Mom and Jayson Kyle – March 19th
Saturday, March 19 marked the second year, since my mom, Virginia A. Diaso moved to heaven. It also was the first day a close friend and mentor, Jayson Kyle moved to heaven. It’s interesting to me that both my mom and now Jay share this same date when they entered into the Father’s presence.
It was a shock for me and all that knew Jay that it all happened so quickly. He had a massive stroke on March 7th, and his brain hemorrhaged. Thousands of people from around the world prayed for Jay over the last two weeks, but it was his time to meet his Savior face to face.
Jay served Christ tirelessly in missions work in Latin America and Asia for close to 50 years. He also grew up on the mission field as his parents were missionaries with Wycliffe.
Jay: a Wonderful Leader and Friend
I first met Jay in 1985 when I was a young seminary student. I had just returned from my first short-term missions trip to Mexico, and he was recruiting a team of missionaries to go to Mexico City. I was one of many leaders that Jay found. He had an amazing gift of connecting with people. Dawn and I served in Mexico City with Jay and Maureen Kyle in the 90’s. Those were very formative years for us in ministry, and God used Jay and Bill Goodman to build into us and grow us.
Even after we left Mexico City and Mission to the World (MTW) Jay continued to mentor me. He gave me wonderful advice and was always willing to connect me to others that he knew. When Dawn and I were still living in Colorado Springs and looking for another ministry I called Jay. He connected us with Dick Kaufmann and the Harbor Church planting network in San Diego. This opened the door to a great partnership with the Harbor churches, which also launched us in ministry. Dick later told me that “since Jay recommended you I knew that you were someone that we should seek to partner with.”
Jay was also one of the best fund raisers I knew. He gave me some great advice regarding fund raising. His brother, Marc also encouraged me in this area as this gift of raising funds runs in the family.
I feel privileged to be able to say that Jay was my friend. The Lord blessed Dawn and me greatly to have him in our lives, and that’s a big reason why it is so hard to say good-bye to our friend.
Dr. Timothy Keller, former pastor of Redeemer Church in New York City and best selling author, wrote an impressive tribute to Jay. Tim and Jay knew each other for a long time, and Jay worked with Tim through City to City.
Dr. Keller wrote, “Jay worked in Asia and Latin America (two places he had lived) while his co-pioneer Al Barth took Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The remarkable global network of City to City, which has produced hundreds of new urban churches around the world, grew from the personal mission work of Jay and Al. Their accomplishment is astonishing and largely unsung.
Jay was famous for his relational skills. He had a supernatural gift of encouragement, of which everyone in my family at one time or another was a recipient. This week, one of my sons said that Jay was the kindest and most affirming man he’d ever met.” Read rest of the tribute here…
When I think of Jay, I do feel sad that he is no longer with us as he was a great man and a great friend. It feels like he left too suddenly before we were ready to say goodbye. My heart goes out to his family. Dawn and I are praying for them often during these last weeks. Join us in lifting them up in prayer.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to have known Jay and to work alongside him for a number of years. He fought the good fight, and he finished the race. He’s a wonderful example for all of us to follow.
I can’t help but think that after Jay was greeted by his savior and his family that my mom and my daughter were also standing in line to welcome him to heaven. That makes me feel sentimental, but I do give thanks for the wonderful hope that we have beyond this life. I look forward to one day joining them, and when that day arrives, I will thank Jay for being such a great encouragement and help to my family and me!
In His Grip, Dave
P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond!
Beyond Borders 
He sounds like a wonderful man and friend, someone everyone will miss. My mom went home to the Lord February 4. She was ready and her quality of life was not at all good, mostly sleeping or trying to get from one place to another. When she finally passed away, I thanked the Lord because she was once again healthy and happy!! She was 92 and had had a full, wonderful life, which also makes a difference. 🙂 But interestingly, at least to me, is that her memorial service was March 19. ❤
janet
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I do believe that dates are important to God – There is a whole book of the Bible called Numbers, so we see that He pays attention to those details. I can’t say I always know the connection when we have dates that coincide, but I think it’s a way that the Lord encourages us and connects to others and shows us that he is in the details. I’m glad that the Lord has given you peace about your mother moving to heaven. It’s not easy to lose those that are closest to us – thankful for the hope that we have to see them again in glory and knowing that they are no longer suffering or in pain.
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[…] we moved to Colorado Springs while we were still in Mexico City I met with my boss at the time, Jay Kyle. Jay told me that he talked to Tom and that Tom had agreed to mentor me. Jay said, “Dave, if you […]
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