Naomi's morning exercise

Spring Update

Spring Highlights:

We traveled as a family to visit friends in Tehachapi, Bakersfield, Fresno & Mexicali.  I (Scott) spoke at a Transformation Conference; visited churches in Fresno, Roseville & Memphis.  

We (EOC staff) hosted 21 Teams from 5 Canadian provinces & 4 US states (495 people) and built 30 houses (thanks go to our special guest staff during the Easter weeks: Mitch Caton, Bruce Wessels, Josh Weibe, Darrel & Rhonda Hewko).  

It has been a wonderful time of being with people of many nations who share a love for Jesus, their neighbor (who often is from a neighboring country), and being together in community.

This continues to be a year of focus: Why are we here? Who are we here for? What are we doing?  We keep coming back to the principle of people not programs.  We are here to Mobilize, Reach & Equip people.  We minister to Children, Families, Pastors, Communities & Teams.  We utilize various programs to be with one another, but we are here for people!

When it gets tough, when the road is long, we are able to persevere for the person.  We are keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, trying to walk the message we speak.  But I will tell you its not easy.

We have had two of our precious national staff leave over the past few months, due to the fact that they need a better source of income for their families.  That's hard.  Even though we are able to offer our national staff a decent wage (by Mexico standard), its not enough.  Our national staff earn around $3.75 an hour.  You might be shocked by that, but realize that 10,000,000 people in Mexico live on less that $2.00 a day & the national minimum wage is just $6.00 per DAY.  Not per hour, PER DAY.

So you can imagine that while there is a slowdown in the US economy, and we may have to make difficult choices as American's & Canadian's, there are people being affected whose lives were in a fragile state before this crisis started.  How many of us need to chose between which of our kids goes without eating today?  With our cancellations due to the Economy & media hype about violence, we have 35 families in our program waiting to receive houses, but likely won't this year.  Yes, countless more also need houses, but these are the families who were already selected, but as teams have cancelled, we have had to inform them that the situation has changed.

Imagine the position of the local pastor we are "Equipping".  After he has selected a family to receive a house, and we have approved them and filmed the interview.  Now we, along with the pastor have to return with the news of change.

Can you imagine this?  This is where we are this year.  Please keep us in your prayers.

I can tell you I need your prayers.  I can say that it is not easy living by faith.  Not knowing if people like you will continue to support us & our work.  Its not easy to focus my attention on the people who need it most; my family, my staff & the forgotten people of Mexico, when I am not sure how we will have enough to keep going.  

Please pray that we, that I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus.

May we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author & perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross.  Consider him who endured such opposition, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12

Spring photos

I recently returned from Washington DC, having traveled there for the National Prayer Breakfast (NPB). This year there were delegates from 178 countries (there are presently 240 countries in the World, in case you were wondering), attending not only the annual breakfast, but also a number of events over a four day period.

This was my fourth year going to be with & assist a dear friend, who has been meeting with delegates from Latin America for a number of years (and recently the Middle East as well).
In many ways, the NPB is a difficult place for me to really get to know people, due to the size of the event, and the amount of people. [I believe around 4,000 attend the breakfast] But over the last few years a number of friendships have started through this time, and this year I came away with a real sense of having connected on a deeper level with a few of the people I have been getting to know over the years.

There are three areas (and friends in those areas) Ana & I have been praying for since 2006. Chiapas, Mexico (we visited on our Honeymoon), Colombia & Ecuador. We really believe God has a purpose in these friendships, and I ask you to join with us in praying for the State of Chiapas, Mexico (as you pray for Baja California as well), and the countries of Ecuador & Colombia.

The opportunity exists for visiting these places and the friends there, we just don't know when.
What continues to amaze me, is the realization that we are participants in a global work, that spans across all aspects of society, culture, marketplace & economic strata. All of us, who are in the fellowship of believers in Jesus, are connected in this work. Its easy for me to focus on the work I am doing, or what's right in front of me, but I am so thankful for the opportunity to have a glimpse of the diversity in how God is working around the world.

In my continued role as Director of YUGO’s Ensenada Outreach Center, I must confess that this year has gotten off to a difficult start. We have seen a number of teams cancel due to the economy or fear. My natural response to this was to stress about how this could impact the ministry. Sometimes its almost funny, how I quickly forget this is NOT my ministry! This, in turn, takes a toll on my precious wife & daughter. Please keep praying for us.

Another season has begun. I believe this will be a defining year. A moment we look back on and see a major shift in our lives. Yes, its a life long journey, but there are moments in our lives, when the walk becomes a little more difficult; where we receive clarity in understanding our purpose, and who we are called to be. I am so thankful we are not on this journey alone. Ana & I pray for you all, and we thank you for your prayers & support for the work we are involved in. We truly believe we are part of a whole body, connected in spirit & love with you in this global work that we are all a part of. "Forming One Body, Building One Community, Transforming the World"

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Ana, Scott & Naomi Wester

2009 National Prayer Breakfast

I recently returned from Washington DC, having traveled there for the National Prayer Breakfast (NPB). This year there were delegates from 178 countries (there are presently 240 countries in the World, in case you were wondering), attending not only the annual breakfast, but also a number of events over a four day period.

This was my fourth year going to be with & assist a dear friend, who has been meeting with delegates from Latin America for a number of years (and recently the Middle East as well).

In many ways, the NPB is a difficult place for me to really get to know people, due to the size of the event, and the amount of people. [I believe around 4,000 attend the breakfast] But over the last few years a number of friendships have started through this time, and this year I came away with a real sense of having connected on a deeper level with a few of the people I have been getting to know over the years.

There are three areas (and friends in those areas) Ana & I have been praying for since 2006. Chiapas, Mexico (we visited on our Honeymoon), Colombia & Ecuador. We really believe God has a purpose in these friendships, and I ask you to join with us in praying for the State of Chiapas, Mexico (as you pray for Baja California as well), and the countries of Ecuador & Colombia.

The opportunity exists for visiting these places and the friends there, we just don't know when.

What continues to amaze me, is the realization that we are participants in a global work, that spans accross all aspects of society, culture, marketplace & economic strata. All of us, who are in the fellowship of believers in Jesu, are connected in this work. Its easy for me to focus on the work I am doing, or what's right in front of me, but I am so thankful for the opportunity to have a glimpse of the diversity in how God is working around the world.

We are so grateful for your prayers & support in this global work that we are all a part of. "Forming One Body, Building One Community"

She's a climber