Posts Tagged ‘The Cisneros Family’

The Earth Shakes Again
The Devastation caused by the earthquake

The Devastation caused by the earthquake

Amazingly 32 years to the day since the big earthquake of 1985 struck in Mexico City, another earthquake hit Mexico. The earth shook again on September 19, causing much damage in Mexico City and the surrounding areas. More than 300 people perished in this natural disaster.

Dawn and I lived in Mexico City from 1990 – 2000. Two of our children, Jonathan and Hannah were born there. We have many friends there who were affected by the fallen buildings. Yesterday some of our good friends, the Cisneros family told me that they have been without water for 6 days. I spoke to a pastor friend today, and he told me that surrounding his church many buildings had crumbled as the earth shook. They are mobilizing to provide relief to the families that were affected.

Sad to See Friends Suffer – A Startling Video!

 

It saddens us to see our friends suffer. The first time I visited Mexico City was in the summer of 1985. I was there with a group of seminary students just a month before the big earthquake hit. 10,000 people died due to the damage caused by that quake. I remember visiting the following summer and seeing all the fallen buildings. The buildings that had been damaged as the earth shook.

It was during the summer of 1985 that I first met my friends, the Cisneros family. They are a wonderful family. They love the Lord and have been true friends over the year. God used them to minister to us since Hannah passed away. Our heart goes out to them as they live through this trying time.

Pray for Mexico
Praying for Mexico!

Praying for Mexico!

Please join us in prayer for the many people who lost loved ones, and others who are without basic services and needs. I’d also like prayer for wisdom regarding a visit to Mexico City and Morelos to see the damage that was done, and to explore what more we can do to help.

Mission to the World (MTW) has sent a donation of $10,000 to aid the families and ministries that suffered loss. If you would like to make a gift towards the relief effort you can give to the MTW Compassion-Global Disaster Relief Account #40043 and earmark for Mexico relief.

Thank you, friends, for standing with us in prayer!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

God Has Blessed Us With Some Amazing Friends
Dave & Dawn with the Cisneros family

Dave & Dawn with the Cisneros family

Some of my favorite friends are the Cisneros family. I first met them when I was a young, fledgling seminary student in 1985. I came down to Mexico City with Dr. William Iverson and 16 other students and professors. That was a life changing trip for me, because it was there that the Lord first called me to serve in Mexico.

Through the years Dawn and I have been able to stay in touch with the Cisneros’s. We’ve prayed for each other, and encouraged one another. They are a family that is deeply committed to Christ. I first met them, because of they were serving with Campus Crusade for Christ, now Cru. Then later they began to work with Operation Mobilization. They continue to serve in missions in Mexico, and other countries.

They are like family to Dawn and me, and we have a strong love for one another.

The Impact of Hannah’s Life!
Dave & Angel on the street outside Angel's home

Dave & Angel on the street outside Angel’s home

This reunion was special in many ways, as it was the first time Dawn and I have seen them since Hannah passed away. They made a special effort to love on us and encourage us.

Angel's daughter, Ana Rut

Angel’s daughter, Ana Rut

Angel Cisneros who is now like the patriarch of the family had three of his children with us. All of them were sharing how Hannah’s life and death impacted them. One of them, Ana Rut said she remembered Hannah being happy as a small child, and she saw how she grew to love Christ as she became a young woman. She said that Hannah’s death really impacted her, and made her think about her own life and her own devotion to Christ. She shared this through her tears, which brought Dawn and me to tears.

They were healthy, cleansing tears, and we felt so much better after we had cried together. One of my prayers has been and continues to be that Hannah’s death was not in vain. I suppose I know in the grand scheme of things God uses even death, so it’s not in vain, but I want to see an impact left by my beautiful daughter’s life. Ana Rut’s story was an answer to this longing that I’ve had. She told me as well as the family told both Dawn and me that Hannah’s life and example touch many people’s lives.

The Lord Met Us in a Special Way

After a wonderful meal we were able to sing together, and then pray together. They asked us if we would pray for them and pray over them, and it was a very special time. We all sensed the presence of the Lord as he ministered in us and through us. Hallelujah!

Thank you Jesus for the Cisneros family. Wonderful servants of yours, and we do pray your rich and bountiful blessing over them.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

This weekend Dawn, Hannah and I enjoyed going through the pictures from our first 10 years in Mexico, before we moved to Colorado. It was fun reminiscing, and reflecting on the many good friends the Lord gave us while we lived and worked in Mexico. I thought I would share some of those pictures here. I’ll start with our first term in Mexico from 1990 – 1994.

The Diaso family at the end of our first term. Hannah was born in April and we left for our Home Ministry Assignment in May of 1994

The Diaso family at the end of our first term. Hannah was born in April and we left for our Home Ministry Assignment in May of 1994

David Jr. newly born with Esmeralda while we were still in language school in McAllen, Texas. David was always a hit with the high school girls we were working with.

David Jr. newly born with Esmeralda while we were still in language school in McAllen, Texas. David was always a hit with the high school girls we were working with.

Dave & Dawn with David Jr. and Bruce Thompson and friends from Language school in the Zocalo. Mexico's center - town square

Dave & Dawn with David Jr. and Bruce Thompson and friends from Language school in the Zocalo. Mexico’s center – town square with the cathedral in the background.

Dave & Dawn with David Jr. in our first few months in Mexico City visiting Angel & Celia Cisneros in Xochimilco

Dave & Dawn with David Jr. in our first few months in Mexico City visiting Angel & Celia Cisneros in Xochimilco

Enjoying a ride on a canoe with Armando Cisneros in Xochimilco

Getting ready to enjoy a ride on a canoe with Armando Cisneros in Xochimilco

Dawn, Dave, David Jr. & Jon with the Arechiga family from our first church plant in Mexico City

Dawn, Dave, David Jr. & Jonathan with the Arechiga family from our first church plant in Mexico City

Sinuhe Arechiga, with Dawn, Andrea & Leo Ruggeri, Fernando and Leo's friend. We worked with a lot of young people in those days. Our house was always fall of activity.

Sinuhe Arechiga, with Dawn, Andrea & Leo Ruggeri, Fernando and Leo’s friend. We worked with a lot of young people in those days. Our house was always full of activity.

Ernesto & Vivian two of the young people we worked with in our first church plant.

Ernesto & Vivian two of the young people we worked with in our first church plant.

Issaid Arechiga with David Jr.

Issaid Arechiga having fun with David Jr.

Dawn with some of the women that were involved in our first church plant

Dawn with some of the women that were involved in our first church plant

David & Jon trying to figure out what they thought of the clowns in Coyoacan

David & Jonathan trying to figure out what they thought of the clowns in Coyoacan

I like this shot of me working at night on my Mac with my son sleeping. The Mac dates me - it was one of the first models that came out in the late 80's.

I like this shot of me working at night on my Mac with my son sleeping. The Mac dates me – it was one of the first models that came out in the late 80’s.

A group picture of all the missionary families we worked with in Mexico City with Mission to the World! A fun group!

A group picture of all the missionary families we worked with in Mexico City with Mission to the World! A fun group!

I don’t want to overwhelm you with too many pictures, but this gives you a glimpse of what we looked like and some of the people we worked with in our first term in Mexico. If you would like to see more pictures, I posted more on my Facebook page, David Diaso Sr., including a slide show video.

I hope to post more pictures from our second term in Mexico, which takes us up to the year 2000. My goal is to get them up later this week. Enjoy!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Mexico Dear to Our Hearts

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Dave & Dawn with the Cisneros Family

Our time in Mexico City after so many years has been special in so many ways. Dawn, Hannah and I (wish David & Jonathan could be here with us 🙂 ) have so many good memories of our time here. It’s been healing to reconnect with the city and the people.

It reminds me some of the first time we visited Chula Vista about 6 years ago. The visit reawakened something in us. I think in part our love for Mexico and her people. The time in Mexico City has been good in so many ways. It reminds me of God’s love for us and for the people here.

As I get older I find myself growing more sentimental. When we first saw some of our friends here after so many years I began to get emotional. I feel like the Spirit is doing a work in my heart.

A Sweet Reunion

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Dave & Angel share a tender embrace

This last Wednesday, Dawn and I were able to meet with the Cisneros family. They are the first family that I really got to know when I came to Mexico the first time in 1985. I was single at the time. The Cisneros family is a very loving family and they have a deep commitment to serve the Lord. They’ve embraced Dawn, our family and me.

They’ve served with Campus Crusade, Operation Mobilization and other ministries.

When I walked in the door and saw Angel we embraced and as I greeted the others I had to hold back the tears of joy. It ministered to my soul in ways that only God can do. There is something special about being reunited with a family that I’ve known for such a long time and we’ve passed through a lot together.

Dawn and I felt very loved by them the moment we walked in the door.

Encouragement and Tears

Dave sharing the gospel in Mexico City with Isabel Cisneros

Dave with Feli Cisneros at UNAM in 1986

Before we left I wanted to encourage them from the Word about some things that the Lord has been teaching me. As I shared more, and begin to tell them about some of the trials our family has passed through I began to cry. I don’t cry a lot, but I am becoming a little more tender.

I think I cried in part because, yes we’ve been through some very painful experiences. Also, the Spirit was working in me, and I wanted to be able to encourage them from my heart.

Well anyway, before long most if not all of us were crying even the guys. Dawn says she was surprised, she couldn’t remember a time when she was in a group and all the men were crying.

God was in our midst. He was strengthening and encouraging us in a very significant way.

Then we spent some time in prayer, and we all left feeling lifted up. Wow! I long for more times like that in my life!

Those that are part of the Cisneros family are heroes to me! God has used them in a significant way in my life, and I know in the life of many others. May the Lord continue to bless them and increase their fold. Also, may the Lord allow us to see each other more frequently. I know that I need it! Hallelujah!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org