What an amazing start to another awesome year! We brought the New Year in with family and grand children. It was a memory that will live deep within our hearts for many years to come!
Since our return to Canada, so much has happened in such a short time. Rebekah completed from her LPN course and the Pinning Ceremony was wonderful.
Shortly after these joyous events we have also had great opportunities to reconnect with many of you, catching up over coffee, hearing what is happening within your lives and sharing what God is doing in our lives as we continue to serve in Mexico.
Bernie & Helen (dear friends and mentors), Cheryl & Rod
2011 was full of exciting quests. In the prison alone I can look back and see how God’s hand was at work in the lives of “Our Girls”. Rod completed his 3rd semester of Bible School and is anticipating his final semester next fall. He is part of a team that are already preparing for this summer’s ministry opportunities.
Our Prison Ministry team participated in two events in December. December 19 was declared a Fun Day complete with the movie Evan Almighty, popcorn (with salsa), candy and drinks. Laughter could be heard across the prison as “Our Girls” enjoyed themselves immensely. The second event was the prison’s annual Christmas Fiesta on December 22. The story of the birth of Jesus was a portrayed in a drama that touched the hearts of many. Food, fun and fellowship followed a captivating Christmas message about the birth of our Savior Jesus. Our Prison Ministry team handed out 105 personal care item gifts to all the female inmates. Thank you for your generosity! Many of you have donated items and financial gifts so we can continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the lives of these precious women.
Lupita (I call her Beautiful) grasped unto the Lord and allowed Him to change her from the inside out. Through the Celebrate Recover Program she learned to forgive those that hurt her and found forgiveness for herself for the harm she did to others. Lupita became one of our Celebrate Recovery leaders on the inside after completing the course. She was a mentor to many around her with her devotion and love for God. Recently the prison did some shuffling around of prisoners and Lupita and 7 others from our CR group have been moved to other prisons. Some of the inmates have been together for many years. They became a family unit. Our prayer is that Lupita and others will use the information they have learned in CR and continue to reach out to the women around them in new surroundings. My friend “Beautiful”
Rod and I continue to meet with churches, groups and individuals and are looking forward to the new found friends we will meet at Mission Fests as we share about YUGO Ministries. If you have not had a chance to meet with us and would like us to share with you what God is doing in Mexico, feel free to call us at 780-628-2415 or e-mail us hoopleshideaway@gmail.com.
