Hope for tomorrow-Dec 2022

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Once upon a time, the brightest star anyone had ever seen, an unusual phenomenon, stood over a stable in the little town of Bethlehem. Below a frail infant was asleep in the hay. Little did his parents know, that one day, their son Jesus would bring great change into the world. Jesus entered the world in a manger, a very humble setting, and began his journey through life, a life filled with mercy, love and forgiveness.

Many years have passed since that spectacular night. Jesus yesterday, today and tomorrow is in the line of work of taking broken lives and transforming them into something beautiful. This year I had the privilege of leading an English Women’s Celebrate Recovery Step Study by ZOOM. Alma was one of my prized participants. She was faithful to attend and faithfully did her homework seeking healing and wholeness from her past. Meet my friend Alma, she now has hope for tomorrow.

Alma is a dear friend and daughter of the King

Alma’s Story: I was lost, broken, without purpose and without an identity. I was hateful and revengeful as I came from a background of sexual abuse. I felt like I was trapped in a maze with no way out. At the age of seven, my school secretary began to reach out to me and invited me to her home. There was something different about her. She taught me how to pray. At the age of twelve I received Jesus into my heart as my personal Lord and Savior and walked through the waters of baptism.

I was still damaged, feeling defeated and lonely! I searched for love in all the wrong places. I married a man and together we brought our children into the world. I was trapped in this loveless relationship and was miserable. Eventually I left the marriage and found another man to help me bring up my children. Nothing had changed, I was still unhappy and frustrated with my choices in men.

I was introduced to Celebrate Recovery. In Celebrate Recovery I learned to open up and expose the pain deeply hidden in my heart. I grew spiritually as I continued on the Road to Recovery. I found healing through the acceptance and love I found in my Celebrate Recovery Step Study group. Today I have hope for tomorrow. Thanks for letting me share.

That’s the reason Jesus came to earth! He takes the broken, heals them from the inside out, creates something beautiful and gives them the greatest gift of all, eternal life with Him. In January we will offer another set of Celebrate Recovery Step Studies. Pray God send us many more participants to find healing and a deeper walk with Jesus.

This Christmas we are especially thankful for God, and His sending His son Jesus to us so we can offer His eternal life and love to broken people like Alma. Thank you for your love, prayers and generosity in helping us reach the lost and broken in Mexico.

Feliz Navidad, Cheryl & Francisco

3 Daughters, 3 Provinces and 3 Churches-Oct 2022

Hello Family & Friends,

July brought another trip to Canada. This trip was geared towards raising awareness of the Mexico Recovery Ministry which allowed me (Cheryl) to visit three daughters in three provinces, nine grandkids, lots of family, lots of friends as well as give ministry updates in churches. Distance didn’t stop us from gathering, catching up on hugs and sharing stories from the last few years.

My youngest daughter Rebekah and her family purchased a farm in Big River Saskatchewan December 2020. I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit getting a taste of farm life and spending time having fun, fun, fun with my daughter and grandkids. Tea parties were a favorite activitiy!

Kelsey, my middle daughter, lives in Forst Saskatchewan, Alberta. Alberta was the gathering place for many. The Hoople and Szott families hosted big family BBQ’s so we could all be together eating decadent Canadian food and making treasured memories.

My eldest daughter Jessica and her family live in Burns Lake BC. They took me to their cabin that has a majestic view of Ootsa Lake with mountains in the background. It was a little taste of heaven spending time playing board games and enjoying the great outdoors together.

I am thankful for the opportunities to give updates about the Mexico Recovery Ministry in three churches and host a Picnic in the Park for friends in the Edmonton area. We had a great turnout. Francisco and I are so thankful for the many that partner with us in ministry.

Returning to Mexico always brings opportunities to gather and enjoy the folks around us. September 18 our Celebrate Recovery forever family set their homework aside and gathered to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. I tried my hand at making carnitas (a Mexican dish), and it was a hit! Fun was had by all as we had great weather, an outstanding ocean view and a huge turnout.

