Further Update on Jesus Antonio

With a mournful heart this morning I report that Jesus Antonio passed away this morning at 4:00am pst. We take comfort in the knowledge that he isn't suffering anymore & he is with his Heavenly Father.

Our heart's break for Jorge & Isabel and their children. Although we take some comfort in knowing that they were able to do everything possible, and their faith & trust is in the Lord.

Thank you for your prayers & thoughts.

Jesus Antonio

Many of you may remember Daisy & Ruth from the El Zorrillo feeding Program or VBS. Their dad is Jorge, who is a long time friend of Juan Martinez. I first met Jorge 7 or 8 years ago, as he has often helped Juan and the EOC with projects. He is skilled in brick laying & stucco work.

Without going into too much detail, I can say that we have been praying for this family for a few years. It has been tough, especially since Jorge's first wife (Daisy & Ruth's mom) left the family a few years ago.

Jorge has since remarried & little Jesus Antonio if the fruit of that marriage. Jesus was born 3 months premature, and now is 7+ months old.

A couple of weeks ago, Jesus started running a high fever, and was taken to the hospital, given some medicine and released. The next day, he was taken back to the general hospital, as his parents believed his condition was grave. (he started having trouble breathing & started convulsions) He was suffering from pneumonia, and was given a sedative in the hospital (I think to stop the convulsions).

His pneumonia is improving, however he has never awoken from the sedative (15 days). The doctor's have recommended a brain scan, however the general hospital isn't equipped with the technology.

We received word of this today, prayed as a staff, and through a couple friends of the EOC, God has provided the ($6,000 pesos) funds for the scanning equip to be brought in & performed.

I share this that you might be praying with us for Jesus Antonio & his entire family.

It still hits me so hard, when I see how so many suffer in ways that I never have because I have had access to a different level of health care. And as a father I can imagine how tough this is for Jorge.

Yes this is a great opportunity for us & them to depend in a deeper way on the Lord, and trust in His will. Also it's a way for people like me (and maybe you) to gain more perspective on how we can be used to carryout the work of bringing the Love of Jesus into this world.

I know Jorge knows Jesus as Lord, but I can also imagine that through these last two weeks, he may have had many tough moments of asking why or how?

I pray that tonight, through this small gift, they will be brought into a closer intimacy with the Lord, and we will too.

I'll keep you updated.

Blessings,

Scott

check out my facebook for a photo of Jorge in the hospital

What does Fruit look like?

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

Recent Photos of Naomi

Summer is Flying by...

Wow time flies soo fast.

Ana is nearing five months prego:) She is doing great. I'm so impressed that she is still up at 6am weekdays to excersise with Rhonda. (they also have a few other partners on their daily run at the beach, including Kimyco & Anahi) All is well with her pregnancy, although tired, back hurts & the usual pressures. She's starting to rethink her earlier statement about having a large family. At least through childbirth.

Naomi is such a little girl! First words usually out of her mouth each morning (right after Bazo Leche, which is: glass of milk) are Falda (for her red Tutu) Shoes (pink Crocs) & Purse (pink princess)! Don't forget the headband (purple). Mix the multi colored Dora shirts & red glasses. She's ready to hit the town, which is usually the EOC courtyard, for a morning fashion show to entertain the campers & staff friends Aaron & Caleb.

I (Scott) am thoroughly enjoying the summer season pace, which is all the more enjoyable to share with an amazing staff community.

Each of the past four summers have been shared with a diverse group of interns, all special and beloved. Though there is a wonderful shift happening this year especially. This year we have 11 interns (five from the US, one from Canada & five from Mexico) as well as a couple of new national staff, who are all under the age of 25. It is a wonderful balance, and they bring such an amazing amount of energy, promise & outlook to the ministry.

This year we have been hosting the weekly staff gathering in our house and if I step back for a moment, I am surprised at the journey that has led to this point. I remember a few years ago when I would prefer my "cave" time to being with people.

Needless to say, Ana, Naomi & I are enjoying the journey of learning how to love one another in the setting of the Ensenada Outreach Center. We hope this spills over into all areas of our lives, as we continue to discover how to love the world around us.

Enjoy your summer,

The Wester's

2010 Spring Update #2

I just want to take a moment to share with you, how we are doing as a family in Mexico.

Ana’s pregnancy is progressing nicely. She is a little over 11 weeks (the computer say’s a due date around Thanksgiving), and she has been impacted mostly from the smell of certain things, like coffee (which is real hard for her to give up).

Naomi seems to really enjoy being a little girl. She has energy! She loves people, and really enjoys going to pre-school for a few hours each day. On Saturday’s she often comes down stairs with her Dora backpack on, ready for an adventure! She’s healthy & high spirited!

I continue to grow & learn, striving to live the talk. Focusing on Faith, Family, Friends/Fellowship, the Forgotten and a little Fitness/Fun. I continue to be loved by a growing community of friends who are real patient with me, as I learn to step out of my comfort zone & get into God’s zone. When I do this, He impact’s our family, our community & the world. The surrendering of my rights continues to be the daily choice I long to start each day with.

We are so grateful for all of God’s provisions in our lives. Mostly His love & grace.

May will be a busy month for us, as we will be on the road half the time (three separate trips) traveling to Northern California twice & Omaha Nebraska.

Please pray for Ana and our growing unborn child, as they continue to grow through this first trimester. Pray that I will step up a level in helping her (Ana) as she needs it. Pray that Naomi will come to know Jesus & his love through us. Pray that we will continue to be generous with the provisions God gives us.

We continue to thank God for you, our friends. Let us know how you are doing, and how we can pray for you.

We love you,

Scott (for Ana & Naomi)