Posts Tagged ‘Mission to the World’

Promoting Missions in Cold Colorado!

Posted: February 16, 2018 in Christianity, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
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Dave and Dawn in the middle with fellow MTW Mexico missionaries, Jamie and Jen Burkemper, Dan and Becky Young

Dave and Dawn in the middle with fellow MTW Mexico missionaries, Jamie and Jen Burkemper, Dan and Becky Young

I hardly have time to reflect on and write about our last trip before we are on to the next trip. Dawn and I just returned from cold Colorado. I must admit that we’ve gotten soft now that we are living on the border with year-round mild temperatures.

We were in Colorado Springs for Village 7’s missions conference. A number of good things happened while in the Springs. We give thanks for God’s many good gifts:

  • Wonderful opportunities to pray with and for others
  • We got to see many of our very close and special friends
  • We had a wonderful time with our son, Jonathan
  • The Lord gave us many opportunities to tell our story, and about all that He is doing on the Border, The Baja and Beyond
  • Many MTW colleagues and friends from other missions organizations were at the conference
  • Despite the cold, the mountains in Colorado are breathtaking
We loved being able to see our son, Jonathan. His dog, Cesar joined us for this photo!

We loved being able to see our son, Jonathan. His dog, Cesar joined us for this photo!

When we are in Colorado we are always reminded of Hannah. There were a number of friends who we saw for the first time since Hannah moved to heaven. Dawn and I love to talk about our daughter, and yet it does bring up some emotions for us. I’m grateful for the Lord’s good and loving healing in our lives. When I think of how fragile we seemed last year at this time. God has been so good, and he is giving us strength as we continue to walk on this journey.

We came home just for a few days to catch our breath, but now we are off to Guadalajara for the weekend. We will be participating in the 20 year anniversary of one of the churches that our colleague and friend, Kenton Wood started. The Lord has used Kenton in some amazing ways over the years to see many won to Christ and discipled into the kingdom. His church, Rey de Reyes, “King of Kings” has started eight other churches as well.

Promoting the ministry on the Border, the Baja and Beyond!

Promoting the ministry on the Border, the Baja and Beyond!

We give thanks for the Lord’s good work, and we pray for more. More Lord, give us more!

Dawn and I appreciate your continued and ongoing prayer for us. Every day I feel like the Lord shows me the importance of prayer. It’s like air, we can’t live without it. Breathe in deeply God’s love and his grace. Let us all grow together as we approach the throne of God, a throne filled mercy and grace!

In His Loving Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Journey, Partners and The Battle

Posted: December 5, 2017 in Christianity, Ministry, Prayer
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A Fruitful Trip to Fresno
Dave speaking at our seminar on Mexico at the conference

Dave speaking at our seminar on Mexico at the GMC conference in Dallas. (We didn’t get a picture at Sierra View)

Over Thanksgiving weekend Dawn and I had the opportunity to visit my family in Fresno. It was a good time to see my family again. Dawn’s mom also flew out and joined us for a couple of weeks.

While in Fresno we connected with one of our partner churches, Sierra View Presbyterian. I was able to share about our ministry and to preach at the church. I preached on Isaiah 54, Breakthrough for the Broken. The Lord encouraged us as he showed up and we felt his presence in a special way. Thank you, Jesus, for hearing and answering our prayer!

So Grateful for Our Faithful Partners!

While we were at the church it hit me that Sierra View was one of the first churches that started supporting us as we began with Mission to the World (MTW) back in 1988. Wow! Hard to believe that we are coming up on 30 years with MTW! I started with MTW as a single young man in 1988, and Dawn and I were married in 1989. Dawn went through the evaluation process to join MTW before we were married. Anyway, however, you slice it we’ve been involved in missions for a good long time.

Not only was I impressed by how long we’ve served in missions, but by the importance of having faithful partners standing with us in the ministry. Since we were in my hometown, my parents were there as well. I realize that I could have never gotten to where I am today without my parents and that Dawn and I could not do the outreach, coaching, church planting we do without a number of friends, family, and churches standing with us.

Even this blog has opened up the door for new friends that are praying for us and encouraging us as we serve.

Stand Firm with Other in the Battle
Dawn and I walk on this winding road of faith together

Dawn and I walk on this winding road of faith together. We give thanks for all of our friends who are on the journey with us!

In Ephesians 6 Paul exhorts us to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. He then goes on to tell us to gird ourselves with the armor of God. Each believer needs to stand firm fully prepared with the armor of God. Yet, we are not to fight alone. We are to battle side by side with other believers in the power and strength of the Lord.

Our enemy roams like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, but our victory is secured in Christ. Yet the battle rages on until Jesus returns. We stand together against our common foe. That is a good analogy for all of our ministry activities we are not meant to go it alone. We are not supposed to be Lone Ranger Christians.

therefore, I thank the Lord for Sierra View Presbyterian church and all of those who stand with us as we invade enemy territory. The kingdom of God continues to advance. The advance may not always be as quick or as easy as we’d like, but our victory is assured. We are more than conquerors in Christ!

Thank you, Jesus for gathering such wonderful partners that surround us, love us and pray for us. This has been a hard year with our daughter, Hannah moving to heaven. I really don’t know how we would have made it without all the loving support that sustains us.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

#MTWMexico – BreakThrough!

Posted: September 5, 2017 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God Comes Through Again!
Our #MTWMexico Team - Serving Together Throughout MexicoOur #MTWMexico Team - Serving Together Throughout Mexico

Our #MTWMexico Team – Serving Together Throughout Mexico

We prayed that the Lord would show up and He did! I’m on the plane with Dawn returning for Puerto Vallarta from our #MTWMexico retreat. It was a time to pray, to worship, to connect, to unwind as a missionary family.

Our times of prayer and worship were awesome. I felt the Lord’s Spirit moving strongly among us as we met together. It started on the first day and it continued to build.

We had the opportunity to hear from every missionary that serves in Mexico in the following cities and regions: Juarez, Reynosa, McAllen, Acapulco, Tijuana, Ensenada, La Paz, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Durango. So good to hear what the Lord is doing in our midst. Churches being planted, mercy ministries meeting people at their point of need. Stories of lives transformed and faithful service.

Two of our missionaries have served in Mexico for more than 40 years, which is amazing to think of.

Reaching Mexico and Beyond Together
Coming together to pray for one another - Praying for Pastor Rafael Rodriquez and his wife, Martha

Coming together to pray for one another – Praying for Pastor Rafael Rodriquez and his wife, Martha

One of the many things that encouraged me was a sense of coming together and serving together. Missionaries tend to be independent, which makes working together a challenge at times, but I believe there is growing realization that while people need some freedom that we are stronger together. A sense of wanting to be more connected and more unified as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment in Mexico and Beyond.

This is something we are still working on, in becoming more unified. I feel that it is an important need for prayer.

Growing in Our Love for Christ
A Wonderful time of praise and worship as we grow in our love for our Savior

A Wonderful time of praise and worship as we grow in our love for our Savior

We encouraged our missionary friends to continue to grow in their love for Christ. This is an important aspect of growth for each of us. We want to minister out of a foundation of a deep and abiding love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My prayer this years has become, “O Lord, that I (we) will love Christ as the Father loves Him.” It’s an impossible goal in one sense, but the Bible calls us to be holy as God is holy, so there is a precedent for asking for such things.

There is a sense in which our daughter, Hannah’s death has propelled me towards the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It’s not that I wasn’t growing in that direction before her passing, but it definitely drove me further into his arms. I love growing in love with Christ, and I desire that for all my friends and my missionary colleagues.

Thank you Jesus for the great and might work that you did in my life and in our lives at the #MTWMexico retreat. What a great group of people who you’ve given us. You are the Lord of Lord and King of Kings, Worthy of all praise and glory!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

More Lord! We Want More of You in Mexico

Posted: April 12, 2017 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Prayer
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Thrilled by the Growth of the Gospel
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Prayer & Planning Meeting in Monterrey, Mexico 

The church is growing in Mexico, and we are thrilled to be a part of that. When we moved to the border almost 5 years ago, and even before that we prayed and dreamed about what we hoped the Lord would do in Mexico. We asked the Lord to use us to see His church grow and flourish.

Last week we had the wonderful privilege of meeting together as leaders and ministers with Mission to the World in Mexico. Leaders from our various teams came: Monterrey, Guadalajara, El Paso/Juarez, McAllen/Reynosa, Baja. It was a great time to pray, hear testimonies and celebrate what the Lord is doing through our teams in Mexico. The church is growing, and the gospel is going forth.

More of Jesus, More Transformed Lives!

One of my great desires is that we will come together as a larger team in Mexico for prayer and to join forces as we seek to partner with the church in Mexico to see many people won for Christ, and to see lives transformed. This was the first time we had a meeting like this in Mexico in a number of years. We want more of Jesus, and more of his Spirit. O Lord, do your mighty work in and among us. We want to see the church expand all across the country.

God is already doing some very encouraging works through our missionaries and our partners, but we long for more. We don’t want to be satisfied, because there is still much work to do. Content in all things, but yet striving for more and for all that the Lord has for us.

Join Us in Prayer!

Please join us in prayer as we look to the Lord to continue his mighty work, and that we will see even greater works of the Lord.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Lord is Building His Church in La Paz!

Posted: September 8, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Beginnings of a New Church
Victor & Fanny Gonzalez with their daughter, Xaris

Victor & Fanny Gonzalez with their daughter, Xaris

Dawn, Hannah and I just returned from an amazing week in Los Cabos, La Paz and Puerto Vallarta. The first half of our trip we visited our fellow MTW missionaries Peter and Jenny Boling, and our national church planters Victor and Fanny Gonzalez.

We are thrilled by all God is doing at the southern end of Baja California. The Bolings and the Gonzalez are building a strong foundation for the beginnings of the new church planting project in La Paz.

Victor and Fanny are getting to know the city, the needs, and the people. It takes a lot of time, and it’s imperative as they begin this project. We are praying with them for wisdom and direction.

Pray for Direction for the Bolings
Dave, Dawn and Hannah with Peter & Jenny, Victor, Fanny and Xaris in La Paz

Dave, Dawn and Hannah with Peter & Jenny, Victor, Fanny and Xaris in La Paz

Peter and Jenny Boling play an invaluable role in encouraging them, praying with them and supporting them along the way.

The Bolings are in the process of praying about moving their family from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz, which is about a two-hour drive across the peninsula. They would like to be more directly involved in this new church plant. We are excited about the possibility!

Join us in prayer that the Lord will make clear to the Peter and Jenny what he has for them. At this point they are leaning towards making the move, and we look forward to what God will do. Victor and Fanny are a loving couple and they have many gifts. They will be even stronger and more effective if they have a team to work with them.

Jesus Will Build His Church

It’s not an easy thing to start a church from scratch. The Lord is one who builds his church, so we are looking to him and trusting him.

Jesus said,

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. —Matthew 16:18

An aerial view of La Paz, Baja California

An aerial view of La Paz, Baja California

The Lord continues this work of building his church. He promises that he will build it, and that the gates of hell shall not be able to contain what God is doing. Our God is greater and more powerful than any force that the enemy would seek to lift up against us. We are in a battle, but we are on the winning side!

Dawn, Hannah and I were grateful we could connect with these two very special families.

We are praying for them, and asking the Lord to do a great work that the city of La Paz will be transformed by the gospel. That the city will be true to it’s name a city full of peace.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

Los Cabos Here We Come

Posted: August 31, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Gospel in Cabo & La Paz
Pastor Victor Gonzalez on the left with Peter Boling and the core group for the new church

Pastor Victor Gonzalez on the left with Peter Boling and the core group for the new church in La Paz, Baja California

Dawn, Hannah and I are on our way to Cabo San Lucas and La Paz today. It’s exciting that the Lord worked it out for the three of us to go together.

We just sent a church planter to La Paz in May. Victor Gonzalez has been in La Paz with his wife, Fanny for the last four months getting set up. They are off to a good start as they meet people and work on developing a core group to launch the church.

Mission to the World missionaries, Peter and Jenny Boling are currently living in Cabo San Lucas. They’ve begun helping Victor and Fanny.

Praying for Wisdom & Direction
Peter & Jenny on the left with Emilio & Mytee

Peter & Jenny on the left with Emilio & Mytee some key leaders they are discipling and ministering with in Cabo San Lucas

One of the reasons for this trip is to work with the two couples on strategizing how they can best work together. The Bolings are considering moving to La Paz, so they can be more directly involved in this church planting project.

Our desire is to see the Border and all of Baja California and Beyond transformed by the gospel. We believe the church is the instrument God has chosen to carry the good news and to bring about transformation in the hearts of men and women as they encounter Christ.

Pray that the Lord leads and guides our time together, so that it is fruitful. We also want to be a blessing, an encouragement to our friends.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer as the gospel goes forth.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Living a Dream!

Posted: June 23, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
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Much to Give Thanks For
The group of pastors and leaders in San Antonio de las Minas

These are some of the pastors that serve with Lo Mejor del Trigo

I’m so thankful for the wonderful men that I’m able to serve the Lord with here on the border. They are choice servants of the Lord and special friends. It also gives me great joy that Dawn and I can come alongside pastors and their wives.

Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a dream, since God has called us here. It’s not that we haven’t had more than our share of trials that can make the dream feel more like a nightmare.

Yet, despite the low times. Despite the valleys. There are also so many good things, so many things to give thanks for.

Wonderful Godly Partners
Jim DeWitt, Valentina & Jaime Rodriguez with Dave

Jim DeWitt, Valentina & Jaime Rodriguez with Dave

One of those things that I give thanks for is the people we partner with. They are not only wonderful partners in ministry, but they are outstanding friends.

Just this morning I had breakfast with Jim DeWitt with Mission to the World (MTW) and Jaime Rodriguez, pastor of Lo Mejor del Trigo La Morita and Bridge church. Jaime loves the Lord, and he loves to serve Christ. He is very sensitive to God’s leading and direction. I learn from him.

Valentina, Jaime’s wife is a jewel. Dawn and I feel privileged to minister with them.

Pastor Daniel Nuñez is another wonderful friend that I’ve enjoyed getting to know and serving with over the last 4 years. Daniel’s wife, Yolanda and their whole family have become very special to us.

God has blessed us with so many good people that we work alongside that I don’t have the space to mention all of them in this post, although if you follow my blog you will read about them if you haven’t already.

Growing Together in Christ!
Keys to a Transformed Life in San Antonio de las Minas

Keys to a Transformed Life in San Antonio de las Minas

This week I’m in San Antonio de las Minas going through a workshop on Keys to a Transformed life and I have three pastors, and three missionaries here with Dawn, Hannah and me. Pastor Ivan Casados, Pastor Jaime Avila and Pastor Mario Perez. Fellow MTW missionaries Peter and Jenny Boling are here along with Jim DeWitt.

Last week Pastor Felipe Hernandez was with us along with his wife, Laura.

We also had 4 leaders from the Nueva Jerusalen church – Jesus & Yudy Petrikowski and Jorge & Luz Salazar.

Such special people! Thank you Jesus for our friends. O Lord, do meet them at their point of need. Do work in their hearts and draw each of them nearer to you. Use us for your glory and she your kingdom extended on the earth! Amen and Hallelujah!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

On Mission in Cambodia

Posted: September 16, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is on the Move
The fascinating country of Cambodia

The fascinating country of Cambodia

I feel very encouraged about how I see God working around the world and that he is using Mission to the World (MTW) among other missions organizations to advance the kingdom of God. I’m in Cambodia for MTW’s worldwide leadership conference. It’s so good to be with so many missionaries who are serving all over the world.

The Importance of a Humility

Earlier today, Dr. Lloyd Kim the new coordinator for MTW spoke on Matthew 6:5-9. In this passage Jesus warns his disciples not to pray like the hypocrites. Dr. Kim warned us of the dangers of being in professional ministry. It’s easy to become cynical and to just go through the motions. God calls us to be humble and to be broken before him.

This is the way of the cross and the way of the gospel.

It was a helpful reminder for me and all my colleagues. We are about a great task, taking the gospel to the nations.

Striking Contrasts between Japan and Cambodia
Some of the foreign gods of Cambodia

Some of the foreign gods of Cambodia

I just left Japan which is the 2nd largest unreached nation in the world. Now I’m in Cambodia a world with many foreign gods. There are reminders all around the hotel we are staying at. Even though there is much work to be done in this nation it is one of the places where the gospel is growing fastest in the world.

What a contrast! I don’t understand fully understand the great why one country is so responsive and another is so cold to the gospel of Christ!

Our Hope!

We are not without hope, because the message we proclaim is a hope filled message. Our job is to sow the seed. We need to learn how to sow it more effectively, but it must be done.

When I’m around so many talented and gifted leaders I often feel different emotions. If I compare myself to them I begin to feel insecure. I don’t stack up! I must remind myself of Christ, and that my worth is in him.

I also feel humbled when I sit around the table with these choice men and women and hear their stories. Dedicate servants who have given their lives to serving the Lord.

Of course as Lloyd Kim reminded us in the morning we are broken people. We all need the gospel and we need it daily.

My Prayer

O Lord, use me in spite of my own brokenness and weaknesses. Use me along with all the saints that serve you in missions. I do pray that Jesus will be preached with power and that many will come to a saving faith and be discipled in that faith. O Lord, hear my prayer!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Excited for God’s Kingdom!

Posted: August 22, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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The Need of Many Pastors
Dawn with Rocio and Ivan

Dawn with Rocio and Ivan

I’m excited about seeing pastors equipped to do their work. The pastors I work with our choice men. They love God and they love the people they are serving.

Yet, there is a problem that I see frequently. Many of them have little training. This is especially pronounced when you compare the training they are receiving to what most church planters in the U.S. receive.

Training in Monterrey, Mexico
Some of the pastors that we are working with in Tijuana

Some of the pastors that we are working with in Tijuana

That is one of the reasons I’m stoked that this next week I will be taking our good friend, pastor Ivan Casados to Monterrey Mexico for training on church planting. This will be a time of learning for both of us. We will learn together, and by going with Ivan it enables me to better coach and encourage him.

I am collaborating with our Mission to the World (MTW) team in Monterrey, Mexico. Our team there has developed The Center for Church Planting, which provides training for church planters. My hope is that one day we will be able to offer this training in Tijuana, but we are not there yet. Even though it’s hard to be patient, I know that’s what the Lord is calling us to.

MTW has a wonderful team in Monterrey, and I’m grateful that I get the opportunity to partner with them in ministry. It’s what kingdom work is all about – ministering with and alongside others to see God’s kingdom expand on earth.

This remains our prayer that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. O Lord, Hear our prayer! Hear our cry for help!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

A New Era for MTW

Posted: July 25, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Dr. Lloyd Kim Nominated as New Coordinator
Dr. Lloyd Kim

Dr. Lloyd Kim

Mission to the World (MTW) announced yesterday that Lloyd Kim is the new coordinator. We have been praying for a year as the search committee has been looking for a new coordinator to replace Dr. Paul Kooistra.

It’s the beginning of a new era for MTW.

Dr. Kooistra led MTW for 20 years. The mission grew from serving in 36 countries when he began in 1994 to 88 countries today. 738 missionaries and 1028 national partners serve with MTW.

Paul Kooistra said, “I can’t think of anyone who can better lead Mission to the World than Lloyd Kim.” Read more about Dr. Lloyd Kim and the transition here… 

Join us in Prayer
  • Dave & Hannah in line to cross the border

    Dave & Hannah in line to cross at the border

    Pray for the Kim family as they transition into this new role.

  • Pray for MTW as we work to plant churches and transform communities around the world as well as here on the border and in the Baja.
  • This week Dawn and I have sensed spiritual attack. This comes on the heals of a successful week in Ensenada.
  • Continue to pray for Pastor Leo Nevarez and his family. He is still waiting to hear from the hospital to schedule his surgery to remove his kidney, which has a cancerous tumor. We continue to pray for the Lord’s healing for Leo.
  • Pastor Daniel Nuñez and his wife, Yolanda are leaving for a two-week missions trip to South Africa today. Pray for safety as they travel and that it will be a fruitful trip.
  • That the Lord will advance our work on the border and beyond. We are praying for more workers and we continue to work for more church plants as well as healthy and growing churches.

Thanks so much for joining us on this journey.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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