Posts Tagged ‘Living in Grace’

Good News for the Needy in TJ!

Posted: December 19, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, San Diego, Tijuana
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Bill Yarbrough Preaching at Lo Mejor Del Trigo

Bill Yarbrough Preaching at Lo Mejor Del Trigo

Despite waiting 5+ hours in line to cross the border on Sunday, we had a wonderful time of ministry in Tijuana!

Bill Yarbrough is a great friend and champion of ours. Did I mention he’s also our boss. Bill along with his wife, Sue and daughter, Elle spent the weekend with us. On Sunday Bill accompanied my son, Jon and me down to Tijuana.

Last year Bill came down and led a Living in Grace conference with Daniel Nuñez and Lo Mejor Del Trigo. The church loved it. Unfortunately, many Mexican Christians struggle with living a moralistic, legalistic Christianity. Of course, this is not a problem in the U.S., ha ha ;).

The Lord used the themes of grace to encourage and strengthen the faith of our Mexican friends. I remember the people laughing as Bill shared some of the things we do in the church to act like we are “good” christians. The focus tends to be on the outward appearance rather than on our heart. The church resonated with this, but Daniel admitted it takes time for people to change.

Good things happened after the conference. Those in the church extended grace to him and his family when they experienced a family crisis. Wow! God’s timing is amazing. I may share more specifics about this testimony of God’s grace in a future post. The fact is we are all growing in grace, and we all desperately need to know and experience the love of God and his redeeming grace.

Here’s one of my favorite quotes that Bill shared that I’ve heard from others as well.

“The good news is that you are worse off than you can ever imagine. The greater good news is you are more loved than you ever dared to imagine.”

Dave addressing the church

Dave addressing the church

God’s grace is greater than all our sin. Live and grow deeply in this truth.

On Sunday Bill followed up on these truths. The Lord is using events like this to strengthen our relationship with Daniel Nuñez and the people in his movement. I’m so encouraged by how the Lord is moving on the border. The gospel does change everything.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

A New Day on the Border

Posted: December 15, 2011 in Ministry, Ministry Partners
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Dave preaching at New Life in La Mesa

Dawn and I just returned from the San Diego-Tijuana border. We brought David Jr. back home with us for Christmas break. It’s wonderful having the whole family together under one roof again! While we were in San Diego we were able to connect with some key churches and ministry partners including New Life in La Mesa.

This past Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at New Life. Then after the sermon, our BEAMM teammate, Ray Call administered communion. What a great blessing to serve together. Even though we are just beginning the Lord is opening up doors for us to minister on the border. In November we held our first big event, “Living in Grace,” in Tijuana. On Sunday we served together at New Life, a church that has a vested interest in our ministry on the border.

Ray Call administering communion

It does take time to get new initiatives ramped up. We are confident that it is a new day on the border, and that as the Lord goes before us He will indeed bless our work. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Not knowing what lies ahead can cause anxiety, but prayer and faith give us hope.

William Carey, missionary to India and the father of modern missions said, “expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” We have not been given a spirit of fear. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7).

It’s exciting as we begin to get more opportunities to see the Lord work. We need a strong network of ministries standing with us to strengthen us, so that we will be successful. We receive inspiration from churches like New Life that have a strong interest and desire to see the gospel go forth to Hispanics on the border.

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. We just found out that a family is coming tomorrow (Friday) for a second showing on our home! Pray with us for the sale of our home.

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

God’s Amazing Grace in TJ!

Posted: November 6, 2011 in Bright Spots on the Border, Ministry Partners
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David, Jr., Dave, Daniel, Bill and Ray

Bill Yarbrough has done an outstanding job leading Living in Grace in Tijuana with our friend, Daniel Nunez. The first night we had a great group. As Bill began to share about how helpless we are to save ourselves, and our complete dependence on the Lord for our growth in Christ, they slowly got on board. At first, it seemed like they were wondering where he was coming from, but as he shared more they began to warm up, and become more engaged.

We had a real downpour on Friday, so we had to cancel the event that was planned for Friday night. The church we were going to meet at required people to drive through mud, and huge puddles. This meant that the people would not show up.

On Saturday things dried up some, although it was still hard to get to the church we made it. The group on Saturday was comprised of a number of pastors and their spouses. It was thrilling to see their enthusiasm to come and learn. All of these pastors have at least one other job to help sustain himself. Their commitment to serve the Lord is laudable.

Bill, Dave and Jim crossing back into the USA on foot

We have one day to go, Sunday. We are excited to meet with our dear brothers again. It is so encouraging to see people begin to get the concepts of grace. It’s been quite an experience crossing back and forth across the border. It’s giving us a glimpse of what ministry here might look like.

Thanks for praying. We do sense the presence of your prayer. God indeed is moving in the hearts of men and women on the border.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

Don’t Make an Idol Out of Mexico!

Posted: September 12, 2011 in Journey, Ministry
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Dave & Dawn with Ron & Queta Shaw

On Sunday, Dawn and I were able to see some good friends, and former colleagues with Mission to the World, Ron and Queta Shaw. They served in the spiritual life department at MTW. Ron was a pastor to the missionaries. The Lord used them many times to encourage us as we served in Mexico City.

They also ministered to us when we left Mexico. Ron reminded me, “Dave, don’t make an idol out of Mexico, and don’t make an idol out of being a missionary!” It took a while for those words to sink in. I really did love being a missionary in Mexico, and at the time it was hard to let go. It was something I needed to hear, and it has stuck with me to this day.

Even though the Lord is calling us back to the field, I still don’t want to make an idol out of being a missionary, or Mexico.

It was great to reconnect with the Shaws in Asheville, NC at their church. It was also fun to meet some of their friends over lunch at a house with a beautiful view of the North Carolina mountains. Such encouraging people. Thank you Jesus! Dawn and I enjoyed the wonderful Southern hospitality!

We are at Ridge Haven this week in North Carolina, for MTW’s, Living in Grace conference. It’s a conference that focuses on the gospel. If we are going to share about God’s grace with others, it’s important for us to be deeply rooted, and grounded in God’s love.

Ron Shaw wrote the material for this conference. I am reminded again while I’m here not to make an idol out of ministry, my children, people, etc. Do not put anything before God. Isn’t that the first commandment?

Thank the Lord for good friends like Ron and Queta. For friends that encourage us along the way.

In HIs Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org