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

If you would like to join us financially in ministry, click on the side of the blog page that says:

CLICK HERE to give online

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

If you would like to join us financially in ministry, click on the side of the blog page that says:

CLICK HERE to give online

The Best Kind of Gifts-Dec 2021

Merry Christmas family and friends, It has been another amazing year. It is an incredible honor serving as missionaries in Mexico. We can’t begin to share with you how good God has been to us this year. We were showered with gifts, gifts that over whelmed us with God’s love. This Christmas we have so much to be thankful for. The gifts we received were not found under the Christmas tree, but they brought abundant joy!

-The gift of family-Francisco and I share children, grandchildren and our extended family. We are thankful for each one of them and the opportunities to see some in person and others by video chat. We are so thankful for modern technology! It helps us stay in touch! 

 

-The gift of friends-God has blessed us with many beautiful friends that walk beside us in ministry in many ways. Some encourage us, some support us financially and others pray for us and the Mexico Recovery Ministry. Thank you for being our partners in ministry. This year Francisco and I both celebrated our 65th birthdays. Thank you Ross and Val for a 7 day stay in Cancun in December. This will be a birthday we will never forget.

-The gift of service-Francisco went on his first mission trip to Guatemala. Many came to know Jesus personally. 36 years ago, I too went on my first mission’s trip to Guatemala, how cool is that? 

-There is one gift I forgot to mention. God gives us all Spiritual gifts. We have all been given a unique blend of gifts, skills and talents. It brings Francisco and I great joy in knowing God continues to allow us to use the gifts He gave us to serve hand in hand, as husband and wife, reaching the broken and lost in Mexico. We pray this Christmas you and your loved ones will find that gift that brings you great joy! Feliz Navidad, Cheryl & Francisco

Taxes! Each year many folks are looking to give end-of-year gifts as a possible way to help reduce their tax liability. If you are one of those folks, here are some things to keep in mind! Contributions mailed to CTEN must be postmarked no later than December 31st. Online credit card donations must be posted through the CTEN website no later than December 31st.

If you would like to join us financially in ministry, click on the side of the blog page that says:

CLICK HERE to give online

Freedom in Prison-Oct 2021

  Do people in prison deserve the misery they experience?

God loves all men and women no matter how far they have fallen. His plan is to use our brokenness to reach us with his great love and give us hope. Celebrate Recovery is filled with scriptures offering healing and forgiveness for those who have messed up lives.

By receiving God’s free gift of eternal life, inmates begin a new life of freedom, freedom from their past hurts, habits and hang-ups. Addictions are broken, memories are healed, and relationships are restored. God reaches out to all, including those who have rebelled against him.

Let me share with you a couple of heart felt stories: 

There is a young woman named Isabel (her name has been changed to protect her identity). She carried a lot of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness as she replayed over in her mind the events that robbed her of her freedom and placed her behind bars.  Isabel showed absolutely no remorse for her actions! She mentioned she would do it all over again in order to protect her loved ones from being harmed.

Karla, Ana and I love serving "Our Girls" on the inside

Isabel joined our CRI (Celebrate Recovery Inside) group in the Ensenada Prison. She was one of the many who join us to get out of their cells. Isabel surrendered her heart to Jesus and made him the Lord of her life. She finally found a way to let go of the anger, deep seeded resentment and bitterness that stripped her of her peace and well-being.

Isabel has been in prison for almost two years and will soon be sentenced for her criminal act of violence. She rests knowing God has a plan and a purpose for her life. Isabel trusts, no matter the length of the sentence she is given, God is in control. She knows her time in prison will be used to instruct her on how to draw closer to Jesus.  Isabel will one day be released from this physical imprisonment, until then she has found spiritual and emotional freedom by placing her life in the hands of Jesus.

"I, Francisco, also made poor choices in my earlier years and paid the price by spending five months of confinement in jail. Being in captivity freed me from twenty years of heroin addiction and provided me the opportunity to invite Jesus into my life. That was 29 years ago and I have never looked back! God used the difficult circumstances in my life to bring me to the foot of the cross. My short time of imprisonment was life changing for me.  When I was released from jail I found Celebrate Recovery, a program that helped me grow in my new relationship with Jesus. Today I am the pastor of Celebrate Recovery in our local church. As a husband and wife team, Cheryl and I find it an honor to bring hope to the broken and lost."

