Posts Tagged ‘Mercy Ministry’

A Baby’s Cry for a Bar of Soap

Posted: March 8, 2023 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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The Big Island’s Economic Crisis
Sofia with her Grandmother

I just read an article on the news website 14ymedio.com about how the inflation on the Big Island is seven times higher than the increase in salary. This is reflected in the poverty that our familia faces in a greater measure daily. The article says it’s the worst economic crisis that the people have faced in the last 70 years, which is an astounding assessment of the state of this Island full of so many beautiful people.

One of our pastor friends wrote me this week and shared an example of how the economic collapse is affecting the families.

Feeding families on the Big Island is not easy as food prices continue to rise. Your gifts help these families
Sofia’s Cry

This testimony came from the wife, Maria, of one of our pastors on the Big Island. (It’s translated from Spanish, and it might be a little rough, but I thought it would give you a better idea if I left it that way) “My cousin gave birth 4 months ago. The arrival of a baby into the world brings great joy to all the families in the world. It is also like that on the Big Island, but unfortunately it also brings some sadness when the family begins to consider how they are going to feed her, to dress her, to have the articles for her personal use. The baby’s name is Sofia. Yesterday her mother told me while crying that the only soap that they had at home was to bathe the baby girl and since she bathed her in the patio, she left the soap outside of the house, and someone came by and stole it . A bar of soap in Camaguey is selling for 270 pesos (which is about $1.90 USD). The average salary on the Big Island is only $25 a month.

Life is more and more expensive as the cost of living continues to rise, families are poorer every day. Hunger, misery and lack of resources have caused some people to start stealing, there are already many examples on a day-to-day basis that are seen in each town, situations that have never happened before. Maybe some think? Why cry for a bar of soap? The sad reality is not the soap, it is that how this mother is going to bathe her 4-month-old girl, how can she maintain her hygiene in a place where it is very hot and that there is also no pest control, where dengue fever is worse every year and contagions are growing.

When does the time come to choose? If she buy a 270 peso bar of soap, she won’t be able to buy a pound of rice to be able to eat something during the day. Because her family is made up of 3 children and 2 adults. She had no choice but to talk to pastor Luis and tell him what had happened to her. Luis only had two bars of soap at home and there are 3 who live at home. We do not hesitate to share a bar of soap with her so that at least in their house Sofia would have something to bathe with.

This leads me to think how many people outside this Island have more than one bar of soap in their homes? How many people who have two would be willing to share with one? How many people cannot travel to this Island, but can support Christian and non-Christian families with their prayers and the kindness by extending their friendly hands?

Perhaps you think, “what I can give is very little,” but a little makes a difference to those who have nothing. To those who have the most, it is always good to be generous and remember that each work of your hands giving food and shelter to the poorest is the work that Christ left for us to do.

The sad reality for Sofia is also the sad reality of many families on this Island.

We pray to God that he will touch the hearts of men and women to extend their hands to give a piece of heaven to those on the Big Island. God bless in EVERYTHING to those who with outstretched loving hands dry tears and give away smiles.

Thank you because just for taking your time to read what I have written you have dried my tears and revived the hope that you can be a beautiful instrument in the hands of God on the Big Island.”

Extend Your Hands to Help Those in Need!
Pastor Ernesto and his wife, Denise (bottom left) have been able to help feed the people in their church because of your generous gifts

The church is growing and many are coming to Christ, despite all the suffering. God is doing a great and mighty work on the Big Island. Many families have a meal on their table, and a bar of soap, because of your willingness to extend your hands to help. Thank you for the vital role that you play. TOGETHER we can make a difference!

Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider extending your hands to give a piece of heaven to those on the Big Island. You can support one family for $25 a month. Make a Donation Today.

Click to Donate…

A Tale of Two Cities on the Big Island 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

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

Your Gifts are Changing Lives

Posted: June 6, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Christ’s Love is Shining Brightly on the Big Island
The Church is growing and making a difference on the Big Island

This week I’d like to share the testimony from one of the pastors that we are working with on the Big Island. This will give you a taste of what the pastors we are partnering with are doing, and how the Lord is using the donations that you are sending through Beyond Borders.

Pastor Marco’s Testimony
Pastor Marco with one of th elderly couples the church is giving aid to

Hola my name is *Marco, and I am the pastor of the church in Cabaiguan in the center of the Big Island. Our goal is to develop the multiplication of new churches. My wife and I are ministering to more than 80 people, and we have 4 churches that we’ve started.

We have been able to help more than 60 families with food and toiletries. This includes 15 elderly families and 20 single mothers. These families have expressed immense gratitude for the donations of love that they have received.

An 18 year-old woman, *Diana who is 8 months pregnant, and also has a 4 year old daughter cried with joy when we visited her and shared the blessings and gifts we brought. Her husband is in prison, but she told us that she was confident that God would send her help in a similar way to how the Lord helped the prophet Elijah when He used the ravens to bring Elijah food. Now Diana’s faith is much stronger and she keeps looking to the Lord each day.

We were also able to help another young single mother, *Jacquelin finish building her house (photo above). She lives alone with her 2 children. She was in great need.

We thank God for the gifts that you have sent. God has done many great things in our ministry!

We would like to ask you to pray with us that we can complete the construction of a dining room for our church so that we can provide food to many poor families in the community who don’t have enough food to eat. We hope that God will open new doors and provide for this need.

In the last few months we have shared the gospel with 120 people. The Word of the Lord continues touching hearts. We ask you beloved brothers to continue to pray for the work of God on the Big Island.

Greetings and thanks to our mentors David and Lety (Dawn) for helping us in our ministry with love and peace.

DIOS LES BENDIGA Y RECOMPENSE ❤ God Bless You and Reward You ❤
*(The names have been changed for security reasons)

Extend Your Hands to Help Those in Need

Your prayers and your financial gifts are making a huge difference as we sow the seed of the gospel. An example of this is the testimony that pastor Marco shared with us above. Your donations enable us to send monthly aid to families on the Big Island. You can read more about the growth of the church and the challenges that our familia is facing on the Big Island here…

We would like to ask you to extend your hands to help those in need.  You play an important part in seeing the extension of the kingdom of God in Mexico and on the Big Island! 
Our familia is forever grateful for your generosity.

Click to Donate…
Video: A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities featuring Jessica’s prayer for toothpaste

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

A Tale of Two Cities

Posted: April 4, 2022 in Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Growth in Spite of the Suffering on the Big Island
The Church is Alive and Growing on the Big Island

Every day I receive messages from our familia on the Big Island. They are letting us know how they are doing, and how we can be praying for them. I like to send them short devotional messages and prayers with the hope that they will breathe life into their soul. Jesus uses these words to minister hope and encouragement to them. The isolation they live in from the rest of the world makes these words and the connection all the more important.

It’s the tale of two cities, because on the hand the church is growing. It’s growing in amazing ways! Thousands are coming to Christ and the Lord is moving powerfully through our familia. On the other hand the people suffer, because of the oppression and that the scarcity that they are forced to endure.

Many of our familia have health problems because of the lack of food medicine. It saddens our hearts to hear the stories of the families that we’ve come to love. Just today I received a message from Dairon one of the leaders in the church. He told me that his daughter, Jessica is seeing the doctor, because she has been battling with diabetes and hypertension. She’s very young to be dealing with these health issues. Jessica is featured in the video below that I’ve included in this post.

Dairon’s wife, Dayana (who is also featured in the video) had been experiencing some hemorrhaging and they feared that she might have cancer. The church prayed fervently and she’s been cleared, so we give thanks for that. We are also praying for Jessica’s health and healing.

Video: A Tale of Two Cities on the Big Island
God is doing an amazing work on the Big Island in spite of the hardships our familia is facing

One of the pastors, Jorge that we work closely with is often in ill health, because of the lack of protein in his diet. We are sending aid to these families, but it’s an ongoing struggle as the lack of food, basic needs and medicine is a ever present problem on the Big Island. Things that we never have to think about or worry about here in the USA are constant concerns for our familia. That’s why it’s so important that you pray.

