Top: Federico and Blanca Muñoz family at Damaris’ quinceañera; bottom right: Noe & Eneydi Reyes family; bottom left: Eliel and Jessica Osorio family
The church is growing all throughout Mexico, and we are excited that we get to be a part of all that God is doing. The expansion of God’s church is inevitable. We see from the book of Acts how the church has grown. Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Then in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost the promised Holy Spirit was poured out and the church began to grow like wild fire. The once fearful disciples, became bold and brave when they encountered opposition.
We have the same Holy Spirit today who emboldens his people. The gospel is going forth in power. Lives are becoming transformed by Jesus Christ. That is why we start new churches. We pray for and work for the ever growing expansion of God’s kingdom through the proclamation of the good news of Jesus.
I put together some videos with my good friend and fellow missionary, Jim DeWitt that highlight some of the church plants that we are working on in Mexico. Oaxaca led by Pastor Eliel and Jessica Osorio. Durango led by Pastor Noe and Eneydi Reyes. Mexicali led by Pastor Federico and Blanca Muñoz. Each one of these churches are making an impact in the communities that they are reaching. In the video I expand on what each church is doing. How the Lord is using them for His Glory!
Video: God is Building HIs Church
Extend Your Hands to Help!
Dawn and I are grateful that we can be a part of the great and mighty work that God is doing in Mexico, on the Big Island and the Dominican Republic. Your prayers and your gifts play a critical role as the gospel goes forth. We are supporting church planters and the life changing ministries that they are involved in. Extend your hands to support our church planters, our familia today!
Dave and Dawn thankful for the Lord’s Good Work and Many Blessings!
It’s hard to believe that today is the last day of January. It seems like just a few days ago the new year was starting!
I just realized that this month marks 11 years since I began this website/blog. That’s amazing!
I’m in the process of giving my website an upgrade, which has made it harder to post anything lately. In the near future, this site will look different. I believe you will enjoy the changes. Over the last few days if you’ve tried to access this site you may have received a message saying that it was a private site, and I apologize for that. There also may be a few other bugs as we work on the upgrade. Thanks for your patience.
In Awe of God’s Goodness and the Growth of the Church
Pastor Esteban and Cinthya Martinez leading the new church in Rosarito, Mexico
Today I’d like to share a video that highlights some of the ways the Lord blessed us in 2021. Last year wasn’t an easy year for many of us. We hoped for better, but the year presented a number of challenges. Despite these challenges the church grew on the Border, the Baja and Beyond!
Dawn and I are in awe of how the Lord is growing the church on the Big Island. The church is growing by so much in some areas, that it is hard to believe what is happening. We are so impressed by the faithfulness of our God, and the commitment and dedication of our familia. In my next post I would like share about how more than 12,000 people came to Christ this last 2021.
The church didn’t grow at the same pace in Mexico, but it is growing. In this video I share more about the church that we built and helped plant in Rosarito Mexico, as well what God is doing on the Big Island.
Video Highlights of Ministry from 2021
Extend Your Hands to Help
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 prayerfully consider joining us this year in prayer and through a financial gift to support church planting in Mexico and on the Big Island.
Your gift will help us to accomplish the God given vision to impact, Tijuana, Colima, Mexicali, Oaxaca, the Big Island and Beyond 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. Not only is there a lack of food and basic goods, but the prices are skyrocketing and they are having to stand in long lines for hours at a time to get the little food that is available. We are thankful that we can be an instrument to bless others, and we’d love for you to join us in this effort.
Dave with pastors Samuel, Francisco, Roberto & Raul
On the road in Northwestern Mexico. This week I’ve traveled to some places in Northern Mexico that I’ve never been to, Ciudad Obregón and Hermosillo. I’m meeting with pastors and church planters. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to get to know these outstanding men and women and to learn about their work. Such wonderful people who have made great sacrifices for the gospel.
Most of the pastors I talked to have already started other churches. One of them has started 3 churches in just a few years time. So encouraging!
We Long for More!
Dawn and I keep praying for more, and we are praying that we can help plant more churches throughout Mexico and Beyond. I like to say igniting church-planting movements on the Border, the Baja and Beyond! One of the principle places where we are seeing multiplication is in Cuba, but it is happening in Mexico as well. It’s so good to see the church grow.
I feel like one of the great advantages that I have when I meet with these pastors and learn from them is it also allows me to pray for them and to encourage them. The Lord has given me a love and a compassion for them, and we connect deeply in relatively brief period of time.
The Battle Rages On
Some of our Cuban prayer warrior friends. They know how to pray!
One of the pastors, Samuel told me that where he is planting his churches there is a lot of witchcraft going on, which is increasing in Mexico. He said because of that the people battle with more sickness. Samuel said his leaders have helped train them in how to pray and deal with the attacks of the enemy, but he also felt like they needed more help. We’ve found that witchcraft is a serious problem in Cuba and most of the other countries we work in. I believe that it’s on the rise in the US as well.
These pastors are right on the front of the battle lines, and they need encouragement and prayer support. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers and principalities, Ephesians 6:12.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:3,4 ESV
Even with these obstacles the church is growing. The church is multiplying!
Join Us in Prayer !
Dawn & I are glad to be on this journey with you
I celebrate this growth, and at the same time I long for more. Join with us in the battle. Pray with us and for us. Pray also for these pastors that are in the trenches seeing people freed from darkness through the light of the gospel! The battle rages on, but we have victory in Christ.
Dawn and I just celebrated our anniversary yesterday, March 5. We hit an amazing milestone of 30 years of marital bliss. I can’t say that it’s always blissful, but it’s defintely worth working through those difficult days.
It’s Been Quite a Journey
Our family in the early days as we served in Mexico City
We’ve endured more than most couples. Our first year of marriage we lived in Fresno, California. Then our second year we lived in three different cities in three different States: Fresno, California; Detroit, Michigan; McAllen, Texas. Our first son, David Jr. was born in McAllen.
When David was 5 months old in April of 1991 we moved to Mexico City where we lived for the next 3 plus years. While in Mexico City both Jonathan and Hannah were born. When Hannah was about one month old we drove from Mexico to McLean, Virginia. That was quite an adventure. Three children in diapers traveling across Mexico and then onto the US. After about 6 months in Virginia we drove across country to Fresno.
Sometimes, when I look back on it all, I wonder what we were thinking!!! We were very driven, and we had more energy back then!
After about 6 months in Fresno, I drove with my dad and David jr. back to Mexico City, while Dawn flew to Mexico with Jonathan and Hannah. When we arrived the house we thought we had rented fell through, so we didn’t have a place to live. I don’t remember how long it took us to find a home, but we did eventually find a great place to live and serve.
On our second term in Mexico City, I was kidnapped. You can read the full story by clicking here: kidnapped 1 &, kidnapped 2. Then about a year and a half later I was held up at gunpoint and had my car stolen. They took me on a short joy ride during that robbery as well. I also wrote about that and you can read that story by clicking on this link: kidnapped 3.
From Mexico City to Colorado
The last picture we have of our family together before Hannah moved to heaven
From Mexico City we moved to Colorado Springs. Those years were relatively calm compared to our first 10 years of marriage. Of course, we did raise three teenagers in Colorado Springs which is never easy.
Then just over six years ago we moved from Colorado to where we are now serving on the San Diego – Tijuana border and beyond. I like to add beyond, because we travel and work throughout Mexico and in other Latin American countries. It’s an amazing and growing ministry!
Our Life on the Border and Beyond!
Our growing family: David jr., Hannah (Jonathan’s wife & our new daughter), Jonathan, Dawn and Dave
We love living and serving on the border, yet it hasn’t been easy. As most of you know if you’ve been following us that two years ago our beautiful daughter, Hannah moved to heaven. That’s not something you necessarily get over. In fact this last week I’ve especially been missing Hannah. Sometimes I feel sad, and sometimes I feel frustrated and upset. It’s extremely hard on Dawn as well. This is an area we can always use prayer for as we mourn our daughter’s early home going.
When I began writing this post I was going to go a different direction with it, but I trust the Lord led me to write a summary of our lives and some of the trials and adventures we’ve been on. Of course, there have been many wonderful moments and seasons as well.