The children and adults had a great time. Francisco was the black and red super hearo

                                         

Francisco recently returned from his 1st mission trip to Guatemala with Calvary Rosarito. Men, women and children came to know Jesus through street evangelism, Children's ministry, and other various modes of ministry. Francisco shared his beautiful adventures with me which reminded me of my 1st mission trip, which was also in Guatemala 36 years earlier. Isn't that cool!

Hope you can join us

Mark your calendars! Saturday October 23 from 9 am to 3:00 pm PST we will be hosting our annual bilingual Celebrate Recovery Networking Event livestreamed at Calvary Rosarito. Our keynote speaker, Mexico's Celebrate Recovery representative will be Cesar Villarreal Cervantes. You will receive tools and encouraging words on how to find peace in the midst of the storm and hear some powerful testimonies. If you are not able to join us in person click on this link

https://www.facebook.com/calvaryrosarito/

Thank you for partnering with us in the Mexico Recovery Ministry. There are plenty of others just like Francisco and Isabel that seek a second chance. It is an honor to partner with you in this ministry. Your prayers and gifts are making a difference in Mexico.

Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco

If you would like to join us financially in ministry, click on the side of the blog page that says:

CLICK HERE to give online

A Day to Celebrate-Jun 2021

A special day in the history of the Mexico Recovery Ministry! Our Celebrate Recovery participants completed their Step Studies by ZOOM in April.  We had a dilemma.   What do we do next?  What COULD we do next?  May 13 marked the day that Mexico Recovery Ministry as we  launched a new set of step studies!

Our Celebrate Recovery Ministry servant leaders continue to bring Good News to people.  People need to know that forgiveness and healing are available. Forgiveness and healing are available from God for all when they place their trust in Jesus Christ.  ‘Lesson 1: Denial’ in the C R participants guide states, “We can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there.” Jeremiah 6:14 

People from various areas in Canada, USA, and Mexico want Step Studies by ZOOM.

People in our local church are asking when CR Step Studies Face to Face will start again.  They seem to want to forget the worldwide pandemic!  The fact that they are SO focused on wanting the CR Step Studies face to face is actually an incredible blessing.  God has them SO focused on growing in Christ that we should be able to work around ‘trivial’ pandemic challenges.  Unfortunately reality just does not agree!

That left our leadership TEAM with no choice but to recruit enough facilitators to pursue technology (ZOOM) and human interactions (Face to Face).  Obviously our primary focus has to be on using technology. We love how God is using COVID as a benefit to bring healing to his people.

Meet Stacy-facilitator of the English Women's Step Study by ZOOM

Stacy acknowledged her need to surrender her hurts, habits, and hang-ups to Jesus.  This year Stacey joined our Celebrate Recovery Step Studies in January.  She was able to join by ZOOM from Gilroy, California. Stacy was given freedom from bondage.  Being freed from bondage helped her draw closer to Jesus. Today, she has taken on the role of being a co-facilitator for the English Women’s Step Studies by ZOOM. Looking forward to serving with you Stacy.

Prison doors remain closed to religious groups!  While not to being able to visit “Our Girls” is frustrating, the fact that “our girls” are taking advantage of the opportunity to grow in their faith is priceless.

Shopping for toiletries for "Our Girls" on the inside

My Prison Ministry team may not be able to bring Celebrate Recovery to “Our Girls” on the inside to meet their spiritual needs, but we continue to travel to Ensenada to bring in donations to meet their physical needs. The prisons in Mexico do NOT supply toiletries for prisoners. If you are interested in joining us in donating funds to help provide toilet paper, laundry soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, feminine pads, shampoo, deodorant and bar soap we would love to partner with you in fulfilling these needs. Feel free to contact me or donate through CTEN’s website https://cten.org/missionary/cherylhoople/ 

COVID has been difficult for all of us. We can only imagine that “Our Girls” on the inside must feel abandoned by their family and friends.  COVID restrictions do have a tendency to play havoc with their minds.   Rest assured, we know Christ will not abandon them. We know Christ will comfort them.  Jesus Christ will comfort them in their pain, fear, and discouragement.  Jesus Christ will comfort them with the seeds of HOPE that were planted in their hearts before the pandemic hit.

On a personal note:

Francisco and I are doing great! With the borders closed, we are not able to visit family in Canada.  However we do very much treasure the visits we get from family that live closer.

 

Diego, Judy and Jerry preparing toiletries for "Our Girls" on the inside

    

Thanks for being our partners in ministry. Together we are reaching the broken and lost with the Good News.

Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco

If you would like to join us financially in ministry, click on the side of the blog page that says:

CLICK HERE to give online

New Rehabs in Ensenada-Aug 2021

Come and see what the Lord has done, what awesome miracles he performs for his people.” Psalms 66:5

 We have the cure for the human heart! Ok, what’s the cure for the human heart?  Drawing people closer to Jesus by using the Celebrate Recovery materials.  By drawing people closer to Jesus, Jesus brings transformation into their lives! 

After launching CR Step Studies by ZOOM and Face to Face in our local church, we are in awe that over 80 people have joined us on the Road to Recovery. This is our largest group yet since launching the program in 2014. These are not just addicts, but people desiring to be set free from their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. 

 Church leaders from various parts of Mexico join us for our monthly CR Advanced Leadership Training.  In the past few months, the Celebrate Recovery program has been launched in two rehab centers in Ensenada:

1.      Angel Zumaya , and his wife Cinthia, enter into an adult rehab center called Espigas Nuevas bringing hope to the male and female residents.

2.      Peter Yee, and his group, bring The Landing (CR’s youth materials) to the youth in a rehab center called Vida Cristiana Jóvenes.

 

These adults and youth are on an amazing journey being set free from destructive cycles that led them into hopelessness.  We are blessed to see others catch the vision of reaching the lost and broken. God has called us to bring healing and hope to his broken people. He has brought others, many others to carry out his work.

GREAT NEWS! The Ensenada Prison has re-opened their doors! The re-opening, naturally, comes with many restrictions.  But the point is that my Prison Ministry team is able to continue to bring the Good News through the Celebrate Recovery program to those beautiful daughters of the King on the inside.

 Karla (top photo) and Ana (bottom photo) are amazing women of God. Both serve in the Prison Ministry. Thank you ladies for your love and dedication to "Our Girls" on this inside

COVID was a time of growth for “Our Girls” on the inside. Pastora Jasso took advantage of the situation.  All the women, who have given their hearts to Jesus, gave a devotional every morning.  Each woman, a different morning.  Each devotional was presented to all the women in the prison. God has used the negative circumstances of COVID to welcome new children into His family.  And His Holy Spirit is already convicting the hearts and minds of his new daughters to spread His Word and love. 

August 1 marked the 17^th anniversary of serving in Mexico. Francisco and I feel your love, your encouragement, prayers, and generosity. As we walk this Road to Recovery together, we see God’s hand moving in powerful ways, touching lives. It is such an honor to be your partners in the Mexico Recovery Ministry.

Francisco and I are well. We have enjoyed this last couple months, Francisco set aside his studying for church planting so we could visit some nearby sights on our day off. By the time he hits the books again, he will feel rested and ready for the next semester.

Please keep us in prayer as we await the borders to open. My heart aches to see my family in Canada!

Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco

 

God's Opening Doors!-Apr 2021

 We are in awe as we watch how God opens doors for different reasons.  One of the reasons for which God opens doors is to give people the opportunity for healing!

 We conduct weekly Celebrate Recovery Step Studies and Large Group meetings using computer technology.  C R participants join us by using ZOOM.  The participants get more than they bargained for.  They are challenged to find a new life and a new perspective of whom God is.

 Unfortunately, while ZOOM does offer some wonderful features, ZOOM also comes with complications! Many Mexican families are large but they live in small homes. Large families and small homes do not allow for privacy.  The lack of privacy severely limits opportunities for family members to openly share their hurts, habits, and hang-ups exclusively with CR participants.

 To freely participate in CR Step Studies and Open Share groups by ZOOM, individuals must be alone in a room with a set of headphones. In order to meet this requirement, we have seen participants joining the meetings from their vehicles. We are truly humbled to see how God works in peoples’ hearts to overcome their individual challenges to participate.  If there is a will, there is a way!

 One such example of overcoming challenges is Terri.  Terri has been very faithful attending Celebrate Recovery through ZOOM. She recently shared her powerful testimony of childhood molestation.  The molestation trauma had broken her spirit.  Terri’s broken spirit led to poor choices.  ZOOM enabled her to openly share her story from her vehicle.  Her vehicle provided her that safe and private place she needed to share.  Being in her safe and private place, Terri shared openly.  She also encouraged other participants to continue their healing as they draw closer to Jesus.

