Posts Tagged ‘Philippians 1’

Remembering Hannah
Hannah Elizabeth Diaso

Last week Dawn and I went on our first ministry trip since the coronavirus hit. Next week we will be traveling to La Paz, Mexico to meet with our church planters. Things are slowly opening up. At first, I was going to write a post more focused on our ministry activities and all that the Lord is doing, but this morning as I was praying the Lord reminded me that this Sunday, October 18th will mark four years since our daughter, Hannah died (or as we like to say, she moved to heaven). It is less painful when we say she moved to heaven.

It wasn’t that I had forgotten that we were coming upon this painful day of remembrance, it was more that it was highlighted to me this morning. I began to reflect, and I thought it would be appropriate to share some of my reflections with you here.

My Reflections About Hannah & Our Healing
Hannah & Dave

This is what I wrote in my journal today, and I feel a little like I’m opening up my soul to you. What’s going on inside of me.

My prayer to the Lord, “this is a hard week as we remember Hannah moved to heaven. I miss her so much, and I wish that it wasn’t true. I wish there was something that I could do to turn back the clock and change it all. Sadly, that is not an option.

Life has not been easy without Hannah. We do have our hope of heaven. Our hope of seeing her again. We have the hope of knowing she is with Jesus, filled with joy. Now both of my parents have joined her.

After Hannah died I hoped that we’d get a pass on the hard things in life, but that has not been the case. Both of our boys, David and Jonathan have battled with some significant health issues over the last year. Dawn has struggled to sleep at night. It’s not been easy!

In our ministry I do believe that we’ve seen an increase and a deepening. I’m encouraged by what the Lord is doing. Yet, that’s not to say that we haven’t faced opposition and difficulties along the way.

The Lord’s Redeeming Work!
David Jr., Hannah & Jonathan

The Lord is good! He is faithful and that has gotten us through. We live between these two worlds of faith and hope on the one side and trials and difficulties on the other.

I continue to pray for the Lord’s redeeming and restorative work. I do believe that we have seen a measure of that. We’ve grown to know the Him in ways I doubt we would have ever grown to know Him. Yet, I wish it didn’t have to be this way.

I love that Jesus is called the man of sorrows, acquainted with grief this is comforting. There are passages in the Bible that I used to skim over that have become alive to me.

Confident That Jesus Will Complete What He Started
Hannah’s headstone

This morning in my devotional reading I happened to be reading Philippians 1. I’ve always been drawn to Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” In fact, this verse is inscribed on Hannah’s headstone.

As I continued to read through Philippians 1 today I was struck with Paul’s struggle as he longed to be with Christ in heaven, but felt it was better for the church that he stay longer.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,  so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Philippians 1:21-26 NIV (emphasis mine)

I love Paul’s passion for Christ. I pray that I would share that burning love. Hannah’s death forced me to think about life and death in ways that I had never contemplated. There’s a sense in which it woke me up to the hope and the realities of heaven.

As I mentioned above I’ve prayed for the Lord’s work of healing in our lives. I believe the Lord has and is answering that prayer through special people who have become like family to us. I wrote about our Mija Monse in my last post. The Lord has given us some wonderful family in Mexico and Cuba. Friends who we minister with and encourage that often call us dad and mom. I don’t fully understand, but that does fill us up. I believe in many ways that these relationships are only going to grow and deepen. The Lord is going to continue to expand our spiritual family, which also extends our reach. I praise the Lord for His tender and loving mercy shown through our familia.

Serafina Grace
David Jr. all smiles as he is looking on during Emily’s ultrasound of Serafina!

One way that we’ve recently experienced the Lord’s healing work of restoration is that David and Emily told us we are going to be grandparents to a baby girl! Our first grandchild! And the news came at a good time. It lightened the load in way as we head into this season when we remember when Hannah departed from this world.

David and Emily told us that they would like to name their daugther, Serafina Grace. I love all the thought they put into this name. Serafina is Italian and Spanish for Seraphim. One of the angels of God. The Seraphim or Serafina angels surround God’s throne and worship Him. They are referred to in Isaiah 6.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Isaiah 6:1-3 NIV

One of the reasons David and Emily want to name their daughter Serafina is since Hannah is in heaven it’s a way to honor her and remember her. Serafina was also the name of one of my great grandmothers on my dad’s side. David and Emily told my dad that they wanted to name their daughter Serafina just two days before dad joined Hannah and Serafina in heaven. My dad cried with them when they shared this news as he loved the idea. Just a little over a day after they told dad he joined Hannah and Serafina in heaven. I think this is one of the reasons my dad died in peace.

