Wedding Bells-Oct 2019

Then the Lord said, “It is not good for a man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18

I was a widow for 2 ½ years. During those 2 ½ years, I experienced God’s complete provision for my every need.  God’s love surrounded me as His children wrapped their arms around me in service:

·        When I had a flat tire, my Mexico family fixed the flat;

·        When the water heater died, God provided someone to replace it;

·        When I felt overwhelmed with responsibilities of leading the Mexico Recovery Ministry, God sent new leaders.

There were just too many other scenarios to list.  I am astounded at God’s provision.

Francisco was alone for 13 years.  He bent God’s ear asking God for a godly woman to come into his life. God knew that Francisco did not just need a godly woman!  God knew that Francisco needed a godly woman whose passion for Mexico Recovery is as focused as his is! 

Little did we know God was molding and shaping us both for our upcoming relationship? We had both served at Calvary Chapel Rosarito for a number of years. Francisco is the friendly greeter who welcomes everyone with a smile and a hug. Everyone at Calvary Chapel Rosarito loves Francisco, and his greeting ministry is truly appreciated.

Our first date was an event that only God could orchestrate and accomplish. On our first date, I was shy and nervous but Francisco’s true gentleness and deep love for Jesus Christ captured my heart.  Francisco and I deliberately and boldly committed all aspects of our relationship to God and God smiled upon us.

On August 23, 2019, Francisco and I became husband and wife. Two people coming together as one, committed to keeping God first in our lives. We choose to live in acceptance of God’s grace, gladly serving Him for the rest of our lives in obedience to the call He has placed on both our hearts. We are so grateful for family and friends that joined us in celebrating our special day together.

Together we are better than one.  If you honor God, God will honor you – in ways beyond your expectations!  We kept God in the decision process of meeting a mate to spend the rest of our lives with.  God has richly rewarded us, beyond all expectations, with each other.  It is an honor to be Mrs. Cheryl Hoople de Ahumada.  It is a common tradition for women in Mexico to keep their names, so I am following tradition.

Banking and legal documents will remain under the name of Cheryl Hoople.

Francisco and I will live and serve out of El Faro.  El Faro is the ministry center I have been involved with for the past 12 years.

We praise God for St. Albert Alliance Church (SAAC) for using their gifts and talents in serving with us in Mexico this past summer. Last winter it rained hard during the winter months and the roof was leaking. SAAC used their gifts and talents to provide us with a new, shingled, roof.  Thank you so much, SAAC.  St. Albert Alliance Church is my sending church from Canada.

Sherry and Melissa, thank you for joining our Prison Ministry team.  Thank you for hosting a craft event for “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison. We all had a wonderful time together:

·        Worshipping,

·        Creating cards,

·        Fellowshipping,

·        Sharing a meal, and

·        Sending the inmates back to their cells with:

o   Toiletry gift bags, and

o   Hearts filled with encouragement.

                                                
             Back: Cheryl, Karla, Lorena Front: Sherry, Melissa, Liliana

Francisco and I are thankful for each of you, our partners in the Mexico Recovery Ministry. Together we are making a difference for eternity in Mexico.

In His Service,

Cheryl & Francisco

Super Surprised- Aug 2019

He asked and I said YES!

I, and the Calvary Chapel Rosarito congregation, will forever remember what happened immediately after the evening service of Saturday, June 1, 2019!!  Francisco walked up to the front of the church, went onto the platform, turned to face the congregation, and invited me to join him. I was shocked! Was he going to ask for my hand in marriage in front of the whole congregation? As I walked up to the front of the church, Francisco shared with the congregation how he had fallen in love with me. When he dropped to one knee and articulated those four little words that all women want their man to ask them at the right time, I felt as though God was grinning ear to ear and embracing both of us!  The whole congregation went wild with clapping and hooting in approval. I could not say, “YES!!!” fast enough!

Francisco has great leadership skills that compliment my skill set in ways that only God could have orchestrated!  Francisco will join me in full-time ministry after we are married.

Many years earlier Francisco, too, had received the call of God upon his life to serve our Master. There is always a great need for extra hands in the Mexico Recovery Ministry but neither of us could have anticipated the extreme blessing that God had in store for us! The opportunity for us to serve Christ together as a husband and wife team is an absolute dream come true. We are both excited about our future.

Francisco and I continue to see God’s hand move in amazing ways in the lives of those who have dedicated themselves to Jesus Christ.  We see the effects of the Holy Spirit convicting new participants to follow the Celebrate Recovery program.  Through Christ and the Celebrate Recovery program, participants receive healing from hurts, habits and hang-ups. As we watch the gospel biblically transform lives, we see participants recognize their gifts and talents they were created to use. The blessings Christ pours upon us as the participants use their gifts and talents to serve others around them humble us profoundly.

Jesus is one of those that came through the CR program.  Jesus recognized he had gifts and talents to share with others. Jesus facilitates CR Step Studies on Tuesday nights and facilitates CR Open Share groups on Thursday nights. Jesus has a wonderful, compassionate heart as he leads the men in his groups into a deeper walk with Christ.

At our last Celebrate Recovery Meal Night, Jesus shared his powerful testimony of how God rescued him from the effects of a broken childhood.  Jesus’ broken childhood followed him into his adulthood. He shared with us how, with the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, he left behind the only life he had known.  Jesus left the drugs, the alcohol and the women to follow his new Master, Christ Jesus. Today, Jesus is happily married and attends CR with his wife and children. Jesus is a real blessing to all who have the opportunity to get to know him. His story of biblical salvation is just one of many that we hear regularly. 

When we allow God to do so, God takes the broken and gives them a new beginning and a new purpose in life. I cannot thank you enough for your continued prayers and generous giving towards the Mexico Recovery Ministry. Together we are seeing lives being set free from dysfunctional behaviors that the devil has deceptively kept them in bondage to for years. It is an honor to partner with you in ministry.

Change is in the air-Jun 2019

Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will

actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

I have recently spent several days in the 11th chapter of Hebrews marveling at God’s goodness in my life.   During the past couple of years, I have seen God’s hand move powerfully in the Mexico

Recovery Ministry. Much of the time I was in a fog, able only to place one foot in front of the other, as God gave me strength.

Looking back I can now see how God led me through the fog, embracing me and healing my wounds. In my emotional absence, God grew the Recovery Ministry through the many Celebrate Recovery leaders who serve Him so faithfully.

In the past 8 months, dozens of new CR Step Study participants have earned and received certificates for completing Step Studies:

• 25 in September, 2018, and
• 47 in April, 2019!
• 72 in all- to God be the glory

Karla, Francisco & Cheryl

Francisco was one of those participants.  Francisco received his certificate with great joy. Francisco loves watching God transform lives through Celebrate Recovery.   Francisco loves Celebrate Recovery passionately, and comes with a powerful story of Christ’s redeeming salvation in his life. He will step up to the plate to facilitate a Spanish Men’s group.

On a more personal note, Francisco and I are dating!!! Yes, you read that correctly.   Francisco and I have committed our relationship to Jesus Christ. Jesus will direct our paths as only He knows best.  Francisco has been diligently on his knees praying for a wife these past 13 years. And my faith has been stretched wondering how God would match me up with someone who loves Celebrate Recovery as much as I do. We are having fun dating and getting to know each other better.

Debbie, Cheryl & Angela

Angela, Debbie, Karla, Liliana, Monica and Lorena

Debbie and Angela, from Alberta, Canada, and Monica from Mexico joined our Prison Ministry team in celebrating the graduation of “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison. The inmates who completed their first Celebrate Recovery Step Studies.

We had a great time worshiping, sharing a meal, beautiful worship music and great fellowship. Each inmate left with a toiletry gift bag and candy bag. The graduation celebration was a great time! Thanks to Debbie, Angela and Monica for serving with us.

Here at Calvary Chapel Rosarito wee launched a new set of Celebrate Recovery Step Studies.  Our leaders are trained and ready to serve!!! People’s lives are being transformed. We thank you for your ongoing prayers and financial support. We couldn’t do what we do here in Mexico without each one of you, our partners in ministry.

Quick updates on my involvement with Celebrate Recovery’s Broken Chains ministry to bikers:

In February I was given the opportunity, after many years, to get back on a bike. Thank you to the many that made this possible. After a collision with a car, I came to the conclusion That I will remain being the chase car driver in the truck for Broken Chain events.  Much safer for this lady. I’m OK but the car and bike were damaged

Please continue to pray for our new Celebrate Recovery participants who are in the prison, and in Calvary Chapel Rosarito.

CR is Growing!-Apr 2019

“You eat an elephant one bite at a time!” has been my motto for the past couple of years.  The past couple of years have tested me with constant changes and new responsibilities. I have needed an easy motto and the simple, time-tested, riddle, “How do you eat an elephant?” provided. 

When I feel overwhelmed with the changes and responsibilities, I empathize with the seemingly impossible task of eating an elephant!   The answer reminds me to break everything down to very small and manageable tasks.   Also, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, reminds me that my Savior, Jesus Christ, gives me the strength to break intimidating projects down, and He also gives me the strength to actually complete the projects.
Celebrate Recovery has been busy!  In less than 10 weeks, starting on December 1, 2018, CR launched three new arms of ministry in Calvary Chapel Rosarito:

1. Broken Chains (December 1, 2018),
2. The Landing (January 17, 2019), and
3. Creation Station (February 5, 2019).

Broken Chains is Celebrate Recovery’s fellowship for bikers to find healing and hope in Jesus Christ.  The healing and hope in Jesus Christ comes from biblical Salvation and being set free from hurts, habits and hang-ups.  I was privileged to be the chase truck driver for the first ride.   In addition to driving, the chase truck driver is responsible for having the first aid kit, snacks, and water, in the truck.
The Landing, mentioned in February’s prayer letter, is geared toward Junior High and High School aged students. The Landing ministry is God’s answer to five years of prayer.
Creation Station is CR’s biblically based children’s ministry.  Creation Station replaced our Tuesday night Child Care.  Our Tuesday night Child Care gave the children’s’ parents respite knowing their children were lovingly cared for.  The parents’ respite let them concentrate on finding hope and healing in Jesus Christ at their Celebrate Recovery Step Studies.  The healing and hope in Jesus Christ comes from biblical Salvation.
God is faithful to His ministries:

• Shawn Cullen has come alongside me to be my Ministry Leader Assistant;
• Jody Gonzales, my Office Assistant, will be leaving the Recovery Ministry. God is moving her into other areas of ministry at Calvary Chapel Rosarito.
• Lorena Lucas has stepped up to become my new Office Assistant

God is good!   My TEAM and I are so grateful to have Shawn and Lorena with us on this great adventure.

                       Lorena not only serves with but is also a dear friend 

Shawn came to Celebrate Recovery as a retired firefighter.   He had turned to opioids to deal with physical pain.  Unfortunately, Shawn became addicted to the drugs to hide his deep emotional pain. God worked through Celebrate Recovery to enable Shawn to deal with the trauma he had ignored for many years while serving as a firefighter.   Ignoring the trauma left him battling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Today, Shawn walks free in his Salvation in Jesus Christ and serves wholeheartedly with our Celebrate Recovery TEAM. 

                         Shawn sharing his testimony at Celebrate Recovery

Shawn’s story is just one of the many where people are being set free from their hurts, habits and hang-ups.

We teach our Celebrate Recovery participants that 2 things are most important:

1. Learning to love God with all our hearts, and
2. Encouraging them to listen to what God says in his Word.

The CR participants have learned that, when we love Christ, his Word becomes a shining light that guides our daily activities and, in turn, leads us to the foot of the cross for healing and wholeness.

My trip to Canada was AWESOME!  God blessed incredibly with:

• Time with my family, and
• Talking to people in small groups and large groups about Celebrate Recovery Summer has captured this Nana's heart

I had time for my grandsons Tucker and Sawyer while my daughter, Rebekah, and her husband, Eric, welcomed Summer Jeanne into the world.   Summer Jeanne is our precious new treasure straight from God Himself!

                                    Summer has captured my heart

Luke 16:9 (NLT) reads, “Use your worldly resources to benefit others.”   The best use of your money is to use it to present the Gospel of Christ clearly and then let the Holy Spirit convict.   I happen to have one of the best jobs in the world!   I point people to Christ using the Celebrate Recovery program as a tool to bring them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.   I had opportunities to share what God is doing in Mexico through Celebrate Recovery with several groups in Canada.  God used those opportunities to share to bring on board new ministry partners. Fund raising for the Mexico Recovery Ministry is a time to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. I had a great time sharing what God is doing in Mexico at the Women's Breakfast at Morinville Alliance Church.

                      Mexico cuisine and theme at the Women's Breakfast

Thank you for your continued prayers and generous gifts towards the Recovery Ministry. We thank God for the Prayer Warriors and the Giving Warriors who are the backbone of this ministry.  We also thank you, His Prayer Warriors and the Giving Warriors, for putting His conviction on your hearts into action.   At Celebrate Recovery, we know that God always provides for His own.

In His Service,

Cheryl  

Freedom Means Life-Feb 2019

A young woman who once  battled with the shame of prostitution, a man with the effects of drug abuse gone from his system, a child who has found hope after being physically abused and abandoned, a teen no longer struggling with suicidal thoughts … they are free. With a new outlook they can begin a new life.

Celebrate Recovery brings new life to those who have been struggling with hurts, habits and hang-ups. There is nothing more freeing than to know the past is forgotten and a new beginning awaits us. Faith in Christ brings true freedom.

In January we celebrated our 5^th anniversary since launching Celebrate Recovery. We hosted a CR meal complete with anniversary cakes, a powerful testimony by Shawn sharing how he was set free from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the fear of being judged. Shawn shared how his freedom came through attending Step Studies at Celebrate Recovery.

Freedom from PTSD

This same night we launched our Celebrate Recovery youth program called The Landing. Our leadership team had diligently prayed for this program and then saw God answer our prayers by sending us leaders is such a huge blessing. Our first night we had seven youth in attendance. Thank you Jeanette, Eddie and Yaneli for loving and leading our youth into a closer walk with Jesus.

Celebrating Recovery with our Youth

Week after week Celebrate Recovery continues to grow. Recently we had another two men give their hearts to Jesus.  Calvary Chapel Rosarito is building an expansion on the church building. The addition will be our new CR room when the room is complete. The timing couldn’t be better. Celebrate Recovery is growing! People’s lives are being healed from dysfunctional behaviors. God is moving!

Christmas in Canada was amazing! I had the privilege of spending Christmas with my daughter Rebekah and her family. There is nothing sweeter than waking up Christmas morning and celebrating the birth of Jesus with loved ones. It was like a Hallmark Christmas story filled with precious memories. My time in Canada ended with celebrating the marriage of my niece Jennifer and the love of her life Steven.I was able to reconnect with all my grand-children. What a blessing!

Congratulations Jennifer and Steven

All together once again

I will return to Canada for the month of March and will be seeking private homes in the Edmonton area to be able to host a coffee evening with small groups where I can meet and greet and share some powerful testimonies of what God is doing in the lives of the Mexican people through Celebrate Recovery in Mexico. If this is something that may interest you, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to catching up with each of you .I can be reached at 780-628-2415.

In His Service,

Cheryl Hoople