15 Years in the Endenada Prison-April 2024

Greetings from Mexico Family & Friends,

Easter is just around the corner! I loved Easter as a child and love it even more today. Easter is a time to gather with family and friends to celebrate Jesus defeating death and offering us eternal life with Him. We have much to celebrate as we enter into this Easter season.

Ana, Karla & Francisco preparing tortas (subs buns) for the prison event

2024 marks 15 years bringing Celebrate Recovery into the Ensenada Prison. Many of “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison come from broken, rebellious backgrounds. They wanted to be free to live as they pleased and had to hit rock bottom, and be cast into prison before coming to their senses. It has taken great sorrow and tragedy to cause them to look to the only One who can help them.

God’s love is patient and welcoming. He searched for each one of “Our Girls” giving them opportunities to respond to His love. We have the beautiful opportunity to lead the lost to Jesus and introduce them to His healing power through the Christ centered 12 steps and 8 principles of Celebrate Recovery.

In January the director of the Ensenada Prison allotted us 30 female inmates to relaunch Celebrate Recovery Inside. It was very exciting! Most of the participants were first timers to the program. You could feel the excitement as our Prison Ministry team members shared their testimonies of how Celebrate Recovery helped change their lives. “Our Girls” shared their gratitude and excitement at having this opportunity to walk on the Road to Recovery. Some shared they had been waiting for years to join us in the Celebrate Recovery program. We look forward to seeing how God will transform their lives.

In February we celebrated Valentines Day with “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison. As most of the inmates were new to the program, they thoroughly enjoyed the event as we worshipped together, heard an encouraging message and testimony, fellowshipped while making a Valentine’s Day card, ate a filling lunch (complete with delicious cupcakes), and ended the event handing out toiletry and candy bags as “Our Girls” returned to their cells. We all went our separate directions filled with joy and fond memories.

Francisco and I agree our greatest joy is having the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus’ love and healing power with others in the Ensenada Prison and in our local church. Thank you for partnering with us in ministry.

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

NOTE: The Ensenada Prison are asking for help to build a small commercial kitchen for the female inmates. Having a kitchen would allow the women inmates the opportunity to learn culinary skills so they could use them to support themselves and their families when they are released from prison. We have workers to do the work, and now we just need the funding. If this project is something you would be interested in donating to, please send funds through Commission To Every Nation (Prison Ministry Commercial Kitchen) for a taxable receipt: https://www.iatspayments.com/saaura/PA4E35632C7C25A8A4

Celebrating 10 years-February 2024

Greetings from Mexico Family & Friends,

2023 was a wonderful year of ministry! December brought with it many opportunities to celebrate the birth of Jesus. After 15 years serving in the Ensenada Prison, Christmas events in the prison are still one of my favorites. My prison ministry team arrived with toiletry gift bags, candy bags, a tasty meal and games which brought lots of laughter and joy to “Our Girls” on the inside. We ended our event with hugs and goodbyes, jumped into our trusty 25-year-old ministry vehicle to head back to Rosarito. To our dismay, our ministry vehicle failed us.

A guards that gave our team grief week after week came to our rescue and patched our vehicle just long enough to get us back on the road. We had imagined having to hire a tow truck to haul us back to Rosarito (1 1/2 hours away). God had another plan. He used this opportunity to bring out the side of this prison guard we had never seen before. He was helpful, kind, concerned and had mechanical skills! It was a beautiful gift to end a wonderful day!

Our Celebrate Recovery Christmas event in Calvary Rosarito was remarkable. We served a traditional Mexican meal, heard powerful testimonies, handed out door prizes and enjoyed each other’s company. This made for a memorable night! It was touching to see 21 participants step forward to receive certificates for having completed their first set of Celebrate Recovery 12 steps.

In January we celebrated our 10th year anniversary of having Celebrate Recovery in Calvary Rosarito. We heard some great testimonies, enjoyed the delicious desserts, caught up where we left off with friends and stepped into 2024 knowing it is going to be a great year as we walk the Road to Recovery together.

