Posts Tagged ‘Friends’

Celebrating My Friends & Colaborers!

Posted: December 13, 2017 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions
Tags: , , , , , ,
5
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

The Jagged Upward Path

Posted: February 22, 2016 in Christianity, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
6
The Journey Continues
The Diaso Family at the border - with the U.S./Mexico border fence in the background

Dawn, Jon, Hannah, David Jr. and Dave at the border – with the U.S./Mexico border fence in the background

Last year at this time are family was going through some deep waters. At times, it felt like hell on earth! Pardon the expression, but it seems to fit. We cried out to you for prayer, and many people sent encouraging notes and surrounded us in prayer.

Dawn and I give thanks for you! You hold us up. I don’t think we would have made it without your loving support.

Now that we are a year removed from that experience there are some important lessons learned. We are not completely through the trial yet, although we’ve come a long way towards healing since then. We’ve learned and continue to learn about the spiritual battle that we are in. The Lord is deepening us and refining us through the refiner’s fire.

Healing in His Wings
Hannah is excited to be starting IMPACT 195

Hannah at her school – IMPACT 195

The Lord has used all kinds of friends and wonderful people to come alongside us and to help us on this journey. The discipleship school that Hannah is in IMPACT 195 has been a huge encouragement to Hannah. She has made some wonderful friends, and God has blessed her with some tremendous mentors. Yay Jesus!

There are so many friends that have lifted us up along the way, it’s not possible to mention them all. I will say of those that are close to where we live the pastors and leaders we work with on both sides of the border have been such a blessing to us.

Some of the pastors that I mention often in my blog like, Ivan Casados, Jaime Rodriguez, Daniel Nuñez, Victor Bravo, Abraham Velazquez, Mauro Lopez, Cesar Zavala and Mario Perez among others have asked their church to lift us up in prayer. Every time I talk to them they always ask about our family, and tell us they are praying for us!

Their prayers and your prayers make us feel so loved! It truly lifts our spirits.

God’s Promises

God promises to use trials for our good to build patience, character and hope. We see that happening, although it’s not easy. We are learning things about the Christian life, prayer and spiritual warfare that we would have never learned without this difficult season.

We are often reminded of our weakness through this trial, but God promises that his grace is sufficient.

…”My grace is sufficient for you, and for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

—2 Corinthians 12:9

This is one of Hannah’s favorite Bible verses. Doesn’t it make you feel better knowing that the Lord uses our pain and our weaknesses? I find it to be a source of peace.

The Battle Rages On
The Sunset on the Pacific - near Cabo San Lucas

Sunset on the Pacific

Make no mistake about it, if you are a follower of Jesus then you are in a battle. It’s not a physical battle, although it surely affects us physically. Paul tells us to stand firm in this battle and to put on the armor of God. I think too many Christians don’t take seriously enough the war that we are in.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

—Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV

I’m so thankful that the Lord doesn’t leave us defenseless, but he equips us with the appropriate armor so that we can stand firm. We have victory in Christ! We are more than conquerors! Yet the battle rages on.

I love the powerful promise that the Lord gives us. He gives us hope.

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”

—2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV

What a wonderful promise. The weapons that God has given us have divine power. They are powerful enough to destroy the strongholds. As we stand together as a body we are stronger. The church is triumphant in Christ.

These Trials Have a Purpose

Just yesterday a friend and mentor of ours sent us a note of encouragement. She said,

“The word says what Satan intended for bad God will use for good. All this mess you have had to go through will bring great victory to many. You have plowed deep trenches Hannah. Not an easy way but others will come through easier because of this. The way of the Master is good. Many are those God has called to be part of this battle.”

Excited about all that God is doing in Hannah's life!

We are excited about all that the Lord is doing in Hannah’s Life!

We are not through the battle yet. We still need your prayers and encouragement. Thanks so much for standing with us, and for all your love. Let’s march forward together in Christ!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

24 Reasons to be Hopeful in 2015!

Posted: January 9, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
Tags: , , , , , ,
2
The Band of Brothers & Sisters at LMT
Some of the pastors and their wives from Lo Mejor del Trigo

Some of the pastors and their wives from Lo Mejor del Trigo

On Monday evening Dawn and I had the privilege of being with some of my favorite people in the world, the pastors and wives from Lo Mejor del Trigo (LMT). We shared a delicious meal of Birria, and then we met together upstairs in the sanctuary.

The pastors there represented the 24 churches that are part of LMT. This gives me 24 reasons and counting to be hopeful in 2015.