Even with all these obstacles the pastors and leaders in these churches are committed to take the love of Christ to every man, woman and child. They are some of most powerful prayer warriors that I’ve ever met, which is one of the big reasons why the church is growing. God is on the move. Help us to pray for these wonderful friends, who have become our familia!

Join Us Prayer

Your prayers and your financial gifts are pivotal and they are making a huge difference in the lives of these families. We’d like to ask you to extend your hands to help those in need. You play an important part in seeing the extension of the kingdom of God in Mexico and on the Big Island! Our familia is forever grateful for your generosity.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

Refugees finding Jesus on the Border

Posted: February 21, 2022 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Migrants in Need of Jesus
Some of the migrants outside the church

The migrants at the border seeking to cross into the perceived “promised land” of the US is a hot topic. It’s one of the issues that divides people. My purpose in this post isn’t to address the political issues pertaining to the border. Rather to focus on the opportunities that the crisis at the US/Mexico is providing.

I enjoy connecting with other ministries and exploring ways to partner with them. Even if we don’t end up working together we can at least encourage one another. Recently I learned about a church that was providing food and shelter for more than 1,000 migrant refugees. It peaked my interest, because I know some people from California that are going down to minister and to provide aid.

Jesus’s Ambassadors Making a Difference
The bunk beds inside the church

I was amazed to meet the pastor and see the ministry of Embajadores de Jesus (Jesus’s Ambassadors) in Tijuana. Pastor Gustavo told me that the church has been ministering to migrants for 11 years. There are a number of churches, and humanitarian groups that help to feed, house of clothe the refugees. The people are coming mainly from Haiti and Central America.

Anna’s Story
Anna with her 4 year old son

I talked to some them and asked them about their story. Anna told me that she came from Honduras with her two sons. She tried to cross the border into the USA with her boys. They allowed her 15 year old son to cross, but they turned her and her younger son back. She’s been in Tijuana for at least 9 months hoping that she can join her son, who now lives with a Anna’s brother in North Carolina.

I asked her why she decided to leave her country and make the dangerous trek to the USA. Anna said that she came for the dream of a better life. She had to pay the “coyote” $9,000 USD to bring her and her family to Tijuana. In my brief encounter with Anna I would say that she is a very pleasant young lady. She seemed to be at peace having found a good place where she and her son are cared for.

I think her story is quite common. Unfortunately, those that bring them to the border take advantage of the people that are fleeing bad situations. They charge a high price, and they promise that it will be easy. Yet when they arrive at the US/Mexico border there is another harsh reality that awaits them.

There are many similar sad stories of the people that make it to Embajadores de Jesus in Tijuana.

Many are Finding Christ!
Miguel from Guatemala shared his story. His now working and supporting his mom and brother in Tijuana

The light of Christ shines most brightly in the darkness. Thousands of refugees are finding Christ as they journey north. The church holds services and Bible Studies that the migrants must attend if they wish to stay. A new friend told me that they found some of the refugees praying and worshipping the Lord in the middle of the night. They’ve created a culture where the people love God and our hungry for a deeper relationship with Him.

God is at work. That’s what I find exciting.

The enemy of our soul always seeks to kill, steal and destroy, but God has a way of turning that around. He has a way of making what the evil one intended to harm us and making it be something good and helpful.

A Dream for Something Greater
Pastor Gustavo

Pastor Gustavo told me about his dream to build a small city center to minister to all the people. This center will include a hospital, school, stores, vocational training and the church will be at the center.

Since I’m just getting to know this ministry I don’t know what the Lord has in store, but I’m encouraged by what they are doing, and how Jesus is using them. The gospel is being proclaimed in the midst of darkness. Jesus is being lifted on high. The gospel and mercy are coming together.

It reminds me of Jesus word’s in Luke 4:18. Where Jesus quotes Isaiah’s prophecy from Isaiah 61.

““The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,”

Luke 4:18 NIV (Emphasis mine)

Join Dawn and me in praying for Pastor Gustavo and his team as they minister to the migrant refugees. Pray for wisdom as I explore the opportunities.