The greatest gift in Celebrate Recovery is seeing non-believers respond to the Gospel. Francisco ends each teaching with an opportunity for participants to make a decision to commit their lives to Christ. Paola had been attending Celebrate Recovery Large group meetings for quite some time. At the end of the teaching, Paula put up her hand and invited Jesus into her life.

Francisco had the privilege of baptizing Paola. Being baptized was Paola’s outward sign to the congregation that she had decided to follow Jesus. With this commitment came a heart to serve. Paula has joined our servant leader team by serving at The Landing (our Celebrate Recovery program designed for youth) and helping with the media.

We are so grateful for our Celebrate Recovery servant leaders and their willingness to be used by God in all areas of ministry. As they share acts of kindness, God’s love and hope pour out of them. Francisco and I stand in awe as we see the fruits of their labor. It’s a blessing to serve alongside this amazing team of men and women.

Francisco and I are thankful for each of you! Not everyone is called to the mission field. Each of you, who work for Christ at home are vital to ministry for those, like ourselves who have been called to go. It is through your prayers and financial gifts that we became partners in spreading the Gospel message and bringing healing to the broken.

Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco

Christmas Memories-Dec 2023

Merry Christmas Family & Friends,

It’s almost Christmas! For me, the Christmas season is always a time of looking back and reflecting on memories from the past. Memories of Christmas past is sweet and filled with treasures. Many of those treasured memories were when the kids were growing up. I can’t imagine how Mary felt the day an angel told her-her child would be the Messiah. We all know motherhood is painful at times. I don’t know about you, but I often second guessed myself. “Am I doing this parenting thing right?”. Can you imagine the pressure of bringing up God’s one and only Son?

I am grateful Mary, an ordinary person like you and I made herself available to be the mother of the Son of God. I love how God’s plans involve extraordinary events in ordinary people’s lives.

It has been an incredible year serving the people of Mexico. Our Celebrate Recovery family has grown! Our servant leaders are ordinary people, like you and I, who have followed the call to serve. Pancho & Cristy lead “The Landing”, our Celebrate Recovery program for youth. This couple have reached into the depths of our youths’ hearts to earn their love and respect. Irene and Araceli lead Celebration Place”, our Celebrate Recovery program for children. Weekly they pour out their love on our children and lead them through Celebrate Recovery at their age level. These are just a few of the many that serve alongside us.

Ana & Karla preparing toiletry girft bags for "Our Girls" inside the Ensenada Prison

We are blessed to have the ordinary servant leaders fulfilling extraordinary callings. Each one is making a difference in the lives of children, youth and adults. Francisco and I count it a blessing to serve alongside our Celebrate Recovery servant leaders. Each come with special gifts and talents with hearts to serve.

As we enter into the Christmas season filled with festivities with family and friends, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas, the birth Jesus. Francisco and I are thankful for each of you! Your prayers, words of encouragement and generosity are making a difference in Mexico.

Feliz Navidad,

Cheryl & Francisco

NOTE:

When giving a Year-End contribution for tax purposes, please remember: Year-End contributions mailed or given online to CTEN must be no later than December 31st.

Freedom found in Jesus-October 2023

Greeting from Mexico Family and Friends, My time in Canada this past summer was AMAZING! I landed in Saskatchewan and spent time with my daughter Rebekah and her family. The farm life filled with grandkids and various other adventures was exhilarating. Then we packed up the van and drove to Alberta. Alberta brought many gatherings: our annual Family BBQ, spray parks, pie at the historical Tea House, ice-cream out with Grampa and Gretchen, a Picnic in the Park with friends and supporters of the Mexico Recovery Ministry and other such wonderful adventures. Each event left of me filled to over flowing with love and special memories.

Visiting Gramma Hoople with my 3 daughters (Kelsey, Jessica & Rebekah)

I returned to British Columbia with my daughter Jessica and her family. Our time together included new and wild adventures. I have an armload of bear stories I could share, but won’t this time around. Seeing my daughters, grandkids and family all together once a year brings great joy for all of us. I returned to Mexico refreshed, restored and ready to serve.

