Posts Tagged ‘healing’

God’s Healing Hand in Oaxaca

Posted: July 26, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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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

We Can’t Get Enough of Serafina!

Posted: May 4, 2021 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Announcing the Birth of Serafina Grace Diaso
Aunt Hannah & Uncle Jonathan meeting Serafina on FaceTime. Yes, we are obsessed!

We can’t get enough of our beautiful granddaughter, Serafina Grace Diaso. She was born to David, Jr. and Emily on April 29th. She’s a small baby at 6 lbs and 3 oz and 19 inches. David said that she would be considered a premie in size, but that all her organs are perfectly developed, so we thank the Lord for that.

Dawn and I are thrilled to be first time grandparents!

God’s Work of Restoration
Love seeing our son, David care for his daughter. He’s a good dad

The Bible is filled with stories of redemption and restoration. Dawn and I have prayed that our Papa God would bring our family healing, especially since our daughter, Hannah moved to heaven. God is answering our prayers. He hears our cry!

Serafina was born in April the same month that both Dawn and Hannah have a birthday. We believe that’s a special gift from our Heavenly Father. It’s a kiss from heaven. God has big plans for Serafina, and the Lord is blessing our family through her. We give thanks for the Lord’s goodness and his redemptive work.

The Lord Turns Our Weeping into Laughter
Clockwise starting upper left: Hannah, Serafina, mom’s garden, Mom & Dad

Last year was a hard year for our family as both of my parents moved to heaven. My mom departed from this world on March 19, 2020 and my dad on May 26, 2020. We held the graveside service for mom on May 1 last year. It’s so good of God to turn our mourning into laughter.

This reminds me of Psalm 30:5b, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” The Lord used that passage to comfort me on many occasions as I mourned Hannah, Mom, and Dad. God is so good.

Hope Filled Promises from Joel
Enjoying some FaceTime with Serafina and David. Our friends from Ensenada, Petri, Yudy and Luz Angela are in the background

Just this morning I was reading Acts 2 where Peter quotes from the prophet Joel. Peter is preaching on Pentecost. The last days which Peter refers to began at Pentecost when he gave this sermon and shared this wonderful promise of God pouring out His Spirit on all believers. If we go back and look at the context of Joel 2, where this promise and prophetic word comes from we see that God is promising restoration to his people. Earlier in the chapter, Joel 2:13b, says, “for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” God’s promises never fail, and his mercies are new every morning.

Here is the prophecy from Joel that Peter refers to in his sermon on Pentecost. It’s filled with hope and promise for us today! I pray that each of us will grow in these ways as God’s Spirit works in us.

“‘In the last days, God says,

    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

    your young men will see visions,

    your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women,

    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

    and they will prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in the heavens above

    and signs on the earth below,

    blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness

    and the moon to blood

    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21 And everyone who calls

    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Acts 2:17-21 NIV

Our Papa God’s love and desire to bring healing and restoration encourages us. Serafina is a gift to our family. She is a demonstration of God’s love for us, which gives us reason to rejoice. The timing of her birth reminds us of his care for us. His desire to bring restoration. We are hopeful for the even greater things to come.

Pray with us as David and Emily care for Serafina. Pray for her health as she grows in strength and wisdom.

Extend Your Hands to Help – Donate Today!
One of the young church planting couples that we are helping on the Big Island

Also, Dawn and I believe that it’s important for us to continue to ring the bell for Our Familia on the Big Island. We feel compelled by our love to keep bringing the needs of our familia before you. Basic needs and food prices are skyrocketing, while their pay stays the same. It’s not possible for them to support a family on what they are earning. We remain committed to sending aid to the pastors and families each month.

Give a donation today to the needs of the church and our familia. Your prayers and generosity will aid these families and the gospel in undeniable ways. Make a donation today by clicking on the link below!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Our Growing Family: Mi Familia Cubana

Posted: September 23, 2019 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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My Best Ministry Trip to Date!
Dave with Pastor Mario and his wife, Yany and their church in Cabaiguán

I just returned from a two week trip to Cuba. It was an outstanding trip, and the Lord showed up in some amazing ways. I’m not even sure where to start or how to communicate all that the Lord did while I was there!