Extend Your Hands to Help
The people standing in line for food and clothing

Dawn and I appreciate you and the pivotal role you play through your prayers and financial gifts. You are helping extend the loving arms of the Father to bring the living water, the spring of eternal life to the Border, the Baja and Beyond! 

We’d like to ask you to extend your hands to help those in need.

Your gift will help us to accomplish the God given vision to impact, Tijuana, Colima, Mexicali, Oaxaca, and Beyond to the Big Island for generations to come. Our familia on the Big Island is still dealing with staggering needs. Sadly, the crisis is ongoing and it has only gotten worse as time has gone on. We are thankful that we can be an instrument to bless others, and we’d love for you to join us in this effort.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Explosive Growth Despite Persecution

Posted: November 9, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Nothing Can Stop the Advance of the Gospel
Our familia loves to worship

In our ministry we seek to fulfill the Great Commission that Christ gave his followers. We primarily do that through starting new churches in Mexico and on the Big Island. It’s interesting to me that in spite of all the lack of food, basic needs and medicine on the Big Island the church continues to grow. It might have slowed down in some areas, because of all of the restrictions placed on the people. Yet, in other areas it is growing.

Pastor Lucas and his wife, Maria wrote the following to us, “so far this year, despite the pandemia, and many crises that we have faced, these statistics are the result of the work of the church.” Then they went on to share some of the jaw dropping statistics. Through their ministry they shared the gospel with 12,326, and 7,396 made professions of faith! They’ve divided these new people up into 11 territories and each territory has 6 house churches. That’s 66 new churches! The people worship the Lord, they are discipled and equipped in these house churches. The new believers have become an instrument in the Lord’s hands to bring new people, their family and their friends to church.

Wow! Praise the Lord! God is so good and so faithful!

Despite all the challenges we see that it has not stopped the advance of the gospel.

One of our friends on the Big Island
Pastor Ronaldo’s Open Letter

Our friend *Ronaldo recently wrote me, and gave me an update about the situation on the Big Island.

My beloved brothers, first of all we want to thank God for his faithfulness, his promises and care through these complex times.

At the family level we can tell you that we are doing well despite the crises that our nation faces, God has been faithful and provides what is necessary every day. While we see God’s faithfulness it is also true that our nation is going through a deep economic, political, and social crisis. The sense of uncertainty and depression continues to increase; Unfortunately, in people’s minds, it is becoming increasingly difficult to think of a decent future in the medium and long term; sadly many people live without hope of a better future, and the option of emigrating from the country.

Faced with all this bad news; We can thank God that the good news of the gospel continues to bring salvation and hope to many fellow citizens. We have not had face-to-face services in our churches for almost two years now, which has forced us to be creative in the ways we can remain a church in these circumstances.

Another distinctive element in the ministerial work is helping people in need, in that sense we can say that the ministries of mercy and justice are taking a very strong role in the life of the church. On the other hand, there is the work of training and training the leadership of the churches, investing heavily in the new generation of leaders in order to guarantee the continuity of the Lord’s vision.

Of all these good things that God is doing in our midst, you are participants through the gospel of all this, dear brothers and sisters. We are very grateful that together we can be working on the extension and advancement of the kingdom of God in this world.

We reiterate our gratitude for your support, and for joining us on this beautiful day and work.
We leave you this portion of the Word that is found in the Gospel of John 1: 5
The light shines in the dark, and the dark will never be able to put it out …
We praise and glorify the name of our God, there is nothing, absolutely nothing that can stop the advance of the glorious gospel of him.

In Christ, *Ronaldo (name changed for security reasons)

There is nothing that can stop the advance of the Gospel! Let us rejoice!

Extend Your Hands to Help!
Our familia on the Big Island

Please stand with us and extend your hands to help those in need on the Big Island. One of the reasons that Ronaldo’s family is doing well in spite of the crisis is because of your generous gifts. You can help by making a donation today!

Click to Donate…

Thank you, dear friends and family!

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

God is Always at Work!

