Feliz Navidad-Dec 2024

Merry Christmas family & friends

“Do not be afraid”, the angel said. Then he told us, “I bring great news of great joy for everyone.” “The Savior-yes the Messiah, the Lord has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David.”

I don’t know about you, but I never tire of hearing the story of the birth of Jesus. As Francisco and I enter into this Christmas season, we are excited about the festivities honoring our Savior. Our prison ministry team is looking forward to hosting our annual Celebrate Recovery Inside Christmas gathering for the female inmates of the Ensenada prison.

Let me share Gloria’s story with you

Gloria was brought to us by the prison guards during lesson 10 ‘Spiritual Inventory’. Our guidelines suggest we only receive inmates for the first six lessons of Celebrate Recovery Inside, but God had other plans.

You know that saying, ‘The eyes are the windows of our soul.’ Gloria’s eyes were dark and did not seem to have any light in them. When this question was asked, “What in your past is stopping you from following God’s will for your life?” Gloria got up and ran from the room. Shortly thereafter one of the prison guards came to us and asked if we would allow Gloria to continue to join us in Celebrate Recovery Inside as she knew Gloria’s story and recognized how deeply Gloria needs our help.

In Celebrate Recovery we never turn anyone away. Some, like Gloria, carry more pain, shame and guilt than others. Week after week, we are watching Gloria engage in the program and watch her being set free from some of her pain and shame. We look forward to celebrating Christmas with "Our Girls" on the inside.

Francisco and I had the privilege of attending the wedding of Claudia & Alejandro in Loreto. Many missionaries we had served alongside over the years came for the wedding. It was a great time of reuniting and catching up.

Before the wedding Francisco and I had a bit of extra time so we hopped on a bus and headed to La Paz where we were invited to share our stories at a men’s rehab center. Pastor Gustavo is part of the leadership at the rehab center, and has gone through Celebrate Recovery program. He uses the CR materials at the rehab center. Francisco ended his story with an altar call and 24 out of 100 men gave their hearts to Jesus. It was an amazing experience.

We pray this Christmas will be a time filled with joy and peace as you gather with your loved ones to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Feliz Navidad,

Cheryl & Francisco

YEAR END GIFTS

When giving a Year-End contribution for tax purposes, please remember: Year-End contributions mailed to CTEN must be postmarked no later than December 31st. Online credit card and EFT contributions must be given on the CTEN webpage no later than December 31st (by 11:59 PM ET). CTEN is also able to receive contributions of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, which are then sold and the proceeds provided to our ministry. Any Year-End gifts of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds must be received in CTEN's brokerage account by December 31st.

If you would like to join us financially in the Mexico Recovery Ministry, click on the link below;

https://www.cten.org/canada-giving

By phone 1-800-872-5404

Love is in the air-October 2024

Francisco had the honor of officiating the wedding of Paola and Eneas. Paola is part of our Celebrate Recovery forever family. She started attending our Tuesday night Celebrate Recovery Large group meetings approximately one year ago and soon realized she needed Jesus in her life. Francisco had the privilege of introducing her to Jesus and later baptizing her. Paola is serving in our program for youth called The Landing. Eneas came into the picture and started dating Paola. He joined Paola in attending church services at Calvary Rosarito and he too recognised his need to invite Jesus into his life. Francisco recently had the opportunity to baptize Eneas and Paola’s son Angel. It is beautiful to see their whole family growing together in their relationship with Jesus.

Speaking of family, in August I had the opportunity to be in Canada to celebrate my 20th anniversary of being a missionary in Mexico with family and friends in St. Albert Alliance Church. I am thankful to those who were able to attend the Picnic in the Church. Your support always makes me feel loved and cared for. I had an amazing time reconnecting with some friends I had not seen in over 20 years. I returned to Mexico refreshed and ready to serve.

Serving in the Prison Ministry has always been a favorite for me. My team and I hosted a movie event for “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison. We watched a Celebrate Recovery movie called “Home Run”. We started the event by reading a short devotional. After the devotional I offered those that did not know Jesus an opportunity to come to know him personally. To my surprise eight women responded to the call. The angels in heaven are rejoicing with us. It’s such an honor to be able to serve these women that are hungry to grow in their faith.

Mexican Independence Day

Celebrate Recovery hosts four events per year. Mexican Independence Day is a favorite for all our Celebrate Recovery participants. We dress in traditional clothing, and bring Mexican dishes to share with our forever family. The night was filled with fun, laughter, great fellowship and delicious traditional dishes.

Francisco and I want to thank you for being our partners in the Mexico Recovery Ministry. Your friendship and partnership means a great deal to us.

Blessings,

Cheryl & Franciso

If you would like to join us financially in ministry, click on the ink below https://www.cten.org/canada-giving

20 Years in Mexico-August 2024

Dearest Family and Friends,

Join us in celebrating 20 years serving in Mexico. God has a way of making himself real in our lives, especially when He has something He wants us to do.

1999- God prompted us to go on a short-term mission trip to Mexico. It was there that He spoke loud and clear to prepare to serve Him full time in ministry. We felt so excited, yet so inadequate!

2004-After selling our home, Rod, Rebekah and I packed up our 21-foot travel trailer, said our goodbyes to family and friends and went to serve as full-time missionaries. We were excited yet uncertain of what the future held for us.

2009-Rebekah returned to Canada to go to Prairie Bible Institute to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. As an empty nester, God prompted me (Cheryl) to bring Celebrate Recovery Inside to the female prisoners of the Ensenada Prison. I knew this mission was way beyond my abilities. My Prison Ministry team and I have been serving in the prison for over 15 years and have witnessed many changed lives.

2014-God was prompted us again, this time to launch a bilingual Celebrate Recovery in our local church, Calvary Rosarito. That was ten years ago, and we continue to see the fruit of our labors as we train up leaders and see God’s people continue to find healing and freedom in their lives.

2017-This was a hard year! My husband Rod, my soul mate, my best friend, and fellow servant in ministry went home to be with Jesus. God wasn’t done with me yet. He called me to continue the work Rod and I started together in Mexico. I accepted the challenge.

2019-Two years later I went on my first coffee date with Francisco Ahumada. After much prayer we felt led to take a leap of faith, get married and lead the Mexico Recovery Ministry together. I am thankful to have a partner to walk this road with.

2004 to 2024-Twenty years of serving in fulltime ministry as a missionary in Mexico brought many great and new experiences. God has a beautiful plan to bring people into his Kingdom and heal the broken. How does He do this? He uses people behind the scenes, unknown ordinary people like you and I to fulfill his purposes.

Francisco and I thank God for trusting us to join Him in His plans. We want to thank you for walking alongside us on this journey. We leave you with this thought, “When God calls us to do the seemingly impossible, He’ll also give us the power to do it.”

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

Happy 90th Birthday Dad-June 2024

I love Spring! I love the longer days, the warmer days, the blooming flowers and so much more. This year spring also brought with it my dad’s 90 birthday! I was able to be in Canada to take part in my dad’s birthday bash. Spending quality time with my daughters, grand kids and family always brings great joy and lots of fun memories. I even had the opportunity to reconnected with relatives I had not seen for many years. It was a wonderful time! All that was missing was my husband, Francisco. To our dismay, Francisco was not able to travel with me. After 15 grueling months filling out paperwork, the Canadian government denied him access into Canada. We know and trust God has another plan!!!

Spring also brings Mother’s Day! May 10th our Prison Ministry team united with another ministry called Rancho Refugio from Ensenada bringing some love, hope, and joy to all the female inmates in the Ensenada Prison. After some inspiring worship music Francisco was able to share his moving story of how he came to know Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior while in jail. His message ended with an invitation for those who do not know Jesus to do so. Nine women raised their hands and surrendered their hearts to Jesus. Rancho Refugio gave a powerful message encouraging believers, new and old to keep walking with Jesus. We ended the day by handing out toiletry gift bags, socks and tennis shoes. We left the prison feeling filled to overflowing with contentment. It was a great day!

15 years in Celebrate Recovery Inside and now Estella has been set free

In Celebrate Recovery many come out of all kinds of backgrounds, including idol worship (very prevalent in the Mexico), adultery, prostitution, alcoholism, chemical abuse, verbal abuse, mental abuse, physical abuse and the list goes on and on. Many are battling with unhealthy desires but are finding victory as they draw closer to Jesus. Being loved and not judged is the key to recovery. People’s lives are being changed in our local churches and prisons by knowing and growing in their relationships with Jesus Christ. It’s not the program of Celebrate Recovery that changes lives, it’s the biblical content of the curriculum that leads our participants into a deeper relationship with Jesus. And, it’s your prayers that are softening hearts. It’s your generosity that are providing toiletries for the inmates (Mexican prisons do not supply toiletries for prisoners), and Celebrate Recovery participant guides for the those who could never afford them. You are an integral part of the Mexico Recovery Ministry. Thank you for being our partners in ministry.

Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco

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