The End of an Era for BEAMM

While I was in Juarez, Mexico for our BEAMM team meetings two weeks ago Gene Bowman gave a surprise announcement. Gene, who has the BEAMM coordinator for the last nine years announced that he and LuAnn would be resigning. It was a tearful resignation followed by surprise and sorrow in the room.
God used Gene and LuAnn to build the ministry of BEAMM over the last nine years. The ministry grew under Gene’s leadership. We celebrate how God used them. The border ministry is not an easy one. We face many challenges in seeking to make a difference for the kingdom on the border.
Gene expressed that over the past two years they’ve had a growing sense of divine discontent.
Since Dawn and I have changed ministries three times I know what this is like. When God calls us to a place, He doesn’t always call us their for the duration of our ministry.

Personally I enjoyed working with Gene, and I will be sad to see him go. Yet, I understand it’s not good to stay in a place too long when God is moving you on. Since I was there when Gene shared he and LuAnn’s pending change, I was the first to offer him a new ministry opportunity. I let him know that he’d be welcome to work with us on the San Diego – Tijuana border. 😉
Gene visited Ray Call and me in San Diego last week. It was a wonderful visit that we had planned before he made this decision. So I not only was able to show him what we are doing, and who we are working with, but I was able to entice him to consider ministering with us. Because Gene is very gifted, and he and LuAnn make a good team he’s already had a number of offers. He told me that he’s not going to seriously consider where the Lord might be leading them next until September.
Please pray with us for Gene and LuAnn as they enter into this time of transition. Praise the Lord for their faithful years of service and how He has used them for His glory on the border.
So what does Gene’s leaving mean for Dawn and me and our work on the San Diego – Tijuana border?

Larry Trotter, who is Mission the World’s Mexico country coordinator asked me to lead the San Diego – Tijuana team. I will report to Larry. This is an interesting development, because Larry and Sandy arrived in Mexico City about a year before Dawn and me. We’ve known them a long time. They are very gifted cross-cultural church planters and leaders. We look forward to working more closely with them again!
While disappointed that Gene and LuAnn are resigning from their post, we are excited about what lies ahead. I believe the Lord will lead them to a place that is a good ministry fit for them. I continue to be amazed by how the Lord is working, and the awesome things He is doing on the border.
It takes time for all the things to come together that we would like to see, but God is moving. He is working! This gives us great hope, even in changing times!
In His Grip, Dave
DiasoLifeontheBorder.org