Serafina’s middle name will be Grace. Hannah means grace and favor. So we just love this name. We are already in love with little Serafina and we are praying for her and Emily daily. She is due on April 30th, and Hannah was born in April on the 9th.

We are very excited and we give thanks for the Jesus and His work of love in our lives and in the life of our family!

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

Before I say goodbye I would like to ask you to not only remember our family as you pray for us, but remember our familia as well. We just spoke to our familia on the Big Island in the last few days, and a number of them are getting sick with dengue. We have friends that are in the hospital due to dengue. We asked them about medicine, and they told us that there wasn’t any medicine. The scarcity continues, and it appears to be even getting worse. Our familia is in need and your generosity goes a long way on the Big Island. Please, extend your hands and give to these needs. Help to provide food and basic needs for our friends and familia!

Click here to donate…

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

God’s Goodness Seen in Our Growing Family
Pike’s Peak in Colorado Springs

As I write this I’m enjoying a cup coffee and taking in the views of the snow capped peaks in Colorado. It reminds me of God’s majesty. Dawn and I are thankful that we can visit our family in Colorado Springs this Christmas and take in the beauty of God’s handiwork.

I’ve been reflecting on God’s goodness and his wonderful work in our lives and throughout the world.

Dawn and I feel like our family keeps growing. Both David and Jonathan married wonderful young women in the last year for which we give much thanks. Also, the Lord has given us family in Latin America.

Giving Thanks for Our Partners
Pastors and Leaders in Cuba

A number of the pastors that we work with have become like family to us. We are in constant communication with them, praying for them, encouraging them and coaching them. At the end of Romans Paul wrote about a long list of people who ministered with him in the gospel. It is evident that Paul didn’t minister alone. The Lord gave him a team of people to work with.

In Philippians 1 the apostle gives thanks for the church and his partners in the gospel there.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:3-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the same way Dawn and I give thanks for our friends, our family, our partners in the gospel. We rejoice in all that the Lord is doing through them.

The Church is Advancing
Yany lovingly leading the children in Cabaiguan

Our friends Mario & Yany, who live in Cabaiguan, Cuba wrote us this week and told us about the opportunity they had to show the love of Christ to 90 children. Mario and Yany are planting four churches in the Cabaiguan area. They are very special friends that Dawn and I have come to consider part of our family. I’ve written about them in other posts.

It’s so good to see the kingdom of God advancing in Cuba.

One of Pastor Justo & Sara’s house churches in Jatibonico. It’s busting at the seams!

Some of our other friends Justo and Sara also wrote us and told us about the outreach and the growth of the church in Jatibonico. Every time we hear from these friends and other partners we rejoice and give thanks.

Join Us In Prayer!
Our Cuban Family – Faithful to Pray

Dawn and I have prayed for years that we would be part of kingdom expansion on the Border, the Baja and Beyond! We are starting to see that prayer answered. God is growing his church on the Border and the Baja where we live and work. We are also seeing growth Beyond these areas, mainly in Cuba. We continue to pray for more. More of Jesus. More of the Spirit and more kingdom growth and expansion!

Thank you for praying with us. We know that we are not alone. The Lord has given us a wonderful team of partners like you who are interested in seeing the kingdom of God expand through this work. We recognize that prayer is the life blood of all that we do.

Pray with us as this year comes to a close, that we will finish the year strong, so that we start 2020 off well. Dawn and I are praying that we can start at least 3 new churches in Mexico and 3 new churches in Cuba in 2020. We also are training and coaching many more church planters and leaders, and seeking to expand that part of the ministry as well.

You can help us make that a reality by praying for us, and by giving a year-end gift. You can give online by clicking the donate link.

Thank you for helping us take the gospel to The Border, The Baja and Beyond!

In His Loving Grip, Dave

Dave & Dawn
We wish you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Giving Thanks for our Wonderful Partners!

This morning I was reading Philippians 1, which is one of my favorite passages. Even though I’ve read it many times before today verses 4 and 5 jumped off the page, and especially the phrase, because of your partnership in the gospel.

Paul says he is thankful for the church and he is praying for them and then verse 5 says, “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Phil. 1:5

It is my custom to pray in the morning for our ministry partners, and often the Lord gives me a passage or a word, something encouraging to share with them as I pray. Then I send a message to them letting them know that we are praying for them, and that the Lord encouraged me with this passage or this word today.

Our Growing Family & Redemption!

Dawn and I have grown to have a deep love for these partners, and many of them have become like family to us. We have partners in various cities in Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador. It seems like the net, the family keeps growing as we are beginning to develop relationships with pastors and leaders in Honduras and Guatemala as well. Only the Lord truly knows where these gospel centered relationships will take us.

I often feel when the Lord extends our family through these deep relationships that it’s a way He is redeeming our pain and all that we’ve suffered through the loss of our beautiful and dear daughter, Hannah.

It’s interesting to me that the passage that struck me this morning includes Philippians 1:6, which is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Our family decided to put verse 6 on Hannah’s tombstone.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6 ESV

Renuevo – New Life in Ensenada

Last Sunday, Dawn and I along with her mom, her brother and his family joined us in Ensenada. We joined our new church plant Renuevo for their service. I preached on God’s goodness and his desire to have an intimate relationship with us from John 10. At the end of the service I led them in prayer and we celebrated the Lord’s supper together. I guided the church through a time of confession and forgiveness during our time of prayer. I love the opportunity to see people break down walls through the gospel which leads to confession, repentance, forgiveness and freedom in Christ.

The Lord gave us a wonderful and special time of celebration together!

When the service was over I talked to a new family that recently started attending the church as a result of our summer VBS. I noticed that they didn’t take communion with us, so I asked them about their relationship with Christ. This gave me the opportunity to share the gospel with them, and to lead them in prayer to receive Christ and confess their need for the only living and true Savior, Jesus Christ.

I love seeing people come to faith, and start their journey with Jesus!

After everyone had left Dawn and I went out for a meal with the leadership team of Renuevo, which is led by Pastor Petri and his wife, Yudy. Such a great group! We always enjoy the opportunity to break bread with them.

Our experience with them, reminded me of all of our dear partners in the gospel. People that we’ve grown to love, and who we have a strong and growing relationship with!

Extend Our Borders!

Paul writes about his deep love and the importance of his partnership with the church in Philippi. I echo his sentiment when he says the following in Philippians 1:7.

It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace…”

Dawn and I are so blessed and grateful to have such wonderful partners and a growing family in Ensenada, Tijuana, Mexicali, Mexico City and Beyond! The Lord has answered our prayers to see our borders expanded. Now we have close and growing partners beyond Mexico’s borders throughout Latin America.

I’m flying to Cuba this week to encourage and minister with our partners there. We covet your prayers, as the Lord continues to open more doors!

Thank you, Jesus! Your love overwhelms us at times, and we experience it in tangible ways through these relationships, through these partners in the gospel!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

To Die is Gain, even in Our Pain

Dawn and Dave with Hannah when she graduated from IMPACT 195. Two months later she graduated to heaven. We miss her every day. So thankful for our hope in Jesus!

Dawn and Dave with Hannah when she graduated from IMPACT 195. Two months later she graduated to heaven. We miss her every day. So thankful for our hope in Jesus!

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the worst and longest day of my life. The day my daughter, Hannah Elizabeth Diaso graduated, or as we like to say she moved to heaven.

When I think about it, I suppose it was the worst and the best day of Hannah’s life. Her last day on earth wasn’t a good day for her or for us. Yet she was immediately ushered to heaven where she saw Jesus face to face.

The Lord has been comforting me and reminding me this week of his true and amazing promises. I don’t think I could make it without his loving care and assurances.

Just as I began to write this he reminded me of Paul’s statement regarding life and death.

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 ESV

It’s an amazing statement, but if we are honest, this is not the way most of us live. Death is a wake-up call. Dawn and I think about death differently now that Hannah moved to heaven. It’s caused us to think of heaven more frequently, and wonder what it is like there. Hannah went from suffering to experiencing pure joy in just a moment. It’s so hard to comprehend!

My Hate for Death!

Hannah Diaso, Our beautiful daughter

Hannah Diaso, Our beautiful daughter

Through my sweet daughter’s graduation to heaven, I’ve had to come to grips with death. It’s not an easy thing to do. I believe it’s a long process that I’m still going through in many ways.

I hate death and its effect on man. I never realized how horrible death was until my daughter died. God created the world without death. When man fell into sin death was waiting right at the doorstep. Ever since then all of creation has been groaning for the day of redemption.

I’m thankful for the life I’ve been given, but I long for redemption. I look for glimpses of my Heavenly Father’s redeeming love every day. When I see someone healed, or someone receive the gift of eternal life I believe this gives me a glimpse of redemption.

Again Paul gives us words of hope as we wait.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as son, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:18-23 ESV emphasis mine

Our loving Papa is at work as we suffer in this world. He brings redemption and he gives us hope as we wait.

A Desire to Encourage Others

Both Dawn and I love to minister. We enjoy encouraging others and seeing them set free of whatever may be holding them back. Often our friends will make a comment to us that we’ve been able to encourage them and lift them up in the midst of our pain and mourning. I think at times they are surprised that we’ve been able to stay upright and maintain a positive attitude.

We do have our difficult and down days, but it encourages us as we love on and minister to others. We’ve seen a lot of grace during these moments. Part of the mystery is the grace flows two ways as we extend God’s goodness to others. It goes out to those we minister to, but it also comes back to us.

I must say that I believe everyone in my immediate family, Dawn, David jr., Jonathan and me have all grown deeper in our love for the Lord. It’s not because there is anything special about us. When you are hurting, you realize that you need to run into the loving arms of your Father. It’s a place of comfort and nourishment. Once you’ve tasted of his love you want more and more. O Lord, bring it on!

More of the Lord’s Loving Encouragement

Our last picture as a family together before Hannah moved to heaven

Our last picture as a family together before Hannah moved to heaven

I found it interesting in my normal daily Bible reading this week, that the Lord had me read Psalm 116 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Amazing passages!

“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalms 116:1,2 & 16 ESV

I still don’t fully understand death, and God’s ways, but I’m glad to know that the Lord does have it figured out. He has a plan for life and death. He even says that our days our numbered. At times all we can do is trust in his loving kindness. That’s what I choose to do.

From the moment Hannah moved to heaven one of the most helpful comforting verses in the Bible has been 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Often when I share my faith with nonbelievers I tell them that we are sad, but we have hope. The hope of heaven, the hope of redemption, the hope of a Savior sustains us. It takes away the sting of death. Christ conquered the grave.

“…what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.”        1 Thessalonians 4:13,14 MSG

I thank the Lord for the work of Jesus through his death and resurrection. Because he conquered the grave we have hope!

I hate that our daughter is no longer with us physically on this earth, but I’m grateful for the promises. I’m grateful for the hope of the gospel. I will continue to love and serve with Dawn longing for and looking for glimpses of God’s redeeming love until the day of redemption. Then I will be reunited with Christ, Hannah and all the saints that have gone before me.

Thank you, Papa, for your loving care! Hannah, I look forward to seeing you again soon!

In His grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

‬ ‭

On Monday I posted photos and memories from our first term in Mexico. Many good memories of the work the Lord did in those first years in Mexico. We began our second term with three young children, and some changes in ministry as we began a partnership with the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico. Our focus continued to be church planting, but now we worked in a facilitative role.

Here’s some fun photos from our second term from 1995 – 1999 in Mexico City.

Our family as we served in Mexico City

Our family as we served in Mexico City

One thing about missionary life is we got used to traveling together

One thing about missionary life is we got used to traveling together

Flying with my two boys - part of the life we lived!

Flying with my two boys – part of the life we lived! I think it’s part of what made our family close.

Hannah, Jonathan & David going to Kinder with Miss Marilu. She owned and ran the school and often helped us out by taking our children to school.

Hannah, Jonathan & David going to Kinder with Miss Marilu. She owned and ran the school and often helped us out by taking our children to school.

