Posts Tagged ‘Our Familia’

Jesus Sets a Runaway Free

Posted: August 24, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Israel’s Story of God’s Redeeming Love
Pastor Humberto with Israel

The Lord continues to encourage us through the pain that we feel for our familia on the Big Island. It is the tale of two cities, the best of times and worst of times. What gives us hope in light of the darkness, is God’s wonderful acts of redemption.

There are some amazing testimonies coming from our friends and familia on the Big Island. Pastor Humberto told me about a young man, Israel that recently came to Christ. Israel grew up in an extremely dysfunctional home. He was abused by his stepfather. He was beaten and treated poorly from a young age. His mother prostituted herself in order to survive. In the midst of living through this constant state of turmoil Israel got so desperate that he tried to leave the Big Island on a boat, but he was detained by the police. All of these circumstances made Israel hungry for something more. At Israel’s lowest point Pastor Humberto was able to share the love of Christ with him and he prayed to receive Christ, and he was recently baptized.

God is at work redeeming lives of people like Israel!

Life with Little or No Electricity
Thankful to receive help as Pastor Ernesto shares the aid that we are sending

Life on the Big Island is so difficult. Many of the pastors that we work with have told us that they are having to live with up to 20 hours a day without any electricity. One pastor, Rolando told me that they are having to cook their meals at night at 12 AM or 1 AM in the morning, because that’s the only time that they have any power for their stove. They don’t have a way to cool themselves in the extreme summer heat. Also, not having electricity means they can’t charge their phones to communicate. It’s gotten harder for me to stay in close contact with the pastors there. Even though it doesn’t seem possible the situation continues to worsen. There are many challenges that our familia faces along with the rising cost of food and basic needs. It always breaks my heart to hear their stories.

Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia
Pastor Ernesto giving the aid that we are sending to a needy family

Dawn and I are sending aid every month to help the pastors and families on the Big Island. Since the COVID-19 hit in March 2020, we’ve been able to help more than 2,000 people in 9 different cities.

Your gifts are making a difference in this nation with tremendous needs that are difficult to meet. God is using you, because even where your feet cannot reach, your prayers can reach! Your offerings of love can reach!

You can be part of a team in the hands of God, and TOGETHER we can make a difference! Pray with us and extend your hands to help our familia. Make a Donation Today.

Thank you for your prayers and for your support for this work on the Big Island!

Click to Donate…
Video: A Tale of Two Cities
A 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

Our Precious Familia

Posted: August 5, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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I Am Extremely Blessed!

I feel extremely blessed by many of the people we minister with. They are precious to us and to the Lord. Both Dawn and my lives are enriched by the special friends that God brings our way. Many of them become like family to us.

Today I’d like to highlight one couple on the Big Island, Alfredo and Yoli. They are definitely part of our familia!

If you’ve been following the news over the last few weeks, things have reached a boiling point on the Big Island. Our heart and our cries go out as we see our friends, our familia suffer!

God’s Hand is on Alfredo & Yoli
Alfredo & Yoli

One of the precious couples that Dawn and I have gotten to know over the past couple of years is Alfredo and Yoli (names changed for their security). Alfredo and Yoli are young church planters who love the Lord. They are fervent evangelist, and committed prayer warriors. They are part of a church planting network that has planted 16 churches in the last few years.

When we first met them they didn’t have their own home, and they have 2 young children, so it was very difficult for them. We raised some funds and helped them to buy a humble home that they could call their own.

Alfredo and Yoli’s house on the left

Both Alfredo and Yoli come from broken homes, which is common on the Big Island. Yoli told us through tears how both her mom and dad left her at a very young age. She doesn’t have a relationship with them. She went on to tell me how the love of Christ expressed through the church and the pastors that led the church brought her healing.

When their pastor moved away Yoli feared that she would lose her relationship with us too, since we met them through Pastor Lucas and his wife, Maria. When I found out that Yoli and Alfredo were so concerned it touched my heart. I felt like it was important to maintain my relationship with them. So we’ve actually had more contact with them since Lucas and Maria left.

We Encourage One Another

Dawn and I have the opportunity to encourage them in the Lord. They tell us that we are family, a dad and a mom to them, and they say that with tears in their eyes. The other day I told Yoli that maybe I was more like a grandfather to them, but she said, “no you are a father to us.” Well, I realize that Dawn and I are able to encourage them and love them like family, but it’s amazing how much we receive back from them. God is so good!

When we talk there are always plenty of smiles. God fills us up as Christ ministers in and through us.

Dave chatting with Alfredo and Yoli

They give us what money cannot buy. They show us love and respect, and I always feel better after I’ve talked to them or they’ve sent me a message. Earlier today they told me that they haven’t been able to call us recently, because they internet is so bad.

This precious young couple live in very humble conditions. There isn’t much food to go around, and the food that is available keeps getting more expensive. They have to wait in long lines just to get beans, rice, bread and other essential food items.

When I think about it, even though we have helped Alfredo and Yoli, just as we’ve aided the rest of our familia on the Big Island, I’m the one who receives back one hundredfold. God has brought me much healing, and many blessings through my relationship with these outstanding young families, like Alfredo and Yoli.

Extend Your Hands to Help!
Extend your hands to help Alfredo and Yoli and other families in need

That is why we keep asking you to extend your hands to help those in need. It’s easy to ask for those that we love. It’s a privilege for us to extend our hands to help our familia.

Please join us in praying for those on the Big Island. Join us also in extending your hands to make a generous gift to feed families that are in need. I can’t think of any better way to use the money that the Lord has entrusted to you.

Donate today by clicking on the button below.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Extend Your Hands to Bless Those in Need

Posted: June 28, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is at Work Bringing Aid to Those in Need
Dave with Pastor *Daniel

I love to receive testimonies from our familia on the Big Island. Every month Dawn and I are sending aid to help the pastors, their families, the people in their church and those in their community. It’s always wonderful to hear the stories of how the Lord is working through the help that we give to them.

It saddens us to hear how they are suffering, but we are thankful that the Lord is at work and bringing hope and life to the people.

Pastoral Daniel’s Testimony
Pastor Daniel ministering to Our Familia on the Big Island!

One of the pastors that we work with, Pastor *Daniel shared the following testimony with us.

He said, “We were able to bless several brothers with the funds that you sent, how good it is to be part of this help and to be a channel so that other brothers are also blessed and helped. Glory to God in the highest and good will towards all men! We are grateful Brother, Glory to the Lord Jesus!”

“I was able to help a brother, his words shocked me, because his child and his wife were admitted to the hospital for 2 days and he had no more than $10 pesos in his pocket (the equivalent of about .20 US cents). What a joy because when I met him on the street and I greeted him and asked him about his family and he told me about the condition that they were in and I was able to bless him with part of the aid that you sent me. When I gave him the donation his face changed, his spirits were lifted and he had no way to thank me and I told him, ‘thank the Lord who was the one who made this blessing come to you, I am only an instrument.’ When I saw how it affected him it touched my heart and I wanted to share it with you, because once again I see that our Father really takes care of His children. Thank you Pastor, this happened because the Lord has filled your hearts with love for us.”

Pastor *Daniel (name changed for security)
Seeking to Encourage The Flock
Pastor Daniel praying for those in his flock!

Pastor Daniel went on to tell me how difficult it has been for the people, because in many of the places they are ministering they are locked down. They cannot leave their homes after 3 in the afternoon. They haven’t been able to meet as a church for 5 months. He seeks to encourage his flock by visiting them in the morning, and meeting in small groups in their houses. They have to be very careful when they meet. Pastor Daniel asked me to pray for their protection, and that the Lord will send workers to help him to continue to share the good news of the gospel.

Extend Your Hands to Help Today
Pastor Daniel giving food to the hungry

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.

Join us in prayer for our familia, and consider a generous gift today to bring aid to these dear families. You can play a part in lifting the spirit of the people in need. God is at work. We are thankful that we can be an instrument to bless others, and we’d love for you to join us in this effort of offering food to the hungry, and drink to the thirsty.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia!

Posted: June 14, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Our Familia in Living in Crisis
Some of our familia on the Big Island

I’ve been wanting to write about the ongoing crisis that our familia has been going through on the Big Island for sometime. I know that many are concerned about what is going on, and that many are praying.

