Delivered from Santa Muerte-Jun 2026

Greetings from Mexico Family & Friends,

We don’t grow old. We bloom! Each passing year Francisco and I thank God for allowing us good health to continue the work He has set before us.

This year Francisco and I spent a week in La Paz celebrating our 70th birthdays. Francisco’s birthday is in March, and my birthday is in November. We took many leisurely walks along the boardwalk. It was refreshing to be able to walk freely after dark, watching people gather for coffee, walk their dogs, and see families spending time together and feeling safe. Stepping away from the ministry for a short time left us feeling rested, rejuvenated, and ready for the next stage of ministry. We are thankful for our dear friends and supporters of the Mexico Recovery Ministry for this beautiful gift.

Jovany & Erika’s Civil Wedding

It is such a privilege to cooperate with God in telling others of His eternal salvation and healing power to those around us. Every alternate week we have one of our Celebrate Recovery participants share their stories at our Large Group meetings at Celebrate Recovery Calvary Rosarito. We are in awe of what God is doing in the lives of His people. Let me share with you a short version of a powerful testimony!

Jovany’s story

“At the age of 12, I started stealing. I became very rebellious and my mother beat me till she ran out of energy. The marks on my body were not as deep as those in my heart. Because of my behavior I was sent away to live with an aunt. At 19 I married and started my family. I had a good job with a boss that respected me. Through my boss I started associating with criminals and extortionists that were part of the cartel. I started carrying a weapon. Thank God I never killed anyone. My family were worried about me so eventually I quit my job. But, it was too late, my wife left me and took my kids with her. I struggled with depression and anxiety. I had been worshipping Santa Muerte (the Saint of Death) for many years, and it didn’t bring me any comfort. I met and moved in with Erika. I was struggling terribly so we decided to go to a church called Homex. That Sunday morning, I accepted Jesus Christ into my life. We later went home and removed the altar to Santa Muerte from our home. After meeting the one true God, I found healing in my body and mind. Ericka and I joined others from our church who attended Celebrate Recovery in Calvary Rosarito. Ericka and I were married and now serve faithfully in our local church with the youth. Thanks for letting me share!”

The Lord is always searching for people who are willing to do whatever He requires for the Great Commission. Francisco and I are thankful for each of you, our ministry partners, that make the Mexico Recovery Ministry possible. God’s calling, gifting, and equipping is important, but having each of you sharing our vision, praying for us, and giving sacrificially encourages us as we serve in Mexico. THANK YOU!!

Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco

PRAYER REQUESTS:

-Pray for my 92 year old dad. He’s taken a number of falls this year which landed him in the hospital a few times.

-Pray for stamina and endurance for our Celebrate Recovery participants as they go through their inventories. Returning to their pasts to bring healing for the future is always difficult.

-Pray for Francisco and I for continued good health and endurance running the race set before us.

Easter Greetings-Apr 2026

Easter Greetings from Mexico Family & Friends,

Prison Ministry

Many of “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison are painfully aware of their needs and desperately want change in their lives. All have done things for which they are ashamed. Because of their hope in Jesus, they are able to let go of the past guilt and look forward to what God can help them become in the future.

Meet our Prison Ministry Team-Karla, Ana, Cheryl & Brenda

Our Prison Ministry Team hosted an event for “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison. We enjoyed a time of worship, heard a message of hope, enjoyed a great meal, and listened to Juli share her powerful testimony of how God used Celebrate Recovery Inside to transform her life. We handed out toiletry gift bags, and ended our day by giving out Bibles to eight new believers.

Juli’s Story (short version)

My Name is Juli. I am grateful to have God in my life. Life without Him was hell. I was surrounded by drugs, alcohol, disappointment, hatred, death and revenge. I was abused and abandoned by my parents as a child. At 16 I thought I found true love. Instead, I found myself trapped in a toxic relationship complete with drugs, alcohol and so much more. When I learned my father and brother were murdered, I submerged myself in drugs and ended up living on the streets. I abandoned everyone in my life, including my son. I finally turned to God and asked him to help me. I was tired of suffering. I had hit rock bottom. Soon I ended up in the Ensenada Prison and started attending Celebrate Recovery Inside. I learned to let go of the need to get revenge and learned how to forgive. Daily I surrender by struggles to God and am learning to live one day at a time. I thank God for the Prison Ministry Team that faithfully brings us hope.

Juli is just one of the many testimonies we hear where God is changing lives and giving people HOPE! Why does Celebrate Recovery work? The program is built on biblical principles in a non-judgmental environment where participants are encouraged to be vulnerable allowing them to share struggles, find support, which reduces isolation. Our goal is to encourage our participants to grow in their relationship with Jesus, find healing and move forward towards personal transformation.

Because of your prayers and generosity, we have the means to meet people exactly where they are with hope and healing. Francisco and I count it a joy to serve God in this ministry with you.

Earth's saddest day and gladdest day were only three days apart! Have a great Easter celebrating with family and friends!

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

Happy New Year-Feb 2026

Happy New Year!

January started out with a three week visit to Canada to help care for my 91-year-old father John. He took a bad tumble on the ice and ended up with various broken bones and a bruised kidney. We were not sure if he would make it. The hospital staff at the hospital were amazing. Dad pulled through and is very slowly getting back on his feet. What a trooper!

The Christmas season is always busy, but rewarding! We hosted Christmas events for “Our Girls” in the Ensenada Prison and our Celebrate Recovery participants in our local church.

At our annual Christmas event, with our “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison we celebrated Jesus’ birth singing Christmas carols, playing games, listening to a powerful testimony from Fabiola on how Celebrate Recovery Inside changed her life. We enjoyed a delicious traditional meal before handing out toiletry and candy bags. My Prison Ministry team and I ended the day handing out heavy Mexican blankets to our 25 participants. My team and I were touched as we saw the women press the blankets to their chests. Their hearts of gratitude brought us great joy. You may think Mexico is warm, but it gets mighty cold here in the winter months, and the cells of the inmates are open to the elements. Thank you to those who gave generously so “Our Girls” on the inside can stay warm.

We ended Calvary Rosarito Celebrate Recovery with a beautiful Christmas/Graduation event. We listened intently to powerful testimonies and rejoiced in watching CR participants receive certificates for completing their 12 steps. Together we enjoyed worship, Christmas carols, and a traditional Mexican meal. It was a great night!

January brought with it the relaunching of Celebrate Recovery in Calvary Rosarito and in the Ensenada Prison. God answered our prayers by sending us a new member for our team. Welcome Brenda, our newest Prison Ministry Team member.

When our Heaven Father asked us to serve, we did so willingly. Ministry requires team work, with some serving on the frontlines, and others providing prayer and financial support. Each function is vital. Thank you for partnering with us in the Mexico Recovery Ministry, bringing the lost and broken to the foot of the cross.

Blessings, Cheryl & Francisco

Prayers: 1. Please keep my dad in your prayers so he can fully recover. 2. Pray for our new Celebrate Recovery participants in our local church and in the Ensenada Prison that they find a closer walk with Jesus and healing from their brokenness.