Prison Ministry Wish List

Prison Ministry Wish List

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring Good News to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1 (NAS)

Thank you to the many that have joined us in ministry through prayer for those that are incarcerated. Your prayers for the women within the prison and our Prison Ministry team are very important to us. It has been an honor to take part in this ministry and watch the women change before our very eyes as we enter into the prison and share the materials from the Celebrate Recovery Program instructing the inmates how to find freedom from their addictions and compulsive behaviors.

One woman that never ceases to amaze us is Belen. When she entered the prison, she was hard. She did not participate when others were sharing. Her hurt from her past and the consequences of her sins could be seen on her face and in her body movements. Each week as we continued to share the materials and pray we could see how God is changing Belen. Within a few short weeks Belen began to participate in the dialogue between the women and ourselves. After a couple months Belen shared with us that her mother (out side the prison) had also become a Christian. The Lord works in mysterious ways. I am sure that Belen was greatly encouraged to hear how God was not only working in her life but in the life of her family. She will need much prayer as she grows in her walk with Christ as her personal Savior.

The women are growing spiritually and finding freedom. They are always filled with joy, hugs and a kiss on the cheek (Mexican tradition) when we enter or leave the prison. I always walk out of the prison knowing I have had the privilege of sharing the love of Our Father with someone in great need. What an honor to have been chosen to minister to these women.

We are allowed to enter into the prison to encourage the women and meet their spiritual needs weekly. On occasion we are allowed to meet their physical needs also by supplying some of their basic needs. The prison in Mexico is NOT like the prisons in Canada or the US. The basic needs of the prisoners are not met. The simple things we take for granted such as soap to wash our bodies, toothpaste to brush our teeth, toilet paper or sanitary supplies are not supplied by the prison. This is where you come in. In the past we have brought many donated clothing articles and school supplies to Mexico when we drove to and from. This year we would like to focus on the needs of the prisoners. The needs around us are oftentimes overwhelming. Each missionary is called meet the needs of the people in different areas. This need is very real for us as we enter the prison week after week. If you are interested in taking part in the Prison Ministry please begin to start collecting these articles:

-toothpaste
-toothbrushes
-deodorant (no roll on or spray)
-hand soap (no body wash)
-rolls of toilet paper
-shampoo (NO conditioner as it is not considered a basic need)
-sanitary napkins (not tampons)
-white socks
-heavy gray sweatpants (no other colors are allowed)
-heavy gray sweatshirts
-white tee shirts (no color whatsoever on them
-blankets

As you can see the codes are very strict within the prison. It would be a tremendous blessing to have you join us in this ministry.

Possibly you do not feel led to start collecting items and you would prefer to just send a financial donation towards the prison ministry for events, medical needs, or gas and tolls to get to or from the prison, please contact the YUGO Canada office at 780-461-0891 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              780-461-0891      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or send your donation to YUGO Ministries Canada, Box 231, St. Albert, AB, T8N 1N3 to receive your charitable receipt. Be sure to mark your donation PRISON MINISTRY.

If you know of a church body that would like to partake in this collection, please contact us at hoopleshideaway@gmail.com so we can get back to you and talk about the details and plan dates for a pickup date. NOTE: Every box must be itemized before placing in the trailer. With this system we will hopefully not have problems when we get to the US boarder.

Men in Training-Jun 2010

“Remember those who are in prison as if you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering as if you were suffering with them” Hebrews 13:3

Tears gathered in the brim of Luisa’s eyes as she shared with me that when she prayed she felt Jesus only saw her as being bad and needing a good whopping. I had just shared (through a translator) with the women in the prison the importance of step 11 in the Celebrate Recovery Program.

Step 11: We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will; for us and the power to carry that out.

Others have a choice to read God’s word, Luisa does not! Luisa, like many here in Mexico, has never learned to read or write. Her warped view of Jesus comes from religious traditions that bring guilt and condemnation from not knowing the true character of God. We tried to bring Talking Bibles into the prison for Luisa and others that can not read or write so they too can hear for themselves about this amazing God that loves us. Due to strict regulations, the Talking Bibles did not pass inspection. Please join us in prayer that we will be able to find another way to bring God’s word to those in need of hearing about this loving God we serve within the prison walls.

