Sunday, November 13, 2022
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
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
Thursday, August 25, 2022
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 13th 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.
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| 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.
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
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
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.
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"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.
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" 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
Thursday, March 31, 2022
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.
Ana and her husband Miguel "Rey Mysterio" Mexico's own legendary wrestler
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.
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
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
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.
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!
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."
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.
100+ Mexican Celebrate Recovery Leaders
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
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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
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
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 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?
-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.
-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
Sunday, October 3, 2021
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.
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| 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!
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| 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
Sunday, September 12, 2021
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
Sunday, August 1, 2021
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
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.
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 17th 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
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
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!
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
Thank
you for being our partners in ministry on this crazy COVID journey.
Cheryl
& Francisco
Monday, February 1, 2021
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.
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.
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 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!
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Greetings Family & Friends “Making Memories” in Canada always does my heart good. In April, I travelled to Canada to spend time with my... -
Greetings from Mexico Family and Friends, Francisco and I had a surprise visit from our daughter Jessica and granddaughters Aly and Maddy. ...