Posts Tagged ‘rosarito mexico’

Despite the Opposition God is Faithful to Build His Church

Posted: September 20, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Our Privilege to Serve
Dave and Dawn with Angel, Arely, Monse, Uriel and Daniela

Every week Dawn and I meet with a number of pastors as close as Tijuana and as far as the Big Island. Those that live far away we meet online, and those that are close we can see face to face.

I’m always amazed by our time with these men and women who’ve chosen to sacrifice to serve the Lord. It’s a privilege for us to coach, mentor and encourage the leaders that we work with. Most of the time we feel invigorated after meeting with these friends who have become like family to us. They often refer to Dawn and me as dad and mom, and we love the relationships that the Lord gives us with them.

Pastor Uriel and Arely Garcia
Pastor Uriel Garcia with his wife Arely and their three children, Angel, Daniela and Monse

This last week we met with Pastor Uriel and Arely Garcia who are planting a church in Rosarito, which is South of Tijuana. This church is in the community of Ramos 2 just a few miles away from the church we just built this summer in my parents memory in Lomas Altas.

The church that the Garcia’s are ministering in we helped start 5 years ago. The church has faced tremendous opposition. The day after we inaugurated the church in Ramos 2 our daughter, Hannah moved to heaven. I must confess that I don’t fully comprehend how spiritual warfare plays out, but I do know that Satan doesn’t like what we are doing and he will doing anything he can to deter us and discourage us from continuing. I also know that we are in a battle and that our battle is not with flesh and blood.

The first pastoral couple that were called to start the church left the church within a year. Until Pastor Uriel stepped in the church was struggling to survive.

Uriel told Dawn and me that the day after they accepted the call to pastor in the community of Ramos 2 in Rosarito that he was involved in a terrible car accident. He broke his arm and other family members who were in the car with him were also hurt.

Despite all the obstacles Pastor Uriel and his wife, Arely have been faithful to reach out in the community. It hasn’t been easy and they haven’t always been received well as they’ve shared the gospel in the neighborhood surrounding the church. In fact, one day when they were out sharing their faith one of the neighbors got mad at them and the woman of the house brought out a pistol and threatened Uriel and told them to leave.

God is using the García family as they show the love of Christ to the people that live in Ramos 2. On Saturday’s they’ve been having fun activities and Bible stories for the children and this has begun to open the door to the families.

God is building his church!

This picture was taken in October of 2016 when we built the church in Rosarito in the community of Ramos 2

It’s a real privilege to see the humility and the dedication in Pastor Uriel. He is a bi-vocational church planter, which means he has another job that supports his family. They are very busy working as pastors and fulfilling his other responsibilities.

The families that live in the community where Uriel and Arely are ministering are poor. They struggle to survive. Many of the the children are malnourished and they aren’t doing well in school. Arely told us that she has been learning from Sol who ministers at another church that we helped start nearby. Sol has is a Master’s in Education and Psychology, so she is a great resource to Arely.

God is bringing light into the darkness!

Extend Your Hands to Help!

You can help by praying for Uriel and Arely as they reach out and show the love of Christ in the community of Ramos 2. You can also give a gift, extend your hands to help these families who are in need.

Some of the families that we are helping on the Big Island

There are also other needs as I’ve shared in previous posts about the crisis on the Big Island. Our familia is suffering due to the scarcity of food, basic needs and medicine. You can read more about those needs here…

Make a Donation Today!

Make a Donation today, by clicking on the button below.

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In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

A New Birth!

Posted: July 21, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Excited About the New Birth!
David & Jonathan in action (on the bottom left with their friend Jacob Betchol and on bottom right with me)

It is hard to contain my excitement over the latest new birth that our family has experienced! Although Dawn and I are thrilled with our granddaughter’s recent birth, in this case I’m referring to the birth of a new church. The church we built in memory of Dad and Mom, Ron and Virginia Diaso.

Thankful That So Many Helped!
Top left clockwise Davis & his son, Deivis; Blanca & her daughter, Damaris; Luz; Federico and his two sons, Daniel & David

The last two weeks there were one hundred or more people involved in helping us to build this new church. Our two boys, David and Jonathan came out from Colorado to pitch in. There were people helping from a number of different churches from both sides of the border. Some of our church planters that we work closely with also got involved. Pastor Davis and Luz Pardo, who are planting a church in Playas came one weekend. Then Pastor Federico and Blanca Muñoz, who are planting a church in Mexicali also made the 3 hour trip to contribute their time, energy and love.

