Road to Recovery December Newsletter

Dear Partners in Ministry,

This time of year always makes me look back and think about all that God has done. The testimonies that we continue to hear from people receiving healing from their hurts, habits and hang ups ...

Oh how faithful He has been!

 

It is my prayer that you will meet with our Wonderful Counselor and walk beside Him as we enter into 2016.

Your sister in Christ, Jody

 

A Testimony from Celebrate Recovery: Jolene

My name is Jolene and I am a faithful believer in Jesus Christ who struggles with fear and codependency.  I grew up in a home where physical and verbal abuse was very much a part of life. My dad became an alcoholic and it was my responsibility to fix everything before he got home. Before the age of 11 I had tried to commit suicide three times. My family and I heard the Gospel and received Christ as our Savior, but a few months later everything went back to “normal”. From ages 12 - 16 I tried to find my value in relationships and was rarely without a boyfriend; they convinced me that I had no value.  At age 16, I returned to God, humiliated.  He accepted me with open arms and gave me a very special task – to be a missionary.  I started going on mission trips each year and in that found my value – in fixing the world. At age 23, I reconnected with one of my old boyfriends.  Despite the fact that he had a fiery temper and was addicted to pornography, I married him convinced that I could fix him. When fixing him didn’t work, I became his scolding mother and he turned violent.
I found my way back to Jesus and started attending a program similar to Celebrate Recovery. I was able to admit that I could not fix everything on my own. I needed God. I learned that codependency was ruining my life and I learned how to forgive those who had harmed me. I learned that my value did not come from men or from serving God, but it came from God Himself simply because He loves me.   With this I left for Tijuana to serve as a missionary.  God continued His work in my life as I served women and children with similar backgrounds as mine.  I found myself in another bad relationship; I was able to escape although I was a mess and fear consumed me. This situation allowed me to get involved in Celebrate Recovery where I learned that recovery isn’t an event but a process, a lifestyle. Now I have victory over fear and codependency.  I have learned to depend 100% on God.  I have healthy relationships; I recognize codependent situations and I flee from them.  Instead of fear, I have the peace of God that passes all understanding. God is restoring me and as it says in Isaiah 61:3, He’s giving me “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”     

Thank you for letting me share.                                     

*names have been changed to protect their identity*

 God is doing amazing things in Mexico.  On October 17th we had our first Celebrate Recovery Information Seminar.  Many pastors and church leaders came showing interest in bringing the Celebrate Recovery Step Studies to their own church bodies.
We have one church trained and three more that are in the training process so that they can offer the CR Step Studies to their congregations. 

 

 We believe that God desires to bring hope to the people of Mexico.  He sees the depth of their suffering, and He has not turned a deaf ear to their cries to be released from the cycles of violence, abuse, depression, victimization, neglect, poverty and hopelessness.

 

  YUGO Ministries has a team of women that have been bringing the Celebrate Recovery Step Studies into the Ensenada Prison for the past 6 ½ years.  The Recovery Ministry team uses the Celebrate Recovery materials as a means to bring healing and hope to the women in the prison.  

We believe the Celebrate Recovery program can be used as a tool to help transform Mexico into a nation filled with the hope of Jesus Christ.

 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

~ That God would continue to provide for the financial needs of the ministry by raising up more monthly supporters.

~ Please pray for the 3 churches which we are currently training to provide the Step Studies to their congregation that they would capture the vision of Celebrate Recovery and that growth and healing would happen.

~ More leaders and facilitators are needed to provide the proper care and attention to those who come to us seeking assistance.

 

 

Just 2 weeks remain
to make your tax-deductible
donation for 2015.

Your donations make the work of the
Recovery Ministry possible.

If you feel that God is calling you to come along-side the Recovery Ministry please go to www.yugo.org/giving; this link will take you to the YUGO Ministries website where you can join our team online - please indicate RECOVERY MINISTRY when donating.  If you have any questions regarding the donation process please contact us. 

 

From our hearts to yours we say thank you for your continued love and support.
May our Everlasting Father bless you during this season of Celebration.

The Recovery Team  

 

 

A testimony from one of "Our Girls" on the Inside: Natasha

My name is Natasha and I am a believer in recovery.  I struggle with my character.  Emptiness was what filled my life before I started the recovery process.  I was irresponsible.  My attitude towards others depended on who they were and what I needed – this was my attitude toward God as well. I was rude when I needed to be and good when I wanted to be.  When I abandoned my children to be fully involved in a lifestyle of being with multiple men was the lowest point in my life. This lifestyle is what brought me to prison.

A friend told me about the CR program brought to us by YUGO; it was in joining this group that I came to know God.  With my relationship in Him growing I feel confident and protected.  Through CR I have learned to recognize my mistakes and through God I receive guidance for my life. I am learning how to treat others as I would want to be treated. Everything has changed.  Now I can’t go to sleep without talking to Him first.  My trust is in God alone.

One of the benefits of being a part of the CR Program is that I feel better about myself and I have a place where I can open up and share what is on my heart. My life has begun to change and now I have the opportunity to share it with the other women here and with my family.

*names have been changed to protect their identity*