This was my best ministry trip in 30 plus years of ministry!

Since I have been going to Cuba for a number of years now the relationships keep growing deeper, which opens the doors for more fruit. As I’ve mentioned before some of the Cubans refer to Dawn and me as mom and dad. They are a very relational and family oriented people.

Amazing Testimonies
Pastor Lucas* leading the church

Some of the highlights from the trip came from the testimonies about all that our awesome God is doing through our Cuban family. For example, Pastor Lucas* and his wife, Maria* shared how the Lord used some of the prayers and promises that I sent them a few weeks ago. They read them out loud during one of their church services as they prayed and claimed God’s promises. As they cried out to the Lord they began to feel Jesus and the Spirit in a close and personal way. Hallelujah!

Another wonderful story. Our great and amazing God healed a woman who had cancer. Dawn and I sent Lucas and Maria some prayers that we’ve found helpful as we minister in Latin America. They used these prayers to pray over Maria who had breast cancer. Unfortunately, Maria already had a mastectomy on one of her breasts. The doctors told her that she only had one living cell in her other breast. The church came together and prayed, and they believed that Jesus would minister to Maria and bring her healing.

When Maria went back to the doctor they didn’t find any cancer. The doctors not being believers got upset, and they told her that maybe the cancer had moved to her brain or her lungs. When they ran further tests they all came back clean. Maria was completely healed of cancer!

Freedom and Deliverance!
Maria praying with Maria and leading her to faith in Christ

Witchcraft, Santeria and other demonic practices are prevalent in Cuba. Many of my friends churches have witches, and altars to foreign deities near where they are ministering.

While I was with Pastor Lucas and Maria they asked me to pray with them for a woman in the church, Fabiola who needed healing and deliverance. She had been involved in witchcraft in the past, and her ex-mother-in-law was also a witch and she was putting curses on her. Fabiola is a beautiful young woman, and by looking at her you would never know what was going on. She told me that she had some terrible experiences with deliverance in the past, so she was a little nervous when she met with Maria and me. Fabiola said that although she was anxious she was also excited and hopeful, because she heard of how I helped another one of their leaders that last time I visited the church.

Maria and I spent about 3 hours praying with Fabiola and leading her to Jesus. It wasn’t easy, but it strengthened my faith to see Christ move in her heart and bring Fabiola healing and freedom. It was a powerful time! We saw first hand how we are victorious in Christ. “Greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Fabiola was so thankful and she had a beautiful smile when we finished our time together!

God is Doing An Amazing Work Through the Challenges!
Pastor Justo (far left) and his wife Sara (3rd from the left) along with the house church leaders in Jatibonico. They have a vision to reach at least 1,000 people

There were many other opportunities that I had to pray for people and encourage them. The Lord is so faithful to meet us at our point of need! I especially enjoyed my time of ministry with the pastors and church planters. Such special and dear people who have made so many sacrifices to serve the Lord.

Every time I go to Cuba I leave feeling that my faith is strengthened. I feel this way, because of the testimony of my friends, many of whom have become like family to us. They have such deep faith in some of the most difficult circumstances that I’ver ever seen. Most of them have a profound commitment to prayer and fasting. They live off of $10 – $50 a month, and yet they continue to faithfully serve the Lord. Instead of letting the challenges stop them they use it as motivation to trust the Lord to provide.

God sees their affliction. He is near the brokenhearted and he delivers them as he promises to do.

So Close yet a World Apart!
Some of the modes of transportation in Cuba – Quite an adventure!

The Island of Cuba is only 90 miles south of Florida. It takes less than an hour to fly from Miami to most cities in Cuba, and yet it’s a whole different world! It’s truly mind boggling!

There are many more stories that I could tell of people coming to Christ, of the Lord bringing healing, freedom and comfort to our friends on the island of Cuba. I hope to share more in a future post.

Thank you so much for praying for me for this trip. I strongly believe one of the reasons that this was my best ministry trip ever was because of all the prayer. The Lord does indeed hear our prayers!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

And Beyond! Expand Our Borders!

