Friends & Partners,
As summer draw's to an end, I wanted to share a few thoughts regarding the work that Ana & I continue to be a part of in Ensenada. We know that many of you are praying for us on a weekly basis, helping to support us financially, and always being available to be our friends. We are so thankful for you. And we know that we could not be here, doing this work if it weren't for you.
Ana & baby (still no news on gender, but we do have names for both) are fine. She will celebrate her birthday this week and has about three months to go. It has been a challenge for her this summer, managing being mother to an incredibly energetic two & a half year old, being the wife of a man who she describes as "muy especial", being pregnant, and continuing to help visit most families receiving houses & helping in the camp kitchen most afternoons. She IS the greatest!
Naomi is almost three. Need I say more? She is full-speed ahead all day, everyday! Loves people, loves being the center of attention, and is preparing to have the shock of her young life, as she will soon have a little sister or brother. What an adventure that will be! We love that she is innocent & free, creative & adventurous; and our heart's melt every time she say's "I Love you Daddy/Mommy."
I (Scott) am loving being a husband, father & friend; but also really motivated to keep pressing ahead in Mexico. There is so much to be done. So many are hopeless & forgotten. There are so many fledgling congregations in the villages that need partners & to be equipped. Yet in the midst of this, there is so much hope & faith, found in a few.
We have been at this for eight years now. We're in it for the long haul. Will you continue to journey with us? Will you continue to equip us, SO THAT we can equip others?
Following are a few thoughts on the state of the work we are a part of in Mexico:
What does fruit look like?
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6
So what does God’s fruit look like in Ensenada? What is the fruit of YUGO’s labor? The labor of thousands of people from many cities around the United States & Canada over the past fifteen years. What does the fruit of building 1,000+ homes for families look like? From partnering with local churches & working with local youth?
What are we hoping to see? What is the fruit of our labor?
Over the past eight years of my life in Mexico, I have seen fruit in a variety of forms. From visiting an American church, and hearing a parent say that their teenagers life has been transformed because of the week they spent in Mexico, to hearing a local Mexican pastor share how his congregation is being transformed through the partnership with YUGO & the example being demonstrated by those coming to serve.
I have watched the life our our night security guard transform, from when we first contracted her to work the night shift. At first it was just a job for her, and she did it well. And she would have a puzzled look on her face when told why teams were coming. [because God first loved us, and we ought to love one another] But then the opportunity arose (after a couple of years) for her family to receive a house. Their lives have never been the same! Now when I walk through the camp on a late night, I’ll usually catch her reading her bible. Her family are faithfully part of a local church.
God is manifesting His fruit in many ways. In many lives.
This week I have seen a new and wonderful fruit. A result of the many seeds planted throughout the years. And I firmly believe with all my heart that years from now we will look back on this week as a turning point of YUGO Ministries’ Ensenada Outreach Center.
This week a team of 34 youth have come, from five different churches, to build 2 Homes of Hope for two families. But what makes this week different is that all the youth are from local churches in Ensenada. Nearly half of the youth are from families who live in YUGO homes!
As well, the camp is being led by our Mexican National staff. Rhonda, Mardy & I have taken a behind the scenes role as our local staff have stepped up into the roles of facilitating the chapels, leading construction meetings, etc.
Tonight I sat in the back of the chapel service, with tears of joy, as the fullness of God’s love & transformation sunk in. And in the realization that they are the first such team, the first such fruit; the group erupted in an applause that lasted minutes.
What a joy it has been to witness staff we have loved & nurtured, grow into leaders. To hear them teach, share, encourage and lead. How humbling it has been to watch a group of young, talented, loved & capable group grow to believe that they can do anything God calls them to.
Years from now we will look back on this week, as a turning point in this ministry. All we have done is planted some seeds or done a bit of watering, as fellow workers in the field.
God & God alone has made the fruit grow. Its all His! Thank you for being with us, we love you & pray with you each day for the people of Mexico.
Scott, for Ana & Naomi
