Posts Tagged ‘Hurricane Odile’

How Does Ministry Happen?

Posted: November 15, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions
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God’s Wonderful Servants
The humble ministry center that Myrta and Soltero minister out of, which has also been their home. Their home and the ministry center were damaged in the hurricane.

The ministry center that Myrta and Sotero minister out of, which has also been their home. Their home and the ministry center were damaged in the hurricane.

One of the many things that I enjoy about this work on the border and the Baja is the wonderful people we meet.

Peter Boling who ministers in Cabo San Lucas has introduced me to some of the people who serve in Los Cabos. Most people know Los Cabos as a vacation spot, a place for cruises to stop, the arch and great fishing. Yet there is another story, another side of Los Cabos. There are many people who live in poverty and have huge needs.

Ministering to the Needy
Soltero and Myrta with their daughter

Sotero and Myrta with their daughter

One of the families that I have enjoyed meeting is Sotero and Myrta. They live in a poor community on the edge of town. God is using them to make a difference there.

They are reaching out through feeding children and families for a very low price. Sotero and Myrta love to tell the story of Jesus. They hold Bible studies and they show the love of Christ through acts of compassion.

Hurricane Odile has left many without work. Others have lost their homes. Sotero and Myrta’s home was destroyed in the hurricane. But they haven’t given up the ministry continues.

God uses willing and able servants like Sotero and Myrta to make things happen. Don’t you agree that I am privileged to meet people like them? I hope one day you can meet them too!

Thank you Lord for such choice servants.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

The Torment – The Aftermath

Posted: November 7, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Lost Homes in Los Cabos
Peter Boling with Maria and Pepe

Peter Boling with Maria and Felipe in front of their home

One of the tragedies caused by Hurricane Odile is that many people were left without a home. I met with some of the families that lost their home in the storm. The winds were horrendous.

Peter Boling said it sounded like a jet engine while they hide in the bathroom to protect themselves from the flying debris.

Some of the homes that were destroyed were in an impoverished area behind the Vida Nueva church that the Bolings attend. One of the members of the church noticed a family that was living under a blanket after the hurricane hit.

Maria the woman who lost her home had not eaten for days. She was in a diabetic coma, so they had to get her some medical help.

The Love of Christ
Damage caused by Hurricane Odile

Damage caused by Hurricane Odile

The church pitched in to build Maria and her husband Felipe a new home. Peter and I visited their new abode. Maria looked much better.

Maria and Felipe are grateful for the love of Christ that was shown to them.

We hope that many more like Maria and Felipe will receive help. The love of Christ shown to the poor of the world.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Learning to Practice What I Preach!

Posted: November 4, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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I find that often after I preach a message that the Lord soon gives me an opportunity to put into practice what I preached on. Maybe it’s because I’m a slow learner? 😉

A New Work in La Paz
Dave & Peter (the small guys in the back) with Benjamin & Blanca Romero and Victor & Fanny and Karis Gonzalez in Los Cabos

Dave & Peter (the small guys in the back) with Pastor Benjamin & Blanca Romero and Pastor Victor & Fanny and Karis Gonzalez in Los Cabos

Last week I was in La Paz and Cabo San Lucas in Baja California. I was with fellow MTW missionary Peter Boling and a Mexican church planter that is considering leading a church planting project in La Paz. We were also to see some of the sites and people affected by Hurricane Odile.

The Lord blessed our time together. It’s encouraging to think about starting something new, especially a new church in the capital city of Southern Baja California. I hope to write more about our time in La Paz and Los Cabos in my next post.

Continuing to Learn to Rest in the Lord’s Hands

While that was going on there were some troubles at home, so I had to leave earlier than I was planning on. That’s when I especially needed to apply what I had preached on – The Incomparable Peace of Christ. 

The Lord promises us a supernatural peace that will guard our hearts like soldiers guard a city. He encourages us to pray and not to be anxious.

I was listening to some praise songs today, and one of the songs I heard sang, You hold me in Palm of your hands. What a wonderful promise.

God has often reminded me as I pray for my family that he loves them even more than I do.

Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭15,16‬ ESV)

Isn’t that a comfort to know that God will not forget you? He cares for you, and that you are continually before him. This promise gives me great hope. Isn’t it good to know that the Lord cares for you in such a loving and tender way?

These are some of the things that I had to remind myself of as our family encountered some difficult trials. It seems to be a hazard of my trade. Yet, God hasn’t forgotten us. He has a good plan for us and he uses it for his good, which is ultimately for our good as well.

Thank you Lord for your loving care. Thank you for your tender mercies. You are so gracious to remind me of the truth of your Word and your promises.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

To Be Thrilled With Your Presence

Posted: October 1, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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To Be Thrilled With Your Presence
Cambodia - A different world to be sure!

Cambodia – A different world to be sure!

I read this statement recently in Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest. This is becoming my cry to the Lord.

It reminds me of the Sons of Korah song in Psalm 42. The Psalmist declares,

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? —Psalm 42:1-2 NIV

As I reflect on my desire to hunger for God and his presence it reminds me of Dr. Lloyd Kim’s words when we were together for Mission to the World’s (MTW) worldwide leadership meetings. He challenged us to be broken and humble before the Lord as we serve him. It’s easy when we are serving in ministry to just get to a point where we are going through the motions.

God’s Gentle Touch
Dr. Lloyd Kim addressing us at MTW's worldwide leadership conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Dr. Lloyd Kim addressing us at MTW’s worldwide leadership conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia

While I was at MTW’s conference the Lord ministered to me as I met with missionaries and nationals from all over the world. God touched my heart as I listened to their stories. Some of them are ministering in very difficult places, under difficult circumstances. Others minister freely, but the soil is hard and the fruit is slow.

