Posts Tagged ‘Paul Kooistra’

Praising the Lord for His Blessings in 2011!

Posted: December 27, 2011 in Bright Spots on the Border, Journey, Ministry, Reflections & Musings
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The Diaso Family - Praising God for His many blessings in 2011

As I reflect back on the 2011, I am reminded of the many blessings that we have received this year. Over the next few days I’d like to recount some of the highlights of 2011. It takes discipline to be thankful, for some reason it’s easier to complain, or worry about what is yet to be done. Let’s praise the Lord together, as we recount some of His bountiful blessings in 2011.

We began 2011 in the midst of transitioning to Mission to the World. We had some big financial needs to meet, in order to begin our ministry.

First, we finished 2010 with the best year-end giving in our 22 years of ministry! Wow! what a blessing! I must admit I worried, “what would happen as we made the transition?” Dawn and I believed God’s provision was further confirmation that He was calling us to serve Him on the San Diego – Tijuana border.

The Lord’s bountiful provision continued in the first quarter of 2011, as again many of our long time supporters as well as new friends joined us on this journey. This was hugely important as it allowed me to travel to build relationships with individuals and churches. It also gave Dawn and me the opportunity to travel to the border to strengthen our relationships for ministry there.

Mexico Border Crossing

Mexico Border Crossing

I started 2011 off by traveling to Nogales, Mexico to meet with many of our BEAMM co-workers. It was my first time in Mexico in quite a while. With all the notoriety about the border, I must admit I had some fears going in. You can bet that I prayed, but it was a great time and God richly blessed the meetings.

Right after I left Nogales I drove up to Phoenix and Tucson to meet with a number of churches. These were great meetings and connecting points. One church in particular, Covenant Community Church in Scottsdale later joined our support team. There are other churches there that are considering partnering with us through prayer and financial support. Pray with us that this will happen soon!

The other significant trip that I made in the first quarter was to Salt Lake City. I met a number of pastors from Northern California and Utah on this trip. Two key churches that I built a relationship with were Grace and Hidden Valley both in the Salt Lake City area.

Later in the spring I made a follow-up trip for Hidden Valley’s missions conference. Paul Kooistra, Mission to the World’s coordinator was the featured speaker for the conference. The Lord raised up some new partners through this trip, and Hidden Valley has expressed a strong interest in partnering with us.

These are a few of the things that the Lord did in the first quarter. It’s a small taste. It’s so encouraging as I think back on where we were, and where God has brought us to now.

Since we are at year-end for 2011, Dawn and I would like to encourage you to make a year-end gift to our ministry with MTW. We are praying for at least $25,000 to come in by December 31st, which will help us launch our ministry in the great bi-national city of San Diego – Tijuana. You can give online by clicking on this link: 

In His Grip, Dave Diaso

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

P.S. Please designate your gift for David & Dawn Diaso – #11717. If you need any help with your online donation, you will find it here…

Living in Grace

Posted: September 16, 2011 in Journey, Ministry, Prayer
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Our Living in Grace Group

Dawn and I just finished up the week in Ridge Haven in North Carolina at Mission to the World’s, Living in the Grace conference. Although before we came I felt like we had too much going on to be able to fit this in, it ended up being a source of great encouragement. It we nice for Dawn and me to have some time together. It was wonderful to grow deeper in God’s grace, and it was a special blessing to see old friends. We also enjoyed making new ones.

Dr. Paul Kooistra

Dr. Paul Kooistra, the MTW coordinator was the main speaker for the event. He shared about the power of the gospel to change our lives. Part of the gospel is realizing that we are fallen, and helpless to save ourselves. C. S. Lewis stated, “When you look in the mirror, you are not looking at an ordinary person, but an immortal in a ruined condition. A horror and a corruption such as you now meet on in a nightmare.” Not very flattering stuff, but when you consider that Christ died for us in our corrupt state, and through his death and resurrection he lifts us out of the pit. That he has redeemed and rescued those in Christ. It gives us reason to hope, and praise Him! Only the gospel will change a human heart.

Another great quote from the week comes from Dallas Willard, “In the spiritual life, one never rests on one’s laurels. It is a sure receipt for falling. We deserve nothing before God, no matter how far we have advanced, and we are never out of danger. As long as we are ‘at home in the body’ (II Cor. 5:6), we are still just recovering sinners.”

Jerry & Peggy Cross

In addition to learning and growing through the teaching, and small groups we were able to connect with some old friends. Jerry and Peggy Cross were at the conference. We served with them in Mexico City, and we’ve known them for over 20 years. We hadn’t seen them in eight years or more. It was a real blessing to be able to catch up with them.

We also saw John and Sue Burch. We went through cross-cultural training in Detroit with them 21 years ago. I guess, I’m dating myself. We’ve been in missions for a while now. John and Sue served with MTW in Australia, and now they work in the spiritual life department in Atlanta. David White, who used to work with BEAMM in El Paso – Juarez leads the spiritual life department. It was good to be able to catch up with him as well.

John & Sue Burch

Now we are getting ready to fly home. We don’t really have any time to catch our breath as this Sunday we are having a lunch after church to promote and help launch our ministry with BEAMM as we prepare to move to the San Diego – Tijuana Border. We are praying that 300 come to the lunch, and that the Lord will use it to move us that much closer to being fully funded and being on the border. Please pray with us that this event is a huge success!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org