Posts Tagged ‘teaching english as a second language’

What do we do, Lord?

Posted: March 3, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Prayer
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Lord, Lead Us & Guide Us!
Worship with Our Hispanic Group on Friday nights

Worship with Our Hispanic Group on Friday nights

The Lord is working on both sides of the border. There are needs everywhere we turn. One of my constant prayers is for the Lord to direct and lead us to the best, and most important things that we should focus on.

It’s not easy working on the border, there are so many opportunities. Yet as I often tell my kids, keep your eyes on Jesus and take one day at a time. That’s what we try to do.

God’s Work Through ESL
Lauren Howard leading some of our ESL students

Lauren Howard leading some of our ESL students

At the end of last year we lost one of our faithful ESL teachers, and he has been hard to replace. The Lord has heard our cry for help, for more teachers!

God is faithful, and he provided two excellent teachers for our Wednesday night class. Two young women, Lauren Howard and Berkeley Bagwell, who speak Spanish and have served the Lord in Spanish-speaking countries. They both have a heart to serve in foreign missions again in the future.

I’m thankful for all the energy and the new ideas they bring to our ESL class. They are great at loving on the students and reaching out to them.

Our Friday class which had been strong is making a comeback. We have two other new teachers for that class, and they are beginning to get things moving in a positive direction.

A New Class at the YMCA
Berkley Bagwell our other ESL teacher on Wednesday nights with Antonia & Yemali

Berkeley Bagwell our other ESL teacher on Wednesday nights with Antonia & Yamile

We are working on starting up a new class at the YMCA. Pastor Stephen Phelan met one of the leaders at the local ‘Y’ and he asked Stephen if we could provide ESL for them.

We are praising the Lord about this, because it opens up a completely new audience for us!

Almost every week we see people giving their lives to Christ. It’s wonderful to be in an environment where the Lord’s Spirit is moving in the hearts of men and women. Many of those that are deciding to follow Jesus are from our Hispanic group.

The Lord has used community outreach activities like ESL to make a difference in people’s lives. It meets a need as they desire to learn. Frequently, they come away with more! New life In Christ. Hallelujah!! Praise the Lord with us.

Praise & Prayer

Praise the Lord with us, and please pray with us. We look to Jesus to give us wisdom where to focus. We pray that God will strengthen our ESL program, and that more students will attend. Also that the Lord will raise up someone to direct our ESL program for me. O Lord, that many will come to Christ as we bless the community through teaching English.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Amazing Grace – Oliva’s Testimony!

Posted: November 20, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Emily, Oliva, Elizabeth and Dawn (from left to right)

Emily, Oliva, Elizabeth and Dawn (from left to right)

It was so good to hear Oliva share her testimony in front of the church this past Sunday.

She was looking for a job in a Spanish newspaper. In the process of looking for some job opportunities she saw something about an English class. That perked her interest. She decided to go.

Our ESL team which includes Ray Call and our intern, Emily Gryder received Oliva with open arms. She felt very welcomed. Then Emily invited Oliva to a Bible study on Friday nights. Oliva thought, “Church on Friday night?” She wasn’t sure about it, but she decided to go check it out.

Our intern, Emily has done a great job over the last several months. She really has loved on and ministered to Oliva.

While at the Friday night service Oliva met Edgardo Avila. He is the pastor that leads the Spanish-speaking ministry. Edgardo’s wife, Elizabeth was very warm to her. Before you know it, Oliva was attending church on Sunday mornings!

She said she grew up in a church, but she really didn’t understand the gospel message. The Lord used the ESL program and some of the people connected with it to lead Oliva to Christ. She understood the difference between knowing about God, and having a relationship with God. She put her faith in the risen Lord.

Now Oliva prays for her grown children and prayers that they will come to church, and get to know Jesus. Let’s join her in prayer that her children and grand children will come to a saving knowledge of Christ! One of Oliva’s daughters has already come to visit the church. God is indeed on the move!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Walking the Streets for Jesus

Posted: June 7, 2012 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Team Members
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A lot of bars on doors and windows in City Heights

A lot of bars on doors and windows in City Heights

Yesterday and today I am walking the streets in City Heights. Jim DeWitt, Ray Call, Zach Lutz and I are taking it to the streets for Jesus. We are praying for the community and inviting the people we meet to come to our ESL classes.

I enjoyed getting out and meeting the people. I saw a lot of fear in their eyes as they live in a tough neighborhood and are trying to make it. Most of the people we met spoke Spanish, so as we interacted with them in Spanish their eyes would light up. They enjoyed chatting with us.

We met two painters, both named Juan. We met Antonio who drives a truck loaded with candy. He sells candy as he drives around the neighborhood. Two young mothers, Blanca and Lizbeth were walking their babies in strollers. They were wary of us at first, but they warmed up to us as we asked about their little ones.

There is some suspicion, some distrust at first. They are wondering what we are up to? What is our angle? But they do warm up when they see we aren’t selling anything, and a number of them have a genuine interest in learning English.

Our prayer is that we will be a light in the community. That the love of Christ will emanate from us. We pray that they will join us for the ESL classes on Fridays, and that they will grow to know and love the Savior.

Pray with us that many respond as we take Jesus to the Streets!

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

One of the Church’s Primary Functions: Sowing the Seeds of the Gospel

Posted: February 23, 2012 in Church Planting, Missions, San Diego, Tijuana, Video
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As we endeavor to plant churches, and to see a movement started on the San Diego – Tijuana border we need to be sowing the gospel broadly. There is always a danger in the church to get away from one of its primary functions, which is to faithfully proclaim and share Christ.

Dawn and I have been so encouraged by how many people have come to Christ through our partners at Harbor Mid-City. We are excited to work closely with them as we make our move to the border. But even now we are doing more to partner with them to reach out in the community.

Our BEAMM teammate, Ray Call is organizing teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) training with Harbor to minister to the Hispanic community. ESL is a great way to build relationships, meet a need and share the love of Christ in a very practical way. The training will take place on March 23-24. Ray is busy recruiting teachers for the training, and the classes that will follow in April. Pray with us that he will find people in the church who have the gifts, and are willing to help teach ESL.

ESL is one of the ways we believe we will see the seed sown. Our prayer is that many will come into the Kingdom through the ESL outreach.

This short video presented by another ministry illustrates a great point regarding the need to stay focused on one of the primary callings of the church. It’s a modern-day parable. I think you will enjoy it, and it’s only three minutes long.

Hope you enjoyed the video. With you on the Journey!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org