It is an amazing time! I always enjoy watching the first wall go up. Since the foundation has already been laid, and some of the prep work is done we are able to get the roof up the first day. We had so many hard working people involved that we not only got the walls and roof up, but we began putting up the drywall on the first day.

After our two weeks of work the church was ready! Wow! It’s truly Amazing to witness.

As I’ve said before, “it never grows old seeing a new church go up.”

The Inaugural Service in Rosarito, Mexico
Starting upper right going clockwise at the inaugural service: Pastor Daniel Nuñez; Daniel Nuñez with Pastor Esteban Martinez and Dave; Worship; Pastor Esteban

Since this church was built in honor of my parents it made it extra special for our family. On Sunday July 18th we held the inaugural service. During the service Dawn and I had the opportunity to pray for Pastor Esteban and his wife, Cinthya. Pastor Daniel Nuñez, who is the leader of the ministry, Ministerios Transformación gave the charge to Pastor Esteban. Then we prayed for Esteban and Cinthya. Such a blessing from the Lord to be involved in the lives of special people who love and serve the Lord.

I shared about how the church in Acts 4 prayed for boldness. As they prayed God answered and they were all filled with the Spirit and the ground shook. It’s a wonderful reminder of our need today for boldness and the power of God. Zechariah 4 also emphasizes that it is not by our strength or power but by the Spirit. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

Pastor Esteban Martinez & Cinthya
Pastor Esteban & Cinthya – building the church and the inaugural service

While I sought to encourage Esteban and Cinthya as they begin this new work I couldn’t help but think about my parents, Dad and Mom. I was reminded of the cloud of witnesses spoken of in Hebrews 12:1. I had this sense that my parents were looking on with Christ cheering us on, which gave me peace. Maybe Hannah was cheering us on as well!

I thank the Lord for the special time that He gave us, and for the privilege of being involved in launching a new ministry in a needy community, Lomas Altas 2. Dawn and I give thanks for Pastor Esteban and his wife Cinthya. This is the second church that they’ve been involved in starting. They are building a team so that they can reach out and see fruit in both of the communities that they are ministering in.

Join Us in Prayer!
Having a good time while constructing the church

Join us in prayer as Pastor Esteban and Cinthya begin to minister and reach out in the community of Lomas Altas 2. Pray that many people will find the savior through this church.

Continue to pray for our familia on the Big Island as well. If you’ve been following the news at all you’ve seen that the situation on the Big Island has reached a boiling point, and that a number of people have taken to the streets to protest. They are upset about the lack of food, skyrocketing prices, rolling blackouts, and all the restrictions due to the coronavirus. They need our prayers, and our aid! Please extend your hands and give a donation today to help our familia.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

A New Birth is Coming!

Posted: July 9, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Ron & Virginia Diaso Memorial Church
Dad & Mom, Ron and Virginia Diaso

Dawn and I just returned from a funeral for one of my best friends, who I’ve known since I was 5 years old. His name is Rod Jones, and his daughters organized a great celebration of life service. I hope to write more about Rod in a future post, but today I’d like to focus on the church we are getting ready to build in memory of my parents, Ron and Virginia Diaso.

Rod’s funeral reminds me of the need to give people hope beyond this life. That’s one of the reasons that I’m thankful to have this opportunity to build a life giving living memorial for my parents. We are building this church in partnership with our friends from Ministerios Transformación, which is led by Pastor Daniel Nuñez.

Dad and Mom were always our biggest supporters, so I’m grateful that we can honor them in this way. We are making this a family affair. Both of our boys, David and Jonathan are flying in for the weekend to help us build the church.

Church Number 43 in Rosarito
Dave with Pastor Tomas Duarte & Pastor Esteban Martinez at the church site

I went to visit the church site today, and the foundation is already laid, and the prep work is being done so we can start with a larger group on Saturday. The pastor for this church will be Esteban Martinez. Please pray for Esteban as he begins to reach out in the community of Lomas Altas 2 in Rosarito, Mexico. While I was with pastor Esteban and two other pastors, Tomas and Davis today we were able to pray together for the church. We went to the four corners of the church and prayed, and asked for the Lord’s blessing and protection as the gospel goes forth from this place.