The sad news is that the situation has only grown worse. Even though much of the world is starting to open up, there are still reported cases of Covid on the Big Island. The churches in most areas are not allowed to meet, which has been extremely difficult, because all of the scarcity of basic needs and of food is causing much duress.

Since January of this year, prices have gone up for food and basic goods between 250 and 300 percent and it is projected to go as high as 500% this year.

Pastor Ronaldo’s Report on the Current Status on the Big Island
Ronaldo with some of the people that he is ministering to that we’ve been able to bless with food

One of the pastors, *Ronaldo that we are in contact with, had the following to say about the current status on the Big Island:

“We feel very burdened by the economic, social, and political situation. Honestly, the country is a mess. Hyperinflation is killing us, the cost of living has skyrocketed and there are no food supplies. To buy anything, you have to stand in long lines throughout the day (5 to 8 hours), just to buy a liter of oil [costing] 10% of my salary. The country is bankrupt, it is very sad, and we are very much affected.

This hyperinflation is hard for everyone. The finances of the church have greatly decreased and can barely cover 50% of my salary, which is 25 USD per month. That is only enough to buy a packet of coffee, a few bottles of [cooking] oil, and a packet of detergent.

It is possible now for pastors to work bi-vocationally, but the problem is that there are no jobs.”

It saddens us to see all that our familia is suffering through!

God is on the Move Despite the Suffering!
One of the young church planters that we’ve been able to help

I don’t want to be overly negative about what our dear friends are experiencing. Despite these trials, there is good news as well.

The church is growing and God is on the move!

One of our church planters reported that since January they’ve shared the gospel with more than 800 people and 60 have come to Christ. Another pastor told me that they have a goal of planting 10 new churches starting this year.

It’s unbelievable to witness the resilience and commitment that these pastors have shown under some of most difficult of circumstances. God is faithful to build His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it, as the church continues to march forward.

Dawn and I are sending aid monthly to help the pastors, their families and the families in their churches to be able to survive. Your gifts, your generous donations make it possible for us to continue sending them aid.

Pastor Lucas and Maria’s Appeal
Our Familia in Need on the Big Island

Pastor *Lucas and his wife, *Maria recently wrote to thank us for what we’ve done and to encourage you to continue to give to their needs and to pray for them.

“David and Dawn know about our struggles and sufferings as pastors and as parents due to the great lack in the economy. They have seen our tears when not only our own children go to bed without eating food during day, but there are many children in many families who also suffer. Men, women and elderly come to our our church not only in search of God but also for a morsel of food. Many of the children come to Sunday School without even being able to drink a glass of milk, because they don’t have any at home.

We give thanks for all that David & Dawn have done for the work of the Gospel on this Island, in our city, its people, our ministries, and my family. We give thanks for all who have given us a piece of heaven on earth through your gifts. Thank you for giving bread to those who hunger and water for those who thirst. We humbly ask you in the love of Christ that you will extend your prayers, your support, and your helping hands to us!”

Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia

Click on the button below to send a donation to today and help a family in need!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

*not their real names for security reasons

Help! I need somebody!

Posted: December 23, 2020 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Our Familia on the Big Island
Some of the pastors and their families on the Big Island – our familia

Just last week Dawn and I were talking to our familia on the Big Island, and as they shared more about the trials and lack that they were experiencing after I got off of our video call, all I could think of was, Help! It reminded me of the Beatles song, Help! “Help! I need somebody!”

Our dear friend, *Maria, who’s like a daughter to us, told us that even though we had sent them aid this last month that that it still wasn’t enough to cover even their basic needs. The cost of rice and beans and other essential items continue to rise. Maria and her family went a few days without food! All they had left for sustenance was tea. Can you imagine trying to nourish your family with just tea? After a couple of days, Maria’s 7 year old daughter, *Zoey wouldn’t drink her tea. Zoey told her mom that she wanted to move next to her abuelos (Dawn and me) so she could drink milk. (*Not their real names).

Wow! It’s like even with all that we’ve been going through this year, we haven’t faced anything like that.