Posted: July 22, 2019 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Prayer to Expand Our Borders

Our dear friends and growing family in Cuba!Our dear friends and growing family in Cuba!

A few years ago, we began praying that the Lord would expand our borders. We like to say the Border, the Baja and Beyond. Dawn and I didn’t just choose those words for alliteration, but it’s the vision for what we believe the Lord has called us to. We truly long to see the border, the Baja and even beyond transformed by the gospel. We’ve prayed and asked others to join us in praying to see the beyond part of our vision for ministry become a reality. Since the time we began to look to the Lord to expand our reach God has opened doors for us to minister in El Salvador, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Cuba. Of these countries, Cuba is the place we’ve seen the greatest opportunities as well as the greatest needs.

Dawn and I have grown to love the people of Cuba!

Open Doors in Cuba

Dave and Dawn with Pastor Mario and his wife, YanyDave and Dawn with Pastor Mario and his wife, Yany

Over the last five years, Dawn and I have made various trips to Cuba to strengthen the leaders there. We have participated in church-planters assessment and training. I have also trained pastors and leaders in mentoring/coaching. Each experience has been unique, and our loving Father has connected us with some amazing people.

It’s been a great joy to partner with the church leaders in Cuba. I must admit that I feel torn, and I have mixed emotions. On the one hand, it’s heartbreaking to see how the people live on so little, and all the oppression they suffer. Most of the people in Cuba live off of $20 – $40 a month unless they have relatives in the US that have a way to send them money via Western Union. Presently those that live in Cuba have to stand in long lines to buy chicken, bread, rice, soap, and other basic needs. Despite their circumstances, they are a resilient people, who have unbelievably strong faith. Somehow the Cubans I’ve met have managed to maintain a positive outlook on life. They are good-natured and we enjoy their sense of humor.

The Lord Redeems and Expands our Family

Pastor Luis & May with their children Zuri & DavidPastor Lucas* & Maria* with their children Zuri & David

Because of the harsh realities of life in Cuba, the leaders are desperate for encouragement and connection. Dawn and I feel like it’s a privilege to minister to these friends, who have become like family. A number of them now refer to us as mom and dad as we have loved them and encouraged them. One of the families that we’ve become close to they not only call us mom and dad but their children call us grandpa and grandma.

As I wrote the paragraph above, it felt a little awkward sharing this with a largely USA audience. It’s hard to get across the nearness of these relationships via the written word. Also, Latin cultures are more family-oriented and it’s more natural for them to think of us in this way. It’s not as common in the USA for us to refer to another person that we love as our father and mother. This is one of the elements that I love about Latin cultures.

The Lord has blessed us so much through these friends who are now family. It’s one more way the Lord has redeemed and is redeeming Hannah’s early home going. I’m not sure if anything this side of heaven can fully restore the hole that has been left in our lives, but I do believe that we have a good and loving Father and he does bring us healing. There is healing in his wings!

Pray for Cuba and for More open Doors

Dave with Mario & Yani and Sara who is married to Pastor Justo. Justo and Sara are also great friends who train others to plant churches in Cuba!Dave with Mario & Yani and Sara who is married to Pastor Justo. Justo and Sara are also great friends!

I am planning on returning to Cuba in September. I’m not looking forward to the heat, but I can’t wait to be reunited with our Cuban family! This gives us an opportunity to work with and encourage the pastors that we’ve met from previous trips and help them to plant churches.

Even with all that our Cuban family is facing the church is growing. God is alive, and he is definitely at work in Cuba. Dawn and I would love for you to be a part of all the Lord is doing in this Caribbean country.

Dave praying with some of the church planters, Osmeiki & Yoiset, Mario & Yany, and other leaders. Wonderful people!

Please pray with us for these wonderful families and the work that they are doing in Cuba. Some of the couples that we are working with are Luis & May, Mario & Yany, Justo & Sara, Oniel & Heidy, Adnier & Mariesly, Ernesto & Damara, Ernesto & Yanelkys, Frank & Ariadna, Yamil & Yuneisi, Rene & Yarelis, Jorge & Rachel, Osmeiki & Yoiset and many more.