This is the 43rd church that Ministerios Transformación has planted in the last 15 years. God gave pastor Daniel a vision to plant 50 churches, and he is getting close to that goal. When I first met him 11 years ago I think he had planted 8 churches. It’s exciting to partner with Daniel and his team. We love seeing their enthusiasm to reach the Border and Beyond with the life changing message of Jesus Christ.

I look forward to sharing more about this church planting project with you after we get it built. It’s so good to bring the light of Christ to shine in the darkness. It’s wonderful to honor my parents in this way. I believe that it’s part of the legacy that they left. We were able to start a new church in our daughter, Hannah’s memory in Mexicali, Mexico three years ago. We give thanks to our Papa God that he has provided the funds and the partners to be able to start new churches.

I know that I’ve mentioned this before, but I love what our son Jonathan told me the first time we went to visit the site where we built the church in Hannah’s memory. He said, “I’d much rather visit the church to remember Hannah than to visit the cemetery.” I feel the same way, and we give thanks that we can remember Dad and Mom in this way.

Join Us In Prayer
We prayed for and anointed the four corners of the church property
  • Pray for a successful weekend as we head down on Saturday morning with a group of friends to build the church.
  • Pray for Pastor Esteban and his team as they begin to do outreach in the community of Lomas Altas 2 in Rosarito.
  • Pray for the Lord’s protection as we endeavor work together this Saturday.
  • Thank the Lord for his provision for this church.
Extend Your Hands to Help
Our familia on the Big Island

Our familia on the Big Island told me about how they pray for friends hands. Those that extend their hands to help them in their need. When they explained the significance of the “friends hands” I decided to adopt it and use that phrase when I ask you to help. Dawn and I would like to ask you to extend your hands to help the church planting work in Mexico.

Our familia on the Big Island also needs your help. One of our friends there wrote me today, and said that the Big Island has collapsed referring to the financial situation. Things were bad before, but now they are experiencing rolling blackouts, to go along with skyrocketing prices for food and basic goods. They need our prayers and our help. you can give by clicking on the button below.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Testimonies of Transformation

Posted: May 6, 2019 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Light of Christ Shines Brightly

Our new friends from Long Beach, Jason, David and Randy with Pastor Victor & Sol and some of the students they are showing the love of Christ to

One of our goals as we plant churches in communities is to bring the light of Christ to those that live there. As the light of Christ shines through the testimony of the church we pray for life change, transformation.

This last week I was able to visit some of my favorite people on the planet, Pastor Victor and his wife, Sol. I took some pastors and leaders from Christ Church in Long Beach into Mexico to introduce them to our ministry in Tijuana and Rosarito.

Victor & Sol’s Community Outreach in Rosarito

Victor & Sol with some of the elementary school boys that they are ministering to

Victor and Sol have become like family for us, so it’s always fun to see them. I love seeing them in action and hearing how the Lord is working through them. About three years ago I visited Victor and Sol and my daughter, Hannah was with us. Victor and Sol told us how they wanted to reach the community and to be able to offer tutoring and classes to the children in the community.

They asked me if I could help them raise some funds to build a classroom and to buy some chairs and desks for the children. The Lord graciously gave me a matching fund, and I found a church willing to give the other half. About a year and a half ago we were able to help them to build the classrooms.

One of the challenges is that a significant number of children in the community come from very poor families. They are malnourished and their parents aren’t able to help them with their school work. A number of children in the community don’t even attend school. Those that do attend are failing in their school work. They lack energy because they are not eating well in their homes.

Sol has an undergrad in Psychology and a Masters in Education. She worked for a number of years in the public school system in Mexico, but when they planted the church the Lord put it on her heart to leave her job so that she could minister to the children and families in the community.

Making a Difference in the life of the Children

Once they had the classroom Sol went to work. She works with 20 children daily Monday through Friday. She works with some of them before school and others after school. Sol has a beautiful smile, and she is a patient and loving teacher. The love of Christ shines through her as she works with the children.

While I was there with our friends from Long Beach this last week Victor and Sol shared with us that since Sol has begun working with the children their grades have gone up. Now they are getting A’s and B’s. They’ve also raised some funds and given out of their personal budget to feed the children.