This has been a month with incredible blessings. For quite some time we have had men approach us about wanting to get involved with Prison Ministry. We started the men’s side of Prison/Rehab Ministry with a kick off dinner. Five men attended eagerly wanting to know more about the Celebrate Recovery Program. Within weeks other women expressed their desire to be taught the program so they too could teach it to others. Rod is presently training up six men and six women with the Celebrate Recovery materials, preparing them for leadership. It is a beautiful to see how others have caught the vision to partake in the ministry.


Rod, Luis, Nate, Ivan, Juan, Sergio

The summer Evangelistic Outreaches have begun! Our new interns have arrived and have been trained up for summer service. Staff members, new and old are in place and the first group arrived this past Sunday. YUGO is very excited to have their newest set of staff members joining in on the Evangelistic Outreaches and heading up the Construction Ministry in the Rosarito/Tijuana area. We welcome Ron & Kristy Struska and their children Will & Brittany with open arms. God is answering prayer and sending missionaries.


YUGO's Newest Missionaries Ron & Kristy

While Rod was busy with preparing for the summer outreaches I took a quick trip to Canada. It was good to spend time with my brother Jack and other family members. My daughter Jessica joined me for a couple weeks camping out at my parents. Spending two glories weeks with my grandchildren Maddy and Aly captured my heart and left lasting memories. I was even able to see Rebekah for a few days during the visit.

Rod and I will return to Canada in August for three weeks as Rod will need to see a heart specialist after his heart surgery last fall. We are praising God that Rod was able to find an older cargo trailer at a steal of a deal. We will drive to Canada with the cargo trailer in hopes of filling it to the brim with needs for the prison ministry. If you are interested in taking part in this collection, please check out the Prison Ministry Wish List if you would like to be involved.

PRAISE: -For being able to spend quality time with family. -For the amazing staff that have come forth for the outreaches. -For a dear friend that has taken over the sending out our snail mail prayers letters. Thank you Donna!
PRAYER: -For my brother Jack as he has continues to lose weight. -For more groups to join YUGO in ministry. -For strength and stamina for the summer staff.

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Donations for those in need-May 2010

“Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.” II Chronicles 20:9a

We barely pulled into the Ensenada Prison parking lot when a female guard approached us. She beamed as she gave each of us a big hug, a peck on the cheek (Mexican tradition) and a friendly greeting. This was a beautiful start of an amazing day as our Prison Ministry team and other ministry teams joined together preparing a Mothers Day event for the female prisoners. I can not begin to tell you how reaching out to the women with the love of Christ has been a blessing to each one of us. There was a lot of chatter and excitement amongst us as we returned to our homes, knowing that the dramas, food and personal items given out brought much joy to each woman.

As missionaries, our desire is to meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the Mexican people. Many thanks to my mom & dad (John and Gerry Szott) and the residents of the Lost Canadian RV park in Apache Junction, Arizona for partnering with us in ministry through gathering donated clothing. Rod and I made a quick visit to Arizona to pick up the donations before my parents returned to Canada. We took the clothing to Casa Caritas, a day care run by Laura Mc Grain (YUGO missionary) in small village in the Mexicali, Mexico.

Laura shared with Rod and I about the devastation left behind after the 7.2 earthquake that ravaged the small villages in the Mexicali Valley Easter Sunday. She shared that some people were living in tents or under tarps as their homes were destroyed. One woman who is a pastor of a church lost her church and her home. She is now living out in the yard with little to no protection from the weather. Our hearts were broken by the news. These people, who already have so little, now have less. YUGO Ministries and other ministries are inviting others to join them in reaching out to the people of Mexicali who have suffered greatly. The plan is to build or rebuild 100 homes in the area of Sonora, Nyarit, Cucapah, Durango, Indigena, and Puerta.


Family living under a tarp


Damaged roads after the earthquake

Please join us in prayer that many will feel led to come forth and help those in need. If you are interested of know someone who may be interested in “How to Get Involved” with this project or others, please contact us and we will help you in any way possible.

142 New Believers-Apr 2010

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Easter is always a great reminder that God loved us so much that He sent his Son, knowing He would die a brutal death on a cross so our sins could be forgiven, so we could live eternally with Him. Every year YUGO staff, Canadian and American groups travel to Mexicali, Mexico with a message of hope for those that have lost hope.

It was less than a week before the Easter/Spring Evangelistic Outreaches in Mexicali were to take place. Staff was NOT in place! The fear instilled in Canadians and Americans NOT to enter Mexico due to the violence, continues to crush the economy of Mexico (Mexico’s economy depends on tourism). Ministries are hurting as we depend on North Americans to walk along side our missionaries serving and sharing the simple message of God’s love and mercy with the Mexican people.

Our God is bigger than the hype portrayed in the news broadcasts. He brought us brave, God fearing individuals, obedient to his call. Six days before Rod was to leave to direct the outreaches in Mexicali, he got a phone call from Joyce Friesen asking if YUGO could use her help for a couple weeks. The very next day a second person, Joseph Fruin (son of missionary friends) asked Rod if he could use some help at the outreaches. Our God is an awesome God! He also sent Claudia as a volunteer and a youth group from Mexicali to help with set up and tear down. God was faithful to provide the help needed.



Joseph, Joyce and Claudia were a gift from God

The Easter Outreach (first week of outreaches) had just come to an end when Mexicali experienced a 7.2 earth quake. Our staff and volunteers were in the US shopping and had to make a quick exit from the store they were in due to the cans falling off the shelves. We are thankful everybody was fine and there were no damages to report.

Less than one week later the Spring Outreach (second week) came to an end. Life was good; 142 people had now invited Jesus into their hearts. What an incredible couple weeks of ministry. The staff were tired and heading home. Just ten miles from home Rod was in an accident that allowed him to experience the inside of a Mexican jail for a few hours. By 2:00 a.m. the insurance lawyer and the Mexican District Attorney came to a settlement and Rod was released. We are grateful no body was seriously hurt in either vehicle. Rod and I felt peace throughout the entire situation.

We can not begin to thank you enough for the prayers that go forth for us and those we serve with. Some of you are called to prayer and God answered your prayers. Here is a Face Book message we received from Elizabeth and Kyle after Rod was released from jail. “How are you guys doing? We've been praying for you -- God just kinda put you on our hearts the other day and I don't know why so I just started praying.” Wow, what an amazing God we serve! He knows our every need!

Opening Prison Doors-Mar 2010

“But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.” Galatians 3:22

Click-jingle-clang, click-jingle-clang… The doors creak open after keys rattle and the guards confirm our proof of admission as our prison ministry team goes through eight sets of locked doors manned by armed guards. This is a weekly ritual as we enter into the secured area where a group of incarcerated women we work with are housed in the Ensenada Prison. We are warmly welcomed each time we get to our destination and enter into the area where the women are allowed out of their cells.


This cell houses nine women in the Ensenada Prison

These women enter into the prison system carrying pain from tragedies that have brought them to this place of separation, loneliness and despair. Each of these women carries her own deeply buried memories that have built up barriers, iron doors within their hearts that need to be unlocked so they can be set free from the pain from their pasts. Some of their hearts are guarded, as guarded as each of the doors we have to pass through to bring them hope. The Celebrate Recovery program we offer them gives them an opportunity to express themselves and break through the obstacles that stop them from receiving God’s love and healing. We as a team are in agreement; even if they have committed the crime they deserve dignity to find the love of God and rehabilitation.

God reveals himself to us through his Word, the Bible which is His Love Letter to us. He daily changes us to be more like Him, filled with love for others when we take the time to read and reflect on what He is saying through the Bible which is alive and powerful to change our lives. Each woman prisoner is given the opportunity to believe in Jesus Christ and secondly, encouraged to commit to reading and studying His Word which allows their hearts to be changed and transformed into His image.

