Dear Family and Friends,
Nayeli looked into Silvia’s eyes and tears began to trickle down her face as she asked Silvia to forgive her. Both women embraced! You see, outside the prison walls these two women detested each other. Each bore children from the same man. This day Silvia and Nayeli found freedom as we completed Lesson 19 in the Celebrate Recovery Program on “Forgiveness”. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others. It was beautiful to be in this particular Celebrate Recovery group witnessing God’s healing power in the lives of these two women. They got it!!!!
It never ceases to amaze me how God has placed a love in the hearts of our Prison Ministry Team for the women within the Ensenada Prison. Our PMT openly shares about a God that loves each of us, no matter how appalling our pasts may be. It is not our place to dwell on the criminal acts the women in the prison have committed. It is our place to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ loving and caring for the inmates while leading them towards freedom as they walk the road of recovery.
Many of the women openly share their pasts which allows us to see why they were driven to take part in the actions that eventually led them into prison. The ability to rise above the circumstances around them has been buried deeply, deeper than you and I can imagine. But, not so deep that God can not reach down and draw them to Himself. You and I may see some of these women as unreachable, but God sees value in the most wicked and corrupt person. We continue to patiently cheer them on into greater levels of maturity so they can withstand the upcoming challenges that will surround them. One day these women will walk through the locked doors of the prison into the arms of the world.
Matt, Anamda, Laura, Brianna & Nate
YUGO staff has been busy preparing for the upcoming summer Evangelistic Outreaches at the ROC (Rosarito Outreach Center). Rod and I crossed into the US to pick up our Summer Staffing Team (SST) of three from the airport. Amanda and Matt have committed to mentoring our SST’s and summer intern volunteers, who will serve as support staff experiencing and learning more about missions. Our SST’s, summer volunteers and YUGO staff are in place and all are ready for a great summer!
We had the privilege of having Rebekah visit us for her last trip to Mexico as a single woman. It was awesome to take part in shopping trips seeking out wedding supplies for her and Eric’s big day. We even had a bridal shower for her where her friends from Mexico could gather together and congratulate her and reconnect. Rod was able to join in on the special celebration as he was our chef grilling the carne asada (thin steak Mexican style).
In August Rod and I will return to Canada once again with the cargo trailer. Our desire is that the cargo trailer will be filled to overflowing with personal items for the female inmates (there is still room for you or your Church to get involved). Right after Rebekah and Eric’s wedding in August, we will return to Mexico so Rod can continue his studies in the Ensenada Bible College. Looks like a busy summer on the horizon!
