Posts Tagged ‘encouraging pastors’

Ian, Aid & the Gospel in Cuba

Posted: October 11, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Hurricane Ian Caused Major Damage in Cuba
Pastor Jesus and the damage that his house church suffered

Since Hurricane Ian hit western Cuba it’s been difficult to communicate with our familia on the island. Many were without electricity for 2 days or more. The power grid has been an ongoing issue. I spoke with pastor Marco today and he told me that they only have power for four hours, and then it’s turned off for four hours. It’s been like that every day. Other pastors have told me that they’ve gone up to 20 hours without any juice for their electrical needs.

In some areas especially hit hard by the hurricane the people experienced the putrid smell of rotting food, since they didn’t have a way to refrigerate their food. This was happening even before Ian, but the hurricane served to exacerbate the problem.

A woman stands among the rubble of a home in western Cuba
The storm devastated Pinar Del Rio province, home to much of the tobacco used in Cuban cigars. (photo Getty Images)

Last night I spoke with pastor Ernesto and he told me that his house that also serves as the church suffered at least $600 in damages. Another pastor, Jesus that lives in the same city also lost his roof, and it will cost $600 or more to repair his house.

The damage that Hurricane Ian caused to Pastor Ernesto’s home church

It’s been heartbreaking to see the photos and learn of what’s happening. The difference between what Cuba experienced and what our friends in Florida experienced is that the aid is much more difficult to get in Cuba, and it takes a lot longer to receive help. We are doing everything we can to send aid and relief to our familia there.

God is at Work in the Fray
Pastor Ernesto faithful to point people to Jesus and to share the aid that we are sending with families who are in need

Despite all the challenges the pastors I’m in contact with are continuing to faithfully share the love of Christ. One of our churches reported 87 coming to their service and 2 new people coming to Christ. 87 is a larger church on the Island, because the majority of churches meet in the pastor’s home.

Sometimes we wonder when the needs are so great how much the aid that we are sending actually helps. Last night one of our pastors, Ernesto sent me an encouraging note.

Pastor God bless you, I want to take this opportunity to thank you because about 4 days ago I had to buy medicine for my daughter that cost me 75% of my salary that the church pays me. Your help has been a blessing. I wanted to thank you, we value your support and concern for us. My daughter was having an allergic crisis but she is now stable. Thank you man, thank you!

Pastor Ernesto

Can you imagine having to spend 75% of your salary on a medicine for allergies? I’m not sure if he’s referring to asthma or an allergic reaction, but either way it was a serious situation and the cost for the medicine consumed the majority of his salary.

This is just one example of the need, and how we are helping. We would like to help the two pastors, Jesus and Ernesto that I mentioned above who need to replace their roof. The total for the two roofs is $1,200.

Extend your hands to help!
From an article in the BBC, August 17 2022. You can read the article here…

Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider making a gift today to help our familia. 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

Pray for Our Familia in Cuba

Posted: September 29, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Hurricane Ian Adds to the Hardship
The damage from Hurricane Ian to one of our pastor’s homes

Hurricane Ian hit western Cuba hard, and it knocked out their power grid. It’s been tough to get much news from our familia in Cuba, because of all of the damage done by the hurricane. I just heard from Pastor Rafael who lives in central Cuba, and he asked for prayer, because they’ve been without electricity for the last two days.

One of our pastors, Ernesto reported that the roof of their home (photo above) was severely damaged and rain is coming into their house. Even before the hurricane landed many were experiencing electricity black outs for up to 20 hours. Pastor Justin told me that he and his wife were having to cook at 12 at night or 1 in the morning, because that’s the only time they had electricity.

Join is in Prayer for our familia!

We are sending aid to help pastors, their families and people in their congregations. We just sent an offering to them this week, and one of the pastors wrote me back with this response.

Pastor Ernesto is always faithful to share the aid that we send him
Pastor Ernesto’s Message of Gratitude

Thank you for the love offering. Earlier today our pastor friend, Justin sent me the offering that you sent for us. You can believe me that in my case, my family and I were already in urgent need of some help. Tomorrow I’m planning to go out to help several families who are also in need. Well at the end of the month things get very difficult, because there is no longer a basic basket of food leftover.

Thank you for advocating for us and praying for us before God and our brothers for our help. Here we pray for your recovery from your surgery. We send you a big hug and a healthy recovery.

Pastor Ernesto
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. It’s just gotten worse for many as their homes have been damaged by Hurricane Ian.

It’s because of these ongoing needs that we continue to make appeals to heaven and to you for aid for our precious familia in Cuba. Please consider extending your hands and giving a gift today!

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

Jesus Sets a Runaway Free

Posted: August 24, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Israel’s Story of God’s Redeeming Love
Pastor Humberto with Israel

The Lord continues to encourage us through the pain that we feel for our familia on the Big Island. It is the tale of two cities, the best of times and worst of times. What gives us hope in light of the darkness, is God’s wonderful acts of redemption.

There are some amazing testimonies coming from our friends and familia on the Big Island. Pastor Humberto told me about a young man, Israel that recently came to Christ. Israel grew up in an extremely dysfunctional home. He was abused by his stepfather. He was beaten and treated poorly from a young age. His mother prostituted herself in order to survive. In the midst of living through this constant state of turmoil Israel got so desperate that he tried to leave the Big Island on a boat, but he was detained by the police. All of these circumstances made Israel hungry for something more. At Israel’s lowest point Pastor Humberto was able to share the love of Christ with him and he prayed to receive Christ, and he was recently baptized.

God is at work redeeming lives of people like Israel!

Life with Little or No Electricity
Thankful to receive help as Pastor Ernesto shares the aid that we are sending

Life on the Big Island is so difficult. Many of the pastors that we work with have told us that they are having to live with up to 20 hours a day without any electricity. One pastor, Rolando told me that they are having to cook their meals at night at 12 AM or 1 AM in the morning, because that’s the only time that they have any power for their stove. They don’t have a way to cool themselves in the extreme summer heat. Also, not having electricity means they can’t charge their phones to communicate. It’s gotten harder for me to stay in close contact with the pastors there. Even though it doesn’t seem possible the situation continues to worsen. There are many challenges that our familia faces along with the rising cost of food and basic needs. It always breaks my heart to hear their stories.

Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia
Pastor Ernesto giving the aid that we are sending to a needy family

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
A 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 is Advancing His Kingdom on the Big Island!

Posted: August 9, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Faithful to Pray for Our Needs
Our familia loves to worship

Much to my chagrin, I found out recently that I need to have surgery on my prostate. Dawn and I told the pastors that we work with in the US, Mexico and Cuba and they all have been concerned for us. They are praying that God will heal me. Some of the pastors have called me and prayed for me via phone or video calls. It encourages us a great deal that so many people love us, and they show it through their faithful prayers.

Our friends in Cuba are some of our most faithful prayer warriors. They’ve had to live with so little. Every time I talk to them things are worse than the last time. Prices continue to climb, and they are often without electricity. They can go anywhere from 5 hours to 20 hours without electricity during these very hot summer months.

The Church is Growing and Lives are Being Transformed
Sharing the good news of the gospel in season and out of season

One of my friends, *Ernesto called me recently and he told me how they are faithfully praying and fasting. He shared some wonderful news about how the gospel is advancing. They have shared the gospel with more than 120 people and 34 of them have given their lives to Christ and they are now involved in discipleship.

One of the people that came to Christ is *Hilda. God brought Hilda out of witchcraft, which is very common on the Big Island. She was without hope until she found Christ. Her dad recently passed away, but God set her free and He is helping her get through this trial. Now she is faithfully worshipping the Lord and serving in the church.

God’s Faithfulness to Sustain His People
Pastor Ernesto with the piano that we helped them buy, bags of food for people in need, and the church benches

Another woman, *Diana was involved in a serious accident in her home, and her two year old son was completely burned. A few days after the accident he passed away. Instead of blaming God she’s looked to Him to strengthen her as she walks through the valley of the shadow of death. It is not easy, but the Lord is comforting Diana and He is strengthening her.

Ernesto thanked me for the financial support that we have sent them which allows for people in his church to buy food and basic needs. Last year they were able to buy a piano for their worship services. Before they worshipped without any musical instruments. They also bought nine benches so that people had a place to sit during their worship services. I always wish we could send more, but I’m encouraged by how the offerings that we are sending go so far in helping them.

Pray for Our Familia
Prayer in Camaguey. These people are warriors!

Prayer in one of the churches that we partner with.  Our familia is committed to pray!

One of the other pastors that we are working with on the Big Island, *Rolando said, “thank you very much for your prayer support for all of the challenges that we are facing. We pray that God will give us wisdom and strength to continue advancing the Kingdom of God on the Big Island. We also ask for protection for each pastor in our country, we know that the times are difficult. Another prayer need we have is to ask God to provide workers for the harvest. Every day it’s harder to find people willing to serve the Lord.”

“We want to deeply thank you for all the love and support for the advance of the Kingdom of God on the Big Island. God is using all of you who are praying and supporting us financially to participate in the good work of the gospel. You are participating in all that God is doing and will do in the future in our country.” Praise the Lord for His marvelous work!
*(The names have been changed for security reasons)

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 $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.

It is true that we will not be able to help the more than 11 million people on the Big Island. It is a nation with tremendous needs that are difficult to meet, but where your feet cannot reach, your prayers can reach! Your offerings of love can reach!

God is working on the Big Island. 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
A 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

The Church is on Fire in Mexicali

Posted: August 4, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Heat is on as God is Building His Church
Pastor Federico and Blanca Muñoz ministering in the park

I just spoke to Pastor Federico Muñoz and he said that it’s been up to 122 degrees in Mexicali this summer. That’s hot 🥵! The church doesn’t have a building, so they are meeting outside in the park. They have started meeting a couple hours earlier during the summer to beat the heat, but it still has effected their attendance.

In spite of these obstacles the gospel is going forth and lives are being changed. Federico and Blanca are some of our most committed pastors. I’m always amazed by their faith and their willingness to make sacrifices so that the gospel might advance. Their faith is a great example to me and they encourage Dawn and me a great deal.

They wrote me this week and shared some testimonies from their ministry. I think these will lift you up as you read them.

Rene – Freed from Witchcraft
Rene far right worshipping the Lord

Rene, who is a boxer and the brother of one of the leaders in the church has been involved in witchcraft. He had made a vow with the saint of death, which is a thing in Mexico. He actually worshipped this “saint”.

Federico and Blanca prayed for him and through prayer they broke off the vows Rene had made so that he would be free. After they prayed, he felt peace and he started sleeping well at night after months of nightmares and fear. They continue discipling Rene and you can see the difference in him. He is very happy for the change that the power of God has brought in his life. Praise the Lord!

Katia – Freed from Drugs
Blanca praying with Katia

Katia, a single mother suffered greatly as she was addicted to drugs for a number of years. Some friends from the church, Anibel and Miriam were helping her care for her baby. They began to share with Katia about the love of God. She recently came to one of the church services so that Federico and Blanca could minister to her. As Blanca prayed for her, Katia began to cry. Blanca hugged her and told her that God wanted to strengthen her and heal her of all her wounds. She told her, “God loves you and your baby.” Katia is beginning to grow as she experiences of the love of the Father.

Alberto – Physical and Spiritual Healing
Blanca praying with Alberto

A little over a week ago Alberto’s brother was in a terrible accident. He was fighting for his life. Anibel and Miriam the same women that ministered to Katia and brought her to church are friends of Alberto and his family as well. Anibel y Miriam asked Federico and Blanca to pray for Alberto and his family. Last Sunday Alberto and his brother, Jonathan came to church to give thanks that their brother who was involved in the accident was doing much better and that he was no longer in danger of dying.

We can see in these testimonies that each of these people, Rene, Katia and Alberto are experiencing a real living God who has the power to change and transform lives. It’s thrilling to see the Father work through his children and his church.

Every week Federico and Blanca are seeing the fire 🔥 of God touch the lives of people in need. There’s a spiritual fire, the power of God as they worship in a place where there is much heat.

Join us in Prayer
From left to right: Daniel, Federico, Blanca, David, Damaris, Paola, Junior, Maykela and David

Pray with us for Pastor Federico and Blanca and their team as they continue to share the love of Christ in Mexicali. We are praying for a more permanent, cooler place for them to meet. Pray with us for the funds for a building or some land where we can build a church.

Video: New Life in Mexicali
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
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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

Waiting for a Miracle

Posted: June 28, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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My Heart is Saddened

I just got off the phone with one of the pastors from the Big Island. He told me that it’s getting more difficult by the day. Their electricity is being cut off anywhere from 5 to 10 hours a day. That makes it hard to cook, and it’s very hot and humid there so they are going without air conditioning or even fans during all those hours.

Pastor Justin giving a bag a beans to one of the families in need

We are sending aid to a number of pastors and their families. Yet it seems like so little compared to the overwhelming need. It’s hard to imagine, but the conditions continue to worsen.

It saddens me to hear our friends, our familia share all that they are living through. I continue to pray, and hope that we can do even more than we are doing to help.

Pastor Justin told me that thousands of people are leaving the Big Island. Pastors are leaving their churches either for a higher paying job or to immigrate to other countries that offer more hope. Many churches are left without pastors, because of this.

Pray for Our Beautiful Familia
God is at work and the church is growing despite all the difficulties

Another one of my pastor friends, Rolando told me that he is traveling 650 miles on bus this week to visit and strengthen the churches that he is working with. I can assure that the buses and roads there are nothing like they are here. I’m concerned for the health of these pastors who are working such long hours. They are not able to eat a healthy diet, and when they get sick there are few medicines available to help them.

The people stand in long lines to get their food and other basic needs

The average salary on the Big Island is 25 USD per month, and the salaries have not increased even though beans, rice, chicken, cooking oil, soap and other basic needs have skyrocketed. To buy anything, they have to stand in long lines throughout the day (5 to 8 hours). To buy a liter of oil costs 10% of a monthly salary. The country is bankrupt, all that is very sad.

You can Help!
Some of the people and families that we are helping

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.

We are 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.

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…
Video: A Tale of Two Cities
A 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

Video Update: New Birth in Mexicali

Posted: June 20, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
Tags: , , , ,
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God is Building His Church in Mexicali
Pastor Jorge and Lucy Alvarado

Pastor Jorge Alvarado and his wife Lucy just launched a new church in Mexicali, Mexico. Mexicali is the capital of Baja California. It’s an influential city on the border 2 1/2 hours east of Tijuana.

We are partnering with our good friends, Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries) led by Pastor Daniel Nuñez, who has a God-given vision to plant 50 churches. Dawn and I have enjoyed our relationship with all the pastors and leaders with Ministerios Transformación. We give thanks to the Lord for opening the door for us to train and mentor many of them. It’s one of the most fruitful church planting ministries that we’ve partnered with in all of our years in missions.

We are thrilled to see how the light of Christ shines through this new church and the ministry of Jorge and Lucy. After being saved out of a life trapped in addictions, Jorge and Lucy want to help people break free of the chains of addiction through Christ.

Pastor Jorge and Lucy have an amazing testimony that I wrote about in three earlier posts: A New Birth!; A New Birth in Mexicali; Jesus Brings Beauty From Ashes.

Video: New Birth in Mexicali

We put together a short video about the ministry in Mexicali, which includes an interview with Pastor Daniel Nuñez as well as Pastor Jorge and Lucy. They have a great story, that we are sure you will enjoy.

Help Us to Complete Building This Church!

God is on the move in Mexicali! He is building His church. One of the challenges of ministering in Mexicali is that it is in the desert. It’s hot, and the temperature often exceeds 100.

We’ve raised enough funds to put up the walls and part of the roof, but we haven’t completed the project. There’s a big need to finish the roof and walls and to put in air conditioning as they head into the summer months, and the temperature rises. We are working on raising an additional $6,000 to finish building the church.

Would you prayerfully consider making a donation today to help us finish building this church? We are almost there! Please consider giving a gift of $50, $100, $250, $1,000, or more to plant a new church in Mexicali, Mexico. This will also encourage and help equip Pastor Jorge and Lucy who are bringing the love of Christ to their neighborhood, and this city. Dawn and I appreciate the pivotal role you play!

  • Join us in prayer for Jorge and Lucy
  • 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

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