On October 22 our Celebrate Recovery hosted our 7th Annual Networking Event in Calvary Rosarito. We hosted Celebrate Recovery leaders and participants from various parts of Mexico and the USA. It was our honor to have Richard & Dora Cobb, the International Directors of Celebrate Recovery as our key-note speakers to encourage us and update us on how God is touching the lives of His people through the Celebrate Recovery materials worldwide.

In case you couldn't join us, we broadcasted this event live at: https://www.facebook.com/calvaryrosarito Francisco and I thank you for your ongoing prayers and support as we serve hand in hand leading the Mexico Recovery Ministry.

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

Ensenada Prison-Aug 2022

Ensenada Prison!

Isn’t God amazing!! He sees who we were in our past and who we will become in the future. I love how He sees us and every one of “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison.

"Our Girls" on the Inside

June marked our 13^th anniversary of bringing Celebrate Recovery into the Ensenada Prison. In the early years we had Comandante (warden) Alicia overseeing the women’s area of the prison. She was a hard woman that was feared by many. Week after week Comandante Alicia would supervise our group and hear the gospel message. She began to soften. We developed a beautiful relationship. I remember bargaining with her to give us more women. I started high asking for 50, she countered with 35, again I went to bat and asked for 45 she settled on 35. Until recently, that was our maximum number of inmates that could join us weekly for Celebrate Recovery.

Warden Alicia & Cheryl

God parted the Red Sea!!! Due to continued COVID restrictions our Prison Ministry team are now able to share the gospel to the entire female population of the Ensenada Prison. How did this happen? For sanitary reasons, our team is placed in the middle of a patio surrounded by the cells of all the female inmates. 115 female inmates are hearing the gospel shared through the Celebrate Recovery materials. This is a dream come true for our Prison Ministry team! COVID has not stopped ministry but has increased the opportunity to reach more people.

Let me share with you Victoria’s story (name changed to protect her identity)

"My name is Victoria and I am a faithful believer in Jesus Christ. My struggles are with my mind, old habits and other character defects.  My life prior to starting the Celebrate Recovery program was miserable.  I was in denial. I refused to recognize shameful sins that I was committing.  I was rebellious, rude and very disrespectful. I could not relate to people in a healthy way. Others were wrong and I was always right. Before coming to prison, the lowest point in my life was when I started prostituting myself, drinking and using drugs. I was disobedient and very hurtful. Through Celebrate Recovery, God opened my eyes and my heart. He gave me the opportunity to know Him. I NEEDED to be incarcerated in prison to find Him. I came to prison wounded and defeated, but here in prison is where I found the hope I needed for my life, and my heart. My life has changed greatly because of the growing relationship I have with Jesus, my way of thinking and speaking has changed. Thanks to the Celebrate Recovery program I have learned to put God’s Word into practice in my life.  I know with certainty that God loves me, cares for me, and has forgiven me.  Today I can say that I love God with all of my heart, I trust Him and I delight in worshipping Him.  My desire is to be with Him and to do His will.  Celebrate Recovery has taught me how to confess my sins. I am very aware of the presence of God in my life and I am excited to share this good news in my group, in my cell and wherever and whenever I can."

Thank you for being our partners in ministry. Together we are bringing the Good News to the lost and broken. Maybe you have no idea what Celebrate Recovery is all about, check out the movie “Home Run” on Netflix. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. 

Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco.

Surprise Trip to Canada-Jun 2022

 

God opened the doors to return to Canada! My dad had been hospitalized due to COVID and I was able to pull off a surprise visit to be with him during his time of recovery. Not only did I see my dad, I saw many family members and friends. I was able to visit my sending church St. Albert Alliance and give an update about what God is doing in Mexico. I returned to Mexico filled to overflowing with joy!!!