We Prayed for a Movement!
The foundation has been laid for the church #24 in Rosarito near Tijuana

The foundation has been laid for the church #24 in Rosarito near Tijuana

When I first met Daniel Nuñez about 5 years ago, they only had 6 or 7 churches. It’s been thrilling to be on this ride and watch them grow from 7 to 24 in just a few short years. The Harbor network of churches who we partner with north of the border is getting ready to help LMT establish their 24th church. This will be the 4th church that LMT and Harbor have come together to start.

Before Dawn and I moved to the border we prayed to the Lord and asked him to let us be part of a church planting movement. He has heard our prayer! We are also connecting with some other ministries that desire to plant churches. One of them is the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico. We are working with them to plant churches on the border and in Baja California.

The Highs & Lows of 2014
Pastor Daniel Nuñez and Victor Bravo with Dave

Pastor Daniel Nuñez the leader of Lo Mejor del Trigo and Victor Bravo, one of our newest church planters with Dave. We are planning on starting a new church in Rosarito in early 2015

Getting back to Dawn and my special night with our friends from LMT. While we were together we shared our highs and lows of the year. It was a rich time to learn about the great opportunities and challenges that the pastors faced in the last year.

I shared about how this last year had been one of our most difficult years, and yet I felt that the Lord has taken us so much deeper. Our love for him has grown. It has both Dawn and I longing for more, and excited about what our Lord has for us this year. We don’t want the pain that the trial produced, but we do more of God.

Can we have one without the other? I think we can, but I also know God has a purpose and a plan for the trials he brings our way. If we do have do endure more, he will hold us up!

On the way home Dawn and I were talking to pastor Jaime Rodriguez. I told him that I felt honored to be included in the meeting with all the Lo Mejor del Trigo pastors, even though I’m not part of LMT. He said you are one of us, you are part of us. Well, that was the cherry on top of the night.

Jesus, Hear Our Prayer

Lord, I know when something grows for the kingdom that the evil one wants to attack. I pray for your protection, and that this movement will continue to blossom. Christ said in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. That gives us hope moving forward that the church is built on a firm foundation.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

My Faith Filled Friends!

Posted: December 2, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
Tags: , , , , ,
1
Counting the Blessings of Special Friends!
Pastor Daniel Nuñez and Victor Bravo with Dave

Pastor Daniel Nuñez the leader of Lo Mejor del Trigo and Victor Bravo, one of our newest church planters with Dave

I’m often reminded of the many blessings Dawn and I have in working with the people we minister alongside with on the border and in the Baja. I just love the variety of those we serve with. Their love for Christ and growth in Christ challenges me to grow.

I find that some of the most valuable lessons are learn are from very humble people who love Jesus. They may not have all the training that I have, but they love our Lord and they challenge me to grow in my faith.

One of the dangers of having studied a lot is that it is easy to become like the pharisees and scribes. You might remember that Jesus didn’t speak very highly of them. It is not my goal to be like a hard-hearted, stiff-necked pharisee. By the way, you don’t have to have studied a lot to become like a pharisee. It’s a danger for all of us.

God Uses Our Friends in Our Lives for His Good
Good times with our friends from Ensenada

Our friends from Ensenada from the church La Nueva Jerusalen

The friends that we serve with challenge my faith. They don’t let me rest on my laurels. Some of the pastors that Dawn and I work with have very little training, and yet we learn so much from them. We grow in Christ, because of them.

I’m grateful for the bigness and the grandness of the kingdom. There are no little people in God’s kingdom. Those that are in Christ have significance, because of who we have become in Christ. This is one of the great truths of the Bible.

We are sons and daughters of our Father. We have been adopted into his family. We can call our Father, Abba, Father! He is our daddy!

Paul and Linda Kim with the pastors from Lo Mejor del Trigo

Some of the wonderful pastors from Lo Mejor del Trigo In Tijuana and San Diego that we serve with

One of the reasons my friends who are in ministry challenge me to grow in my faith is that they are different from me. I see them trusting God in incredible ways. Some of them live in very humble surroundings. It’s hard, but they serve joyfully. They have an amazing amount of faith. I praise the Lord for them!

I aspire to be more like my faith filled friends. I’m grateful to call them amigo and to walk this journey of faith with them!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Does Ministry Have to be Boring?

Posted: November 19, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
Tags: , , , , ,
0
Thank God for the Good Times
Good times with our friends from Ensenada

Good times with our friends from Ensenada

Sometimes life can get too serious! Sometimes I get overly serious. There is a time for that, but thank God for all the fun we have in ministry.

So the answer to the above question is a resounding, NO!

Ministry does not have to be boring.

One thing I love about Mexico is how everything happens through relationships, which usually means there is food involved!

On Monday Dawn, David, Hannah and I enjoyed a great time with our friends from Ensenada. We got to know them this summer through the ministry we did with the Skyview missions team from Denver that came to work with the church in Ensenada.

We’ve grown to love the people and the church in Ensenada, La Nueva Jerusalén. They are a fun group!

Dawn preparing the wonderful meal with Leo & Luz

Dawn preparing the wonderful meal with Leo & Luz

We took advantage of our time together to plan and dream together. I’m working with the leadership of the church, Jesus & Yudi Petrikowski and Jorge & Luz Salazar on a medical outreach in Ensenada this Spring. Redeemer San Diego is going to be sending down a group of doctors to minister with the church.

Jesus shared about some of the missions projects they have going on in and around Ensenada. We hope one day to be able join hands with them on a new church planting project. Pray with us that the Lord will make a way for that to happen! We have a couple that is interested in joining our MTW team, and they would like to minister in Ensenada. Lord, hear our prayer!

Join us in Prayer!

Pray for the Lord’s church to grow through new church planting projects in La Paz and Rosarito as well. I was able to spend some time with the pastor for the next church planting project we are working with Lo Mejor del Trigo on today. It’s so exciting to see new things happening all around us. Especially when the new things are new ministries!

I will write more about the new church plant in Rosarito in my next post.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

I Left My Heart in Mexico City!

Posted: May 7, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Reflections & Musings
Tags: , ,
2
La Capital – Mexico City
The Cathedral on the Zocalo in Mexico City

The Cathedral in the Zocalo in Mexico City

It’s hard to believe that it’s been so long, 12 years since I’ve visited this city, which I once called home. I remember how hard it was to leave. Even all these years later we have some very dear friends here.

God has used this trip to remind me about many of the things that first drew me here. The people, the culture, the food and the physical and spiritual need. I still love those things about Mexico.

This city can be intimidating. It’s one of the largest in the world with 25 million plus. I was a little nervous about returning. You might remember that with all the good experiences I also passed through some difficult events.

Once I got here and I was able to re-familiarize myself with the city, then I started feeling more comfortable. All the good memories began to come back.

I realize now that I left my heart in this city. I invested almost a decade of my life to it and it’s people. Two of my children were born in La Capital.

I didn’t have all the success here that I would have liked, but God taught me many things, and I was able to make in a difference in some people’s lives. Thank you Lord for that gift!

Reconnecting with Friends
Silvia, Mario, Chivis and Daniel Silva

Silvia, Mario, Chivis and Daniel Silva

While here I’ve stayed with our good friends, Mario and Silvia Silva. It’s been so good to be with them. They are some of our dearest friends. I still wish there was a way for us to live closer and to minister together.

I’ve enjoyed rediscovering some of the city with them, and reconnecting. They’ve started a house church, and it’s encouraging to see how the Lord is using them here. I pray that their ministry will grow. I still pray that God will show a way that we can minister together.

In my next post I will write about how I see God moving in Mexico City, and especially through my fiends, the Silva’s.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Value of Friends and Family!

Posted: April 23, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
Tags: , , ,
5
English: View of Pikes Peak from the Universit...

English: View of Pikes Peak from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, sometime before 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dawn and I have been in Colorado Springs for the last week. We came out for some ministry meetings, and the opportunity to connect with friends and family.

When we left Mexico City at the end of 1999 we moved to Colorado Springs. We thought our family would only be in the Springs for a year or so. I remember Dawn saying to me, “It’s cold there, and we don’t know anybody.” I replied, “We’ll only be there for about a year, we can handle it.”

Well, we actually lived in Colorado Springs for 12 years, just slightly more than a year, right? 🙂 I guess, that’s one reason we are having a hard time getting our kids to leave Colorado. It really did become home for us.

The Lord called us to the Mexican border and we left Colorado last August. Mexico has bookended our time in Colorado.

Hannah and Dave enjoying some father - daughter time

Hannah and Dave enjoying some father – daughter time

While we lived in the Springs the Lord gave us many wonderful friends. We are grateful for them. They pray for us and encourage us along the way.

Dawn and I will be leaving on Wednesday morning, and it will be very hard to say good-bye. It always is! It makes it even harder when we have to say to good-bye to two of our children, Jonathan and Hannah.

I thank the Lord that he has given us such a fruitful visit, and for the blessing of friends who love and support us in our ministry.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org