So grateful to have seen all my family at the 2023 Annual Family BBQ

Psalm 56:8 “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in a bottle. And You have recorded each one in your Book.” Celebrate Recovery gives our participants the opportunity to know Jesus in a deeper way so they can be set free from dysfunctional behaviors and become the people God created them to be. When we started a new set of Celebrate Recovery Step Studies in January, Patty joined our group. Patty has been open to revisit her past to find freedom for her future. In the past, Patty often wavered in her faith as she felt no one understood her pain. The brokenness of Patty’s childhood may have led her down a dark path for many years, but the freedom she has found in Jesus is leading her to a live a life of gratitude and commitment walking forth in victory.

The foundation of Celebrate Recovery is built on the concept of having sponsors and accountability partners to walk alongside you on the Road to Recovery. I have the honor of being Party’s sponsor and Francisco is her husband Benny’s sponsor. As we watch both Patty and Benny grow spiritually, we feel overjoyed in walking beside them in this stage of their lives and recovery. WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS: October 21, 2023 we will be hosting our 8th Annual Celebrate Recovery Networking Event. We will be inviting people from our local church, our community and Celebrate Recovery groups across Mexico. Our guest speakers will be sharing powerful messages and testimonies to lead others to God’s healing power for their lives.

As partners in ministry, together we are changing lives one person at a time. There are many Patty’s and Benny’s benefiting from your prayers and financial gifts. Thank you for being our partners in the Mexico Recovery Ministry.

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

Serving God Effectively-Aug 2023

Greetings Family & Friends,

I love, love, love summer!! Two weeks out of each summer are designated for reconnecting with my (Cheryl) daughters, nine grandchildren, family and friends of the Mexico Recovery Ministry. I can’t wait for those tea parties, family BBQ’s and a Picnic in Lion’s Park. All of these activities fill my love tank to over flowing.

Being loved is a powerful motivator. “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison feel our love and respond well to it. Many do not feel loveable due to the lack of being cared for in their lives. Finding God and His deep love transforms lives. When our Celebrate Recovery participants find out God sees all and continues to love them, healing begins. By finding the truth of God’s unconditional in our lives, we are able to love others in return. Then, God offers us the opportunity to serve Him effectively, using our God given gifts and talents for His glory. Eleven years ago, I met Karla. I was in need of a faithful servant leader to serve on the Prison Ministry team.

Let me share with you Karla’s story.

Karla’s Story: My name is Karla and I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ who struggled with anxiety, insecurity and fear. I grew up in a typical family with parents that focused on making us feel safe and loved.

Over the years I realized my parents were having trouble between themselves. My older sisters took it upon themselves to contact a tarot card reader who met with us and told us my father had a black magic spell placed on his life to drive him crazy and destroy our family. That same week we opened the doors of our home to a white witch which was highly recommended to help us. We were told white witches were placed on earth by God to protect us. This began a nine-year nightmare for my entire family as we became involved in witchcraft. We lived a life of secrecy that left us feeling alienated, dirty and ashamed.

God had mercy on us and sent an aunt to share the Gospel with us. Because of the horror and emptiness, we were living, my whole family came to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior in one day. WE all began to change drastically as God’s love and forgiveness flowed into our lives. One day I was introduced to Cheryl, and she invited me to join her on the Prison Ministry team. This was my introduction to Celebrate Recovery. I learned to give my fear, insecurity and anxiety to God. What the enemy used to bring shame, guilt and condemnation into my life, the Lord has turned into a song of gratefulness and victory.

Thanks for letting me share

Little did I know Karla would be such a great fit in the Mexico Recovery Ministry. Karla has been my gift from God, my life line in times of distress and a faithful leader serving in the Prison Ministry and Celebrate Recovery in our local church, Calvary Rosarito.

Francisco and I are grateful to have you as our partners in the Mexico Recovery Ministry. Your prayers and financial support remains invaluable to us.