 If we were meeting in our local church, Terri, and other such participants, would not be able to participate because we would not be using ZOOM.

 

                                           Terri loves Celebrate Recovery

Family News!

Rebekah and her family have purchased a farm in Saskatchewan.  Rebekah and her family will be cattle farming!

 

                                            Rebekah and Eric on the farm

 Francisco and I anticipate the day the borders re-open so we can visit Rebekah and family in Saskatchewan, Jessica and family in British Columbia, and the rest of our families and friends in Alberta. What an adventure we will have traveling across three provinces!

Thank you for being our partners in ministry on this crazy COVID journey.

 Your prayers and financial gifts keep the Mexico Recovery Ministry moving forward.  Under God’s blessing and direction, Mexico Recovery Ministry brings healing to the lost and broken. We want to extend an extra huge thank you to Brian Baxter as he is our editor for the prayer letters and to the many others that serve tirelessly alongside us in the Mexico Recovery Ministry. We couldn’t accomplish God’s mission without all of you!

 Blessings,

Cheryl & Francisco

Celebrate Recovery Mazatlan-Feb 2021

My heart was filled to overflowing as family members arrived, brushed off the snow and entered the warm surroundings. The air was filled with excessive chatter and laughter. Most I had not seen in 15 months. I drooled as the smell of family delicacies wafted through the air as we gathered around the dinner table. Thank you Steve and Susan for providing a place to gather, a place to fill our tummies and a place to share memories and catch up.

                                            Nana & Summer (our youngest grandchild)

Having had COVID in September was a wake-up call. I desperately wanted to see my family! I’m not trying to be dramatic, but people all around us are losing loved ones. My chat with God went something like this, “Thy will be done Father, BUT can I please see my family members one more time?” Francisco and I recovered from COVID and I booked a flight back to Canada. I had three amazing weeks surrounded by the love of family. My greatest regret was not being able to see my daughter Jessica and her family due to provincial lockdowns. 

2020 was a year of great challenges and growth for all of us. What did we learn through all of this? God is still on the throne in the midst of this worldwide pandemic. As we look back over last year, we may have had some ups and downs but see that Celebrate Recovery is growing in Mexico.

Our Celebrate Recovery training coach has been busy. Angel, from our Tijuana Celebrate Recovery has been preparing leaders in La Paz and Mazatlan to launch the CR program in their local churches. You can only imagine how excited I was when I received this message from Juan in Mazatlan. “Today Celebrate Recovery was born, for the glory and honor of God. I am extremely excited because it is the fruit of everything we have been doing. Thank you for your support. You are the Gramma of CR Mazatlan.”  2020 had been a tough year, but God had a plan.

Francisco and I traveled to Mazatlan to share our testimonies with this newly planted Celebrate Recovery in early January and shared our stories of God's mercy and grace in our lives. We could see God’s hand moving in a powerful way as we connected and listened to the stories of others. We spent time with Juan and Alma, the Ministry Leaders of CR Mazatlan. We shared how God, though his amazing love, brought healing and wholeness into our lives and in turn we answered the call to provide the same opportunity for others.

                                                   Alma & Juan from CR Mazatlán

One of the CR Open Share Group participants shared his powerful story of being part of the Cartel, not only was he part of the Cartel, he was a hit man. His story was amazing as he shared how God captured his heart and is transforming him week after week as he takes part in Celebrate Recovery Mazatlan. God never ceases to amaze us with his love, mercy and grace as he draws the lost and broken to Himself.

                                             Lorena (front) Ana, Cheryl & Karla (back)

Lorena served with us in various areas of ministry for several years before being called back to Mexicali to reside close to her family members. Lorena was more than a servant leader with the Mexico Recovery Ministry, she is like a daughter to me.  Thank you Lorena for your many years of service and your friendship. You will be greatly missed.

Now that we are in 2021 I would like to take this time to thank each of you for your ongoing prayers, words of encouragement and generosity. It takes a team to reach the broken!

Christmas during COVID-Dec 2020

 Merry Christmas family and friends!

Christmas is always an exciting time.  An exciting time filled with family, friends, beautiful decorations, delicious delicacies, hand picked gifts, and the amazing account of the birth of Jesus in a simple stable.

