Posts Tagged ‘Ray and Michele Call’

Giving Thanks for Our Intern: Emily Gryder

Posted: November 24, 2012 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Team Members, Tijuana
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Emily with Edgardo Avila pastor of the Spanish church

Emily with Edgardo Avila pastor of the Spanish church

Our intern, Emily Gryder has served with us since July 7th. She will be leaving this coming Friday. The Lord has used her to connect with many of the Hispanics that we are working with. We are so encouraged by how Emily has served.

We started the summer with our first intern, Zach Lutz. Zach did a great job as well, and he opened the door for many of the things that Emily is now doing.

Zach and Emily started up a weekly VBS for neighborhood kids in City Heights. Emily has kept that going with an after school kids club.

Another area where Emily has really helped us is with our English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. She has been our main teacher over the last several months. Oliva, who I wrote about in a recent post, came to Christ through Emily opening the door with ESL classes, and then inviting Oliva to the Spanish service.

Emily has also befriended and discipled, Hilary, one of the youth in the church.

She’s had numerous experiences such as building a home for the homeless, building a church, feeding the poor, etc. You can catch up on more of Emily’s exploits on her blog: Chosen by Grace.

Emily with Oliva and Elizabeth

Emily with Oliva and Elizabeth

I’m amazed that Emily has been able to do so much at her young age. She’s still a teenager herself.

Dawn and I believe in the importance of building into young people, and giving them opportunities to serve in missions. Their time on the border gives them a broad and unique experience.

We do give thanks for Emily, who’s been living with us since mid-September. When Emily first came Ray and Michele Call spent a lot of time with Zach and Emily. We are grateful for all the time and energy they gave to both of our interns. We are also thankful for Tom and Debbie Steller, who provided housing for Emily until we arrived.

Join us in thanking the Lord for Emily, and praying for her as she heads back to her family in North Carolina. Pray also that the Lord raises up more workers as we work to see a renewed San Diego-Tijuana border.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

ESL Growing as the Launch Date Approaches!

Posted: March 14, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Dave with Daniel Nuñez

Dave with Daniel Nuñez

In my last post I announced the launching of our upcoming English as a Second Language (ESL) training. The training will start in just a little over a week on March 23 – 24. I asked you to pray. We are already seeing some encouraging answers to your prayers. Praise the Lord with us as we have at least 22 signed up to come to the training!

We are still praying for at least six teachers and one administrator to come from this group. We already have four committed teachers, and we may have more. Additional people have signed up in the last couple of days!

I just met with Daniel Nuñez and his wife Yolanda. Daniel is planting churches in Tijuana. I encouraged Daniel to invite some people from his church to come for the training, and it looks like they will have two or three coming. It’s great to see how the Lord opens doors and works through relationships.

We started the ESL training mainly as an outreach for Harbor Mid-City. The ministry is now extending to other churches, and even into TJ. Our hope is that many will come to take the ESL classes, and that eventually they will be forever changed by the love of Christ. Learn English and get to know Jesus! What a great opportunity.

Daniel Nuñez is such a great friend and partner in ministry, I’m praying ESL will be a blessing to those he is working with in TJ as well. In my next post I’d like to highlight the new church plant Daniel is working on!

There are some challenges as we serve, and seek to make a difference in people’s lives through the life changing power of the gospel. If we pay attention we notice God is moving on the border. The gospel in making a difference. It doesn’t always turn out the way we thought it would, but we are encouraged by what He is doing.

Dawn and I along with Ray and Michele Call appreciate your prayers as we head into the last week before the ESL training. I listed some specific prayer requests here…

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

New Ministry Launch Almost Here!

Posted: March 10, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Ray and Michele Call

ESL training starts in two weeks, March 23-24. We are stoked about launching this outreach with Harbor Mid City. Ray Call and I met with our good friend from Harbor, Edgardo Avila a couple of days ago. Edgardo is very positive about the training. He spoke highly of Ray, as Ray is doing most of work to organize the training. It’s thrilling to see God work, and open up doors for us here on the border!

Yesterday, Ray and I met with Jim DeWitt for a team meeting. All of us are super encouraged by this opportunity the Lord has given us. We believe prayer is key to the event, and the ensuing classes that will start-up on Friday, April 13. Please do join us in praying that all the loose ends come together.

Here’s some specific prayer requests:

  1. Dave with Pastor Edgardo Avila, A Key Ministry Partner. He leads the Spanish Speaking Church at Harbor Mid City

    We need 1 administrator, and ideally 6 teachers for the training and classes. Right now we have at least 4 teachers, and some other people who have expressed interest!

  2. Ray as he organizes the training on March 23-24, and prepares for the launch of the classes.
  3. Ray’s health – he’s been having some health issues for more than a month. Pray for healing and wholeness.
  4. Kristy Holliday will be leading the ESL training.
  5. That the Lord will bring a good group to come learn English starting on April 13.
  6. We pray that the course will serve the people who come by improving their English skills. We are also praying that many will come to know Christ through this outreach.
  7. Unity for the team as they prepare, and the classes start-up.
  8. Tomorrow, March 11, I’ll be preaching at Calvary Presbyterian in Glendale, California.

Thanks for standing with us in prayer!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

Finally Some Good News From Mexico & Prayer Needs

Posted: February 17, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Prayer, Team Members
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The US/Mexico Border

A friend of mine sent me this encouraging report from The Christian Post about what God is doing in Mexico. “When missionaries and pastors serving in Mexico discuss drug violence, a common theme emerges. People are suffering and dying in terrible ways, they say, but the fear this creates is driving unprecedented numbers of Mexicans – especially teens and twenty-somethings – into the arms of Christ.”

There’s so much bad news being reported about Mexico, it is refreshing to see how God is using these trials to drive people to Christ! We’ve prayed for this.

One missionary state’s in the same article, “The Enemy uses deception through the media to paint a bleak, horrible, hopeless picture of Mexico, which isn’t a true one. There’s a tremendous uprising of youth coming to Jesus. Seeds that were planted year after year are coming to fruition. The time of harvest is now.” Keep praying with us for more harvest. Read more of the article here …

We are starting to see God open more doors for us on the border. As we move forward we meet opposition. We know that we need prayer support. We are getting ready to launch ESL training March 23-24, so that we can use ESL as an outreach with Harbor Mid-City starting April 13.

Ray and Michele Call

Here’s some of our requests:

  1. Pray for the Call family as they serve with us. Their family has endured a lot of change and transition moving 5 times over the last 5 years.
  2. Ray Call’s chronic health problems. Healing and maintenance. Pray specifically that this will not interrupt Ray’s effectiveness for God’s glory, but that He may use his weakness for His glory.
  3. For the ESL launch we need six teachers, one administrator/coordinator, one snack coordinator, volunteers to interact with those that come to learn English, Students to learn English and pray for Kristy Holliday who is coming to lead the ESL training March 23-24.
  4. Pray for Michele Call as she home schools five children.
  5. Pray for Ray and Michele as they work on improving their Spanish, so that they will be more effective on the border.
  6. We are praying for direction in areas of evangelism as we seek to strengthen Harbor Mid City’s outreach to Hispanics.
  7. Continue to pray for Dawn and me regarding the sale of our house. We need wisdom as to whether we should consider renting the house.

  8. Jim DeWitt, Dave, Daniel Nuñez, Bill Yarbrough and Ray Call in TJ

    Pray for our new associate member, Jim DeWitt, as he helps us with administration and training.

  9. All three of us need more financial support: the Calls, Jim DeWitt, and Dawn and me. We are close, but it’s slowed down a little lately, so we need perseverance, encouragement and wisdom as we move forward.
  10. Praise the Lord for the team unity that we have, and that our team is growing. I just talked to a woman earlier this week that is going to begin the process to join MTW, and become a part of our team. That’s a huge answer to prayer.

Thanks for upholding us in prayer!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

He is moving us on

Posted: January 21, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Journey, Ministry Partners
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Colorado Springs view while on my bike ride

Just returned from an invigorating bike ride, which is quite remarkable that the weather is so great this time of year! While biking around the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, I was given a chance to reflect while also getting in some exercise. As I mull over what God is doing I feel a sense of inspiration.

