The Joy of Seeing Seeds Bear Fruit
The Border, The Baja & Beyond
The Lord gave me a very special gift a couple of weeks ago when I attended the national meetings of the Mexican Presbyterian Assembly in Mexicali.
While it was wonderful to reconnect with pastors, elders, and church leaders from across Mexico, I have to admit this is not the ideal time of year to visit Mexicali! Temperatures climbed to 110 degrees, making every trip outside a reminder that the desert is beautiful—but incredibly hot.
Yet the greatest blessing wasn’t the conference.
It was reconnecting with people God had placed in our lives decades ago.
A Reunion 35 Years in the Making
One of the biggest surprises was seeing my dear friend José Antonio Navarro, whom I first met more than 35 years ago while Dawn and I were serving in Mexico City.
José and I worked closely together coordinating short-term mission teams from churches in the United States. Together, we organized countless Vacation Bible Schools and church construction projects throughout central Mexico. Those years are filled with memories I’ll always treasure.
When Dawn and I left Mexico City in 2000, we gradually lost touch.
So imagine my surprise when we saw each other again after all these years.
As we caught up, José smiled and told me he is now 86 years old. It was a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness through every season of life.
Watching the Next Generation Lead
Another reunion touched my heart even more deeply.
I saw Elías Zúñiga, whom I first met when he was about 12 years old.
Elías attended one of the churches we helped build in Milpa Alta, on the southern edge of Mexico City.
I’ll never forget that construction project.
The church sat on top of a steep hill, and every bag of sand and gravel had to be carried by hand up the slope before we could mix concrete. I was in my thirties back then, and even then it was exhausting work.
I’m not sure I’d make it up that hill today!
Seeing Elías again was a tremendous encouragement.
Today he is in his forties, married, raising a family, and serving as one of the leaders in his church, Renuevo (“Renewal”).
Moments like that remind me why we do what we do.
Seeds That Continue to Bear Fruit
If I’m honest, there are times I’ve wondered how much fruit came from those early years of missionary service in Mexico City.
Missionaries don’t always get to see the harvest.
Often, we plant seeds, water faithfully, and trust God to bring the growth long after we’ve moved on.
That’s why reunions like these mean so much.
To see a young boy we once ministered to now faithfully serving Christ and leading others fills my heart with gratitude.
God never wastes faithful obedience.
Many of the seeds planted decades ago are still bearing fruit today.
What an incredible privilege to witness it.
I thank the Lord for His faithfulness throughout these many years of ministry and for the unexpected reminders that He is still at work.
🤲 Extend Your Hands to Help
God is moving powerfully across Mexico, Cuba, and Beyond. Through your support of Beyond Borders, you aren’t just sending a donation; you are providing a lifeline. Your gift arrives as:
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Kingdom Growth: Supporting pastors and church planters as they pioneer new works in the darkness.
- A Warm Meal: Feeding a family that hasn’t eaten in days.
- The Gospel & Joy: Through Hannah’s Toys of Hope, children receive 🎁 toys, ✏️ school supplies, 🙏 Prayer, and the 📖 message of Christ.
🚀Help us to Reach More: Your Generosity Travels
You may be thousands of miles away, but your generosity travels. It arrives as a warm meal at the door of a family that hasn’t eaten in three days. It shows up as a toy in the hands of a child who needed to know someone cares. It keeps a pastor’s family going one more month.
Your gift is not just a donation. It is the love of Christ made tangible.
Even a small gift goes a long way in a place where a little means everything.
Click Here to Give a Special Gift.
Join Us in Prayer
- For provision — that food and support reach families before desperation sets in.
- For the church planters — for strength, wisdom, and protection as they pioneer new works.
- For new believers — that their faith would take deep root in the middle of hardship.
- For open doors — that communities across Cuba are receptive to the gospel.
- For us — that Dave and Dawn would have wisdom, energy, and discernment to steward this work.
Somewhere on the Big Island tonight, a family has food on the table, a child is smiling, and a new church is gathering — because you said yes. Thank you.
Thank you for your generosity, and compassion in extending your hands to help.
In His Grip, Dave & Dawn Diaso
