What a joy to have my sister (Peggy), brother in-law (Dwayne), dad (John) and bonus mom (Gretchen) come for a visit to Mexico. They experienced torrential rainfall but still had lots of experiences and fun!
Dwayne, Peggy, Gretchen, Dad & Francisco
Peggy and Gretchen jumped right in and helped prepare for a Prison Ministry event.
Dad found great joy in handing out candies on Sunday morning to many of the children at church.
One of the highlights of the trip was the visit to our local candy store. When we were at the candy store, we saw my dad’s heart for the Mexican children. Dad’s heart warmed us all as he filled a grocery buggy with Mexican candy to give to the children of Calvary Chapel Rosarito.
We all enjoyed having my family here. It was a great visit!
Many of “Our Girls” on the inside are in prison for many years cleaning up their lives. They choose to give up their sinful lives, not because they have to, but because they want to. Celebrate Recovery offers them a safe place to share their traumas, recognize their sinful behaviors, and take the first step of filling their lives with God’s Word.
Our Girls, felons of all types, have learned to experience firsthand how God accepts them. The women may be murderers, kidnappers, drug dealers, prostitutes, etc., etc., but God’s mercy empowers. God’s mercy empowers those who confess their sins and accept Christ’s finished work on the Cross. God gives the women the strength to live changed lives in His power. Week after week, my Prison Ministry team and I watch God transform “Our Girls” to be biblical women of God.
“My name is Arlen. I carried many fears, kept people at a distance, and could not express my feelings. My relationship with God was distant because I walked without faith. I walked without faith because I could not understand about a God who genuinely cared for me. No one had ever cared for me so I only called out to Him when I was in trouble. I had been physically abused and I turned to drugs to forget the abuse. The drugs started me on a downward slide that landed me in prison.
One day one of the inmates shared with me about Celebrate Recovery. CR sounded different, somehow. I signed up for the program. I started working the 12 Steps and 8 Principles and applied them to my life. I was shocked – the steps and principles actually worked! I grew in my relationship with Jesus Christ and learned to pray. Once I recognized my fears and insecurities, Celebrate Recovery helped me live out my faith. Since I started working on my recovery, I have learned to communicate with others better. I am now able to confidently share about God’s love in my life. My life has changed completely.”
This is just one of the many testimonies we hear on a regular basis from “Our Girls” on the inside. My team and I have been serving in the Ensenada Prison for almost 11 years. Each week we drive the 3 hour round trip to share God’s love with the inmates through Celebrate Recovery.
This is just one of the many testimonies we hear on a regular basis from “Our Girls” on the inside. My team and I have been serving in the Ensenada Prison for almost 11 years. Each week we drive the 3 hour round trip to share God’s love with the inmates through Celebrate Recovery.
Thanks for being our partners in ministry. Thank you to those that pray and give generously to the Mexico Recovery Ministry. “Our Girls” on the inside, and our Celebrate Recovery participants in Calvary Chapel Rosarito, are experiencing true freedom from their brokenness.
In His Service,
Cheryl & Francisco
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