Whereas, before the children had spots on their faces from malnutrition, now they look healthy and strong. When they come to the church one of the first things they ask Sol is, “what’s to eat today?”

Sol and Victor are making a difference in the life of these children and their families. They have the vision to train more teachers to help Sol so that they can minister to even more families. They told me that they also need to raise more funding to sponsor the children so that they can continue to provide them with meals.

New Life in Christ

Since Victor and Sol have begun this outreach some of the families have started attending the church. They told me of one particular family that joined the church, came to Christ and got baptized. Now they are beginning to take responsibility and become part of the leadership team.

Join Us in Prayer for Victor & Sol

Pray with us that the Lord raises up more pastors and leaders like Victor and Sol who are able to make a difference in their community. Pray for the Lord’s provision so that they can grow this ministry and continue to bring spiritual and material nutrition to the children. Pray that the Lord raises up the people to work with Sol to help tutor the children.

Thank you, Jesus, for your good work! You are a good God!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Celebrating Life & God’s Good Work!

Posted: September 26, 2018 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
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The Cry of Our Heart!

Pastor Victor and Sol with Sofia

Pastor Victor and Sol with Sofia

One of the cries of our heart is for more of the Lord. A greater presence and power as we live and love. We have this confidence that the Lord hears our prayers. Dawn and I pray that this will not only be true of us but of those that we minister with. “O Lord, in your grace pour out your Spirit in a greater measure upon us and those we serve with.”

God’s Good Work Through Ministerios Transformación

Pastor Victor Bravo encouraging his congregation!

Pastor Victor Bravo encouraging his congregation!

Recently I wrote about our good friends, Pastor Victor Bravo and his wife Sol. Dawn and I enjoy being with them, seeing and experiencing how God is moving among them. This last Sunday we worshipped with Victor and Sol and their congregation. We celebrated Victor’s birthday along with the church. Our Mexican friends love the fiesta, and we’ve grown to love it as well.

Pastor Victor and Sol are a part of a larger network of churches called, Ministerios Transformación. I’ve written about this ministry before. We’ve helped them plant 6 churches over the last 6 years, and we’ve also helped them in other ways through training, coaching, and encouragement.

The last church we planted in Mexicali, which we built in our daughter, Hannah’s memory is part of Ministerios Transformación.

A Big Vision – 50 Churches

Pastor Daniel Nuñez praying for Pastor Victor

Pastor Daniel Nuñez praying for Pastor Victor

The lead pastor for Ministerios Transformación is Daniel Nuñez. Daniel was also at the church on Sunday and he preached a message from Hebrews on the importance of working with and supporting the pastor in the church. Daniel is a man of vision, and any time he has a chance to share with others he cast his vision to plant 50 churches. When I first met Daniel 8 years ago he had planted 7 churches, and in just a few weeks they will be planting number 37! Wow! That’s exciting! Thank you, Jesus!

Dawn and I enjoy the opportunity to partner with Daniel and Victor and Sol to help them make their dream, their vision a reality. Our prayer, as well as theirs, is that these churches aren’t just lifeless buildings, but vibrant centers of grace that bring light into communities. We realize to do that we all need much grace and a powerful move of God’s Spirit among the people.

Making a Difference in the Community

Sol seated on the right with some of the children she is working with.

Sol seated on the right with some of the children she is working with.

Sol, who is a trained psychologist with years of experience working in some of the best schools in Rosarito and Tijuana is reaching out in the community by tutoring children. Sol loves what she does. She’s passionate about it. She was making a good salary working for the school system. Yet, she was willing to put all that aside to use her skills to love on needy children in the community. Dawn and I were able to visit Sol with her students recently, and it was fun to see her at work.

Lives are literally being changed as Victor and Sol along with the people in their church show the love of Christ in the community of Plan Libertador. Victor and Sol are an awesome representative of what the other churches in the network of Ministerios Transformación are doing. We give thanks for them, and for how the Lord is working. He truly does hear our prayer! Hallelujah!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Much to Celebrate 🎉 in Mexico!

Posted: April 24, 2018 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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An Exciting Time!

The amazing group we took down to Mexicali to build the church in Hannah’s memory

The amazing group we took down to Mexicali to build the church in Hannah’s memory

This is an exciting time of year for us. A little over a week ago we finished building the church in Hannah’s memory in Mexicali, Mexico. That was a huge accomplishment for us, and we are so grateful the Lord provided the way and the people to pull that off! 34 people from the US joined us and another 30 from Mexico participated. Dawn, David, Jonathan and I are still in awe over all the love we were shown as we built this church. Thank you Jesus!

Pastor Mere and Edna

Pastor Mere and Edna

We are getting ready for the inauguration of the church with Pastor Mere Godinez and his wife, Edna on May 6th. Our family is so grateful for Pastor Mere and Edna. They are wonderful young ministers of the gospel. God is already working and moving in the community in Mexicali where we are planting this church.

Time to Celebrate

Celebrating 3 years with Pastor Victor Bravo and his wife, Sol. Wonderful friends!

Celebrating 3 years with Pastor Victor Bravo and his wife, Sol. Wonderful friends!

This past Sunday we celebrated the 3 year anniversary of a church that we helped start with Ministerios Transformación in Rosarito, Mexico. Pastor Victor Bravo and his wife, Sol have done an excellent job planting the church and reaching out in the community. They are creative and very active and the Lord is using them to make a difference. It was so good to celebrate with them. Victor and Sol along with the church honored the part that we played in helping to start the church by recognizing us during the service. It was an encouragement to receive their demonstration of love and appreciation.

The Mariachis leading worship

The Mariachis leading worship

I had the opportunity to preach at the church in Rosarito on Sunday. It was a special day. We rejoice in what the Lord is doing through this church. The church was filled with many joyous people. The worship leaders for the service was a Christian mariachi band. Mariachi music is traditional Mexican music that tends to be sung with a lot of energy and emotion. Viva Mexico! Gloria a Dios!

God’s Healing Work!

Dawn with Miroslava and her daughter, Michele

Dawn with Miroslava and her daughter, Michele

The time was also special because we met a 15 year old friend, Michele who had leukemia. We had been praying for Michele along with her family and the church. The last time we visited the church we prayed with her parents Salvador and Miroslava and the Lord broke through and began to heal Michele. I’d like to write more about what God did and is doing in the life of this family in the near future.

We pray for more. More Lord! Keep it coming. More people coming to Christ. More people growing in their faith. More hunger and growth. O Lord, hear our prayer and do your mighty work!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Tears of Grace

Posted: July 11, 2017 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Stories of Grace Through the Camera

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Pastor Victor and his wife, Sol with their son, Abraham serving the Lord in Rosarito and Tijuana, Mexico

Last week a film crew came out to take photos and video shots of the ministry on the border and throughout our work in Mexico. It was an exhilarating time as we met with and interviewed our partners and church planters. We started out in Ensenada and we got some beautiful shots of the city and our church planters Petri & Yudy Petrikowski. Then we headed back up to Rosarito and Tijuana to interview Pastor Victor Bravo and his wife, Sol.

 

I wish I could take you with me to meet these wonderful friends. Every time I’m with them I come away encouraged. God fills me up because they are fun to be with, and also because of the way the Lord is transforming lives through their ministry.

God Breaks Through in Rosarito

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Victor and Sol shared with us about a ministry to an orphanage called Nueva Generación (New Generation). They formed a partnership relationship with Luis Salinas, who leads the orphanage a few years ago. The partnership has grown as their church has grown. Now on average 17 orphans attend their church every Sunday.

 

Sol is a psychologist and she has worked with the children and the parents. She ministers the love of Christ to these parents who are caught in addictions, prostitution, and poverty, which has kept them from being able to care for their children. The children experience the love of Christ and hear the good news of the gospel and they are transformed by God’s grace. The goal is also to see their parents break free from their addictions and destructive life style.

Brokenness and Healing

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Raul reunited with his two sons!

We met one of the father’s, his name is Raul. He has an amazing story. Sadly he was caught in a cycle of addiction, which led to poverty and an inability to take care of his children. Raul’s wife left him. Through the work of the orphanage and the love shown to him through Victor and Sol, he came to Christ. He eventually was set free of his addictions and began to work again. It took him more than 10 years to break free, and now he is back in his two boys life.

 

Raul shared through tears about his struggle with alcohol and drugs. He felt sad that he had let his boys down, and not been able to take care of them for so many years. But God broke through! This brought more tears as he reflected on the Lord’s great love and grace.

A life transformed!

A family reunited!

Wow! So good to see God’s grace set the captives free.

When we talk about planting churches we pray for transformed lives and transformed communities as the love of Christ shines brightly in dark places.

Unfortunately, there are many Raul’s in Tijuana and Rosarito. There is much work left to be done! Yet, we are seeing progress as the Lord works in and through the churches and ministries on the border. Thank you, Jesus!

I give thanks for faithful servants like Victor and Sol who are not content just to hold services on Sunday. They desire to see the gospel penetrate and make a difference in the community. My prayer is, our prayer is that the Lord will raise up an army of ministers like Pastor Victor and Sol. He is doing that through ministries like, Ministerios Transformación who have planted 31 churches in 11 years and have a vision to plant many more! Hallelujah!

In His Grip, Dave Diaso

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

Breakthrough on the Border

Posted: April 3, 2017 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Joy and Sadness

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October 15, 2016 the group that helped us finish building the church in Rosarito, Mexico

Today (Sunday) was a special day for me. I love being able to visit our church plants and encourage the pastors and the congregations. Today I was able to visit our latest church plant with Ministerios Transformación in Rosarito, Ramos 2. Pastor Obed and his wife, Cesiah invited me to preach.

You might remember that we finished building this church, and the church was inaugurated just two days before Hannah died. I remember praying with Obed and Cesiah for Hannah, because she wasn’t feeling well. So the joy of being with them still had hints of sad memories.

We experienced a huge victory in the launch of the church, but personally we experienced a tragic loss.

God is Faithful to Build His Church

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Dave encouraging the church through the Word of God

Yet, I have learned that God is faithful. He keeps working in our lives, and in the lives of others. He is faithful to grow his church, and I believe the growth of the church is inevitable. Maybe not the growth of a particular church, but growth of the Church. God’s kingdom continues to grow and transform lives around the world. Even as I’m writing this Ministerios Transformación is building two new churches that will be launched in April and May! Hallelujah!

I thank the Lord for the small part that Dawn and I could play in helping launch this church. I give thanks for all that God is doing and I trust will continue to do in this community through Pastor Obed, his wife Cesiah and the people of the church.

O Lord, Breakthrough

The inaugural service for Ministerios Transformación in Rosarito. Church #29

The inaugural service for Ministerios Transformación in Rosarito. Church #29

We are praying for breakthrough. Breakthrough for this church, and many others that we have a connection with. We’d love to see God’s Spirit move and touch all the churches, and the ministers in Mexico like the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 54 has been on my mind a lot this year. I love that God tells the barren women to have faith, and to enlarge her house, because the baby is coming. For all of those who have suffered loss, or those who are waiting for something you long for, this is a wonderful promise from the Lord of the Angel Armies. He is the Lord Almighty, and he can and he will do it. He calls us to trust him, to have faith, to prepare and to be patient.

“”Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities. “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.”

Isaiah 54:1-5 ESV

I encouraged the church with these words today, and God showed up and he touched the people. We grew together as the Spirit ministered to each of us.

Join Us in Prayer

My prayer is that this church will grow, and that they truly will make a difference in the community. I pray and I thank the Lord for Pastor Obed and Cesiah who have a deep and abiding love for Christ, and they are willing to make sacrifices to see this church grow.

Join us in prayer that God will do a great and mighty work in the life of this new church. Pray that they will experience breakthrough personally, and as they reach out in the community with the love of Christ.

Thanks so much for standing with us!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Celebrating New Life

Posted: January 12, 2017 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Battle Rages, but We are Victorious in Christ

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Pastor Obed Lares and Cesiah

I am convinced that our Lord is doing a good work, despite all the pain and all the sorrow we are going through with the loss of our daughter, Hannah. I don’t know why it was Hannah’s time to go, but I do know that the enemy of our soul will do anything to try to slow us down and defeat us.

The day before Hannah died we celebrated the inauguration of church number 29 with our friends from Ministerios Transformación. On that same weekend we finished building the church. We helped Pastor Obed Lares and his wife, Cesiah launch their new church plant.