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

From Darkness to Light-June 2023

Greeting from Mexico Family and friends,

We hope that you are ready for summer! We are! Francisco and I took a few days to vacation in Puerto Vallarta. From there I headed to Canada for a short time. It had been a few years since I spent Easter with family, Time with family, friends and supporters of the Mexico Recovery Ministry made for a great time.. I was also able to spend my dad’s 89th birthday with him. What a treat! Francisco remained in Mexico with hope that one day he too will be able to visit our Canadian family and friends together.

Happy 89th birthday to my dad, John Szott

May is a full month with extra opportunities to serve and celebrate birthdays, graduations, weddings, spring potlucks, and other various events which included a movie event for “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison. Eating nachos and candy while watching the “Road to Redemption” made for a fun day. We ended our time handing out plenty of hugs and toiletry gift bags. Thanks for supporting the Mexico Recovery Ministry so my Prison Ministry team can host special events and hand out gift bags before the inmates return to their cells.

Many of our Celebrate Recovery participants inside the prison or at our local church often feel guilt ridden from their pasts. They are learning that no matter how shameful your past, God forgives us and sets us free from dysfunctional behaviors.

Gwen completed Calvary Rosarito’s requirements to serve and has been a huge asset to us at Celebrate Recovery serving in various areas of ministry. When she met Jesus, her life was forever changed. It is beautiful to see how God did not waste Gwen’s pain from her past, but instead is using it to increase His Kingdom. It's an honor to be serving together Gwen.

Gwen is not only a dear friend, but is also a faithful servant in CR

Gwen’s Story: "I was born prematurely and was left to die. The doctor may have given up on me, but the mid-wife did not. God spared my life.

I was raised on a home with a mentally abusive, alcoholic father and a co-dependent mother. At the age of thirteen my friend and I hitchhiked to Hollywood. We met some hippies, were introduced to drugs, child pornography and sexuality. Eventually the police picked us up and sent us both home to our parents.

My parent didn’t want me and I was made a ward of the state. My mom divorced my dad and remarried. My biological dad died when I was 17. I moved out on my own and went from one boyfriend to another. There was never enough money to make ends meet. By the age of 22 I became an escort. I knew my lifestyle was not pleasing to God, but I still turned to Him for help.

I completed my first set of 12 Steps with Adult Children of Alcoholics. It was here that my life turned around. I met Bill, the love of my life and we spent twelve great years together. My husband Bill was diagnosed with cancer and died within six short weeks. I turned to wine, weed and a relationship with a man to numb my pain. This only brought chaos, including a short stint in jail. You can only imagine the guilt and remorse that brought me.

I walked into a Celebrate Recovery program in a church in California and joined their 12 Step program. My relationship with Jesus grew! I learned to love and trust my Heavenly Father and continued to work on my harmful habits. Today, I enjoy working for the Lord and I delight in sharing what He and Celebrate Recovery have done for me."

Here at Celebrate Recovery, we witness miracles on a daily bases through changed lives like Gwen’s. Francisco and I thank you for your ongoing prayers, and financial gifts. It is beautiful to partner with you in the Mexico Recovery Ministry.

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

Fresh Start-April 2023

Greetings from Mexico,

How do we show love to the individuals and families around us? We have a beautiful team of servant leaders, serving alongside Francisco and I, using their God given gifts and talents to reach out to our church body, our community and the female inmates of the Ensenada prison. It is an honor to serve with these dear friends.

Prolonged grief (separation from family) and punishment bring hopelessness and despair. Being in prison reminds the inmates that life’s struggles are too hard to handle on their own. When “Our Girls” on the inside are caught in their criminal acts and found guilty, they are placed behind bars. We have seen firsthand how being behind bars is a place that is free from distractions, a place where the Celebrate Recovery materials are used to reach deep into the hearts of many and to give them hope for the future.

We see the importance of Prison Ministry! Prison is a prime spot to share God’s unconditional love. Some are not ready to respond to the gospel, but our God is faithful and merciful, He continues to hold his arms out to all who are willing to come to Him.