Tomorrow I will preach at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, in Colorado Springs. I’m glad to have the chance to proclaim the Word of God, and to let friends know about our ministry. I would appreciate your prayers for my sermon, and our time at Cheyenne Mountain.

Stephen Phelan leading worship with Danny Kim in the background

After the service I will  fly out to the San Diego – Tijuana border. On Monday Ray Call and I will take part in an all day strategy meeting with Harbor Mid-City. Pastor Stephen Phelan will direct the leadership of Harbor Mid-City, Urban Life and our emerging BEAMM team through a time of prayer and planning as we look to the Lord for a powerful 2012.

We believe the gospel changes everything, and we look forward to being a part of what God is doing on the border. Thank you, Lord, for such great friends, such great partners to minister with!

One of the many great benefits of being able to make these trips to San Diego is I’m able to see our son, David Jr. It was hard to say good-bye to him when we left him at school a few weeks ago. It does make it easier knowing that he is thriving at school and he’s got some great friends.

Sometimes Dawn and I feel disappointed that it’s taking so long to sell our house. We can’t wait to move to the border! We love our friends in Colorado, and we will miss them dearly. Yet, we know that in His timing He is moving us on.

Even though we haven’t been able to move, it’s been so encouraging to see how God has connected us to some great people. He’s been using our team to see the gospel move forward. The trips that we have been able to make have opened some great doors for us.

Daniel Nuñez leading Lo Mejor Del Trigo

The last time I was there I invited Daniel Nuñez, pastor of Lo Mejor Del Trigo in Tijuana to Harbor’s church planters meeting. Daniel and Dick Kaufmann were able to connect during the meeting. As Daniel shared his vision, Dick said, “we’d like to help you plant your next church.” I thought, wow Lord! Even though we haven’t been able to move you are still moving, and you are using us to bring good gospel ministries together.

We believe one of the things that the Lord has called us to do is to build bridges between Hispanic ministries and our partners. Thank you Jesus!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

P.S. My son, “Jonny Boy”, Jonathan helped me with some edit and ideas on this blog post!

A Call to Prayer – Will You Join us?

Posted: January 17, 2012 in Journey, Ministry, Prayer
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Ray and Michele Call

One of the goals I have for this year is that the Lord would raise up at least 200 friends who would pray regularly for our San Diego – Tijuana BEAMM team. My hope is that we will have people sign up to pray for us each day, and others who will pray with us at least once a week.

Ray and Michele Call are on this team with us, so we want to work together in asking all our friends to commit to praying for us. Another friend with Mission to the World, Jim DeWitt is helping us to recruit prayer partners as well as implementing a plan to let people know how they can pray for us.

Dave with Jim DeWitt in Tijuana

We not only want to share our prayer needs with you, but we want to celebrate what God is doing. In my last post I shared how the Lord is working in my friend, Issaid’s life. It makes me tear up when I think of God’s faithfulness to Issaid and his family. It also gets me super excited to see how the Lord is using our friend and ministry partner, Stephen Phelan in Issaid’s life.

I asked you to pray for Brian and Anna Peterson. Well, God answered! Anna is now home with her family. She came close to dying while she had complications giving birth. Then there were concerns about brain damage, but the Lord has intervened and shown his mercy to the Petersons in healing Anna. They could use your continued prayer as it will take some time for Anna to fully recover.

Here’s how you can help!

If you would be willing to commit to praying daily, weekly or monthly for us let me know. I first post on my blog, and then broadcast it on Facebook, Twitter and our Facebook group “Pray for the Diasos“. My plan is to use all these social media networks to send out updates, and let friends know how to pray for us.

You can let Dawn, me, Ray or Michele know that you would like to pray for us by sending us a note. We appreciate any and all type of prayer. If you could specify whether it’s a daily, weekly or other that would be a tremendous help.

You can find our prayer requests on the prayer page on this blog. I will also send out prayer requests on my posts, and email updates.

The border in some ways is like a war zone, at least on the Mexican side. We need friends to intercede on our behalf. Our enemy wants to discourage us, and distract us from doing our work.

Dave & Dawn at the San Diego Harbor

Please pray for both our family and the Calls as we have experienced constant trouble with our cars recently. We had two cars die in 2011. The Call’s had to replace their transmission while on a long trip in October. Since they’ve returned both of their cars have continually been in the shop. They also had a car accident over the holidays.

Thanks for joining us on the journey, and standing with us in prayer.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

The Gospel Goes Forth in TJ!

Posted: November 11, 2011 in Bright Spots on the Border, Ministry Partners
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Daniel Nuñez leading the church

It was apparent that many were praying last weekend, as we held the Living in Grace conference in Tijuana with the church, Lo Mejor del Trigo. The Calls had some major car issues before the event started, which had me a little nervous, since we were dependent on them for transportation. It should be no surprise that when we serve the Lord, that our enemy would want to discourage us, and attack us. I’ve often seen that he will use things like cars, or other mechanical items to prevent an important ministry event from taking place. But our God is greater than our enemy!

The Lord came through as He always does. A church took care of the Calls while they were stranded in Albuquerque, and they got their van fixed just in time to make it back to the border to help out. Praise the Lord for meeting their need, which helped tremendously with our conference.

I sensed the Lord’s presence as we were with Daniel Nuñez, and his church, Lo Mejor del Trigo. The people in the church responded well to Bill Yarbrough’s teaching on grace. Daniel told me that the people won’t change overnight, but it was a needed message. A number of people in the church struggle with adding things to the gospel. This is a common problem that churches face on both sides of the border. One of the difficulties in regards to adding things to the gospel is that you can never do enough, and you will eventually burn out. It is Christ alone that saves us, and the Holy Spirit sustains us as we walk this journey of faith. You can read more about the conference here: day 1, day 2, day 3.

Daniel looks on as a woman in the church gives testimony to God's powerful work in her life

Jesus speaks of the Word of God as being seed that is sown. I pray for fertile soil, where this seed will germinate and bear much fruit.

Daniel is doing a great work. It’s exciting to see all the workers he is training up to serve, and to lead in the church. He has been able to plant 12 churches in six years, and he has a goal to plant 50 churches in twenty years. I pray that he not only reaches this goal, but exceeds it. I pray that it will be a gospel centered movement. As this movement grows may they have a deep and enduring impact on Tijuana and beyond.

The Lord truly blessed our ministry launch in TJ, and I pray this is only the beginning of seeing His powerful work as the gospel goes forth on the border!

I would appreciate your prayers as I’m traveling now on the East Coast. I will be in Lancaster, PA this weekend, and in Baltimore, Gaithersburg and Annapolis next week.

In His Grip, Dave Diaso

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

God’s Amazing Grace in TJ!

Posted: November 6, 2011 in Bright Spots on the Border, Ministry Partners
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David, Jr., Dave, Daniel, Bill and Ray

Bill Yarbrough has done an outstanding job leading Living in Grace in Tijuana with our friend, Daniel Nunez. The first night we had a great group. As Bill began to share about how helpless we are to save ourselves, and our complete dependence on the Lord for our growth in Christ, they slowly got on board. At first, it seemed like they were wondering where he was coming from, but as he shared more they began to warm up, and become more engaged.

We had a real downpour on Friday, so we had to cancel the event that was planned for Friday night. The church we were going to meet at required people to drive through mud, and huge puddles. This meant that the people would not show up.

On Saturday things dried up some, although it was still hard to get to the church we made it. The group on Saturday was comprised of a number of pastors and their spouses. It was thrilling to see their enthusiasm to come and learn. All of these pastors have at least one other job to help sustain himself. Their commitment to serve the Lord is laudable.

Bill, Dave and Jim crossing back into the USA on foot

We have one day to go, Sunday. We are excited to meet with our dear brothers again. It is so encouraging to see people begin to get the concepts of grace. It’s been quite an experience crossing back and forth across the border. It’s giving us a glimpse of what ministry here might look like.

Thanks for praying. We do sense the presence of your prayer. God indeed is moving in the hearts of men and women on the border.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

Prayer & The Battle Rages On

Posted: November 2, 2011 in Ministry, Ministry Partners, Prayer, Team Members
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David Jr. is in the middle with the blue shirt

Every time we come to the border God strengthens and confirms His call for us to be here. Even though we haven’t been able to move yet, we are thankful that we can visit. The Lord uses these visits to enable us to see our friends, ministry partners and the needs of the border. We meet and make wonderful new friends.

This past weekend we’ve been able to visit our friends from Harbor Mid-City, and friends at New Life La Mesa. There are so many extraordinary people at these churches that it’s impossible to list them all.

Stephen and Bradford Phelan are among these extraordinary people. Since our house isn’t selling, which has forced us to wait, I asked Stephen Phelan and his prayer ministry team if they would pray for us on Sunday. They always have a time for prayer during communion after the sermon. Annie Day is one of the key leaders on the prayer team. Annie has prayed for us in the past, and she has a real gift in the area of prayer and discernment. The Lord has used her to encourage us in a big way.

Our friends at Harbor who prayed for us

On Sunday Annie, Karen and Edgardo prayed for us. It was such a healing experience. Their prayers strengthened our hearts. It also reminded us of the spiritual battle that we are in. Satan doesn’t want us to be able to minister on the border. Thankfully, we serve a great God! Christ defeated Satan on the cross, and through his resurrection. We must live, and walk in this victory.

I know that ultimately the Lord is in control of when our house sells, and how soon we get to the border. Yet it is also true that Satan, our enemy, the roaring lion would want to discourage us. He wants to keep us from getting here. He wants to render us ineffective. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers and principalities of this world. Praise be to God, that Christ has overcome. We are more than conquerors in Christ! Nothing shall separate us from his love.

We not only experience opposition our selves, but those on our team do as well.  Ray and Michele Call have been in the thick of the trials and the battle lately. They just had their van break down outside of Albuquerque. They’ve been stranded there for five days waiting for the transmission to get fixed. A huge expense, and inconvenience for them. We have our first big ministry event in Tijuana coming up on Thursday, and we could really use them to be here. Pray with us for the safety of their family, and their soon arrival back to Bonita, California.

I just heard from Ray a few hours ago. They did get their transmission fixed, and now they are on their way home! They hope to make it here by late afternoon on Wednesday.

Again, I thank you for standing with us in prayer. Thank you for holding us up. I thank the Lord for you, for our friends at Harbor and our friends around the world who are upholding us in prayer.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

Lord, send workers!

Posted: October 1, 2011 in Ministry, Potential Team Members, Team Members
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Participants at MTW's vision retreat

One of the enduring truths from scripture is the need for workers to bring in the harvest from the field. Matthew 9:35 – 38, is where Jesus says, “…the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” We need faithful laborers to join us on the border. That’s one of the reasons why I was at Mission to the World’s (MTW) vision retreat.

It was a great opportunity to meet new friends who are interested in pursuing missions. Now they are just trying to figure out where God is calling them to work. We had field missionaries from Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Thailand there along with me sharing about the needs we have on our respective fields. It was a great experience to not only meet the people who have an interest in serving in missions, but to rub shoulders with other missionaries, and learn about the needs where they are serving.

Ray & Michele Call and family

Pray with us that the Lord will provide more workers to work with us and the Calls‘. We are excited about a recent develop. A close friend of our family, who worked with us in Mexico City desires to work with us on the border. He will help us in administration and training. These are huge needs!

We also have Mario and Silvia Silva, that I’ve mentioned frequently, who are very interested in working with us. We still need to figure some things out, so they can labor with us. Thanks for praying for this need.

Some other holes that we need to fill are to find people gifted, who have a heart for mercy ministry. I feel like we could always use more evangelist, and people who are gifted in church planting. Lord, please do answer our prayer and send workers!

I talked to our good friend, Stephen Phelan the other day, and Harbor Mid City has a need for a director of children’s ministry. If you know of someone that has gifts for that ministry let us know. Another prayer request related to Stephen and Bradford is they are considering adopting. You might remember that Bradford just had a miscarriage in August. Now an opportunity has opened up for an adoption. They are seeking the Lord for His direction on this. They have a phone call with the birth mother this Monday, October 3. Pray for God’s leading, direction, peace and blessing. So be it Lord!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

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