Fire near Rancho Casitas!

Wednesday I received an urgent phone call from Rick Carter with Hand's of Mercy (a similar organization working south of Ensenada) informing me of a large fire fire burning close to their property "Rancho Casitas". The families who live at the ranch are very dear friends of ours, so I assured Rick we would connect with them and help in anyway possible.

I called the McCoy's satelite phone, and was able to connect with Sue McCoy. She informed me that since they had all been focused on preparing for the fire, the three missionary families (McCoy's, Van Ness' & Johnson's) living on the ranch were out of some basic food supplies (milk, bread, meat, fruit etc). *the ranch is more than an hour drive south of Ensenada

I quickly packed an overnite pack, kissed Ana & Naomi, and headed off to Costco in a truck. EOC team member Brenda Barnes (a champion shopper) followed me there & helped load up the truck with 5 coolers of ice & enough food to feed an army.

As I made the trip to Rancho Casitas, I remembered the fire of October 2007, which also was in the vicinity of the ranch, but never threatened it. (see my picasa photo album)

As I arrived at the ranch, I noticed that a crew of firefighters were camped there, along with the Mexican Army! There was also a Helicopter from the Mexican Forestry department.

I quickly learned that the fire was within a mile of the Eastern portion of the ranch, but was threatening the entire southern portion of the ranch from east to West. (I later learned that the fire was estimated to have burned 65,000 acres) The McCoy's, Van Ness' & Johnson's were all so appreciative of the abundance of food, and thankful for the provision of a way to thank the team of nearly 80 people who were working to prevent the fire from threatening their homes.

As we watched the sunset, and felt a change in the barometric pressure, it was obvious that cool damp weather was moving in from the coast. And as the firefighters & soldiers returned to the camp well after dark, all were grateful to hear the news that the fire was contained and mostly out!

What a blessing it was to be with my friends and help them feed these brave heros!

As we woke this morning (Danny & Rick started breakfast for the crew at 5am), aside from the smell of smoke, and some smoldering, you couldn't see any real signs of a fire!

Although they are "out of the woods" we will help them this weekend by hosting a team that is scheduled to stay at Rancho Casitas. (the firefighters are still using the ranch as a base camp)

We don't see ourselves as us & them, we are all One Body.

Here are a few photos form yesterday at the ranch:

Looking Back - Looking Forward

I always enjoy this time of year. A good time to reflect, both personally & professionally.

I’m one of those old sports guy’s, who always finished the season and analyzed the year’s performance & set goals for the following year.

I still do that, its in my nature.

First are my priorities; Faith, Family, Friends, the Forgotten & finally, Fun. Although if you were to look at an average week, you would probably see that I don’t usually hit the mark at living those out, in that order. But that is my life work!

Ana and I continue to grow & learn, in this amazing journey of marriage. With Naomi celebrating her 2nd birthday last week, we are hoping to try for #2 soon. (we were counseled by our doctor to wait a couple of years)

I’m still learning how to be a friend. Honestly, I spent so much of my life being interested in myself first, so to be interested in others, and learn to love others has not come naturally or easily. But, thanks to some incredibly gracious & patient people coming around me, there are some deep friendships forming. Its also fun reconnecting with some old friends & acquaintances, and eating some humble pie!

This year has certainly reshaped our perspective on life, and I look forward to sharing some thoughts on our plans for 2010. Personally & professionally.

Report:

Two weeks ago, Juan Martinez (fellow EOC staff) & I drove 10 hours south to Mulege, Baja Sur, to view first hand the aftermath of Hurricane Jimena, as well as meet with & encourage local leaders & pastors. The devastation was severe, although hardly reported since it is not a big tourist area like Cabo. As a result, a team of our EOC staff made the trip this past week to connect with, mobilize & coordinate a team of local volunteers in assisting the communities & families in the recovery effort. Juan & Rhonda were able to meet with the Presidente of the Mulege municiple area (the second largest in Mexico, after Ensenada), on Thursday, furthering our relationship building in that area. As they returned late last night, I learned that they we are the only group (at this time) sending people. They are receiving adequate donations from afar, but not people with helping hands & feet. We hope to return with other groups of volunteers from Mexico and possibly the US & Canada.

This past week, two great friends from Ensenada (Danny Mesa & David Garcia), accompanied me to the Bakersfield area for a core group meeting (our personal board), and to help me bring back a donated truck, trailer & large freezer for the EOC. We had a great time & were joined by Steven Wagner Davis, from Roseville.

Keep us in your thoughts & prayers, this coming month.

A Team visiting from Petaluma, California.

Ana continues cooking classes (Sat 8-1, for a year)

Scott finalizes EOC budget for fiscal 2010

Scott hosts a leadership breakfast in Ensenada

Scott visits Virginia Beach for a youth conference

We visit family & home church in Fresno, Ca

We spend a week with family in Palm Springs

Team EOC shapes 2010 planning

We consider how to assist Mulege, Baja Sur in long term hurricane recovery

It continues to be a privilege to serve & love so many. Thank you for your supporting friendships in our lives, which without we wouldn’t be in this position.

Let’s keep trusting in Him, together!

(photos of hurricane damage in Mulege)

Summer Wrap-up

A memorable summer has come to a conclusion. As the 2009 Summer Season wrapped up at the EOC; Ana, Naomi & I were able to make a couple of quick but memorable trips to be with family in California.

My (Scott's) sister Anastasia's family [Pup (husband), Zach, Sam & Ruth] have camped at Pismo Beach, Ca. along with many other families from their church, NorthPark Community (Clovis, Ca) for a few day's each of the past 8 years. This is the first time we have been able join them (thanks to the awesome staff @ the EOC), along with my sister Victoria's family [Josh & daughter Ramsey], and my parent's [Don & Jo].

We all enjoyed sitting around the camp-fire, laughing and sharing stories, and visiting San Luis Obispo's famous Farmer's Market on Thursday eve (and Woodstock's Pizza!). This was actually the first time we were all together since our wedding in 2006.

A few week's later we joined my Dad for a memorable day at Laguna Seca Raceway, on the Monterey Peninsula, for the 2009 Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. This was a very special weekend for all of us, since we grew up only a few miles from the race track. I actually spent many days at the track while growing up, since my Dad served as President of the track's President in my childhood (after his racing career).

One of my Dad's most significant (and final) race cars, was a 1966 Porsche Carerra 906 (65 were produced). He was the National Champion that year. In that car.

Many years later, Dann Boeschen of Napa, California purchased the car, and commissioned Rod Emory of Emory Motorsports to restore the car to its 1966 specifications. Dann races the car in numerous Historic events annually.

This year, as Porsche was being honored at Laguna Seca Raceway, during the Historic races, Dann invited my Dad to drive his former car for a few parade laps featuring many former porsche cars & notable drivers (a few celebrities as well - Jay Leno & Jerry Seinfeld).

Dann & his wife treated us like VIP's, and gave us the privilege (especially the grandchildren) of reliving for a day, the glory days of my Dad's racing career. I especially enjoyed watching Zach, Sam & Ruth watch their grandpa Wester sign autographs, pose for pictures and just be cool for a day.

note: Special thanks to Anna & Gary Courtright for their gracious hospitality, housing us during the weekend.

Photos of Pismo Beach family camping & Historic races:

Summer Update

‘From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked’.

‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me’. Jesus of Nazareth

What a transformative year 2009 has been so far. As we started out, it appeared we would continue riding the wave of momentum & growth we had been experiencing for the past couple of years.

Yet as the state of our world changed, so would begin a re-shaping of ministry in Ensenada.

The first sign came as the global economy began to slow; not only did this have an affect on the teams coming to partner with us in Mexico, but it also was having an affect on the people & economy of Mexico.

Did you realize that on average, the 10 million immigrants in the United States send 10% of their salary to family in their home country. And this “remittance” makes up 50-80% of the income for the recipients. This amounted to $26 billion for 2007-2008.

How has the downturn in the US affected these families?

Then the reports of violence escalated in the media. No one will discount that there has been an increase of violence in Mexico over the past couple of years, which is fueled by the US appetite for illegal drugs. This demand for drugs in the US is the source of billions of dollars per year equipping the drug cartels. Additionally, 90% of weapons seized in Mexico have been traced to the US (gun sales are prohibited in Mexico).

How are we impacting the families of Mexico?

Then the Swine Flu! Crippling the local tourism industry in Baja California. All cruise ships were diverted (for a couple of months) from Ensenada to San Diego, which didn’t make much sense since there were a number of Swine Flu cases in San Diego but none in Ensenada!

What message are we sending to the families of Mexico?

The result of these events; 1,000 fewer people are coming to the EOC to minister to families in Enesenada. 37 families who were scheduled to receive a home in 2009 will not. Countless opportunities to demonstrate the love of Jesus to a hungry, helpless & hopeless world are missed.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF we do not give up!

You will be made rich in every way SO THAT you can be generous on every occasion

No one has ever seen God; BUT IF we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, AND for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

By now we are most of the way through our summer season. What an incredible season it has been. The fruit has been plentiful.

Those who have come have really known why. They have stepped out in faith, trusting God, and He has shown up! He has been seen in the communities of Ensenada.

Villages have witnessed the the love and person of Jesus as His body has come together to become his hand’s & feet.

The joy realized by those who have come has been profound. Transformative even.

But probably the most significant transformation we have witnessed this year is the growth & maturing of the local church in Mexico.

Pray with us for a continued softening of our heart’s & opening of our eye’s, as well as wisdom. We continue to seek first His Kingdom, and believe that as we are faithful, transformation will flourish in Mexico. We believe that along with the proclamation of Jesus’ gift of salvation, He brings compassion & justice.

But the race is not finished yet. Will you persevere with us? Will you consider offering part of yourself for this mission?

What are you willing to give for the sake of Jesus and His message, in Mexico?

Ana, Naomi & I were fortunate enough to fly from San Diego to Chicago for a week long visit with our dear friend and former intern Janell.  Along with enjoying the sites in Chicago (which Ana stated is now her favorite US city), we spent 26 hours in the car visiting relatives in Nebraska & South Dakota.

Enjoy a few photos from the trip.  (This was our first flight as a family; great going, "vomit comet" returning:)  Continued thanks to Rhonda for lending us her dvd player so Naomi could enjoy Dora the Explorer in flight!

Walking by faith

I have to admit I have been feeling a bit down lately.  I have previously expressed some of the difficulties we have been experiencing this year (in the ministry), and my tendency to carry this burden.

Additionally our personal support has been falling.  [Mind you we have never been at a point where our core group has felt like we have had an adequate cushion]  Back in April I stated to our core group that Ana, Naomi & I could get by on less; so starting this month we are receiving about 40% of what we have been regularly receiving to cover our living & travel expenses.  Which should be just enough to cover our food & Naomi’s expenses.  Our insurance is already paid (just last month we paid for the whole year up front in order to receive a discount) so we should be fine.

When I compare ourselves to many of the people we are here to help, I can’t help but feel overly blessed.  We have a roof over our heads, we have access to clean water (hot water too) & food on the table.

Yet I still struggle with doubt and listening to my human nature.  I still worry.  And unfortunately it shows.

And although I still get side-tracked with having a pitty-party, God still is good.  He still shows up, and still let’s me know he has called us to be with him here.

Case in point:

Yesterday was the monthly pastor’s prayer meeting here at EOC.  This is a gathering that pastor Abraham started last year.  Normally anywhere from 10 - 30 pastors will come.  They pray with & for one another, for the city, national leaders etc.  

I was home with Ana & Naomi around 6:30pm when Abraham knocked on the door, he said it was important that I go with him because the pastors wanted to pray for me (as the Director of EOC), the EOC staff & all YUGO teams that will come this year.

Not only were they wanting to pray for me, they were wanting to demonstrate their desire to take action as the body of Christ.  They had taken an offering, and wanted to bless us, and plant a seed of partnership with us.

THIS WAS HUGE!

Abraham & I have been praying for this for two years.  That the local church would grow from a position of receiving to a position of giving.

I was stunned at God’s timing and how he allowed this to unfold. How this happens while I am walking through a valley, doing a lousy job of trusting him.  He is still with us, though!

This is what I read yesterday morning with our staff:

God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the appropriate thing to consider, if you were not living the life of faith.  But if you are,  you will joyfully waive your right and allow God to make your choice for you.  (Oswald Chambers)

Oh, how I want to live a life of faith.  Trusting in His ways.  Willing to give up my rights.

Its so easy to say I trust in God when life is easy.  But when it gets difficult, even dark; do I really trust him?  Do I really live by faith?  

Maybe this summer I will learn how to walk the talk.

Thanks to all of you who pray for us.  We love you.

Scott