Shortly after returning from Canada we continued missionary training. Our newest Canadian missionaries Jody and Angela came to Mexico with their youth from Immanuel CRC from Langley, B.C. one year ago. Both returned to Mexico July 2009 to join our staff in volunteering at Grace Children’s Home. Now they have committed to being short term missionaries. This year their youth group from their church body have returned to join us in ministry in Mexico and Jody and Angela are leading their team as YUGO missionaries. Good job ladies! The Immanuel CRC team served in Mexico in many areas of ministry, including presenting the love of Jesus through Drime (drama with music).


Rod, John, Gerry and Peggy waiting for fish tacos in Ensenada

My mom (Gerry), dad (John) and sister (Peggy) also came to visit us in El Faro. It was fun to have family on our turf doing the things we like to do best. We had a chance to do a fair amount of visiting and of course, shopping in the local markets in Rosarito and Ensenada. It was great to join up with the Langley group at a favorite taco stand after Rod led the group on an adventurous day experiencing the culture of Mexico.

Batten Down The Hatches-Feb 2010

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” Ps 133:1

Batten down the hatches! (Get ready!) Many of us have heard the term while others have experienced it first hand. Loree and her son Jaxon bunked in with us at El Faro while serving at Grace Children’s Home (YUGO’s Orphanage). The winds were howling and the heavy rain could be seen pelting against the window pains. We had just finished supper and were enjoying sharing each others company when the power went out. Doing dishes by candle light is just one of the many experiences that Loree and Jaxon will take back with them to Abbotsford, B.C. as they share with others their adventures while serving along side YUGO staff while in Mexico.

The heavy rains are always a great concern for us as we see our Mexican friends living in such great need. We always welcome plastics tarps, warm blankets and food donations during these desperate times of need. During the rain the schools close down as many walk to school. Feeding programs are placed on hold while the children remain hungry. Please keep our Mexican friends in your prayers.

January and February always brings exciting times. The days are filled with opportunities to represent YUGO ministries at mission’s conferences and attend YUGO’s annual retreat at our Ensenada Outreach Center. It was exciting to gather at the annual retreat with other missionaries, office staff and board members to hear what God is doing in and through each of us individually as we serve Him. It was like a big family reunion! Many thanks to our YUGO Canada board and office staff for joining us at the retreat and checking out the different ministries our missionaries are involved in.


Margaret, Lucia, Marylyn, Dwight & Ismeal - Some of YUGO Canada's board members and office staff that joined us in Ensenada for YUGO Ministrie's annual retreat

UNITY & RECONCILIATION!!! This same message was heard at our YUGO annual retreat and through out mission conferences across Canada. At Winnipeg Mission Fest Canadian missionaries John and Eloise Bergen shared with us how they became national news in 2007 after they were brutally attacked in Kenya. They shared how God called them into a place of forgiving their attackers. It is evident that God is calling his people to let go of past hurts so we can walk in unity and serve Him to the fullest of our capacity.

Returning to Canada to represent YUGO Ministries always brings opportunities to see family and friends. I spent four glorious days with our daughter Jessica and family. Rebekah was able to skip a day of classes to join Rod and I for a five day stretch in Stony Plain. We were able to spend family day together followed by a few days representing YUGO at Global Connections at Prairie Bible Institute. We are always uncertain of when our next trip to Canada will be and appreciate squeezing in as much family time as possible.

Thank you to the many that continue to lift us in prayer. We are passionate about sharing with others what God is doing in Mexico through our YUGO missionaries.

40 Below Zero-Jan 2010

December 13, 5:00 am at 40 below zero Rod, Rebekah and I began our long trip from Canada back to Mexico. We arrived in Mexico and hit the ground running. Our first Prison Ministry event took place days after our arrival. Preparing jello, cake and ice cream for 300 was our Prison Ministry team’s part in preparing a Christmas fiesta, complete with a turkey dinner for the prisoners of the Ensenada Prison along side five other ministries. It was a joy to see the faces of the women prisoners as they took part in worship and singing Christmas carols. Some stood, tears steaming down their faces as they openly thanked us for bringing them much needed personal items through out the year. Thank you to the many that helped load up our van with donations before we left Canada. Each item is a blessing and the Mexican people are very thankful for what was given them.

Three days later we had a second event for the women that were in the Celebrate Recovery Program. While entering the first set of locked doors (one of many), one of the guards was quietly speaking to a couple of our Prison Ministry team members. She shared how she had miscarried and fell into a place of brokenness. She then shared how she gave her heart to Jesus on the very day of the first event. Did she hear the message that was shared openly about the love of Jesus at the fiesta? Did she hear that God sent Jesus to earth so that her sins could be forgiven? Not sure, either way, she found the greatest gift of all this Christmas, eternal life with Jesus.


The prisoners live with less than bare necessities. Your generous donations of personal items are blessing to all who recieved.

We continued on through the many locked gates accompanied by guards until we reached our Celebrate Recovery Group. They warmly welcomed us. I asked each woman to write a short paragraph of what the Celebrate Recovery Program meant to them. During our drive home tears steamed down our faces as we read. Let me share with you what the Celebrate Recovery Program has done in their lives of a couple of the women. (These testimonies have been translated into English by our daughter Rebekah)

Damarius wrote: I love the Celebrate Recovery Program because it has helped to change my life, not commit the same errors from my past and forgive those who have hurt me, as well as ask for their forgiveness.

Arlene wrote: I am thankful and blessed by God and YUGO Ministries because the Celebrate Recovery Program has helped me see how great God is. It does not matter the sins I have committed in the past, He has forgiven all my sins. He loves me and has opened my eyes to the changes needed in my life. I am happy because I have learned to control my life. Life is difficult, but I will continue to fight the enemy so God can reign in my life.
Christmas 2009 was a festive time spent with other missionaries. After feasting on traditional delicacies we took part in a white elephant gift exchange followed by games and lots of laughter. Mexican Christmas and New Years are always celebrated with lots of fireworks. The sky was alive with spectacular light shows and deafening booms.

The days flew by very quickly. Rebekah traveled with us to Mexico and we spent three weeks together while she was out of school. January 2 we took her to the airport to return to school in Three Hills, Canada. The empty nest syndrome hit hard. We are grateful to be Mission Mobilizers for YUGO Ministries. We will return to Canada for four days in January to represent YUGO in Vancouver and for three weeks in February to represent YUGO in Winnipeg and Edmonton. These trips give us opportunities to see family and friends as well as encourage others to get involved in the Great Commission.

God Had A Plan-Nov 2009

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Today I am sitting in the Mazankowski Heart Institute anxiously awaiting news on the the outcome of the surgery Rod is in the midst of. Early this morning he had an angiogram (a tube running into his heart that injects dye to search for blockages). This procedure was followed by an angioplasty (a balloon that opens blockages). How grateful we are to be in Canada going through this procedure. Rod had three stints (little springs that keep the arteries open) surgically placed in his heart. Our prayer is that now we can grow old together serving our Savior.

God knew we would be in Canada during this time. He knew Rod’s medical condition before we did. Actually it was picked up by a nurse placing an electrode in a wrong spot during an ECG. This error caused the doctor to investigate further. God loving placed all the people in place so Rod could have excellent medical care in his time of need. What an amazing God we have! He has a plan. A plan for our future!

We recognize that not only do we have to keep our physical bodies healthy; we also need to care for our spiritual and emotional needs. Our sending church St. Albert Alliance Church began a series called, “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality”. Rod and I just happened to be visiting the first Sunday the series kicked off. Rod and I recognize areas in this journey of our lives that need a touch from God. Many times we fill our days up with activity and not enough time in the presence of our Maker. It never ceases to amaze me how God uses imperfect people to accomplish His work.

We have so much to be grateful for. As we are here in Canada our Prison Ministry Team has experienced great changes within the Mexican prisons. Women prisoners are being shuffled around and being returned to the prisons in the states were they originated. Many tears have been shed as the women that have bonded with each other over time have had to say their goodbyes. My prayer is that each woman that found Jesus and freedom from their addictions through the Celebrate Recovery Program will share what they have found with others, no matter where they are placed.

More Prison Ministry Updates:

-Funds have been raised so the women in the Ensenada Prison can crochet scarves for the orphans in local orphanages. Yes, it gets cold enough to need hats, scarves and mittens in our area. I love how the women prisoners are reaching out beyond their own needs.

-December our Prison Ministry team will have a Christmas Fiesta for the women of the Ensenada Prison. This event will include the staff of the prison. In Mexico is especially important to stay in the good books of the government officials. Each woman will be presented with a beautiful, hand sewn bag filled with personal items accompanied by music, worship, drama, and a message of hope followed by a meal. Thank you Judy Kropp from Alberta, Canada for making the bags. The women will love them!

-Due to the H1N1 scare in Mexico, all prisons have barred their doors from outsiders visiting inmates from August 2009 to January 2010. We are thanking God that our Prison Ministry Team is exempted from this rule. Actually, the prison has called our leadership and personally let them know that they are not included in this new ruling.

With the prison not allowing outsiders to visit prisoners, their personal needs are not being met. All items such as: pads, tooth paste, tooth brushes, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, blankets, etc. are not supplied by the prison. Families and friends of the prisoners are responsible to bring personal items to the prisoners. If you feel God urging you to get involved in the Prison Ministry contact me and I will let you know how you too can get be a part of our team in reaching those in need.

It has been a tremendous blessing to be here in Canada during this time. My brother continues to struggle after the bone marrow transplant and is presently back in the Tom Baker Institute in Calgary. Pray that God will touch his body and bring him back into wholeness. Rebekah is adjusting well to dorm life in college. Our social butterfly has met many beautiful, caring friends. Rod is resting after surgery. We continue to tag team with my sister in law or my parents in caring for Jack. The plan is for Jack to return to his home mid December. It will be at that time that we plan to return Mexico after braving the blustery Canadian winter storms.


Rod, Cheryl & Leonard Janssen (Executive Director of YUGO Ministries)

Thank you for your many prayers. We feel them and know it is the prayers of the saints that keep us all strong during this time. God had an amazing plan and He chose you to be a part of it through your prayers, words of encouragement and generosity.

Trusting Papa-Oct 2009

“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Sheer determination could be seen on Maddy’s face as she teetered and tottered, striving to keep her balance in this new endeavor to walk. Daily Rod and I would urge our granddaughter with words of encouragement followed by bountiful praise. Sometimes she falls! She then looks into our eyes, groans and gropes to get back on her feet, knowing that we are there to catch her if she topples or tumbles in a way that may endanger her. Maddy has placed her faith in us, knowing we are there to protect her from hurting herself. After all, walking is simply the next step in growth.


During one of our “learning to walk sessions”, as I watched Maddy stagger my direction, I heard a small still voice from deep with in my soul. My Heavenly Father was assuring me that he is my Papa. He is the one that woos me to place my trust in Him. After all, He only wants the best for me. Sometimes I go through some difficult times, things look doubtful and I am not sure what I am to do next or where He is taking me. I wonder how Maddy felt that first time she saw Nana and Papa standing with our arms outstretched with a ten foot gap between us. I do know that because of our relationship with her, she trusts that our intentions were not to harm her but to assist her, encourage her, protect her and support her in achieving her next accomplishment in life 101. How much more should we be as little children placing our trust in our Heavenly Papa?

Many of you have been praying for us as we have sent out prayer updates. Thank you! My brother Jack went through heavy chemo and full body radiation the first week of September. Now we pray the bone marrow donor’s cells graft with Jack’s cells. I can not express how grateful I am that both Rod and I can be here in Canada at this time supporting the needs of my bothers family as they go through this difficult time. It is also a huge blessing to be here for Rebekah as she transitions to life in Canada after living in a third world country for the past five years.

During a recent medical exam, the doctor detected something that needed further investigation with Rod’s heart. He will have an angiogram November 6. Our prayer is that all will go well so Rod and I can return to Mexico before Christmas healthy and whole. We are in utter awe that God had everything set up for this extended stay. He knew from the very beginning that we would need Jody and Angela house sitting El Faro while we are in Canada. Most of our office work, we are able to accomplish from a makeshift office where ever we happen to lay our heads on that particular day. Thank God for lap tops!! Thank God for other missionaries kicking in for us in our absence. Thank God for the opportunity to spend precious time with our families, friends and grandchildren. Thank God for His incredible love and words of encouragement. Thank God that our Heavenly Papa knows the beginning from the end.

Our Prison Ministry team have been serving diligently in our absence. September 14 was our first event for the women prisoners of the Ensenada Prison. The team was excited to share with me how the women in the prison responded to the dramas, testimonies and worship as they were served hotdogs and snacks. A message of hope was shared with the ladies. Women that did not know Jesus in a personal way saw their need to know and trust in His love that day. I am told it was an exhilarating time. We are not sure how long we will be in Canada. We have placed our trust in Our Heavenly Papa that He has our best interest at heart.

Farewell Rebekah-Sept 2009

Fiesta at the Hooples!!! El Faro was buzzing with activity as many came to say FAREWELL to Rebekah. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of traditional Mexican delicacies, complete with a chamoy fountain. OK, what’s a chamoy fountain you ask? Take a chocolate fountain and substitute chocolate for salsa and veggies. YUMMMM! Rebekah had developed a great support team of incredible, caring friends during her five years living in Mexico. She left Mexico feeling loved and covered in prayers as she was sent out to pursue the next chapter of her life in Canada.


Rebekah enjoying the chamoy fountian at her FAREWELL gathering

The first ten days in Canada were set aside for reconnecting with family and our grandchildren. Days were filled with visiting parks and swimming pools trying to stay cool during the heat of the summer. It was absolute bliss!!!!!!

We later drove Rebekah to Three Hills to check out the college where she felt led to take the Licensed Practical Nursing program. As we entered into Three Hills, we immediately fell in love with the small town and its homey atmosphere. The tour of the college was very exciting. At the end of the tour we were told that there just happened to be one spot left in the program for this year. Yep, you guessed it, after a few hairy days filling out applications and meeting all the needs required for Rebekah to enter into the LPN course at Prairie Bible Institute, we dropped Rebekah and her belongings off just in time to begin classes one year earlier than planned. Rebekah loves the school, the classes and her new found friends. We know this is God’s plan for her and she is in great hands.


Where are your scrubs Rebekah!

Before I left Mexico our team of dedicated ladies involved in the Prison Ministry had only one opportunity to enter into the Ensenada Prison due to prison protocol. This one visit gave us just enough time to briefly taste of the ministry that awaited us with working with the women prisoners. We now have full access to the Ensenada Prison. While I am in Canada, one of my dearest friends Silvia Campillo will lead the Prison Ministry. Her latest report is amazing! 80 of the 95 women in the Ensenada Prison are taking part in the Celebrate Recovery Program. God is working in miraculous ways.

Our time here in Canada has been an adventure. Rod has had opportunities to share within church bodies a message of hope. Many have been encouraged to make a difference within their sphere of influence. Each of us has an incredible opportunity to influence those around us with our words and actions.

I have often quoted the saying “Make plans and watch God change them.” Rod planned on continuing his second semester of bible school in Ensenada this fall while I remained in Canada to care for my brothers children in the Stony Plain area while my brother Jack and his wife Susie travel to Calgary for Jack’s transplant. The transplant was to take place in August and now will not take place until September. More changes in plans for the future. I wonder what God is up to???? After having medical examinations we are told that Rod will not be able to leave Canada at this present time. Rod plans to take advantage of this time in Canada to connect with new churches and bible institutes to share about YUGO Ministries. It would be a huge blessing to YUGO and our Mexican friends to have more teams and individuals join us in Mexico this upcoming year.

Thank you to each of you that have prayed for us in this time of transition and with medical concerns. We do not know why God has Rod in Canada for the next few months but know that God is on the throne and has a purpose for everything. We look forward to being able to visit old and new friends while in Canada.