For over ten years, our Prison Ministry team has provided a Christmas Outreach at the Ensenada Prison for “Our Girls” on the inside. “Our Girls” on the inside enjoy:

• A special traditional meal, 

• A mixture of worship and Christmas music, 

• Fun filled games, 

• A powerful Christmas message, and

• Gifts and candy bags. 

They are able to enjoy all these things because of your generosity!

In March 2020, the Ensenada Prison closed their doors to all visitors, including religious groups, due to COVID-19.  Prison officials have since informed us that the strict procedures being followed have been very successful!  There are very few inmates infected with the virus. 

The prison has allowed us to deliver donations.  However, in keeping with their very successful procedures, we cannot interact with “Our Girls” on the inside.  Fortunately, the procedures do allow the inmates to call us to give us updates.  “Our Girls” always ask us to thank each of you for caring.

This Christmas, my Prison Ministry team gathered to make toiletry gift bags and candy bags for the women in the Ensenada Prison.  The prison officials told us that we can supply donations of sweat outfits and socks this year rather than preparing a meal. Thank you Karla, Lorena and Ana for all your help bringing joy to "Our Girls" on the inside.

In the midst of difficult circumstances worldwide, our prayer is that this Christmas be memorable and special for “Our Girls” on this inside.

We know first-hand that COVID-19 can be debilitating. Your prayers have helped us, and many others, recover from the virus. We always covet your prayers! We are so grateful that, in the midst of the most difficult days, our ministry did not skip a beat.  Our ministry did not skip a beat because God enabled us to be up and running with ZOOM.  We serve with dedicated servant leaders that continue to reach the broken and lost with the gospel through Celebrate Recovery.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours

This Christmas, as you gather with family and friends, remember that Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.  God is using you, His children, to enable us to reach the heart of man through this ministry.  Francisco and I are grateful to God for each of you that step up and support us. 

Feliz Navidad,

Cheryl & Francisco

Dream Big-Oct 2020

Has God put a dream in your heart that you could never achieve on your own? If you let the Holy Spirit guide you, you will go places you never imagined.” Rick Warren

Francisco and I have seen God’s hand move powerfully.  God has demonstrated His omnipotence, using Zoom to re-launch Celebrate Recovery.  Zoom has proven to be an invaluable resource in reaching people with God’s Word!  We are able to contact more people, who would otherwise be beyond our reach, than we could have ever imagined!   

We have been busy and expect God to continue to open opportunities to keep us busy!  In June, we launched Large Group meetings.  In August, we launched Open Share Groups.  In September, we launched Step Studies.  We have participants that have joined us from various places around the US, Mexico and Canada. Only God could have made this happen.

We know God is directing these groups.  We see God’s hand at work.  The Holy Spirit convicted a woman to surrender her life to Christ during a Large Group meeting.  Each salvation validates every second of the learning curve to do Celebrate Recovery by ZOOM.

Due to the worldwide pandemic, people are clamoring for safe fellowship and safety from COVID-19!  Mexico’s COVID-19 death rate continues to climb.  As the death rate climbs they bring more pain to a third world country already struggling.

Hopelessness and fear have entered the hearts of many around us.  Their focus is on the temporal, day-to-day life.  We are in constant prayer, engaging in spiritual warfare.  In our spiritual warfare, we are asking God to open their eyes to the bigger picture.  WE HAVE THE ANSWER! Celebrate Recovery is loaded with God’s Word.  God’s Word is filled with promises of the bigger picture - Everlasting Life. Celebrate Recovery is Christianity 101. 

            Celebrate Recovery Step Study participant guides

“Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison recognize their need for spiritual healing. We have had phone contact with Jasso.  Jasso is the pastora of the female inmates.  Pastora Jasso’s phone calls encourage our Prison Ministry team greatly as she shares with us not to be alarmed by the news media.  She assured us ‘Our Girls” on the inside are safe from COVID-19. 

                            Back: Estela, Pastora Jasso  

                           Front: my daughters Jessica & Rebekah

Pastora has mentioned that while the food may be limited, they are all taking advantage of the situation and growing spiritually.  Pastora Jasso expresses how much our Prison Ministry team is missed.  She also let us know we are being prayed for daily. While some prisoners have been released, she believes those who remain are those that God needs to get stronger in Christ Jesus.  God has a very special calling for them! 

Our Prison Ministry team has been bringing the Celebrate Recovery program into the Ensenada Prison for over 10 years. We are praising God with joy filled hearts.  Even if we are not able to be with “Our Girls” on the inside to facilitate the Celebrate Recovery program, those we have trained up on the inside have taken the mantle with gusto and continue running the race by hosting the Celebrate Recovery program with “Our Girls” on the inside.

               Past Christmas event with "Our Girls" on the inside

Christmas will be different this year as we will not be able to be with "Our Girls" on the inside. But we are preparing to make their Christmas as special as possible. We are gathering toiletries so we can give gift bags to the entire female population. If this is something you are interested in helping with, please feel free to contact me.

Francisco and I thank you for all your prayers, generosity, and support.   We covet your partnership in the Mexico Recovery Ministry as we move forward serving the lost and broken in Mexico. It is an honor partnering with you in ministry.

Celebrate Recovery on ZOOM-Aug 2020

During these times of unrest, it’s important to be flexible.  Flexibility can be key to survival.  When led by God, flexibility can be used by God to accomplish even higher things for His glory.  God has guided Francisco and me to be flexible and change up our venue.  Our venue for Calvary Chapel Rosarito Celebrate Recovery is now ZOOM. 

As of Tuesday, July 9, we launched CR Large Group meetings using ZOOM!  I assure you that with Francisco and me in our 60’s, this change did not happen without fear and trepidation.  

However, God is faithful and omniscient.  God spoke to us in that quiet, gentle voice, “It’s not about you.”  God knew our fears and anxieties.  We knew, without a shadow of a doubt, God wanted us to continue with His work.  We knew that continuing God’s work would require us to come out of our comfort zones to learn how to use the newest form of modern technology.  Completely depending on God, we continued.  God wants us to use that technology to reach even more lost and broken people.   Those lost and broken people need to have the opportunity to experience God’s hand of healing in their lives through Celebrate Recovery.

"Our Celebrate Recovery TEAM praying and preparing to launch CR with ZOOM "

Our Celebrate Recovery servant leaders staunchly support us in prayer.  Their prayers follow us and God comforts and guides us every step of the way.  Under God’s direction and strength, we are charting new territory and conquering these new challenges to serve Him. 

We all know that GOD IS IN CONTROL!  We also know the world is changing around us.  However, as the world changes around us, God can take the negative circumstances and turn them around for His glory!  Please keep the Mexico Recovery Ministry in your prayers as we walk through this new door of ministry.

"Our 1st ever Celebrate Recovery Large Group Meeting by ZOOM was well attended"

The number of people infected with COVID-19 continues to climb in Mexico.  Because the incidence of COVID-19 infections continues to grow, I had to make a very difficult decision.  After a painful, and heartfelt, struggle, I cancelled my trip back to Canada this summer. 

While the decision was heart wrenching, I also knew I had made it for the right reason – the safety of everyone.  Not being able to see my grand-babies, daughters, family, and friends makes me turn to God for comfort only He can give.  I am SO thankful for video chat dates that let me stay connected with loved ones.  

I earnestly pray for the day I can wrap my arms around my grand-babies, daughters, family, and every other person I can get my hands on. Huggers like us have a hard time with this social distancing!

Last summer the Strike family came to spend time in Mexico.  The Strikes brought with them Spanish bibles donated from people in our sending church in Canada. 

As a pastor of Calvary Chapel Rosarito, Francisco often finds people in need of a bible.  Here is a story of how God used one of those donated Spanish bibles:

Alfonso, one of our Celebrate Recovery participants, contracted COVID-19. He reached out to Francisco for prayer. Francisco’s first response was to pray for healing for Alfonso. His second response was to point Alfonso to God’s Word. Alfonso’s countenance fell as he told Francisco that he did not have a bible. When we gave Alfonso his bible, he was filled with joy and gratitude. We sincerely thank God and our Canadian friends for making that moment possible!

As missionaries, we have placed our families, our finances, and our ministry in God’s hands. During this faith walk, we have seen God’s hand move in amazing ways:

All of our family members are COVID-19 free,

Funding continues to allow us to do ministry,  

The prayers of the saints are abundant,

Your gifts have helped many families have food on their tables, and

“Our Girls” on the inside have toiletries

Francisco and I were able to make another run to the Ensenada Prison with donations. 

"Heading to the Ensenada Prison with family to deliver donations to the inmates"

We can’t thank you enough for your generosity and continued prayers..

With love and hugs,

Cheryl & Francisco