Prices are Rising and so are the Needs
Our special princess, *Zoey

The economy on the Big Island is changing, and it’s getting worse. The prices are going up on the bare minimum that the people need to survive. Basic items like beans and rice are up to 5 times higher than they were just a few months ago. There is fear that the prices will go up even higher in January. Before the prices started rising we were able to help feed a family for $10 a month, now it’s more than double that $30 – $50 a month.

We are praying with our familia. We are staying in close contact with them, so that we can encourage them. The other thing that Dawn and I feel like the Lord wants us to do is try to raise more funds, so that we can help more.

In spite of all of these trials, God is doing amazing things on the Big Island. Maria shared a very encouraging testimony with me earlier today. Her husband, *Lucas had the opportunity to share the gospel with a witch near their home. Witchcraft is common on the Big Island. As Lucas shared about the love of Jesus the man who had been involved in witchcraft began to cry and the Holy Spirit convicted him and he made a profession of faith. That’s breaking through the darkness. That’s the power of the gospel!

God is at work in spite of the heart breaking needs!

Extend Your Hands to Help!
Some of the families on the Big Island that we’ve been able to help because of your generosity

Help us to help our familia on the Big Island by giving a generous gift today. A gift of $30 will help to feed a family for a month. This is the season of giving, and we appreciate you taking the time to prayerfully consider what you can do to Help. Donate today by clicking on the link below!

Click to donate…

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. You can also give via check. The info for giving is on our website: DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Thanksgiving: A Time to Give

Posted: November 16, 2020 in Ministry, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Remembering the Needs of our Familia on Thanksgiving
We give thanks for our familia, and the good work that the Lord is doing on the Big Island!

As I’ve been in contact with our familia on the Big Island they’ve shared with me how things continue to get harder for them. The price of beans has tripled. It now costs $3 for a pound of beans when it used to cost $1. Also, as I mentioned in one of my recent posts bread is scarce. There wasn’t much, to begin with, and now there is less, and what they do have is more expensive.

We are coming upon Thanksgiving here. A time when we pause and reflect on all that we are thankful for. Even in this most unusual and difficult year, most of us still have plenty. There are many reasons to give thanks.

God’s Goodness in Crisis

I think even though I lost both of my parents this year, and I’ve not enjoyed the COVID-19 crisis or the social unrest I still can give thanks. I’m not saying that it’s been a good year or an easy year. In fact, Dawn and I recently came down with the infamous coronavirus and I must say that it wasn’t my idea of a fun time. Yet, the Lord keeps reminding me of His goodness, and His many good gifts.

Just this week in my devotional reading the Lord had me read Lamentations 3, and it was so encouraging!

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;

    therefore I will wait for him.”

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,

    to the one who seeks him;

 it is good to wait quietly

    for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:22-26 NIV (emphasis mine)

The timing of reading that passage was just amazing! It was a demonstration of the Lord’s love for me, for His people as we endure this difficult season. And just to think that Jeremiah, who’s often referred to as the weeping prophet wrote this while his people were living in captivity. He did not write it during a time of abundance or prosperity.

God is so good to remind me of His love and care for me and my family. We have so much to be thankful for. Yet, I am concerned for our familia on the Big Island, because as difficult as life might be in the United States it is much more challenging there.

Concern for Our Familia
Some of the beautiful families that we’ve been able to help

That’s why it’s so important that you pray for them, and that you give. We’ve been able to help close to 1,000 people on the Big Island since March. We are sending aid on a monthly basis. This wasn’t something that I thought we’d be doing when the year began, but the coronavirus hit just as I returned from my trip with our familia in March. Then when I got back home I started hearing all the stories of the suffering, and Dawn and I felt like we had to do something to help!

We hoped that the scarcity wouldn’t have gone on as long as it has. Yet, the truth is it continues to affect our familia, and it’s important for us to extend our hands to help them.

Give Generously During Thanksgiving!
Our Hearts go out to these families in need

This seems like the perfect time as we head into Thanksgiving to give thanks and to help those in need. Our friends and familia are so grateful for the help that we’ve been able to give them. They constantly send us notes thanking us. God has used you to be a blessing to them.

Please take this opportunity to make a special Thanksgiving offering for our familia on the Big Island, but clicking on the button below. Thank you!

Click to donate…

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org