Giving Thanks for the Gift Dawn has been to Me
Dawn and I are seeking to show and share the love of Christ wherever we are, and whenever the Lord opens the door!
I guess, my main point here is that I chose well and that the Lord has blessed me in many ways by giving me Dawn. I don’t think that too many women could have survived all that we’ve been through. Unfortunately, many marriages don’t stand the test of time. By God’s grace, in spite of all that we’ve been through our love for one another has grown over the years. We are still growing. You don’t stop. We are still striving to have a greater love and passion for the Lord and for one another.
I give thanks today for the gift that my wife is to me, and to my children. We are stronger together, and it’s so encouraging to see where the Lord is taking us and the doors he is opening for us! Thank you for following us and praying for us. We couldn’t do it without the support and prayers of faithful friends!
The newlyweds – Jonathan & Hannah Diaso with, grandpa Ron Diaso, David Diaso, Dawn Diaso, grandma Alice Moore and David Diaso, Jr.
On Saturday, December 1st at least two monumental events took place. One our son, Jonathan married, Hannah Blanco. Now we have another daughter named Hannah. Interesting how the Lord works! The wedding was an amazing and wonderful celebration!
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s Inauguration
The second monumental event that took place on December 1st is that Mexico inaugurated their new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The people use his initials and call him AMLO. He won the vote in historic fashion back in July. Those running against him were not even close.
As I read articles and talk to people about AMLO many see him as a type of savior for Mexico. This is partly due to all the crime and corruption in the previous administrations. AMLO appealed to the humble and the disenfranchised in the country, and Mexico has many people that fit that description.
My motivation here is not a political analysis, but more of raising some awareness of the change going on within Mexico, and call people to pray.
Herbs, Incense, and Purification
In AMLO’s attempt to reach out to the often overlooked indigenous people he invited them to participate in the inauguration. They performed a purification or a cleansing with incense and herbs.
“At one point, Lopez Obrador, who was sworn into office Saturday for a six-year term, dropped to his knees in a cloud of incense as indigenous healers performed a rite of purification, brushing him with bunches of herbs.”
LA Times by Cecilia Sanchez and Patrick J. Mcdonnell
I don’t know if the president knew what he was doing, but he invited the wrong gods into his presidency. Instead of submitting to the one true God to guide and lead him he invited evil in. AMLO dropped to his knees before the witch doctors!
Be Humble, Pray and Seek the Lord
This is in stark to contrast what the Lord promised to Solomon when he dedicated the temple to the Lord. The Lord said in 2 Chronicles 7:14,
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
The Lord calls us to humble ourselves and turn to him, to seek his face. I realize that neither the USA nor Mexico are Israel, but there are spiritual principles that the Lord has established. When we seek the Lord and look to him this invites his blessing. When we seek other gods it invites evil. The Lord does work in and through world leaders. I’d like to encourage you to join us in prayer for Mexico and for their new president AMLO. Pray that the president and the country will humble itself, pray and seek the Lord. I do believe God is at work in powerful ways in Mexico, and that is a big reason why opposition comes.
Dawn and I love Mexico and her people. We’ve given much of our lives to serving the Lord in Mexico. We pray for true and lasting change and transformation in our Querido Mexico.
I do thank the Lord that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. That greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world! Thank you, Jesus, for your mighty and great power. You defeated sin, death, and Satan on the cross. We have victory in Christ! Pray for Mexico that the gospel will cover the land like the waters cover the sea.
Dave with our friends from Ministerios Transformación
One of the joys of persevering in ministry is many surprises the Lord brings and all the wonderful people that we get to know along the way. Sometimes my friends and I joke around and say that, “the ministry would be great if it wasn’t for the people” 😉 but in reality the opposite is true. Ministry is great, because of the people.
I’m so grateful that some of my best friends are the people that I serve alongside!
A little over a week ago I celebrated my birthday, and to my surprise a couple days later at the Ministerios Transformación monthly pastors meeting they made a cake for me. Not only that, but they took time out of their meeting to share about how Dawn and I had ministered to them in different ways over the years.
Wow! We felt so loved!
The experience was a huge honor for me, and one of the highlights of all of my years in ministry. To have so many pastors recognize the contribution we have made to them and their church efforts was so encouraging. I told them that it made both Dawn and me feel loved. It was an amazing time!
It’s interesting that right before the meeting I was feeling a little down. Partly due to some disappointment I felt regarding certain aspects of the work. Also, I find that special days are harder for me emotionally now that Hannah’s gone.
Hannah loved to celebrate others. She loved to party, and she had a way of making me and others feel loved and special. So it seems like there is a big hole when she’s not with me on these days.
Thankful for our Friends & God’s Faithfulness
A great night to celebrate our friendship and all that the Lord has done!
God is so faithful and he shows his concern, his care and his love for me through others. Our good friends, Daniel and Yolanda Nuñez who lead Ministerios Transformación came up with the idea to encourage me at their meeting. The time was so special for a number of reasons. It was unexpected, and they are friends that Dawn and I love and respect. They walked through Hannah’s passing with us. They’ve prayed for us and encouraged us along the way. We’ve sought to do the same for them.
I’m grateful that by God’s grace we’ve helped them to plant five churches. We’ve also raised funds to help five churches expand as their ministry has grown. These churches are making a difference in the communities that they serve in. We do it all for the glory of the Lord, to make his name great. We’ve been able to train a number of their pastors in leadership, church planting, and coaching. A truly wonderful relationship that we give thanks to the Lord for.
What a joy to count them as our friends!
Dawn and I are very rich, because of them!
Thank you, Jesus! Thank you for your grace and your continued work, and thank you for all our wonderful partners!
Dave with Pastor Ivan on the foundation for the new church plant – taken before we built the church
Pastor Ivan Casados and I are in Monterrey, Mexico for church planting training with other Mexican church planters. I’m grateful that Ivan can go through this training, and that I can be here with him. The Lord has given us an opportunity to learn together.
Our hope is that through this training Ivan will be better equipped to plant his church with Lo Mejor del Trigo in Ribera del Bosque. Ivan and his wife, Rocio are off to a good start. They have doubled in size growing from 30 to 60 since April.
We praise the Lord for his good work through them!
A Great Opportunity!
It is a great opportunity for us to work with Mission to the World’s (MTW) Monterrey team. The Church Planting Center, which are Monterrey team operates is a great resource for us. The team here is more advanced in some areas than we are on the border, so I want to learn from them and collaborate with them.
As we work with the team in Monterrey our ministry on the border and the Baja will be able to advance in providing training for church planters. I’m also partnering with the Monterrey team to develop mentoring/coaching for our church planters.
Coming Alongside Our Church Planters
Monterrey, Mexico
Our church planters are great people who love the Lord, but they need support. Most people who are starting new churches flounder if they don’t have any type of training or coaching, We desire to see our churches and the leaders of our churches thrive.
One of the things I’ve learned in my years of ministry is that it is not easy to work in partnership with other ministries. It seems that there are many obstacles, and one of the principle ones can be our ego.
On the other hand, it is powerful when God’s people come together for the kingdom. I believe this is one of the reasons it’s so hard to pull it off. The enemy seeks to derail kingdom work.
Join Us In Prayer
Dawn and I covet your prayers as we attempt to develop this training for our work on the border and the Baja. We realize we are a target. We need for the Lord to guide us and protect as we seek to see the advance of the kingdom. Ultimately we want to see the church grow for the glory of God. We pray that many will call on the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sometimes I’ve felt like I’ve loved Mexico, but that the love hasn’t been mutual. In part I say this in jest, but not entirely. You might remember that I was kidnapped when I lived in Mexico City. Then I was held up at gunpoint and I had my car stolen.
I also had my share of bad experiences with the police. One year I was stopped by them 12 times and they were all pretexts to get a bribe. I must say that wasn’t real enjoyable.
Despite some of these bad experiences I still love this country and it’s people. I’ve had some many more good experiences that outweigh the bad ones.
Mexican Flag
A Pleasant Surprise
Just yesterday the Lord gave me a pleasant surprise. I was pulled over by a policeman. I cannot tell a lie, I did something I shouldn’t have done. I made a u-turn where it was prohibited to do so. I disobeyed the law. Although I did argue my case with the policeman, because even though I didn’t obey the sign there was no clear direction on how to get where I wanted to go.
While I was engaged in discussion with the officer three other cars did the same thing I had done. The policeman pulled over one of them. To my surprise the policeman was very friendly. He was probably the friendliest policeman I’ve ever encountered in Mexico. He ended up just giving me a warning and he told me how to get to where I was going and sent me on my way.
Wow! Thank you Lord. I know that the Lord watches over me and protects me and my family.
This weekend I’ve had the privilege of being in gospel advancement meetings in San José de Los Cabos. It’s been wonderful to be with fellow Mission to the World (MTW) teammates as well as pastors and leaders from the national church.
I must confess that at times the meetings were tedious, but overall I found our time encouraging. Everything happens through relationships in Mexico, and we had an outstanding time to get to know our Mexican brothers and sisters.
Christ-centered Preaching
Larry Trotter teaching on Christ-centered preaching
We were able to play a key role in the meetings. On Friday my friend and our Mexico director, Larry Trotter did an excellent job teaching on Christ-centered preaching. He had the majority of the people there asking him when he could come speak and teach at their church.
Larry also preached a Christ-centered sermon on Sunday from Psalm 110. It was a great exclamation point to the churches 6th anniversary celebration. During the service three people publicly confessed their faith and they were baptized.
O Lord, That Your Church will Grow
On Saturday I enjoyed the opportunity to teach on church planting movements. My teammates, Peter Boling and Jim DeWitt assisted me. The group received it well, and I am very encouraged as we all leave.
Dave teaching on Church Planting Movements
I do pray that the gospel will advance in Mexico, and I pray for your Holy Spirit to blow so that we will see many won to Christ, and many new churches planted. Jesus please do your might work!
Peter and Jenny Boling (middle) with Dawn and Dave and Yolanda’s mom (left) and Sophie (our summer intern – middle right), Yolanda and Daniel and Camila Nuñez (right)
One of the things that I’m most excited about as I look back on 2013 is the expansion of our team and missions presence. The Lord opened the door for us to begin working with Peter and Jenny Boling!
They are missionaries with Mission to the World (MTW). Peter and Jenny were ministering in Bogotá, Colombia, but they felt God tugging at their hearts and calling them to Los Cabos in Baja California.
Dawn and I are thrilled to work alongside the Bolings, and have them join our team. The only complication I’ve had is that I’ve called our team the San Diego-Tijuana team, so now we have to adjust some 🙂 . Although I always thought of it as San Diego-Tijuana and beyond!
God’s Answer for More Workers and Ministry Expansion
A map of Baja California Sur Municipalities highlighting Los Cabos. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It’s thrilling to have more workers, which is one of the answers to prayer that we’ve seen this past year. We are so excited to see our missionary force expanding! Lord, please continue your work and send even more laborers.
Peter and Jenny moved to Los Cabos in September, and they are already connecting with ministries at the tip of Baja. The Bolings are caring and loving servants, who are full of grace. I believe that the Lord will use them in a powerful way in 2014 and into the future.
Peter was saved out of a gangs and a wayward life. This has given him a tremendous platform to minister to those that are caught up in a lifestyle of drug addiction, alcohol and gang warfare. One of the ministries that Peter has connected with has an effective outreach to those in gangs. Many gang members are coming to Christ and growing in their faith.
The Lord set the Bolings up in 2013, which allows us to be in prime position to start a new church planting project in La Paz in mid-2014. It’s amazing to see how the Lord brings things together.
Join Us In Prayer for the Bolings & the New Church Plant
Peter Boling sharing his testimony at Fuente de Vida mission
We appreciate your prayers for Peter and Jenny as we begin to work on this new project. The Bolings are still in the process of getting rolling themselves. One of the things we still need is a Mexican National church planter to lead the project. We hope to identify one by the end of March.
Pray that the Lord will bring all the loose pieces together. Our desire is to honor him and see people won to Christ through this new church. Those that come into the church will become mature followers of Jesus, and as the Lord brings the increase we will see more churches started.
I feel that we need a lot of wisdom as we set the church plant up. There are a number of things that still need to fall in place.
Please join us in lifting these needs up to the Lord!
Beyond Borders 