                                                          "My dad John is feeling better"

Did you know God is the ultimate networker! I have fond memories of being at my sending church a few years back and while speaking with some dear friends they asked if I could use some Spanish bibles. At just that very moment Wayne Flaska was passing by and overheard my response, “Yes, I can always use Spanish bibles for ministry.” Wayne, just so happens to be part of the Gideons Society in Canada that give out bibles and evangelistic tools to increase the Kingdom of God. Since that unexpected engagement, many, many bibles and evangelical magazines have been shipped to us. Thank you, Wayne, for your faithfulness in partnering with us in ministry.

                                "Francisco is ready to hand out materials to the Church Planters"

Calvary Rosarito, our home church in Mexico has a Church Planting program that has sent out 33 church planters since opening their doors in 2002. Pastors and servant leaders have been sent out all over Mexico and other areas. What a huge blessing to pass on the bibles and evangelical tools from the Gideons to the new church planters.

                                                   " Pastor Victor and his wide Griselda"

Our dear friend Pastor Victor was recently sent out to plant a church through Calvary Rosarito. Let me share with you his story:

“During my time in Celebrate Recovery I found my treasured friends Rod & Cheryl Hoople and a new path in life. I was inspired by the program and served in CR as a translator, accountability partner, mentor and eventually taught the lessons at Large Group meetings. CR is a powerful program that can change your life, as it did mine. During my time in CR I had the opportunity to grow in many ways. Even though, in the beginning, I was sure I didn’t need the program, I went to the CR meetings because I knew I needed changes in my life. Today I write these words as an ordained pastor of Calvary Los Pampanos and a strong supporter of Celebrate Recovery.”

Pastor Victors wife Grizelda also went through Celebrate Recovery and here is her story:

“Celebrate Recovery? Me? Nah, I don’t need it!  I was sure that CR was meant for other people, not me. I wasn’t the one with a problem. I laugh now as I look back at how wrong I was. In CR, not only did I find the most loving hugs I’ve ever had, I found out how broken I am. I went through the program a few times and was blessed to serve by leading English speaking Step Study groups. It has been a privilege to evolve alongside my sisters in Christ in a safe and loving environment and acquire a better place on my spiritual path.”

You know the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” It also takes a village to reach the lost and broken. You are part of that village as you pray and give to the Mexico Recovery Ministry. Your prayers have brought healing, wholeness and purpose to the lives of those around us. Thank you for being our partners in ministry.

Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco

Serving in Oaxaca-Apr 2022

Francisco and I had the opportunity to travel and visit friends in Oaxaca. Fellow missionaries Jon and Allison followed the calling placed upon their hearts to plant a church in the city of Oaxaca. It was a huge blessing to encourage them, serve alongside them and take part in a mini vacation with twenty plus people from their church family. It was fun, fun, fun!

Oaxaca holds a special place in our hearts. Allison served with Francisco in the Greeters Ministry at Calvary Rosarito. As Jon and Allison prepared to follow the call to serve in Oaxaca, Francisco started to pray about joining them on their new adventure of church planting. Francisco’s prayer was answered when we started dating. God had another plan! Francisco’s place in ministry is here at Calvary Rosarito as the Pastor of Celebrate Recovery. God knew Francisco had a history with Celebrate Recovery and a heart for the lost. Now we serve hand in hand reaching the lost and broken together. 

We have so many committed Celebrate Recovery leaders, facilitators and co-facilitators. Let me share with you about one lady that has become a huge asset to the ministry.

                    Ana and her husband Miguel "Rey Mysterio" Mexico's own legendary wrestler 

Ana joined us in the Prison Ministry a few years back. She came with energy, charisma and many gifts and talents. Ana serves in many areas of the Mexico Recovery Ministry which includes Prison Ministry. She is an Encourager Coach on our Celebrate Recovery TEAM, a Facilitator of a CR Spanish Women’s Step Studies group in our local church and in the Ensenada Prison and much, much more. We are so grateful for Ana and her dedication to the Mexico Recovery Ministry. 

Ana’s story: My name is Ana Luisa. I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ. I have survived cancer twice and am celebrating my recovery over unforgiveness. I still struggle with codependency, anxiety and negative thoughts. When I started Celebrate Recovery, I had a relationship with Jesus but discovered through the program that my heart was still attached to my hurts, hang-ups and habits. In CR I recognized that I was in DENIAL and POWERLESS, that I was wearing a mask pretending that "Everything was ok." My marriage and my family were in crisis. I carried so much resentment, frustration, anger, and sadness. I was exhausted! CR has been a great blessing in my life. I found a place where I can share my deepest secrets and not be judged. I’m still in recovery learning to trust more in my Higher Power, Jesus Christ. I can now offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for the damage that I have caused others. Today I no longer have to wear a mask. My favorite verse is Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began a good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns”. Thanks for letting me share.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership in the Mexico Recovery Ministry. We have over 100 participants in CR Step Studies in our local church and by ZOOM this round. This is the fruit from your constant prayers and generous giving. Please pray for our Celebrate Recovery leadership TEAM for wisdom as the Mexico Recovery Ministry continues to expand. 

Blessings,  

Cheryl & Francisco

CR Mexico is growing-Feb 2022

God has captured the hearts of people across Mexico to start Celebrate Recovery programs in their local churches. Nearly 100 people traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico to attend the 1st ever Annual Mexico Celebrate Recovery retreat for CR leadership. It was beautiful to learn from the powerful teachings and hear the amazing stories of how God has set CR leaders free from their hurts, habits and hang-ups. In turn people have a great desire to reach others with the healing power of Jesus using the CR materials.

                                            100+ Mexican Celebrate Recovery Leaders

Celebrate Recovery Mexico's 1st Annual Retreat showed our Calvary Rosarito CR TEAM the need to open our monthly Advanced Leadership Training by ZOOM to other CR leadership. January,15, 2022 our ALT training by ZOOM included 47 CR leaders from all across Mexico equipping themselves with practical tools to help their Celebrate Recovery programs in their local churches grow and thrive. Wow, God is amazing! 

 Many years ago, my deceased husband Rod had a dream to train and prepare church leadership on how to bring Celebrate Recovery into their local churches. Rod followed the calling that had been placed upon his heart and offered mobile training. He would hop in his truck with training materials and his trusty translator Alfredo and head out to local church’s that had expressed an interest in Celebrate Recovery. I can only imagine how excited he would be if he could see how modern technology has helped reach and train church leadership all across Mexico.

 

                                                                       Rod and Alfredo

Emilio Jose Salgado was in the last set of CR Step Studies offered at Calvary Rosarito. Let me share his story with you. "One Thursday night, along came a a man full of alcohol, in need of some clean clothing, and obviously hungry as he was seeking a bag of food from the church. Emilio ended up in our Celebrate Recovery information night and stayed through the whole meeting. He was personally invited to join the upcoming Celebrate Recovery Step Studies and given a participany guide."

Emilio receives his Celebrate Recovery certificate

To our surprise, Emilio faithfully accepted the invitation and showed up for the the Men’s Spanish CR Step Studies week after week with a smile on his face. Emilio found a forever family that has helped him grow in his relationship with Jesus and find freedom from alcohol and other dysfunctional behaviors that left him in bondage and pain for many years. He completed his 12 steps and rewarded with a certificate. Emilio is just one of the many who has found freedom, fellowship and a deeper walk with Jesus through Celebrate Recovery. 

Francisco and I count it an honor to have the opportunity to witness first hand the changes in the lives of the participants who join us on the Road to Recovery. God has been incredibly faithful in leading us in this direction in joining CR Mexico bringing healing and wholeness to the nation. There have been many changes in the Mexico Recovery Ministry these past couple years. It is when we stop and look back that we see God is up to something much bigger than we ever dreamed or imagined. We are so grateful for you, our partners in ministry. Thank you for your continued prayers, sacrificial giving and friendship.

Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco