Rose Family Fire Update

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear" Psalm 46:1-2

Thank you to the many friends who have called and inquired about our safety. To be efficient I would like to send out this update vie email. I will update as I am able.

First - Most importantly - Steph, Michaela, Jake and I are safe! It has been a LONG 24 hours.

Last night - as the hill due east of our home was engulfed in flames - we evacuated at about Midnight. I left our family at Mitch & Michelle's home - and went back to our home to keep an eye on things.

This morning we returned at about 7 am. I promptly fell asleep. At 10 am - our neighber pounded on our door. The hill side directly across the street was smoking. Fire trucks, helicopters, police, and #)(@$$#@) "Lookie-Lous".

The police came by with a bullhorn - and told as we are under a "Mandatory" evacuation. We had about 3 minutes to leave.

Now we wait...and hope...and pray. We solicit your prayers - and that you pray for our neighbous and all in our community who are displaced,suffering,or suffered loss.

I will update when I can.

John

The Greatest Sunday School Teacher Ever

One of the first people to help me make sense of God was Mr. Greenwald - my 4th grade Sunday School teacher. When I have identified the three or four most importnat people in my development as a leader, Pastor, and follower of Jesus Christ -Mr. Greenwald was one of those important figures in my life.

Recently I had the chane to meet him again -after 30 years! (WOW). It was such an incredible honor to share with him what an important influence he was one my life. Funny - he could not remember so many of the details of me being in his class. His only comment was - he remembered I was a 'handful".

A word to all current Sunday School teachers. You have an impact on young lives that you may never fully be aware of. Your weekly commit to shape young lives for God's commitment is not in vain. Even for the kids that are a little bit talkative and trouble makers :)

Imperial Beach Sand Castles

Sunday after church we went to Imperial beach for the best possible after-church activity -family Sand Castle spectating! Here are Jake & Michaela's favorites...

My Favorite Movie

Just re-ordered ANOTHER copy of this DVD. The soundtrack is so powerful I can barely keep myself from breaking down and crying when I listen to it. This movie is full of solid biblical metaphors about reaching the world for Christ. Composer Ennio Morricone composed some powerful music. Click bellow to hear "On earth as it is in heaven". POWERFUL!

Boston Comes to Mexico

We recently completed a large mission project under "Baja Bound Ministries" - a non-profit missions organization Steph and I founded 12 years ago. We led 40 people from Boston on an incredible 10 day mission trip to Mexico - specifically Maneadera south of Ensenada. Highlight #1 of the trip - "Long Island Andy" attacked some killer bees - in full "Ghost Busters" outfit!





We got a ton of work done! Re-roofed about 6,500 sq. ft. for the orphanage, put up a long block wall, and did various ministry-related activies. Although I have always felt East Coast is way softer than the west coast - Boston represented well!

The Surfaris Live in Otay Ranch

Highlights from the live performance at Rancho Vista!

Sleeping at The Shore of South Ensenada

Last week I spent some time at one my friends little "hideaways" out on the road to Bufadora. A kid that used to be in my youth group is now a Pastor, and brought a group from his church in Arizona. We also had a few braves teens from our church who jumped in.

Walt and Christy have about 8 acres that look right out over the Todos Santos Bay South of Ensenada. Man, it is so easy to fall asleep when the ocean waves are rolling, and the cool salt air purs through the window. About a five minute walk is this cool "Paty's Cafe" where all the American expatriates gather to gossip and drink coffee.
The only thing that ruined the trip was David Foreman (D4) staying up until 1 a.am. playing cards and doing horrible imitations from "Office Space".