Posted: September 16, 2020 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Church is Growing on the Big Island
Roberto and Yolanda and their gifted family

This week I’d like to highlight a couple of church planters from the Big Island that I haven’t written about before. By the way, some people have asked me about the Big Island (hint: I’m not referring to Hawaii). Both of these couples are very gifted, and the Lord is using them in amazing ways. We’ve been sending them financial help since March so that they can feed their families and help others in need. This also enables them to minister and stay healthy, which is crucial.

Roberto & Yolanda Sending Out More Church Planters
Roberto praying for and commissioning the new church planters (notice the sweat stained shirt, it’s very hot on the Big Island)

Roberto* and Yolanda* lead a church planting movement (*not their real names). Just this year alone they’ve planted 9 churches. That’s with the COVID-19 crisis and all. Roberto asked me in early August if we could help him send a church planter to a key city to start a new church there. I brought this need before Village 7 Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs and they decided to partner with us on this project. Thank you, Jesus!

The new church planters were commissioned this last Sunday and they are heading out this week. How blessed are the feet of those who bring the good news of the gospel to others!

Something else that I admire about Roberto and Yolando is they are amazing singers, especially Yolando. Their entire family has formed a musical group and they sing and lead worship in various churches. The Lord uses them in a powerful way to encourage others in the faith.

Adolfo & Maria are Seeing Amazing Growth
Dave with Adolfo and Maria

The other family that I’d like to highlight is Adolfo* and Maria* (*not their real names). Adolfo and his wife have led the charge to plant 15 churches in 2020. It’s amazing and thrilling to see the church grow and even thrive in this season that we are all experiencing. They are a quiet and unassuming couple, but the Lord is using them in powerful ways!

I know that there is a lot of bad news out there today, and it’s gone on so long this year that it is hard not to get caught up in the swirl. It’s a challenge to not let it affect you in a negative way. I can assure you that even in these difficult times the church is still growing. God is still at work. In fact, God is always at work!

Giving Thanks for Your Generosity
Roberto with some of the people that he is ministering to that we’ve been able to bless with food and basic needs

The Lord has enabled us to provide food and basic needs for a number of families on the Big Island, because of the generosity of many friends. Dawn and I give thanks for your willingness to give!

Just between Roberto and Adolfo and the churches they are working with we’ve been able to provide food for 209 people, 67 families. Of those that we’ve helped in these churches 18 of them have been church planters. That’s only counting these two workers and the churches they are associated with. We’ve helped more than 700 people overall since March. God is so good!

Extend Your Hands to Help!
15 year old David is raising chicken so he can feed families with the eggs

The good news is that the Lord has provided for us to send aid to our familia on the Big Island. The bad news is that the scarcity continues. The people are still suffering from all the lack of food and basic needs. Prayerfully consider a gift today, so that we can continue to help the hurting, to help the families living under this tremendous burden.

Extend your hands to help our friends and familia on the Big Island! Click on the button below to make a donation today!

Click to donate…

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Your Gifts Bring Joy to Our Familia

Posted: August 24, 2020 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Jumping for Joy as the Lord Provides
One of the pastors with the children from his church on the Big Island

I just sent a gift, an offering of love to our familia on the Big Island. The messages I received after I sent these gifts were so uplifting. I wish you could see all the wonderful and encouraging messages I receive. I’d like to give you a glimpse through this post.

One of the pastors told me that the funds came just at the right time, and that the people in the church were jumping for joy. The Lord is providing for them. Hallelujah! As you extend your hands in love we are able together to help so many wonderful friends, who are living in desperate times.

I asked the pastors that we’ve been supporting to send me an update, and I learned that now we’ve helped more than 750 people since March of this year. Thank the Lord! The majority of these people have received aid on a monthly basis, because their needs are ongoing. The situation hasn’t improved. The coronavirus has further crippled their already broken economy.

The Horse and Buggy
The new horse and carriage that you gave towards and prayed for was used for the children at a VBS outreach this summer.

You might remember that in May I wrote about Rolando’s horse and buggy being stolen. I asked for prayer and for help to cover the cost of replacing the loss. The horse and carriage are essential for Rolando’s livelihood. He also uses the transportation to help the church as they minister to families and children in the community.

The good news is through your generosity the Lord provided. Rolando purchased another horse and carriage. The church was able to use it recently for their VBS. The pastor of the church where Rolando ministers sent me pictures (like the one above), and they all celebrated God’s grace and his goodness to provide.

Video Highlight of God’s Good Work

I made a short 3 minute video highlighting what Jesus is doing on the Big Island. I’d like to share it with you here.

We give thanks for the Lord’s wonderful work on the Big Island!

Extend Your Hands to Give
One of the families that we’ve help on the Big Island

Please join us in prayer as we just learned that hurricane Laura is effecting the eastern part of the Big Island, so we appreciate your prayers for the Lord’s supernatural protection for the country and the families who live in those areas. There’s already so many difficulties that the people are trying to overcome, because of the COVID-19 crisis. We can be assured that the Lord hears and answers our prayers.

Dawn and I are grateful for how the Lord has used your prayers and your generosity to help the families on the Big Island. Their needs are very real, and heartbreaking, but the Lord has used you to bring relief. The scarcity of food and basic needs is an ongoing reality. Please give to help feed a family today. Your gifts bring more joy and smiles than you can imagine!

Click here to give …

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

A Horse, A Buggy, & A Shoe: Our Familia Cubana

Posted: May 19, 2020 in Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Rolando – His Horse & Carriage
Rolando in the striped shirt taking families home from church

This last week was quite a week. We received an urgent message on Friday from our friends Pastor Mario and Yany that someone had stolen the only. horse and buggy of one of the leaders in their church, Rolando. I’ve benefited from rides on Rolando’s carriage when I’ve been in Cuba. The last time I was there, Rolando took us to meet our taxi in the city, so I could go to the airport in Havana. When I offered to give him some money to pay for his help, he didn’t want to take it. He told me that he liked to help out those from the church. I said to him, “I would like to bless you and your family,” so he finally accepted my offer.

Rolando is a wonderful and faithful servant of God. He always helps the church with rides. It’s hard for the elderly and families to walk to church.

Also, he depends on the horse and carriage for his livelihood, so it’s a huge loss for him. I asked some pastor friends of mine if they would be willing to pitch in to help Rolando replace his horse and carriage. All of them said, “yes.” Mario and Yany told me that it costs $800 to buy another horse and buggy. Would you pitch in as well and give a gift by clicking here or the button below?

Families Give Thanks for the Friends Who have Helped Them
Families giving thanks for the help that they’ve received

Dawn and I are thankful for the generosity of those of you that have given so far. Together we’ve helped over 230 people and more than 65 families. We put together some videos of the families that have received help. It’s gratifying to know that they have food to eat, and that they don’t have to go to bed hungry. You can also read more about the families that we helped in our post: Friends Helping Hands: Our Familia Cubana.

Extend Your Hands to Help
Photo of $30 basic grocery basket taken from the news website: 14ymedio.com

It’s amazing to see how even a small gift can make a huge difference! The average monthly salary in Cuba is $25 – $50. Just to give you a small example of how hard it is for them to live, their basic grocery basket (photo above) of mayonnaise, chicken, soap, detergent, and some tomato sauce cost them more than $30. This is supposed to be a special deal for those health workers who have to care for the sick during the COVID-19 crisis. This represents more than half of what a health care worker earns in a month.

You can extend your hands to help these precious families!

Shoes or Food, which would you Choose?

One of the young boys, Angel* from one of the families that we helped said that even though he doesn’t have shoes, and he has to go barefoot – he is still thankful that he has food to eat, and that he doesn’t have to go hungry. Here’s a short 30-second video of Angel (holding the sign in the photo below) with his family.

Friends Helping Hands: Yolanda and her son Angel give thanks

You can get a glimpse through these videos, and through the collage of photos the difference that we are able to make through your gifts. There is still a need to give and extend your hands to help our Cuban familia. Click on the button below to donate, and to make a difference in the life of a family!

Donation
Thank You for Your Prayers & Gifts

Continue to pray for these needs, for protection for the people, and their leaders. In addition to the mounting stresses due to COVID – 19, our pastors have recently been experiencing serious persecution. Please also join us in prayer for their safety.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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