Remembering Jesus Antonio

What is it like to be forgotten? Who are the forgotten?

This week I came to know another one of the forgotten children of Mexico. His name is Jesus Antonio. His mom Isabel is from Oaxaca, his dad Jorge is from Chiapas. He was born 2 & 1/2 months premature, although he was healthy and normal. His sisters love & adore him, and do to his premature birth his stature is small.

Almost three weeks ago he started to run a high fever. After a night of no sleep, and fever, his parents took Jesus to the General Hospital of Ensenada. This is the lone hospital available for the uninsured, its clean but under-equipped to handle the amount of people & types of ailments.

Jesus was prescribed a (Children’s Tylenol type) medicine, although he wasn’t really checked out, and immediately released.

After a couple of days Jesus started having difficulty breathing, (the fever had not subsided) and his parents took him to the hospital again. Released again.

Then he started experiencing convulsions, and his parents immediately rushed him back to the hospital. They administered a sedative, diagnosed him as suffering from pneumonia, and told his parents that he probably wouldn’t survive.

Two weeks passed, Jesus remained asleep (no drugs, just oxygen & IV), and his parents waited & hoped for a miracle.

Jorge came by the EOC after the first week, asking if we had any work (we have known him & his family for many years, and he often helps with our cement projects). We said no.

After the second week of waiting, he came by the EOC again, asking if we could loan him $6,000 pesos (the equivalent of 2 months work), because his son was in the hospital in grave condition.

Our Executive Leadership Team met that morning, and decided to visit him in the hospital & consider prayerfully giving the money (we don’t make loans, we give with no strings attached). Before Juan, Alex and I (Scott) left for the hospital, God had already provided the $ through the generosity of our staff.

As we arrived at the hospital, and greeted Jorge & Isabel, their exhaustion & desperation was clearly evident. They had been at the hospital for 15 days straight, with little rest or food. Their beloved son lay in the pediatric ward, with supervision, but no real testing or treatment. No studies had been performed. The money was needed for a brain scan, since he had essentially been comatose for two weeks.

As I entered the pediatric ward to see Jesus, I was taken back by his tiny stature (he was 7 & 1/2 months old but looked like three-four months). As I touched his little foot, he immediately responded to touch. I laid my hand on his chest and prayed, and imagined how I would feel if he were my own.

As we gave Jorge & Isabel the money, they rushed off to the clinic to pay for the brain scan.

Since we realized that they had essentially been camped out at the hospital for a couple of weeks with little to no resources, we gave them some extra $ and promised to bring breakfast the following day.

As I arrived the following morning with a hearty breakfast Ana had prepared, along with an offering from our staff, I could see hope in their eyes, as finally something was being done. The scan had taken place late the prior evening, and medicine was now being administered.

At four the next morning, Friday the 15th of October, 2010; Jesus Antonio Aguilar took his final breath.

As I drove a van full of relatives from the government funeral center to the municipal cemetery, I was shocked as the cemetery for the forgotten doubles as a trash dump. How heartbreaking it was for the family, realizing that this was to be the final resting place for the remains of their son. A burn pile sat 10 feet from the hole dug by shovel. Here Jorge, Isabel and family said their final goodbye’s. I stood next to Jesus’ sister Ruth (who we have watched grow up through EOC supported feeding programs) as the hole was being filled in. I thought how surreal this all must have been for her.

As we left, a simple dirt lump is the only sign of a burial site (aside from the flowers left behind). The family may bring a cross or other marker at a later point, although as I gazed around this cemetery, most sites are only recognizable by a small mound of dirt.

This is where the Forgotten end up.

While I know Jesus Antonio is in the presence of the Lord, I am seeking the Lord’s will in the midst of this loss. I do not believe that God makes bad things happen, however He has a hope & plan throughout all circumstances. So I’m asking of him, “what is your will Lord, through the life & death of Jesus Antonio?”

I have stated that the calling I have recognized in my life is to Love the Forgotten. Jesus Antonio represents the Forgotten. He was forgotten by society, he was forgotten by the health care system, his body is buried in a forgotten graveyard that many use as a trash dump.

I don’t want to Forget him. I want Jesus Antonio to be a reminder of the work that remains to be done. How many more Forgotten children, men & women are there in Ensenada, Mexico, Latin America & the World?

Let us not Forget! For if we don’t remember the Forgotten, when & how will they know the Love of Jesus? We haven’t been Forgotten, better still, we know that NO ONE has been Forgotten by our Lord Jesus.

Remember, we are His ambassadors, as though he were making his appeal through us. Let’s remember the Forgotten. Let’s remember the Jesus Antonio’s of this world. Let’s transform this world, as our lives are transformed.

We’ve got so much to do, let’s get to it!

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