The Greatest Gift in History-Dec 2015

“I bring you Good News that will bring joy to all people. The Savior, yes the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the City of David.” Luke 2:9,10

What an amazing announcement! The world had just received the greatest gift in history. The best news about Jesus coming to earth is, no matter what stature, rich or poor, black or white, young or old, the Good News of the birth of Jesus Christ is for all of us.

Whoever you are, whatever you have done, He extends his hand to you to have Him in your life. AND, He accepts you just the way you are.

The effects of sin in people’s lives often keep them from seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ. “Our Girls” on the inside and those that join us in Celebrate Recovery on the “Outside” don’t let feelings of guilt and condemnation keep them from their only means of restoration.

Through their childhoods, some knew God, others turned their back on Him when times got tough and then there are others who have never heard about this Jesus that came to earth nearly 2,000 years ago.

Some have waited many years to find this compassionate Jesus that loves them unconditionally. He patiently awaits His children to turn to him and find peace, joy and recovery for their lives.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus our Savior this Christmas, we are thankful for the many that have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

To some the greatest gift they will receive this Christmas season will be the relationship they developed with Jesus that has brought healing and peace into their lives through the Celebrate Recovery program.

We are thankful for each of you, our partners in ministry, for your prayers, words of encouragement and financial support for ourselves and the ministry. Together we are seeing broken lives being healed and set free.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Changing one broken person at a time-Oct 2015

Many of “Our Girls” on the inside are murderers, kidnappers, prostitutes, drug-addicts and much more. They have lived on the edge of society, always one step away from rejection. Jesus gladly associated with sinners because He loved them and He knew they needed to hear what He had to say. By bringing the Good News, through the Celebrate Recovery program, to “Our Girls” on the inside, we see God changing lives one broken person at a time, healing them emotionally, physically and mentally.

Many have turned to Jesus and asked Him to forgive their sins so they can become Christ-like filled with love, humility, truth and service. Not only does the CR program lead people to a relationship with Jesus Christ, it also instructs them how to clean up their behaviors.

After returning to Mexico in July, International gospel singer Nancy Unsworth, her family, my cousin Rae-Ann and her son Aiden joined us for ten exciting days of ministry. Each of our guests came to Mexico believing God had something special in store for them.

On July 27th seven of “Our Girls” on the inside found the strength to take the next step in their walk with Jesus by being baptized. The baptism event was spectacular.

Haydee steps through the waters of baptism

Nancy shared her powerful story of God's mercy in her life and sang during the baptism event

Rae-Ann helped in many ways including handing out personal gift bags to each of "Our girls" before they returned to their cells

God uses people with simple faith to accomplish his great purposes, no matter what kind of past they come from. Rae-Ann and Nancy did not allow their broken pasts to keep them from the new roles God had assigned them. Both shared their powerful stories of God’s redemptive love in their lives at various ministry sites. Ten incredible days of ministry and so many lives were touched.

Thank you Unsworth and Zygadlo families for helping serve at our first ever Celebrate Recovery wedding.

International gospel Singer Nancy Unsworth and her worship team sang in several areas of ministry during their 10 days stay in Mexico

We need your prayers. Churches and Correctional Institutes are seeking the Celebrate Recovery program. Pray God send us more facilitators and leaders to carry the program across Mexico. We have VISION beyond our resources. Would you pray about becoming a financial partner with the Recovery Ministry? Pray for more monthly supporters for the Recovery Ministry (at present we are at 40% of our monthly budget).

Rod and I are so grateful for each of you, our ministry partners. None of the ministry we take part in could happen without your help. Your prayers, words of encouragement and financial gifts have kept us on the field doing what God has called us to do. Your job is as important as ours. He may have called us to go, but He has called you to be our senders.

Home Sweet Home-Aug 2015

Moses took his marching orders from God and led the Israelites through the desert for 40 years. Rod and I took our marching orders to remain in Canada and help my mom while taking chemo treatments to battle lung cancer. We too made it to the Promised Land. Mom has completed her chemo treatments; the tumor has shrunk over 50%. Next will be radiation treatments, much less evasive than chemo therapy. Rod and I have been given the green light to return to full time ministry in Mexico. We and I are so thankful for having had the opportunity stand besides my mom in her greatest time of need.

When God gave us the assignment to be mom’s primary care givers, we knew there would be difficult and challenging situations. We also know we serve a mighty God that would give us the strength needed to complete the task set before us. We are so grateful the tumor has shrunk, so grateful to have the opportunity to honour and care for my mom in her time of need, so grateful for our Recovery Team carrying the ministry in our absence, and so grateful for your constant prayers and emotional support. Daily we are reminded that we made a covenant of faith and obedience in serving Our Savior. It is time to return to the ministry where we are most productive and receive the greatest joy in serving. Our Recovery Minsitry team await our arrival.

Duet 1:11 “I pray that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, will give you a thousand times more people and will do all the wonderful thing s He promised.” We in the Recovery Ministry pray God give us a thousand times more people to go through the Celebrate Recovery program in Mexico to know Jesus Christ in a personal way and others will be set free from their hurts, habits and hang-ups.

In May Rod and I returned to Mexico for two weeks to fulfill ministry obligations while our daughters Jessica and Rebekah took our places and cared for my mom. Chad and Melissa Baker joined us in an exciting week of ministry. Their one week stay with us was action packed. Let me share with you one of the many highlights of the week. Our first night back with our Celebrate Recovery family in Mexico, Andy (leader from Liberty Ranch Men’s Restoration Ministry) walked on to the stage during our Celebrate Recovery Large Group worship time and sang a love song to Esperanza (our CR Child Care Administrator). He then invited her to join him on the stage. He bent down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. No, this is not a fairy tale; this is the work of an AWESOME God who brought healing into lives of two of His people so they can begin their next chapter of Life 101 in wholeness. It was awesome to have Chad and Melissa with us to take part in this special event at Celebrate Recovery.

We love how God chooses unexceptional people to do his work. He invited Chad (fireman) and Melissa (Pastors Assistant) to join us in Mexico to build His Kingdom. Chad and Melissa love God above all else and are committed to obeying Him. By doing so they were able to accomplish more than they could imagine. It was an honor to serve with you Melissa and Chad.

Rod and I are thankful for the many friends and family members we were able to visit on our extended Home Assignment. Our time in Canada was fruitful in making connections in ministry, sharing special memories with so many loved ones and friends. Thank you for being our partners in ministry.

NOTE

New address and phone number:

YUGO Canada, P.O. Box 68, Legal, AB, T0G 1L0, 780-961-7625

Celebrate Recovery in Canada-June 2015

Anyone interested in serving at a prison ministry event in Mexico? Sherry’s hand was just one of the few that shot up when Pastor Matt extended the invitation. July 2014 Sherry and 45 others from St. Albert Alliance church traveled to Rosarito, Mexico to build three homes for underprivileged families. Some of the team joined our Prison Ministry Recovery team in serving at a graduation ceremony for “Our Girls” who completed the Celebrate Recovery program in the Ensenada Prison.

St. Albert Alliance Church Team

Sherry stood before our graduating class boldly sharing her story of how she was rescued from a broken past by surrendering her life into the loving arms of Jesus Christ. During the prison ministry event Sherry observed that “Our Girls” on the inside had also found healing in their lives through the CR program. A stirring began in Sherry’s heart. She returned to Canada with a passion to serve female inmates in Canada. After much prayer God led Sherry to others that were like minded. In the spring of 2015 Sherry and three other women began hosting the Celebrate Recovery program in Edmonton’s minimum security facility for women.

Sherry is helping paint the house her team built in Mexico last summer.

During a recent coffee date, Sherry shared with Rod and I stories similar to those we experience in Mexico. “Our Girls” on the inside openly share how God is working in their lives. As the inmates experience God’s transforming power and change before our eyes, we are inspired to believe God for further healing in the lives of others in the CR program. Sherry obeyed a calling from God and was placed in the middle of His will for her life. In serving the inmates she found great purpose and fulfillment. We are thanking God for those being set free from their hurts, habits and hang ups through the Celebrate Recovery program in Mexico, Canada and worldwide.

Rod spent five weeks in Mexico this spring scheduling and organizing ministry in preparation for our extended Home Assignment while in Canada. I remained in Canada to be my mom’s primary caregiver while she goes through chemo treatments for lung cancer. While in Mexico Rod served alongside the Brownfield Baptist Church. Thirty-six youth, adults and children left their mark in Mexico by being the hands and feet of Jesus. Awesome job Brownfield Baptist Church, you have left your hand print in Mexico! Our daughter Rebekah and son-in-law Eric were married in this church, so this body of believers holds a special place in our hearts.

Brownfield Baptist Church

Rod and I had the privilege of attending a Mexican Fiesta fundraiser for Parkland Baptist Church. This had to be one of the most fun packed fund raiser events we ever attended. The night was filled with laughter, fine fellowship and a meal that reminded us of how much we love and miss Mexican food. The night was well attended and the team raised enough funds to build a second house for a family in Mexico. Thanks for the invite Parkland Baptist, we had a blast. Rod and I will spend two weeks in Mexico in May to fulfill some ministry commitments with hopes of being back on the field sometime this summer. This will all depend on how my mom does with radiation. His will be done.

If you have not had the opportunity to connect with us, this is the time to do so. Feel free to call us so we can meet over coffee at 780-628-2415.

Canadian/Mexican Comedians at the Parkland Baptist Fund Raiser Event

For those who have joined us in praying for mom, THANK YOU!!! We got word from the oncologist that the chemo treatments has shrunk the tumor by 25%. Still waiting to see what God has up his sleeve in this journey. Thanks for your words of encouragement and financial support. Where would we be with you, our partners in ministry.

Still in Canada! April-2015

Our first months of being in Canada on Home Assignment were spent reconnecting with family, friends and supporters of the ministry. Celebrating Christmas and bringing in the New Year with family was AMAZING!!!

Christmas morning with 6 of our 7 grand-kids

Rod ventured out and represented YUGO Ministries at Mission Fest Vancouver and Winnipeg on his own this year. We manned the booth at Mission Fest Edmonton together. I am always reminded of the very first time we attended our first Mission Fest in 1999. How extraordinarily, wonderful it was to see mission organizations from across the world joining together, in one accord, to share the Good News to mankind. I will never forget the impact that day had on us as we signed up for our first mission trip with YUGO Ministries. I am always excited to see others, like ourselves, who have caught the vision and stepped forth to follow the dreams God has planted deep within their hearts to serve Him worldwide. If you have never been to a Mission Fest, I would encourage you to do so. It will be life changing for you.

Rod representing YUGO at Missions Fest Vancouver

After serving in Mexico for the past 10 ½ years, we have the amazing privilege of being on an extended Home Assignment. Mid January after finding out my mom has advanced lung cancer, it was apparent Rod and I needed to pray and seek direction. Our YUGO leadership has extended our Home Assignment by 6 months to remain in Canada to help my mom and family members during this time. Being next to my mom during her cancer treatments are memories I will treasure for eternity. Please continue to pray for healing for my mom and strength for my dad and family.

Our daughters Rebekah & Jessica surround mom with love and flowers on her journey. Our grand daughter Aly is the cute little face peaking through

Rod and I will continue to orchestrate the Recovery Ministry from Canada though e-mails, telephone calls and Skype meetings. Isn’t modern technology wonderful? God has sent us the most proficient leaders to keep the ministry thriving in our absence. Rod and I will take short trips to Mexico to fulfill some commitments and spur on our Recovery Team during our extended stay in Canada.

Our Recovery Team has been busy! March 9 our Prison Ministry team arranged and hosted a graduation ceremony for “Our Girls” on the inside. I can’t tell you how pleased I was to hear how well everything went. Our guest speaker was Dororthy Greatrex, director of New Beginnings women’s discipleship home opened her arms and home to “Our Girls” coming out of prison. Everyone was encouraged by a great message, fine fellowship, a tasty luncheon and worship music, and personal gift bag filled with toiletries. THANK YOU for your generosity that allows us to meet these basic needs.

Sandra, Lorena & Karla-bringing the Celebrate Recovery program into the Ensenada Prison

Rod and I can’t begin to express to you how grateful we are for your support and prayers in these past few months. Your words of encouragement and many prayers keep our eyes focused on Jesus rather than the circumstances. THANK YOU!

HOPE for the New Year-Feb 2015

” Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Rom 12:12 The first Sunday of the New Year we heard a message on HOPE. 2014 was a year focused on giving HOPE to the least of these. I love how God asks us to do difficult tasks, but He doesn’t ask us to them alone. This past year He offered us his help and HOPE as we followed his plans for the Recovery Ministry. 2014 (highlights at a glance) -Rod joined the Recovery Team full time. We are thankful for his leadership and passion to serve. -Birthed Celebrate Recovery in Calvary Chapel Rosarito starting with the movie Home Run and a kick-off BBQ. It has been a great year seeing God’s people come into a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ and allowing Him to heal them. Just recently we celebrated our one year anniversary complete with a Movie Night with popcorn and cake.

Cheryl, Rolando and Esperanza preparing popcorn

-Trained leaders to facilitate the Recovery Ministry in Calvary Chapel, Rosarito and for the Ensenada Prison. We have witnessed God send committed, caring people to venture out of their comfort zones and use their gifts and talents to bring HOPE to those they serve.

Rod trains up new Recovery Ministry Leaders

-Our Recovery Team hosted several evangelical events in the prison and in our local church. Women inmates were baptized, others graduated from the Celebrate Recovery Program, and many heard the Good News and were offered HOPE. -Jody joined our Recovery Ministry Team filling the position of Office/Financial Assistant. We are excited to see the Recovery Ministry continue to expand and how God continues to send the help we need at just the right time. In September we sent out our first “Road to Recovery” quarterly newsletter filled with testimonies of what God is doing in and through the Recovery Ministry. We are thankful for Jody’s enthusiasm, and her writing and office skills.

Jody helping decorate cakes for wedding in the prison

-We partnered with New Beginnings Mexico a women’s discipleship home for “Our Girls” on the inside to learn a new life once they are released from prison. It is a wonderful partnership and an answer to many years of prayer.

Dorothy and her assistant Maria from New Beginnings"

God doesn’t need much from us to accomplish his plans. All we need to do is keep our focus on Him to continue the work He has set in front of us to help see His people in Mexico be delivered from their hurts, habits and hang-ups. We want to thank you for partnering with us in 2014. It has been a fruitful year for the Recovery Ministry. It is our HOPE that God has great things store for the future. Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement and financial support as we enter into 2015. Rod and I have been on furlough since October. I was to return to Mexico mid January while Rod remained in Canada to represent YUGO at Mission Fests Vancouver, Winnipeg and Edmonton. Early January my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. I remained in Canada to support my family during this time of crises. All that I have learned over my years of knowing God is now being tested. Where is my faith and HOPE in this circumstance? Thank you to the many that have lifted out hands in prayer during this time. In His Service, Rod & Cheryl