Fire near Rancho Casitas!

Wednesday I received an urgent phone call from Rick Carter with Hand's of Mercy (a similar organization working south of Ensenada) informing me of a large fire fire burning close to their property "Rancho Casitas". The families who live at the ranch are very dear friends of ours, so I assured Rick we would connect with them and help in anyway possible.

I called the McCoy's satelite phone, and was able to connect with Sue McCoy. She informed me that since they had all been focused on preparing for the fire, the three missionary families (McCoy's, Van Ness' & Johnson's) living on the ranch were out of some basic food supplies (milk, bread, meat, fruit etc). *the ranch is more than an hour drive south of Ensenada

I quickly packed an overnite pack, kissed Ana & Naomi, and headed off to Costco in a truck. EOC team member Brenda Barnes (a champion shopper) followed me there & helped load up the truck with 5 coolers of ice & enough food to feed an army.

As I made the trip to Rancho Casitas, I remembered the fire of October 2007, which also was in the vicinity of the ranch, but never threatened it. (see my picasa photo album)

As I arrived at the ranch, I noticed that a crew of firefighters were camped there, along with the Mexican Army! There was also a Helicopter from the Mexican Forestry department.

I quickly learned that the fire was within a mile of the Eastern portion of the ranch, but was threatening the entire southern portion of the ranch from east to West. (I later learned that the fire was estimated to have burned 65,000 acres) The McCoy's, Van Ness' & Johnson's were all so appreciative of the abundance of food, and thankful for the provision of a way to thank the team of nearly 80 people who were working to prevent the fire from threatening their homes.

As we watched the sunset, and felt a change in the barometric pressure, it was obvious that cool damp weather was moving in from the coast. And as the firefighters & soldiers returned to the camp well after dark, all were grateful to hear the news that the fire was contained and mostly out!

What a blessing it was to be with my friends and help them feed these brave heros!

As we woke this morning (Danny & Rick started breakfast for the crew at 5am), aside from the smell of smoke, and some smoldering, you couldn't see any real signs of a fire!

Although they are "out of the woods" we will help them this weekend by hosting a team that is scheduled to stay at Rancho Casitas. (the firefighters are still using the ranch as a base camp)

We don't see ourselves as us & them, we are all One Body.

Here are a few photos form yesterday at the ranch:

Looking Back - Looking Forward

I always enjoy this time of year. A good time to reflect, both personally & professionally.

I’m one of those old sports guy’s, who always finished the season and analyzed the year’s performance & set goals for the following year.

I still do that, its in my nature.

First are my priorities; Faith, Family, Friends, the Forgotten & finally, Fun. Although if you were to look at an average week, you would probably see that I don’t usually hit the mark at living those out, in that order. But that is my life work!

Ana and I continue to grow & learn, in this amazing journey of marriage. With Naomi celebrating her 2nd birthday last week, we are hoping to try for #2 soon. (we were counseled by our doctor to wait a couple of years)

I’m still learning how to be a friend. Honestly, I spent so much of my life being interested in myself first, so to be interested in others, and learn to love others has not come naturally or easily. But, thanks to some incredibly gracious & patient people coming around me, there are some deep friendships forming. Its also fun reconnecting with some old friends & acquaintances, and eating some humble pie!

This year has certainly reshaped our perspective on life, and I look forward to sharing some thoughts on our plans for 2010. Personally & professionally.

Report:

Two weeks ago, Juan Martinez (fellow EOC staff) & I drove 10 hours south to Mulege, Baja Sur, to view first hand the aftermath of Hurricane Jimena, as well as meet with & encourage local leaders & pastors. The devastation was severe, although hardly reported since it is not a big tourist area like Cabo. As a result, a team of our EOC staff made the trip this past week to connect with, mobilize & coordinate a team of local volunteers in assisting the communities & families in the recovery effort. Juan & Rhonda were able to meet with the Presidente of the Mulege municiple area (the second largest in Mexico, after Ensenada), on Thursday, furthering our relationship building in that area. As they returned late last night, I learned that they we are the only group (at this time) sending people. They are receiving adequate donations from afar, but not people with helping hands & feet. We hope to return with other groups of volunteers from Mexico and possibly the US & Canada.

This past week, two great friends from Ensenada (Danny Mesa & David Garcia), accompanied me to the Bakersfield area for a core group meeting (our personal board), and to help me bring back a donated truck, trailer & large freezer for the EOC. We had a great time & were joined by Steven Wagner Davis, from Roseville.

Keep us in your thoughts & prayers, this coming month.

A Team visiting from Petaluma, California.

Ana continues cooking classes (Sat 8-1, for a year)

Scott finalizes EOC budget for fiscal 2010

Scott hosts a leadership breakfast in Ensenada

Scott visits Virginia Beach for a youth conference

We visit family & home church in Fresno, Ca

We spend a week with family in Palm Springs

Team EOC shapes 2010 planning

We consider how to assist Mulege, Baja Sur in long term hurricane recovery

It continues to be a privilege to serve & love so many. Thank you for your supporting friendships in our lives, which without we wouldn’t be in this position.

Let’s keep trusting in Him, together!

(photos of hurricane damage in Mulege)

Summer Wrap-up

A memorable summer has come to a conclusion. As the 2009 Summer Season wrapped up at the EOC; Ana, Naomi & I were able to make a couple of quick but memorable trips to be with family in California.

My (Scott's) sister Anastasia's family [Pup (husband), Zach, Sam & Ruth] have camped at Pismo Beach, Ca. along with many other families from their church, NorthPark Community (Clovis, Ca) for a few day's each of the past 8 years. This is the first time we have been able join them (thanks to the awesome staff @ the EOC), along with my sister Victoria's family [Josh & daughter Ramsey], and my parent's [Don & Jo].

We all enjoyed sitting around the camp-fire, laughing and sharing stories, and visiting San Luis Obispo's famous Farmer's Market on Thursday eve (and Woodstock's Pizza!). This was actually the first time we were all together since our wedding in 2006.

A few week's later we joined my Dad for a memorable day at Laguna Seca Raceway, on the Monterey Peninsula, for the 2009 Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. This was a very special weekend for all of us, since we grew up only a few miles from the race track. I actually spent many days at the track while growing up, since my Dad served as President of the track's President in my childhood (after his racing career).

One of my Dad's most significant (and final) race cars, was a 1966 Porsche Carerra 906 (65 were produced). He was the National Champion that year. In that car.

Many years later, Dann Boeschen of Napa, California purchased the car, and commissioned Rod Emory of Emory Motorsports to restore the car to its 1966 specifications. Dann races the car in numerous Historic events annually.

This year, as Porsche was being honored at Laguna Seca Raceway, during the Historic races, Dann invited my Dad to drive his former car for a few parade laps featuring many former porsche cars & notable drivers (a few celebrities as well - Jay Leno & Jerry Seinfeld).

Dann & his wife treated us like VIP's, and gave us the privilege (especially the grandchildren) of reliving for a day, the glory days of my Dad's racing career. I especially enjoyed watching Zach, Sam & Ruth watch their grandpa Wester sign autographs, pose for pictures and just be cool for a day.

note: Special thanks to Anna & Gary Courtright for their gracious hospitality, housing us during the weekend.

Photos of Pismo Beach family camping & Historic races: