SWING THE @#)(*#@$* BAT!

Most of our weekends our spent either coaching or watching our kids play sports. I prefer to coach because i make a HORRIBLE spectator. Steph and I are very proud of the dedication and growth both Jake and Michaela have made. However - sometimes it is SO FRUSTRATING! Recetnly Michaela has gotten into the bad habot of being tentative at the plate. She swore that the ump was calling strikes when they were really balls. I keep begging her to be more agressive at the plate. Who is right? Look at this pic (incorrectly date stamped) and tell me!

Labor Day Part 3 - A Festival of God's Grace!

One Sunday afternoon just south of Ensenada...

A Pastor that we have recently become friends with partnered with a group of churches from Tulare, California to throw a special event for the migrant workers south of Ensenda. Food, fun, music and most importantly the Gospel of Jesus Christ was all part of this day. I will let the pictures do the talking...

I met John and Rochelle Brogan from Tulare. Both have a real heart for the people of Mexico. They are involved with Young Life - and have brought many groups down and done some incredible work in coordination with the local Pastor and his church.

Pastor checks on stage...He worked all day, yet never broke a sweat...

Labor Day Part 2

Went to church on Sunday. On the way to festival - dropped off some stuff. "Hillarious Givers" Judd and Pete. Carmen, Jake, Mom, and Michaela deliver items from Journey church to family. We will be building them a house in December!

Labor Day Road Trip Part 1 - Estero Beach

Just got back from a quick jaunt downt to Ensenada. Along with our family we had Carlos "The Cuban" and his wife Carmen, Pete and Irma, Dallas Cowboy "Chris" from LA - and his betrothed Joan - from the mean streets of Brentwood. Judd Wheeler served in the role of scout.

My New Passion - Homes for the working poor

10 years ago Stephanie and I began an organization, Baja Bound Ministries, with the goal of serving the needs of Christian ministires throughout Baja. Over the past 10 years we have had a significant impact on ministries in Tecate, TJ, Rosarito Beach, Routa De Vina, and Ensenada.

This year we began a new phase of our ministry with the construction of our first home for migrant workers south of Ensenada. I AM HOOKED! Ben Gaines and I have set a goal of building 100 homes in the next 10 years for the working poor. If you are interested in getting involved, we have already begun reserving weeks for groups next year. So contact me NOW!

Bellow you can see a brief overview of our project.

House Part 1 - In The Beggining...

I am not always the most organized person - but God has always given me grace by providing the right person at the right time for the right job. The first week of our summer Chorus church from Temecula partnered with my church teen ministry to get the project started right. We were blessed with the very talented "GORDO" - who supervised the building. Note his lucky Trevor Hoffman shirt. Don't worry - Gordo is a better closer than Trevor nowadays...

House Part 2 - Boston Comes to Town

My boy Todd from Grace Chapel in Boston has partnered with us for many years, and always brings a hard working group. In fact, if they would ever shut up about the Patriots, Clam Chowder, and the Red Sox, they might be my favorite group. Oh - and they are still convinved that Bill Belichek did not cheat.

Boston served with great energy - and managed to get the house wrapped, finish the framing, and put the plywood on the roof.

House Part 3 - The Norsemen from Minnesota

Our summer project was completed with the help of 36 folks from Crossroads church in Minnesota. As fate (i.e. GOD) would have it - thier youth Pastor James Racine has worked as a framer: As Hannibal used to say in the "A" Team - "I love it when a plan comes together".

Middle picture shows the entire team praying for the home before handing keys to the family.

Bottom picture is the one I will remember the most from this summer. When a family that previously had nothing entered into thier new home.

The Joy and the Pain of Youth Sports

This hurts! For the past season I served as manager for Michaelas "Blue Dolphin" softball team. We managed to draft an incredible team - loaded with unbelievable talent. In a league of 12 teams - we were certainly in the top 3-4 teams. Our "Dream Season" continued as we pulled a first round bye for our tournament. In the second round we won our game fairly easily.

Then came "Dark Saturday". We had a double-haader. The first game was against an extremely good team. We battled to a tie - exchanging leads several times thought the game. We played two innings of sudden death. We came up with our lat at bats behind by 4. We scored two runs quickly (one of which was by Michaela stealing home). Then with a runner on and the tying run at the plate...ground out...we lose.

We returned for an evening game against a team that we had handled easily all season. To make things even more favorable - they were short a player - and only field a team of nine instead of ten. WE LOST. Season over.

Woke up this morning pretty bummed. Was thinking to myself - the thing about sports is - there is no ambiguity. You either win or you lose. As Jim Rome says "Scoreboard".

The Best Church Staff In Chula Vista

Rancho Vista Church Staff Retreat

On January 2nd we had our annual staff retreat. It is a chance for our high level minsitry leaders to get away and pray, plan, dream, laugh, and eat. One of my BIG DEALS when we started Rancho Vista was for our staff to be "healthy". I have had the unfortuntate experience of working in minsitiries that were fraught with gossip, jealousy, and a lack of trust. I am committed to having a healty ministry -and that comes from having a healthy staff that enjoys working together - but can also "speak the truth in love" when needed.

Center is Steve Eller - our worship leader - and a man who deeply desires to know and follow Jesus Christ. If you have never heard him sing - come to Otay Ranch High School any Sunday @ 9 & 10:30 am and be prepared to be blown away.

To Steves left is John Oliver. John is one of the most personable people you would ever want to meet - but also an extremely gifted and seasoned pastor with a ton of vision and insight. He is also a cancer survivor. John is about the most well-known Christian Pastor in Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch or the entire South Bay. I am yet to have a meal in a public place without someone recognizing him and giving a warm greeting.

To the center is Jessica Sesma. Jessica just came onto our staff this year after attending Rancho Vista for a few years. Jessica leads the best children's ministry in Chula Vista. Along with being highly organized and committed to ministry - she is a graduate of Berkley - which gives all of us a lot ways to make fun of her.

I once had a boss who said "you should only hire people who you want to have lunch with". I look forward to eating a lot of meals with these guys in 2008!