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

Fall Update

What a challenge it is to operate within the structure of an “Organization” with the goal of being “Organic”. We truly want to be “Spirit led”, yet we also have the responsibility to Plan, Prepare & Provide for those who join us for a few days, or a week of their lives.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” Paul the Apostle

About a year ago, I started to ask the question, “What does a transformed Ensenada look like”? We could build a house for every family in Ensenada, but would that be a transformed city? Every child participating in a VBS could “make a descision” for Jesus, but would that be a transformed city?

I see cities being transformed as Jesus pours out Grace & Love. I see hurting people like the bleeding woman (whom Jesus calls daughter), like Zacchaeus (a friend of no one, but Jesus stays at his house), or the man born blind (having grown up believing his blindness was the consequence of his parent’s sin) being Loved, Healed & Transformed.

As I continue to study the life of Jesus. As I continue to surrender my life to Jesus. As I continue to be transformed into a new creation. I want to allow God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” Jesus of Nazareth

I believe loving people is our first priority. Any program we offer is only a facilitator for opportunity to love people. When we are loving people, as Jesus loves, we are His ambassadors and His evangalists. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” Paul the Apostle

“Outreach” - 1) to reach beyond; exceed; 2) to reach out; 3) an act or instance of reaching out

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Jesus’ prayer in the garden

This Thanksgiving the EOC staff and their families will come together and we will share in the ministry of loving a family & a community. We are all often working with teams, but rarely have we taken the opportunity to serve the community together. We will come together; a diverse and messy group of God’s children, but we will come together as one body. We will work together in community, as community. We will devote ourselves to Jesus’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. I believe we will be filled with awe, and we will witness many wonders and even a few miracles. I hope and pray that as we practice loving one another; the community we work in will be loved, and experience the love of Jesus Christ. I pray that the lives of the family we love will be transformed in Jesus. I pray that the community will experience transformation.

Isn’t this Outreach? Isn’t this Evangelism? Isn’t this Transformation?

Occasionally I am reminded of the fact that sometimes God has a different agenda than I have. Am I willing to be open to God’s methods of reaching his people?

What is important? The hand being raised or the heart being renewed?

I want to learn how we can become more flexible, allowing God to use us in any way He needs to, in order to fulfill His mission of Transforming lives, communities and nations; for His Glory.

I continue to assess, “why are we doing what we’re doing”? I continue to look at “how” we are participating in the “field”. Asking, “how can we be about personal encounters with the person of Jesus (something very organic), while operating within a dynamic, structured, missional ministry (organization)?”

This I know, it is all about relationships, unity in spirit, community & love.

I continue to serve at the pleasure of our Lord, Jesus.
Yours in Him,

Scott C Wester

Aug & Sep photos

End of Summer Vacation

Ana, Naomi & I are enjoying a few weeks of vacation. The first couple of weeks we have been home, with no one in the camp, it has been really restful. September is always such a beautiful month in Ensenada. Warm clear days, beautiful sunsets, cooling nights, and few tourists!!
Ana has been going to a "Curves" (Mexico) gym Monday - Friday for an hour. I have really enjoyed this time, each morning to be with Naomi. She is growing so fast.

This Friday (Sep 12th) we will embark on a seven day trip through California, visiting friends in Vista, Los Angeles, Salinas, Monterey, Carmel, Carmel Valley & Bakersfield.

This will be the first time that we will visit my hometown (Carmel Valley) as a family. Along the way we will be staying with (and re-connecting) with friends.

I will be sure and post some photos.