Thanks, dear friends, for joining us on this journey and praying with us!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

On Earth as it is in Heaven: Kingdom Connections

Posted: June 11, 2019 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is on the Move

Our family at David & Emily’s wedding – Jonathan, Hannah, Grandma Alice Moore, Dawn, David Jr., Emily, David Sr., Grandpa Ron Diaso

Wow! So much is happening that it’s hard to keep up. With our son, David’s wedding with his bride, Emily, and our travels to Pennsylvania it’s been difficult to write and post all that the Lord is doing.

Today in trying to decide what to write about I went back and forth between writing about the wonderful advance in church planting throughout Latin America or about what is going on in Cuba and beyond. The Lord is doing an amazing work in Cuba and through our Cuban friends right now. The people of Cuba are going through a heartbreaking trial right now. Our Cuban brothers and sisters need our prayers, so I will focus on them today.

Our Concern for our Friends in Cuba

Article from The San Diego Union-Tribune from Sunday May 12, 2019 on the Cuban economic crisis

Cuba is going through a shortage of food. This has grown even more pronounced since the start of the year. Our friends have been writing to us and telling us that they are having a hard time getting basics like cooking oil, bread, eggs, pork, and chicken. There is also a shortage of soap. When these items are available they have to wait in long lines for them, and sometimes even travel to other cities to purchase them.

All of our Cuban friends who are pastors and live throughout the country have asked us to pray. So I wanted to make you aware of what is going on and to ask you to join us in prayer for this country and her people. The church goes through even greater persecution depending on the part of the country that the pastor lives and works in.

Kingdom Expansion in the midst of Trials

Luis & May with their children Zuri & David

Lucas* & Maria* with their children Zuri & David

Even amidst all the challenges, there are rays of light that shine as the gospel goes forth. Pastor Lucas* and his wife, Maria* shared with us how they just baptized 23 people, and they are grateful that the church continues to grow.

Over the last two weeks, we’ve been helping Lucas and Maria reach out to a minister in Colombia, whose name is Andres. Lucas and Maria have never been to Colombia, but somehow they connected through the ministry in their church.

Freedom in Christ in Colombia

Prayer in Camaguey. These people are warriors!

Prayer in Camaguey. Where Pastor Lucas & Maria minister. Their people are warriors!

Andres’ dad, Jose Diego is in the hospital in Colombia. He has blocked arteries and he’s been in critical condition. Jose Diego has practiced white magic and voodoo. Andres shared the gospel with his dad and used some prayers that we shared with Lucas and Maria and his dad prayed to receive Christ. Andres said that his dad looked better and healthier after they prayed together. Then Andres lead his father through some prayers to break off his involvement with the occult. After the time of prayer, Jose Diego told Andres to go to his house and remove and destroy all the idols and altars that he had in his house.

Jose Diego is supposed to be moved to another hospital this Thursday for the operation on his blocked arteries. They are praying and trusting the Lord for complete and total healing. Andres also shared with us that they are praying that through this that salvation will come to their whole family, all the aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. Pray with us that the Lord will use Andres and the testimony of his father, Jose Diego to bring many to Christ.

Encouraged by Kingdom Connections

Pastor Mario & his wife, Yany. Two of our other very dear friends that live and minister in Cuba.

Also, pray for Lucas* and Maria* who are amazing evangelists that the Lord will guide them as they encourage and minister to Andres and his family. Pray for the other pastors that we are working with like Pastor Mario and his wife, Yany (photo above).

Isn’t it amazing how the Lord works!?! Here Dawn and I are on the San Diego-Tijuana border ministering to and encouraging Lucas and Maria, who live in Cuba and they are ministering to Andres and his family in Colombia. Dawn and I have never met Andres, but somehow the Lord has connected us and extended our reach as the kingdom of God grows. We continue to pray that, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 ESV).

Thank you, Jesus, for your great and might work!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Freedom in Colombia!

Posted: June 4, 2018 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Coffee with Special Friends in Colombia!

Dave & Dawn visiting our MTW missionary colleagues in Bogotá Colombia

Dave & Dawn visiting our MTW missionary colleagues in Bogotá Colombia

I loved the wonderful coffee in Colombia, and as wonderful as the coffee was there was much more for us to experience in Colombia. We spent the first part of our time in Colombia in Bogotá where we saw many of our MTW missionary colleagues, including Joe and Becky Harrell. We first met the Harrell’s when we served together with them MTW in Mexico City. From Bogotá, we went to Manizales.

Manizales is not far from Bogotá. It’s only about an hour by plane. Manizales is near coffee country. Dawn and I spent a few days with a young couple, Luis and Kerly who we first met in Ensenada where Luis was studying for his doctorate. They are a gifted and loving couple, and they love Jesus.

Something New in Manizales

Dave and Dawn helping launch the new cell group at Luis and Kerly's home

Dave and Dawn helping launch the new cell group at Luis and Kerly’s home

Luis and Kerly wanted to start up a cell group in their home and they were praying for a good time for them to start it up. They felt like the Lord was leading them to start it while we were there, and they wanted us to help them kick it off. Luis and Kerly asked us to share with the group some of the things that the Lord had put on our hearts.

Dawn and I had a wonderful time with the group, and we enjoyed sharing with them and leading them in prayer. Those who came responded really well to what we shared, and they told us that it helped them and it encouraged them. One particular couple wanted us to come to their house the next day.

Freedom & Forgiveness in Christ

Dave & Dawn with Luis & Kerly. Kerly is due with their second child any day now

Dave & Dawn with Luis & Kerly. She is due with their second child any day now. They opened doors for us to minister to their friends!

So on Saturday Dawn and I went to David and Maria’s house. After we shared a meal together we all went into their living room. Their two grown children and Maria’s mother also joined us. Dawn and I lead them in prayer, and as we prayed we discovered that Maria was carrying a lot of fear and guilt. She was very open with us and told us that when she was 17 years old she got pregnant and she was afraid and didn’t know what to do. Maria didn’t want to tell her parents so she decided to take some herbs that she thought would cause the baby to abort. She also got up on a chair and jumped down hoping that would cause the baby to be aborted.

She was still carrying tremendous guilt because of her attempt at aborting her baby!

In God’s grace, she wasn’t successful in aborting her child. And her son, Jorge was in the room with us and he was praying with us.

We lead Maria with the support of her family through some prayers to cut off the guilt and shame that she was carrying. We reminded her of God’s promises in Romans 8:1.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God promises to forgive those who are in Christ. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!

Dawn and I encouraged Maria to ask Jorge to forgive her for trying to abort him. It was such a beautiful moment. I wish you could have been there to experience it with us. Maria and Jorge were crying as they asked for forgiveness, and we all began to cry with them as we saw God move and bring healing.

Maria told us she felt the peace of Christ after our time of prayer! It was so good!😊 Thank you, Jesus!

The Power of the Gospel

After our time of prayer, we learned that Jorge was not following Christ and hadn’t yet given his life to Jesus. Yet he was there praying with us through the whole time, and he was so loving to his mom when she asked him for forgiveness. So I asked Jorge if he had ever prayed to receive Christ, and he said, “no.” I asked him if he would like to give his life to Christ, and he said, “yes!”

I took some time to explain the gospel message to him. How Christ died for his sins. Christ died the death that we should have died. He lived the life that we should have lived. He paid the penalty for us. Christ defeated sin, death, and Satan on the cross and through his resurrection. I went on to explain the importance in placing our faith in Christ in trusting His work and in calling on His name so that he might be saved from his sin.

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

After I shared these truths with Jorge I asked him again if he would like to pray to receive Christ, and he said, “yes.” Then I had the privilege of leading Jorge in prayer to repent of his sins and to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior. His family joined us in prayer. We were all rejoicing after that seeing God’s mighty hand.

David and Maria and their family are such sweet people. Just like our friends Luis and Kerly. It’s like the Lord just knit our hearts together, and the Lord continues to grow our family. It’s one more way that I see the Lord redeeming our daughter, Hannah’s early home going. So painful, yet our Papa loves us and he brings healing and hope!

In His Loving Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

Breakthrough for the Broken!