Between these words from Dr. Kim and Oswald Chambers and my experience with the missionaries I feel God calling me into a deeper relationship with him. To be thrilled with his presence!

Join Us on the Journey

I invite you to join me. Pray for me that I will be faithful in this journey. It’s so easy to become cynical and jaded. We all have bad experiences in the church and just in life in general, and then we take it out on God. It’s as if we will only seek him if things are going well. But that’s not the way of the cross. It’s not what the Lord has called us to.

I thank you for joining me and my family on this journey. It’s sometimes painful, but it’s worth it.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

P.S. There are still needs for food, water, clothing and shelter for those affected by Hurricane Odile. You can help by giving to the hurting click here…

Help the Hurting – Hurricane Odile

Posted: September 26, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Relief & Aid for Victims of Hurricane Odile
Damage done is some of the poorer areas of Cabo San Lucas

Damage done is some of the poorer areas of Cabo San Lucas

Aid is slowly coming to the battered in Los Cabos and La Paz. 40% of the people now have power. It’s going to be a very long and slow road to recovery.

I am working with fellow missionary Peter Boling and his family, who live in Los Cabos. The Boling family are ministering out of their church to provide food and clothing for the many affected in the area. Peter, Jenny, Leslie and Josh are frayed at the edges, but the Lord is sustaining them.

Pastor Benjamin Romero is ministering to those in his church and the surrounding area in San José del Cabo.

It’s sad to see all the loss. Many are hurting. The love of Christ is shining through the compassion and aid being given to those affected by the hurricane.

I’m working with Mission to the World (MTW) so we can send aid and work teams to the hurting in Los Cabos. We now have a fund set up that you can give to in order to help the many in need.

You can Help!

Make your gift out to MTW and designate it for #93922, and send it to:
MTW
PO Box 2589
Suwanee GA 30024-0982

You can give online at: www.mtw.org

Peter’s First Hand Account
Many of the poor lost everything in the hurricane - devastating!

Many of the poor lost everything in the hurricane – devastating!

If you have never been in the eye of a monster hurricane, it is an unforgettable experience. From total chaos to total calm in the matter of less than a minute. All of the neighbors popped out of hiding to check on one another knowing we only had about 30-40 minutes before the storm raged again. Unreal.

The winds literally picked our Volkswagen up and moved it twenty feet. Thankfully it did not slam into another car and we ran below to move it back in place and then waited…

The church were we serve, Vida Nueva or New Life, has become a command center of sorts for the humanitarian relief effort. The Government has provided food for feeding 200 people two meals a day for the foreseeable future. We just had to provide the workers. Leslie and Joshua are very involved with this effort but are really upset about missing school 🙂 We have also started a clothe distribution center on the property as well as a medical brigade staffed with two volunteer doctors.

The need is almost overwhelming but we are doing our part to be the hands and feet of Christ. Thanks to a generous gift from one of our supporters we were able to build a shelter for an elderly couple who lost everything.

Pray for the hurting
The Hurricane winds were fierce throwing cars around!

The Hurricane winds were fierce throwing cars around!

Peter and his daughter Leslie are both sick now along with hundreds of others as the effects of stress, trauma, open sewage. Peter’s wife, Jenny has not had a chance to rest and is now playing nurse.

Continue to pray for our the Bolings, pastor Benjamin Romero and his church and the many affected by the hurricane. Those that are healthy are worn out from helping others. Lord, please give them strength.

In His Grip, Dave
DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Hurricane Odile, The Bolings & Jesus

Posted: September 23, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Nightmare of Hurricane Odile Aftermath
Some of the damage from hurricane Odile

Some of the damage from hurricane Odile

Peter Boling and family have been living through a nightmare in Cabo San Lucas, since hurricane Odile hit. Peter told me that they’ve been without running water and electricity until today.

Unfortunately, the storm brought out the worst in many of the people. There was rioting and rampant looting. Peter and his neighbors had to band together to protect their homes from those seeking to invade them. They had to arm themselves.

Peter shared about the unbelievable experience,

It was a motley crew…. samurai swords, machetes, baseball bats, golf clubs, clubs. I could not believe it was happening…We ran off multiple assailants. It was all out warfare. How is this possible? We survived the night and fortunately it was the worst. Order has been restored in most parts and now the biggest danger is Dengue Fever.

Peter & Jenny on the left with Emilio & Mytee

Peter & Jenny on the left with Emilio & Mytee

Thanks for praying for the Boling family. They’ve been through quite an ordeal and it’s not over yet.

The government along with others have been working to restore order and clean up the streets. Things are improving, but thousands have lost their homes and they are living without their basic needs.

I am working with Mission to the World (MTW) to bring aid to the area. If you would like to give to help the people affected by hurricane Odile and assist with the disaster relief efforts we will have a project fund set up through MTW that you can give to.

The Light of Christ Shines Through the Darkness

We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to bring the gospel to Los Cabos.

You can be a part of this effort! More details to come. The main way you can help now is to pray.

Join Us In Prayer

Pray for the Lord’s protection for the Bolings and the thousands of people who are in need. Also, lift up one of our partner churches, JesuCristo el Buen Pastor, “Jesus the Good Shepherd” in San Jose del Cabo led by pastor Benjamin Romero. Many are still living without their basic needs. Pray that God will comfort them and shower them with his peace in their time of need.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org