The Joy of New Birth

The inaugural service for Ministerios Transformación in Rosarito. Church #29

The inaugural service for Ministerios Transformación in Rosarito. Church #29

That was a joyous time to see new life, the birth of a new church. Hard to believe that the following day our daughter would be with Jesus in Heaven. We don’t understand, but we know that God is a good and loving God and that we can trust him.

I just met with Obed and Cesiah earlier this week, and I felt so encouraged hearing how the church is growing as they reach out in the community. They’ve had some obstacles to overcome. The church doesn’t have power yet. On Sundays they plug into their neighbors outlets.

The recent rain also slows down the progress. Yet God is on the move there in the community in Rosarito, Mexico.

Obed and Cesiah are very gifted and sensitive to the Holy Spirit as he guides and directs them. When we were together they shared stories about some of the new people who are coming to the church, and how the Lord is touching their lives. As Obed shared, “people are coming to church, because they want to find God. They want an encounter with him.”

Join Us In Prayer

The light of Christ is shining brightly in this community. This is one of the reasons we get attacked. It’s a reminder of how important prayer is. We need protection as do Obed and Cesiah.

Please join us in lifting up Obed and Cesiah as they reach out and share the love of Christ  with the community. Pray that the Lord will protect them and their family. Pray for our protection as well.

Dawn and I are in Juarez, Mexico this week training pastors and leaders in coaching.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

From the Ground Up!

Posted: October 12, 2016 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
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The Walls and Roof Are Up!

Our amazing group who came down to build the church with Pastor Obed Lares and his wife Cesiah on the right

Our amazing group who came down to build the church with Pastor Obed Lares and his wife Cesiah on the right

I’ll never cease to be amazed by how much work a group of well-coordinated people can get done in one day!

When we arrived on Saturday in Rosarito to build church number 29 with our friends from Ministerios Transformación only the foundation had been laid. Then by the time we left at the end of the day, all the walls were up and the roof was almost finished. A few stayed later to finish up the roof.

Pastor  Daniel Nuñez and his team had done a great deal of prep work before we arrived. They cut the wood and had it laid out for us, and the difficult pieces had already been put together. Nonetheless, it’s exciting to see how quickly the church goes up in one day.

This last Saturday was a warm and sunny day, so everybody was worn out about mid-day. Our group isn’t used to hammering nails and lifting walls, siding and roofing. When we crossed the border at the end of the day I could see a sense of accomplishment in those that came. After a while as we drove back they got quiet. They were tired. They worked hard, and the Lord used them to help bring light to a new community.

A Labor of Love

Pastor Daniel Nuñez, Dave and Pastor Obed Lares

Pastor Daniel Nuñez, Dave and Pastor Obed Lares

At the end of the day Pastor Obed Lares said the church would always remember the group through the pictures and be thankful for their labor of love that brought the light of Christ to the community.

Obed and his wife, Cesiah brought their children and their parents and they worked hard at making the midday meal for us and keeping us hydrated.

I always love these days even though I don’t have a background in construction. It lifts up my heart to see so many people come together to work on a lasting initiative. The building is just the beginning, but it gives the church a presence in the community.

Our son, David Jr. (far right) hard at work. He flew out to join us. It's a family affair

Our son, David Jr. (far right) hard at work. He flew out to join us. It’s a family affair

The Launch of a New Church

The work is not done. This coming Saturday I will lead another group down and we will put up all the drywall, doors, windows and shingles. Our goal is to finish the church by this coming Saturday the 15th, so they can hold their inaugural service on Sunday, October 16th.

Pastor Obed is thrilled to officially launch the church on the 16th, because on that day he also celebrates his birthday. A double celebration!

It will be a glorious day!

Jeff Sloan with the neighbor Roberto who will be the first church member along with his family

Jeff Sloan with the neighbor Roberto who will be the first church member along with his family

The building is just the beginning, but it’s a good and an important beginning to seeing lives transformed as those in the community encounter Christ.

The church is in a humble community, and the family that lives right next to the church were blessed to have their home built by another ministry, YWAM. I was able to meet the family, and Roberto the man of the house told me they were planning on being the first members of the church. The Lord touched me as I saw Roberto and his family pitch in and work with us in seeing the church built. They also let us use their electricity and their bathroom. Two essentials!

Pray for the advance of the kingdom in the community of Colonia Ramos in Rosarito. Thank you Jesus!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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