Posted: March 3, 2018 in Christianity, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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Staying on the Move

Pastor Abraham Velazquez leading worship

Pastor Abraham Velazquez leading worship

Sometimes there is so much going on it’s hard to stay up on my posts. I’m also trying to write a book, but I haven’t yet figured out how to squeeze time in to give it the necessary attention. I’d appreciate your prayers that the dream of publishing a book would become a reality. Also, If you have any suggestions on how to fit it into a busy on the go schedule let me know.

Dawn and I will be leaving for Phoenix in just a couple of hours. We will be connecting with a church in the area and we’ll be attending a church planters network meeting. It promises to be a good time with some outstanding friends and ministers of the gospel. To top it off we also will be celebrating our 29th anniversary on Monday, March 5.

Dave preaching in Tijuana

Dave preaching in Tijuana

Brokenness and Healing

Last weekend, Dawn and I had the privilege of visiting Pastor Abraham Velazquez’s church in Tijuana. We’ve grown to love Abraham and his wife, Martha. It’s always special when we can be with them. 

I had the opportunity to preach at their church. The sermon was on Isaiah 54, Breakthrough for the Broken! My family and I have experienced our share of brokenness over the last couple of years since Hannah moved to heaven. This passage gives us hope for a better tomorrow. The barren one, the broken one is told to sing and cry aloud, because the Lord is going to deliver her.

The passage goes on to say prepare yourself for growth. Enlarge your tent. Get your house ready, because I’m going to bring an increase. I am going to bless you!

Isaiah 54:1-3

“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;
    break forth into singing and cry aloud,
    you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
    than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.
2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,
    and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
    and strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,
    and your offspring will possess the nations
    and will people the desolate cities. (Isaiah 54:1-3)

One of the practices that Dawn and I have to look for the promises in the Bible and to use them in our prayers. These promises give us hope, especially when things go awry. Does that ever happen to you? I would like to encourage you to remember the promises of God and to repeat them often.

Breakthrough for the Broken in Tijuana

Ministerios Transformación Rojo Gomez church in Tijuana

Ministerios Transformación Rojo Gomez church in Tijuana

It was such a good time to minister at Pastor Abraham’s church. After the sermon, we had a time of prayer, and it was so encouraging as people shared their testimonies. One of the leaders in the church said that he had been having nightmares that he was going to die. He felt a release and peace after the prayer. I sent him a note the next day and he told me that he slept well and that he didn’t have any nightmares!

Another young man shared about the abuse he had suffered in his family growing up. He was bitter, but he felt the need to forgive his family so I was able to lead him in prayer to confess and forgive. He also needed Jesus so I had the pleasure of leading him to Christ! God is so good, and he is definitely on the move.

I learned while I was at the church that Pastor Mere Godinez, the pastor of the church we are building for Hannah used to attend this church in Tijuana. Abraham and Mere grew up together. They attended church together, and they are both in the ministry now. Wow, Lord! Thanks for all that you are doing. Praise you!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Day the Music Died

Posted: December 27, 2017 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Journey, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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I Must Keep My Eyes on Jesus

A fun time at our Christmas posada with our friends - the day the music came back to life!

A fun time at our Christmas posada with our friends – the day the music came back to life!

Don Mclean’s song, American Pie, sings about the day the music died. The song uses poetry to tell a tale of sorts about the tragic day that Buddy Holly and Richie Valens died in a plane crash. The other day I listened to American Pie and thought about the day the music died for me when my sweet daughter moved to heaven. That was a sad and horrific day for each of us, David, Jonathan, Dawn and me. We have many friends and family that have mourned with us over this past year.

God is been so good to us this year, despite our sorrow. He has been so near to us and comforted us in so many ways. That’s not to say that it’s been easy. It’s been the hardest year of our lives, but the Lord carries us through it.

There are moments when I think I wish more had changed, that we would see even more redemption than we’ve seen. The Lord has reminded me that I must keep my eyes on him. That I walk by faith and not by sight. Even though we are walking in victory, it doesn’t always feel that way. God has a plan and purpose for us and it’s a good one.

What would I do without this hope? What would I do without the hope of eternity? What would I do without the hope of one day being reunited with Hannah?

I give thanks for the Lord’s nearness and his healing power.

Music and Laughter in Our Home Again!

David before and after the mordida!

David before and after the mordida with our friend Andy!

Last week we had more than 40 people in our home for a Christmas, Posada party. The night of the party it dawned on me that this was the first time we had had a party in our home since Hannah moved to heaven! I thought, Wow! That is a victory for us! That is progress.

The party was even more special because one of our son’s, David was able to be with us for the Posada. David loves the fiesta, and he is the Lord’s gift to us on Christmas, December 24th, which is his birthday. We were able to celebrate David’s birthday as well. One of the traditions that they have in Mexico is the “mordida”, which means a little bite of your birthday cake. Inevitably when the person being honored goes to take the “mordida” bite someone will lovingly shove his face into the cake. Since my children grew up in Mexico, they grew to love this tradition. Also, they still love to have fun!

Usually, it is a little push and a little bite, but this time David’s whole face got shoved into the cake. David loved it!

It was so good to hear laughter in our house again and to have so many friends enjoying the time and celebrating the season. You might say it was the day the music came back to life. The Lord continues to do his amazing healing work in our lives. It’s a long journey, much longer than I would like.

Remembering Hannah

 

I asked David Jr. to share one of his favorite photos of Hannah with me, and here it is.

I asked David Jr. to share one of his favorite photos of Hannah with me, and here it is.

Today David and I went to visit Hannah’s gravesite, which I like to do on occasion, although it tends to be a somber experience. We left the cemetery feeling sad and quiet. It’s a reminder we are not home yet. There is still pain in this world, and part of that pain is being separated from those we love. Even though it wasn’t an especially uplifting time, I’m glad I could share that moment with my son.

As I mentioned above I was hoping that we would have seen even more redemption of Hannah’s moving to heaven. It’s there, but I have my moments of doubt, and at those times I can get down. I’m thankful for my family and that we have so many friends holding us up.

Over the last few months, I’ve made it aware that one of the ways we are seeking to honor Hannah’s memory is by starting a new church in Mexico. We are in the process of raising $30,000 so we can build the church. We would like to build it in the Spring of 2018, and we are inviting all of our friends to join us by giving towards this church plant and to come and help us build it! This also a plays a part in the redemption of Hannah’s early homegoing.

Click to make a donation

Click to make a donation

You can give by clicking on this link

Thank you, dear friends, for standing with us. We pray that you will have an unbelievably fruitful and blessed 2018!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Breakthrough in TJ: Ribera del Bosque

Posted: June 15, 2017 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Excited to See the Church Grow

 

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Dawn with Pastor Ivan and his wife Rocio

Today Dawn and I are off to Mexico City. Then on Saturday, I will be going to Cuba to minister with our friends from Los Pinos. Before I talk about these trips I’d like to highlight one of the ministries that we work closely with on the border.

 

Just over three years ago, we helped Ministerios Transformación plant a church in Ribera del Bosque, which is a community in Tijuana. Our good friends, Pastor Ivan Casados and his wife, Rocio lead this church. It’s been exciting for us to watch them grow as leaders as the church has grown.

Choice Servants – Ivan and Rocio Casados

 

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Pastor Ivan Casados & Rocio in front of their church

Ivan and Rocio love our family. They were deeply moved when they heard that Hannah had passed away. When I told Ivan he started to cry, which meant a great deal to me, because I knew he loved Hannah and our family.

 

We give thanks to the Lord for such special and dear friends. I remember not long after we helped build Ivan’s church, that he had the vision to see the church grow. He wanted to build a second floor so that they could use the bottom floor for fellowship and outreach to children. Dawn and I visited the church last week, and it filled our hearts to see the realization of Ivan’s dream. They just recently added a second floor.

They are still working towards putting in a kitchen and developing a breakfast program for children in the neighborhood. One of the many things I love about Ivan and Rocio and all my friends at Ministerios Transformación is that they have a deep desire to make a difference in the community. They are always looking for ways to minister to those in need. The church is truly a light in a dark place. Hallelujah!

As Dawn and I visited with Ivan and Rocio they shared about a friend in the church named Aaron. Aaron has a serious injury to his foot, which has partially crippled him. Hannah and Dawn prayed for Aaron over the past two years. They prayed for healing.

Aaron gave a testimony in church recently about how the Lord was healing his foot, and how it felt so much better. He remembered the prayers of Hannah and Dawn and he gave thanks for them. That news filled our hearts. Thank you, Jesus!

Pray With Us!

Continue to pray for Ivan and Rocio as they seek to make a difference in Ribera del Bosque.

 

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Dave with some of our friends that we work with in Cuba: Frank, Ariadna & Melissa

Dawn and I would like to ask prayer for our time in Mexico City, and my time in Cuba. We will be visiting our campus ministers right after we land today. Then I will leave for Cuba on the 17th, and Dawn will stay in Mexico City during that time. I will be working with the leaders in Habana. Many of them are growing as coaches, and I’m ministering with a team to train them further in their coaching skills. It’s always a rich blessing for me to be with our brothers and sisters in Cuba. They have such a warm and loving spirit.

 

I do give thanks to the Lord for all the good things that He has done!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Cuba: God’s Healing Touch

Posted: December 23, 2016 in Christianity, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Prayer
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God’s gift of healing during this time of Christmas

David & Dawn with Frank Batista

David & Dawn with Frank Batista

Dawn is gifted in sensing when people are in pain physically or emotionally. She loves to pray for people and minister to them when they are struggling, and God gave us many opportunities to pray for Christians and those that are seeking while we were in Cuba. The Lord heard our prayer, and brought healing to the people. Hannah and Dawn used to minister together to our friends as they both loved encouraging people and to see God touch people.

God’s healing Touch for Rosa

David & Dawn with Oniel, Heidy and Rosa

David & Dawn with Oniel, Heidy and Rosa

The first night we were in Havana, Cuba Dawn noticed that Rosa the 12 year old daughter of Pastor Oniel Rojas and his wife, Heidy, wasn’t feeling well. Dawn asked Rosa and her family what was wrong, and she said her arm was bothering her. Dawn felt the need to pray for Rosa’s shoulder. She couldn’t move her arm and she has experienced a lot of pain over the last two months.

Dawn and Yoli Nuñez, who is our friend and partner in ministry from Tijuana, spent some time in prayer for Rosa with her parents, Oniel & Heidy. Then Dawn called us over to pray with them and we prayed some more. As we prayed Rosa’s pain went down from a 10 to a 6. The next day when we saw her parents they were very excited as they said that Rosa was able sleep through the night for the first time in a long time. She was also able to move her arm and put her cloths on by herself for the first time in a while. Rosa said the pain was gone.

Then Rosa went to the doctor with her mom in the morning. The doctor was surprised that Rosa was no longer experiencing any pain. He took X-Rays and they came out normal. Before she had a growth in her shoulder, but now it was gone. He compared the X-Rays to how she was before and although he was surprised he said they looked completely normal and declared her healed and healthy. Thank you Jesus for hearing our prayer!

Oniel and Heidy were so excited that God brought healing to their daughter.

God Touches Lelois in a Special Way

Dawn praying for Lelois

Dawn praying for Lelois

Then a couple of days later we were with our friend Frank Batista (photo above), who I met last April when I was in Cuba. Frank showed Dawn and me around and we enjoyed spending time with him and his family. On Saturday we went to buy some presents at the market. When we went to buy t-shirts Dawn noticed the woman selling the t-shirts was in pain, Lelois.

Dawn asked her how she was feeling, and she admitted that her stomach was bothering her. Dawn wanted to see if she could pray for her. Lelois said yes, so she began to pray for her. When she prayed Lelois felt the power of God in her body. Both Dawn and Lelois sensed the Spirit rushing through them and touching them. After Dawn prayed for her she asked Lelois how she felt and she said her pain went down from a 10 to a 3. Also because she felt God’s tender touch tears came to her eyes. With tears streaming down her face she felt God’s love.

Then Frank and I prayed for her and she no longer had any pain. It was very encouraging to see the way the Lord used my wife’s boldness. Lelois said she’d like a Bible, and she was interested in learning more about the gospel.

We give thanks to the Lord for his mighty work in Cuba!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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