Cheryl, Ana & Karla reparing for a Valentines Event for "Our Girls" on

the inside It is beautiful to see how God uses negative experiences to have his people turn to Him. No matter how terrible the crime may be, God reveals his unconditional love to the broken and promises a fresh start, and eternity with Him. God graciously accepts each inmate, forgives them and draws them into a deeper relationship with Himself.

When the COVID restrictions were removed, our Prison Ministry team were able to return to the prison’s chapel rather than conduct ministry from a courtyard surrounded by women inmates in their cells. It was God’s perfect timing as the inmates participating in Celebrate Recovery program had been preparing themselves to work on their inventories, which entails bearing their souls and sharing very painful experiences. Having privacy in the chapel provided a safe place to write and share openly. Every page written and every story shared brought many tears, tears of healing.

In January we relaunched all areas of Celebrate Recovery in Calvary Rosarito. So many around us are struggling with depression, discouragement and searching for answers. We have already heard many testimonies of how God is healing adults, youth and children from their hurts, habits and hang-ups. Having programs for the whole family has brought forth many victories, and the year has just begun!

We are so thankful for our Celebrate Recovery Servant Leaders

Many of our servant leaders feel as though they are unlikely candidates for God’s service in leading the lost and broken on the Road to Recovery, but they continue to walk in obedience to the call placed upon their hearts. We know God has a plan and are honored to be a small part of it. Thank you for being out partners in the Mexico Recovery Ministry. Your words of encouragement, prayers and financial gifts are important to us.

NOTE: We have changed our mailing address Cheryl Hoople Ahumada C/O Lupe Quezada 2420 Palm Ave. Space 56 San Diego, CA, 92154

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

Jacobo's Story-Feb 2023

Greetings from Mexico,

As 2022 came to an end, it was easy to reflect and see how faithful God had been last year and years gone by. Sometimes it feels like our influence here in Mexico is futile, but we continue to walk forward, trusting God’s Word to bring spiritual work into the lives of those who struggle around us with hurts, habits and hang-ups as we continue to offer Celebrate Recovery.

In December we hosted our annual Celebrate Recovery Christmas gathering at Calvary Rosarito. Sixteen “first time” Celebrate Recovery participants received certificates of recognition, congratulating them on their faithful attendance and hard work on the Road to Recovery. We worshipped together as we celebrated the birth of our Savior, shared a delicious traditional Christmas meal, and heard a powerful testimony from Jacobo.

Jacob receiving his CR certificate of recognition

Jacobo’s Story:

My parents separated when I was very young. My sister, a mere child herself, cared for myself and my three younger siblings while my mom went to work to supply for our needs. After a time, we were reported to the Mexican authorities. Myself and my four siblings were placed in an orphanage.

I was only 7 years old when we were placed in that orphanage. I blamed my mom for our circumstance. I was always getting in trouble and was continually being punished, sometimes more severely than others. I remember being given the punishment of cleaning the dormitory for a whole year while the other children went out to play. That was painful.

It was through this Christian run orphanage that I accepted Jesus into my heart and was later baptized. I left the orphanage at 12 years old with a mountain of blame and resentment stored up inside of me. I stopped going to church and started walking in the ways of the world.

I was celebrating my birthday with some of my friends one day, when one friend started talking to me about Jesus. I knew this Jesus that my friend spoke of. It was then that I came to my senses and realized I had chosen the wrong path. I then made the choice to start attending church again.

I arrived at Calvary Rosarito and was invited to attend Celebrate Recovery. I knew I needed help, as I was carrying around lots of baggage. At Celebrate Recovery I found a place where I could share openly and not be judged. I asked God to help me forgive those who harmed me and eventually was able to forgive myself.

God has done a great work in me through the Celebrate Recovery program. This scripture speaks deeply to me as I continue my healing process. “I am certain that God, who began the great work in me will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day Jesus Christ returns.” Philippians 1 :6 Thanks for letting me share.

It is though stories like Jacobo’s we can see firsthand how God is using the Celebrate Recovery program to bring healing into the lives of his people in ways we never dreamed or imagined possible. We continue to pray, trust and move forward knowing that our Heavenly Father knows how to reach out to those who are struggling and lead them to Himself.

Francisco helping prepare for "Our Girls" on the inside

My Prison Ministry team and I brought in toiletry and candy bags, chocolate bars and blankets to the Ensenada Prison. Thank you for your generosity so we could bring a bit of Christmas warmth and joy to "Our Girls" on the inside.

In January we relaunched Celebrate Recovery Step Studies in Calvary Rosarito and had 60 people join us on the Road to Recovery. We look forward to hearing many more stories similar to Jacobo’s in the future. Thank you for continuing to partner with us on this amazing adventure. Together we are seeing people’s lives changed as they draw closer to Jesus.

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

Hope for tomorrow-Dec 2022

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Once upon a time, the brightest star anyone had ever seen, an unusual phenomenon, stood over a stable in the little town of Bethlehem. Below a frail infant was asleep in the hay. Little did his parents know, that one day, their son Jesus would bring great change into the world. Jesus entered the world in a manger, a very humble setting, and began his journey through life, a life filled with mercy, love and forgiveness.

Many years have passed since that spectacular night. Jesus yesterday, today and tomorrow is in the line of work of taking broken lives and transforming them into something beautiful. This year I had the privilege of leading an English Women’s Celebrate Recovery Step Study by ZOOM. Alma was one of my prized participants. She was faithful to attend and faithfully did her homework seeking healing and wholeness from her past. Meet my friend Alma, she now has hope for tomorrow.

Alma is a dear friend and daughter of the King

Alma’s Story: I was lost, broken, without purpose and without an identity. I was hateful and revengeful as I came from a background of sexual abuse. I felt like I was trapped in a maze with no way out. At the age of seven, my school secretary began to reach out to me and invited me to her home. There was something different about her. She taught me how to pray. At the age of twelve I received Jesus into my heart as my personal Lord and Savior and walked through the waters of baptism.

I was still damaged, feeling defeated and lonely! I searched for love in all the wrong places. I married a man and together we brought our children into the world. I was trapped in this loveless relationship and was miserable. Eventually I left the marriage and found another man to help me bring up my children. Nothing had changed, I was still unhappy and frustrated with my choices in men.

I was introduced to Celebrate Recovery. In Celebrate Recovery I learned to open up and expose the pain deeply hidden in my heart. I grew spiritually as I continued on the Road to Recovery. I found healing through the acceptance and love I found in my Celebrate Recovery Step Study group. Today I have hope for tomorrow. Thanks for letting me share.

That’s the reason Jesus came to earth! He takes the broken, heals them from the inside out, creates something beautiful and gives them the greatest gift of all, eternal life with Him. In January we will offer another set of Celebrate Recovery Step Studies. Pray God send us many more participants to find healing and a deeper walk with Jesus.

This Christmas we are especially thankful for God, and His sending His son Jesus to us so we can offer His eternal life and love to broken people like Alma. Thank you for your love, prayers and generosity in helping us reach the lost and broken in Mexico.

Feliz Navidad, Cheryl & Francisco

3 Daughters, 3 Provinces and 3 Churches-Oct 2022

Hello Family & Friends,

July brought another trip to Canada. This trip was geared towards raising awareness of the Mexico Recovery Ministry which allowed me (Cheryl) to visit three daughters in three provinces, nine grandkids, lots of family, lots of friends as well as give ministry updates in churches. Distance didn’t stop us from gathering, catching up on hugs and sharing stories from the last few years.

My youngest daughter Rebekah and her family purchased a farm in Big River Saskatchewan December 2020. I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit getting a taste of farm life and spending time having fun, fun, fun with my daughter and grandkids. Tea parties were a favorite activitiy!

Kelsey, my middle daughter, lives in Forst Saskatchewan, Alberta. Alberta was the gathering place for many. The Hoople and Szott families hosted big family BBQ’s so we could all be together eating decadent Canadian food and making treasured memories.

My eldest daughter Jessica and her family live in Burns Lake BC. They took me to their cabin that has a majestic view of Ootsa Lake with mountains in the background. It was a little taste of heaven spending time playing board games and enjoying the great outdoors together.

I am thankful for the opportunities to give updates about the Mexico Recovery Ministry in three churches and host a Picnic in the Park for friends in the Edmonton area. We had a great turnout. Francisco and I are so thankful for the many that partner with us in ministry.

Returning to Mexico always brings opportunities to gather and enjoy the folks around us. September 18 our Celebrate Recovery forever family set their homework aside and gathered to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. I tried my hand at making carnitas (a Mexican dish), and it was a hit! Fun was had by all as we had great weather, an outstanding ocean view and a huge turnout.

On October 22 our Celebrate Recovery hosted our 7th Annual Networking Event in Calvary Rosarito. We hosted Celebrate Recovery leaders and participants from various parts of Mexico and the USA. It was our honor to have Richard & Dora Cobb, the International Directors of Celebrate Recovery as our key-note speakers to encourage us and update us on how God is touching the lives of His people through the Celebrate Recovery materials worldwide.

In case you couldn't join us, we broadcasted this event live at: https://www.facebook.com/calvaryrosarito Francisco and I thank you for your ongoing prayers and support as we serve hand in hand leading the Mexico Recovery Ministry.

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

Ensenada Prison-Aug 2022

Ensenada Prison!

Isn’t God amazing!! He sees who we were in our past and who we will become in the future. I love how He sees us and every one of “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison.

"Our Girls" on the Inside

June marked our 13^th anniversary of bringing Celebrate Recovery into the Ensenada Prison. In the early years we had Comandante (warden) Alicia overseeing the women’s area of the prison. She was a hard woman that was feared by many. Week after week Comandante Alicia would supervise our group and hear the gospel message. She began to soften. We developed a beautiful relationship. I remember bargaining with her to give us more women. I started high asking for 50, she countered with 35, again I went to bat and asked for 45 she settled on 35. Until recently, that was our maximum number of inmates that could join us weekly for Celebrate Recovery.

Warden Alicia & Cheryl

God parted the Red Sea!!! Due to continued COVID restrictions our Prison Ministry team are now able to share the gospel to the entire female population of the Ensenada Prison. How did this happen? For sanitary reasons, our team is placed in the middle of a patio surrounded by the cells of all the female inmates. 115 female inmates are hearing the gospel shared through the Celebrate Recovery materials. This is a dream come true for our Prison Ministry team! COVID has not stopped ministry but has increased the opportunity to reach more people.

Let me share with you Victoria’s story (name changed to protect her identity)

"My name is Victoria and I am a faithful believer in Jesus Christ. My struggles are with my mind, old habits and other character defects.  My life prior to starting the Celebrate Recovery program was miserable.  I was in denial. I refused to recognize shameful sins that I was committing.  I was rebellious, rude and very disrespectful. I could not relate to people in a healthy way. Others were wrong and I was always right. Before coming to prison, the lowest point in my life was when I started prostituting myself, drinking and using drugs. I was disobedient and very hurtful. Through Celebrate Recovery, God opened my eyes and my heart. He gave me the opportunity to know Him. I NEEDED to be incarcerated in prison to find Him. I came to prison wounded and defeated, but here in prison is where I found the hope I needed for my life, and my heart. My life has changed greatly because of the growing relationship I have with Jesus, my way of thinking and speaking has changed. Thanks to the Celebrate Recovery program I have learned to put God’s Word into practice in my life.  I know with certainty that God loves me, cares for me, and has forgiven me.  Today I can say that I love God with all of my heart, I trust Him and I delight in worshipping Him.  My desire is to be with Him and to do His will.  Celebrate Recovery has taught me how to confess my sins. I am very aware of the presence of God in my life and I am excited to share this good news in my group, in my cell and wherever and whenever I can."

Thank you for being our partners in ministry. Together we are bringing the Good News to the lost and broken. Maybe you have no idea what Celebrate Recovery is all about, check out the movie “Home Run” on Netflix. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. 

Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco.