Give Thanks for the Lord’s Many Blessings & Remember Those in Need
Dawn and I (Dave) wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a great time of year to stop and give thanks for the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us. Dawn and I give thanks for you, for our family, for all of our friends and for our latina familia.
As I take time to give thanks I can’t help, but think of those who lack, and do not enough. I think especially of our familia on the Big Island. The reports coming out from the Island are heartbreaking.
One of my missionary friends, Russell who has made more than 300 trips to the Big Island told me that he thought that they are going through their worst economic crisis in their history. News reports that I have read say that it’s the worst economic crisis in 30 years. Dawn and I are continuing to send aid, but the pastors and those in their congregation struggle to find food to buy. They are going without electricity for long periods each day, which causes their food to spoil.
I would like to share a testimony that one of our friends, Yolanda wrote us in the last couple of weeks. This will help give you an idea of what our familia is suffering through, and move you to pray for them. I translated it from Spanish, and the English is a little rough, but I hope it will serve to give you a better picture of what she and our familia are experiencing.
Yolanda’s Testimony
Our familia on the Big Island
Pastor God bless you. You don’t know how much good the reflection that you sent me about casting our burdens on the Lord has done for my walk with Christ. Now I would like to share with you what is going on with my family and me.
When I was recently converted, I used to carry a lot of burdens. When I prayed for people it was as if they were putting a very heavy sack on my back. I spent a lot of time feeling the weight of it until God took that feeling away from me. At that time I told my pastor that I did not know how to give my burdens to God, and he gave me some good advice.
In recent times I have tried to encourage others to rest in the Lord to give their burdens to him.
Here in Cuba we are experiencing a lot of pressure in terms of food, the high prices that everything costs and the scarcity. People are very burdened because instead of seeing improvement in the country, it is quite the opposite. My husband, Rene is one of those who does not spend a day that he is not agitated and burdened. I pray a lot for him.
Typical transportation on the Big Island – a horse drawn carriage
He gets up every day at dawn and goes six kilometers in a horse carriage to work. There are moments when he arrives at work that he can’t even get anything done, because there is no electricity then when he returns home he is so frustrated. He says to me, “you tell me to rest in the Lord, but when you tell me that there is no rice for lunch and that our baby does not have even a snack to eat, how do expect me to respond when you tell me to rest in God.”
Today in the afternoon we were without power. I was sitting in the doorway with my baby. I was talking to God asking him to help my husband to rest in him, because he is working so hard to try to make sure that our family does not need, and that we have at least the basics. At times, I feel that as a family we have been neglected.
Rene arrives very late from the place where he works. Then after a day on the job he goes to the land where his mother lives to plant tomatoes and work some more. He does this so that we have food and to be able to make puree when the tomato is ready to be picked.
He comes home very late and that’s the way it is every day. I just try to pray for him and leave everything in God’s hands, because as his wife God has put me with him and I must support him. I know that Rene works hard. Please help me to pray for him.
Thank you for the good testimony that you shared with me about casting our burdens on the Lord. I sent it to every possible person I could think of, because of what you know that we are going through.
Today at dawn I have asked God to help me not only believe these truths in my mind, but in my heart as well. This way by giving God my burdens he will take care of them and carry them and thus help me. May the Lord help me every day to depend on him
It is as Pablo says, “I have known how to live in abundance and in scarcity.” I only hope that God continues helping my life to always believe in him and to deposit my burdens on him, because I totally depend on his love and mercy. When the enemy wants to make me see all THE needs, and all that am I going through. I don’t want to lose my focus, because I confess to you that there are times when I lose strength, but God helps me and encourages me. Thank you for being one of those people who help my walk in Christ for good.
I send you a big hug Pastor from the depths of my heart for all your family.
Extend Your Hands to Help Those in Need!
That laughter on the lips or the cackles set off by anything at all have disappeared from Cuban streets. (14ymedio)
Cubans tend to try to see the bright side and they like to laugh, but much of their optimistic spirit has disappeared, because of all the difficulties that they are having to live through. It’s sad to see how challenging every day living has become.
Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider making a gift today to help our familia. Make a gift this Thanksgiving to help a family, like Yolanda’s. You can give by clicking on the link below.
Dawn and I would like to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. We hope and pray that the Lord gives you a great day with your family and friends, even though your celebration may be smaller this year.
A couple of weeks ago I was talking to a friend who’s had an especially hard year and as we talked and reflected on the year he reminded me of Habakkuk 3. It is a hope filled passage, which reminds us to give thanks regardless of our circumstances.
This is one of those years, where Habakkuk especially speaks to us.
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV
I want to encourage you to not look at your circumstances, which may get you down, but to remember that the Lord, is your strength. He is the joy of your salvation.
This passage reminds me of what Jesus told his disciples when he was comforting them and preparing them for his death and resurrection. He told them that they would experience hardship, but they can be of good cheer, because he had overcome the world.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 ESV
There is much to be thankful for, despite our circumstances. We are on the winning side. We know how the story ends. It ends in victory!
Remember Those in Need this Thanksgiving
As we enjoy this Thanksgiving I’d like to encourage you to remember our familia on the Big Island. Those that are less fortunate than us. Our familia does not have the luxury of eating whatever they would like to, whenever they would like. In fact, This week Western Union closed, and they can no longer receive money transfers from family members. That affects thousands of families who depend on money sent from their families who live in the States.
The Lord has opened up a door for me to send aid through a different vehicle than Western Union. This Thanksgiving give thanks for the Lord’s many good gifts and give to the needs of families on the Big Island. You can give and help a family in need by clicking on the button below.
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!
Dawn and I give thanks for all the wonderful pastors and partners we serve with in Mexico
As we begin 2018 I give thanks for all that the Lord did in 2017. This last year has not been an easy year for Dawn and me. It’s been painful to mourn our daughter, Hannah’s moving to heaven. Yet, I believe the Lord has also brought us a tremendous amount of healing. I give thanks for the comforting arms of the Lord. I’m grateful for so many friends who have reached out to us and loved us.
Even though it has been a year where we’ve needed much encouragement, much love, and much prayer which has been like a salve to our wound, we’ve also seen advance in the ministry.
Milestones in 2017
Redeemer San Diego Medical Missions Team
Some of the ministry milestones for 2017 are:
Renuevo Church launching in Ensenada in April
Redeemer San Diego sending their youth group down to Ensenada to connect with Renuevo to reach out to teenagers through sports and a fun day.
Redeemer San Diego partnering with Renuevo and bringing down a medical team to treat those with physical and spiritual needs. The doctor’s and the team that come down are so loving, and do such a wonderful job of sharing the love of Christ with their patients.
Skyview Presbyterian coming to Ensenada for the fourth year to help Renuevo lead a summer VBS.
Trained a number of pastors through the incubator that’s geared for church planters.
Coached church planters in Tijuana and Ensenada.
Raised the funds and helped build classrooms for one of the church plants in Rosarito that we started 2 1/2 years ago.
Worked with our friends in Cuba to aid in training coaches.
Gave leadership to MTW Mexico
Goals and Dreams for 2018
One of our goals for 2018 is to build a church in memory of our daughter, Hannah.
One of our biggest goals for 2018 is to plant a church in Hannah’s memory. We are still working on raising all the funds for the church plant. I spoke with pastor Daniel Nuñez this past week, and we’ve decided that we will build the new church on the weekend of April 13 – 15.
We also have a goal to get our church plant in La Paz, Mexico started in early 2018.
A goal that we have for MTW Mexico is to mobilize a minimum of one new missionary family to join our work in Mexico.
There are other dreams that we are praying for as we enter 2018. I’m starting to work on writing a book. I’ve actually begun working on it, but it’s been a challenge to figure out how to find time to write with all that’s going on.
Dawn and I have a trip to Mexico City this week from January 11 – 16, and from there, we will be going to Havana, Cuba from the 16 – 22. We need major prayer as we minister here on the Border, the Baja and Beyond. I feel that we need prayer especially as we begin to travel. Last year, we feel like we got a little worn out from all the traveling by the end of the year, so we hope to do a better job managing our schedule this year.
Thank you so much for loving us and standing with us dear friends!
Dawn and I have many things to be thankful for this year.
The Lord has given us some wonderful friends on both sides of the border. This week I was talking to Victor Bravo and Sol this week. Victor is leading the new church plant in Rosarito. When I was visiting their church I told the congregation that Victor and Sol are special friends of ours. Later Sol told me that it encourages them when I say they are our special friends.
In many ways they lift us as well. We are truly grateful for them and their heart to see their community transformed by the gospel. Jesus, thank you for all our wonderful friends and partners that we minister with.
Giving Thanks For All God Has Done
We give thanks that even though it’s been a year filled with some huge trials, the Lord has drawn us nearer to him and we’ve experienced some major victories.
Next week we will be training 30 pastors, leaders and missionaries in coaching training.
Dave & Dawn
We give thanks for and celebrate all that the Lord is doing here on the border and the Baja. To God be the glory for His mighty work!
Dawn and I recognize that we couldn’t accomplish these things without you. You strengthen us and your prayers play a huge part in the advance of gospel. We give thanks for you as well.
Thank you dear friends for standing with us! Thank you Jesus for your grace and love!
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving – From the Diaso family enjoying a wonderful meal with friends and giving thanks for his bountiful love and care
I love the focus on giving Thanks during Thanksgiving. It’s something that I need to practice more often.
This week as I was thinking and praying for friends, ministry and life in general the Lord brought to mind a verse from the Psalms. Joy comes with the morning is the phrase that Psalms 30:5 ends with.
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. —Psalm 30:5 ESV
Part of the reason this verse struck me is that this has been one of the most difficult years I’ve been through. We’ve seen much fruit, there’s much to be thankful for, but we’ve also endured some personal hardships. Trials that have affected our family and our ministry.
God Uses Trials for our Good
Sunset on the Pacific
I feel like the Lord is giving me a glimpse of how he is working these trials for good as he promises in Romans 8:28. I’m hopeful that things are going to be even better than they were, because the Lord is pruning us and bringing his healing touch. We are going through the refiner’s fire.
The trials and tribulations aren’t enjoyable, but I’m grateful that they aren’t haphazard. The Lord has a divine purpose for all the things that happen in our lives.
Job is often referred to when one thinks of suffering. He suffered more than most, and God used it to build into Job’s life. Even thought Job’s wife and friends didn’t understand Job stayed true to his faith in the Lord.
Job said, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” —Job 23:10
Even though I don’t enjoy the trials of life, I give thanks for God’s good purposes. I’m thankful for his promises. The Lord is at work, refining us, giving us hope and even joy.
Rejoice
Rejoice with me friends for all God is doing, and for his wonderful promises. If your night looks dark, remember that joy comes with the morning!
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
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
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!
This week especially we focus on the many blessings that God has given us, and it truly has been a better week.
My daughter, Hannah, who was in a bad car accident last week is here with us to celebrate Thanksgiving. My son, Jon, who had an emergency eye surgery last Friday is recovering. It will be a while before he gains full use of his right eye, but the surgery was successful. We give much thanks for that, and we continue praying for a full and complete recovery.
God Uses Ana’s Pain to Bring Adam to Christ!
The same creative and powerful God who made the beauty of the Sunset cares for you and me!
Our friend, Ana who was detained last week was set free last Friday. She is now back with her family!
Ana made a wrong turn last week when she was taking a friend’s son to school. That wrong turn led to her being detained.
The father of the boy Ana was taking to school is named, Adam. After all that happened last week Adam came to church last Sunday with Ana and her family. He heard the gospel, and he gave his life to Christ. God works in mysterious ways, doesn’t he? Yet, he is always working, and doing so in such a way that he gets the glory.
We don’t always understand the reasons why, or the how’s, but we can trust that he is working.
God’s Loving Care
“The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth” (1914) By Jennie A. Brownscombe (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Lord cares for you. He tells us he will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He says that the plans he has for us are good (Jeremiah 29:11). He encourages us to ask him for our needs, for even a father will give his child a piece of bread when he asks for it (Matthew 7:9).
Aren’t those wonderful and encouraging promises? We just need to lean on him and trust him.
Lift Our Voices in Thanks to Our God
Lord, I praise you that, because of you we have much to be thankful for. Thank you for hearing our prayers. Thank you for giving us friends and family to love!
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.”
Beyond Borders 