel and Jessica have done at outstanding job of creating a safe, friendly and fun community. The majority of their church is made up of young people in their 20’s and 30’s. This group is under reached in Mexico.

Eliel & Jessica’s Dream
Eliel leading Sunday worship

Pastor Eliel has a vision to create a community center that will be an attractive place for young people to come and hang out. Apart from being the gathering place for church on Sunday it will provide opportunities for outreach during the week. They can come for a cup of coffee with a friend, take music lessons, and play games.

Angel and Damaris are key leaders for the church, and they are gifted musically. They lead the worship, and have built a wonderful group to lead with them. Dawn and I throughly enjoyed worshipping with them. Angel and Damaris are also teaching music during the week, which is something they would like to be able to do at the church once they have a more permanent place to meet.

Eliel took us by one property that they are looking at the possibility of renting. This particular location is ideal as it is just a couple blocks away from a college. This would provide them with a wonderful opportunity to reach out with the love of Christ to the students. It may be possible to buy the property as the church grows.

Join us in Prayer
Dawn in Oaxaca with Eliel, Jessica, Tirsa (she’s a little tired from the day out) and Sarvia

  • Pray with us for Pastor Eliel, Jessica and their team as they plant the church in Oaxaca.
  • Pray for a more permanent place for them to meet where they can make the best impact.
  • Pray for more lives like Irving’s to be transformed by the gospel.
  • Pray that the Lord will provide the funding for the land and for this church planting project.
  • Please prayerfully consider making a donation today to help Pastor Eliel and Jessica reach Oaxaca for Christ.
Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

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

God Speaks Through Dates

Posted: May 26, 2022 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
Tags: , , , ,
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A Special Day for Our Family
Our family at David & Emily’s wedding – Jonathan, Hannah, Grandma Alice Moore, Dawn, David Jr., Emily, David Sr., Grandpa Ron Diaso

I’m getting this out late, because I was driving up to Fresno most of the day, but I wanted to get it out before I went to bed.

Today is a very special day for my family two years ago today my dad moved to heaven and three years ago today our son David married Emily. It’s their third anniversary.

This year especially God has been speaking to me and using the important dates of our biological and spiritual family. For example, our granddaughter, Serafina was born on April 29 and God gave me Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 4:29 – starting with verse with 26 to 30.

God’s Good Promises

“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.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Today I feel like God is giving me Ephesians 5:26 and the verses surrounding it. This passage emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Spirit and it also speaks about marriage. The wife is to respect her husband and the husband needs to show love to his wife as Christ loves the church. This is a perfect love without blemish. The wife cannot be truly successful in respecting her husband well if she is not filled with the Spirit. The husband cannot show unconditional love to his wife if he is not filled with the Spirit.

The Spirit makes all the difference!

If I am honest even in my own life I know that there are things I can do better to love my beloved wife, Dawn in a way that honors Christ. I’d like to encourage each of you to be filled with the Spirit. Grow in the Spirit. For those who are married, love your spouse like Christ loves the church, show respect like Christ and even forgive like Christ that way you will be filled with joy in this life.

Ronald J. Diaso – Life in the Spirit
Ronald John Diaso – 6/19/1935-5/26/2020

I find it special that my dad affirmed his faith just before he moved to heaven. God made it clear to us that he was filled with the Spirit as he confessed his sins and prayed to receive Christ forgiveness just days before he parted this world. Another special memory is that David and Emily called my dad the day before he died and told him that they wanted to name their first daughter, Serafina. My great grandmother was also named Serafina. That brought tears to my dad’s eyes. God has blessed us with a beautiful granddaughter who was born in April 29 of 2021..

A Christ Centered Marriage

It’s also encouraging that this passage in Ephesians 5 that it speaks about a Christ centered and a Spirit filled marriage on David and Emily’s anniversary!

David & Emily – Married on 5/26/2019

I pray daily for David and Emily’s marriage. I do the same for Jonathan and Hannah’s marriage. I trust that God hears and he watches over them and protects them. Hallelujah! Amen!

Join us in prayer for our family!

Ephesians 5:18-30

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.”

Ephesians‬ ‭5:18-30‬ ‭ESV‬‬
Help take the Gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond!
Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave
BeyondBordersLife.org

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