Having some fun and ministering to the youth

Having some fun and ministering to the youth

Our children had a lot of fun in Mexico and we always thought of ministry as family affair

Our children had a lot of fun in Mexico and we always thought of ministry as family affair

Our good friends Roberto & Lupita with their two children Luis Roberto & Ana Lei

Our good friends Roberto & Lupita with their two children Luis Roberto & Ana Lei

Outreach event with the church plant Red Familiar led by Pastor Daniel Valencia

Outreach event with the church plant Red Familiar led by Pastor Daniel Valencia

Our good friends Mario & Silvia Silva

Our good friends Mario & Silvia Silva

Our neighbors Luis & Gloria loved our children and we had a lot of fun with them

Our neighbors Luis & Gloria loved our children and we had a lot of fun with them

We used to have interns work with us in the summer. Jeremy Gabrysch in the middle went on to be a doctor and served as a medical missionary in Ethiopia. Jose Antonio Navarro (on the right) a great friend and a valuable partner in ministry.

We used to have interns work with us in the summer. Jeremy Gabrysch in the middle went on to be a doctor and served as a medical missionary in Ethiopia. Jose Antonio Navarro (on the right) a great friend and a valuable partner in ministry.

Our children loved the parties and piñatas in Mexico!

Our children loved the parties and piñatas in Mexico!

David, Jonathan & Hannah with their good friend Chivis. They reconnected with Chivis and 6 years ago she lived with us for 6 months. Fun times!

David, Jonathan & Hannah with their good friend Chivis. The Lord used Chivis to reconnect our families. 6 years ago she lived with us for 6 months. Fun times! We’ve also spent some good times over the last few years with the Silva family.

After almost 10 years in Mexico we moved to Colorado Springs. We originally thought we’d only be in Colorado a year or so before we returned to Mexico. That year turned into 12 years. I guess the Lord had a lot of work to do in us. We continued to serve in missions while living in Colorado Springs. Yet come to think of it we are still a work in progress, but Philippians 1:6 gives me some hope.

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

God proves himself faithful again and again. We are thrilled to be serving in Mexico again. God has given us wonderful ministry partners here. Thanks for joining us on this journey.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Dave preaching

Dave preaching

Are You Living Worthy of the Gospel?

Paul exhorts the Philippians to live their lives worthy of the gospel.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,” —Philippians 1:27 ESV

I had the great opportunity to preach on this passage this past Sunday. I love Paul’s pastoral heart. His concern the church in Philippi.

The book of Philippians is part of Paul’s prison epistles. He was concerned for the churches that he started. So he encouraged them to stay strong in their faith and to walk in a way that honors God.

We Strive, but in His Grace

Jon, Hannah, David Jr., Dawn and Dave

Jon, Hannah, David Jr., Dawn and Dave

I like the thought of living worthy of the gospel. On the one hand, we know that we can’t live in such a way without the gospel deeply penetrating and permeating our lives. We strive, but in his grace.

Jonathan Edwards said, “The secret of the Christian life is to let the reality of the gospel filter into the nooks and crannies of your life, in your reasoning as well as in your experience.”

We are not worthy of the gospel in and of ourselves, and Paul’s not trying to say that we should be. Rather he is stressing now that you have received the gospel of Christ, keep moving forward in his strength. Don’t settle for a mediocre Christian life. Grow in the rich soil of his grace.

I pray this will be true of those in the churches we are working with on the border. I also pray that it will true for you.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

The Gift of Family

David, Hannah and Jon having some fun!

David, Hannah and Jon having some fun!

One of the wonderful things about this time of year is taking some pause to be thankful for the gifts God has given us.

I’m reminded of the gift of my family. I mentioned in some of my recent posts Trials and Tears, and Trials and Tears: Part Two, Answers the challenge we went through with our daughter, Hannah and our son, Jon. I’m grateful to be on the other side of Hannah’s car accident, and Jonathan’s eye surgery.

This last week Hannah has been with us to celebrate Thanksgiving. The first time we’ve had all three kids with us for three years. It’s been wonderful being together.

One of the things that gives Dawn and me great joy is that our kids get along well. They genuinely care for one another.

David & Jonathan – Loving Brothers

David was there to support Jon before and after the surgery. Jonathan was so grateful that he wrote a thank you tribute to David on Facebook. He also added some promo for his brother at the end ;).

Jon said the following about his brother David,

David & Jon have always been close

David & Jon have always been close

I have the most amazing brother in the world. He’s always been there for me when I need him the most. I was discussing with him the other day the blessing of our friendship. All the kind words, the encouragement and the cards that he made me after surgery. He’s amazing! I am so blessed! I love you tiki Brohan! Ladies, he’s a great guy and he won’t be single forever. get on it!

We always prayed that our boys would have a David and Jonathan type relationship. God has blessed us with two wonderful young men who love Jesus and look out for one another.

Actually all three of the kids get along very well. Dawn and I feel very blessed.

Praise God for His Renewing Work

I give thanks to the Lord for working in the heart of David, Jon and Hannah. His grace has entered in and transformed their lives. The renewing work of the gospel is evident as they grow in Christ.

Dave, Hannah and Dawn

Dave, Hannah and Dawn

I also praise the Lord for giving me such a wonderful wife, who put her heart and soul into raising three children who love the Lord. I know that they wouldn’t have turned out as well without her labor of love!

My kids are still a work in progress like each of us, but God is committed to completing what he started in them . I love the promise the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6,

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

This gives me great hope, in a world that seeks to knock us down!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Dave & Dawn at San Diego Harbor

Dave & Dawn at San Diego Harbor

Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Friend!

Faithful friends like you standing with us in prayer make it possible for my wife and I to do this work. You encourage us in a tangible and a powerful way! We thank the Lord for you on this Thanksgiving.

Dawn and I are thrilled to have made it to the border over these last few months. It’s been a wonderful experience, although not an easy one. God has already done some amazing things in our short time here. I’ve been privileged to chronicle His work through this blog. We look forward with much anticipation to what lies ahead.

I echo Paul’s words of thanksgiving found in Philippians 1:3-5 (ESV)

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

In His Loving Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Diaso family

The Diaso family

Today is the last day we will have furniture in our home in Colorado Springs. The movers come tomorrow, and all of our belongings will be packed in a trailer for our move to the San Diego – Tijuana border.

We are excited that this day has come!

Dawn and I along with our kids are flooded with emotions. I remember when we first decided to move to Colorado Springs 12 years ago. Dawn said to me, “it’s cold there, and we don’t know anybody.” My response, “we will only be there about a year, I think we can handle it.” Those are either my famous or infamous last words. Wow! How could it be that we’ve been here for 12 years!?!

Don’t get me wrong it’s been a good 12 years. Our three grown children, David, Jr. Jonathan and Hannah grew up here. Now we have many friends that we love. That’s part of what makes it hard to leave. Jonathan and Hannah have decided to stay in Colorado when Dawn, David and I head out next week. That’s extremely tough to leave two of our children behind.

Moving Day has come!

Moving Day has come!

Even with some of the sorrow we feel in leaving our good friends and our two kids, we know that we are doing what God has called us to do. We know that the Lord will not only take care of us, but He will look after and care for Jonathan and Hannah.

I have so many good memories of our time in Colorado Springs! Coaching the boys in baseball; cheering Hannah on in volleyball; rooting for and encouraging all three of them in speech and debate. I think of all the friends we have made. Friends who have encouraged us, and walked with us through the good and difficult times. Too many friends to mention here. Praise Jesus for them!

I’m very grateful to the Lord for the season He gave us here. There’s a sense in which part of us will stay in Colorado.

Yet there are so many good things waiting for us on the border. This move is allowing us to begin a dream that we’ve had for a couple of years now. God has made it clear in so many ways that we are doing the right thing. We are confident in His leading and calling.

There are some risks in leaving, but we are confident of the Lord's leading!

There are some risks in leaving, but we are confident of the Lord’s leading!

We appreciate your prayers. It’s going to be painful to say goodbye to Jonathan and Hannah. “O Lord, please watch over them and care for them.” The move does create some stress for us, and we don’t know where we will be leaving yet on the border. That’s our next order of business, to find a new home.

Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer sums up well our feelings at this time.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

—Philippians 1:3-6

Thanks so much for joining us on this Journey with Jesus! Thanks so much to all our friends in Colorado that have blessed and encouraged us along the way.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org