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

Amelia’s Testimony

My name is Amelia and I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ who struggles with adversity. I know that I no longer walk alone through life because I know that God is with me.

 When I started my recovery, I understood that I had to be free of the hurts of my past, so I can be the person God wants me to be. Most of the women that are in this prison have a story, some stories are harder than others; but we all needed to have an encounter with God.  My relationship with God used to be distant, I knew that He existed but I wasn’t interested in knowing Him. I was usually respectful towards others because I wanted to be a “good person”.  For me, the lowest point in my life came when I arrived here, not because I was in prison, but because of the reason why I was here. I felt that my life had ended, I had lost everything and there was no hope for me. One day, some inmates invited me to attend the Celebrate Recovery Program offered at the prison; they shared with me about their experience and I was interested in knowing more.

Thanks to this program, God and I have a growing relationship through Jesus Christ. For years I have tried to change but I couldn’t do it but with God my life has changed. Through the CR program I have learned that God wants to free us from the hurts of our past and that real recovery comes from the inside. Recovery needs to happen in your heart.

My faith in Jesus Christ continues to grow by reading the Bible and by walking with Jesus every day.  I know that He is with me and He is the one who is giving me the strength to continue on. God has changed the way I think about things.  So that other inmates can see that recovery is possible, I share with them through my words and actions of what God has done in my life.  I love to share my story with those who are feeling hopeless, lonely and without faith. I love telling them about God and His love for them.

**names have been changed to protect identity**

Time Travel …

Have you ever wanted to go back in time to re-live an event?  Well, you have that opportunity RIGHT NOW!!  We are going back in time to December 2015 as we want to share with you our graduation and Christmas event that took place in the Ensenada Prison and at our Celebrate Recovery night.  These pictures should have been posted earlier, please accept our apology for the delay.

December was a busy time for our Recovery Ministry Team with the hustle and bustle of festive activities:

The team that entered the prison to serve at the Graduation Event

Front row-Joyce, Karla, Lorena

Second row-Bernadette, Esperanza,Sandra, Martha

Back row-Cheryl

December 7th our Prison Ministry team hosted a Graduation Ceremony for ten of “Our Girls” on the inside of the Ensenada Prison who completed their Celebrate Recovery program.  We thank God for the many that helped make this event memorable.  

The graduates (faces have been blurred to protect their identity)

December 16th Our Prison Ministry team joined Ensenada Ministries in hosting a Christmas Celebration for all of the female inmates.  Live entertainment, a delicious meal complete with handing out personal gift bags to each of the inmates made for one fun filled fiesta.

Networking with Ensenada Ministries to serve all the women in the Ensenada Prison

The clowns at the Christmas event brought great joy to the women.

December 17th our Recovery Ministry team hosted a surprise Christmas party for all the Celebrate Recovery participants of Calvary Chapel Rosarito complete with traditional pozole, gift bags, entertainment and fine fellowship brought great joy to all involved.

Cindy & Joyce made enough cookies to serve all our CR participants.

Sandra making pozole

Our CR children sang beautiful Christmas carols

 Cindy & Apolos shared a beautiful Christmas story

What a blessing it was to be a part of three amazing events.  Thank you for walking with us and partnering with the Recovery Ministry; we need people like you on our side and we thank God for sending you our way.

A testimony from one of "Our Girls" on the inside: Veronica

My name is Veronica 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 recovery process 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. The lowest point in my life was when I started prostituting myself, drinking and using drugs. I was disobedient and very hurtful.

Through the CR program God opened my eyes and my heart. He gave me the opportunity to know Him, I just needed to come to prison to find Him. I came to prison wounded and defeated but this is where I found the hope I needed for my life, for my heart. My life has changed greatly because of the growing relationship that 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 own 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 worshiping 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 where ever I can.

 
*names have been changed to protect their identity*

A testimony from one of "Our Girls" on the inside: Sarah

My name is Sarah and I am a believer in recovery. My struggle is mostly with myself, my character, and my decisions. I want to do what is right but usually end up doing what is wrong. My life before recovery was "happy" according to the standards of the world.  I found myself always looking for something new to do because routine was boring.  Like any other girl I loved dancing, having different boyfriends, and always enjoyed new clothes.

I knew God existed but didn’t have anything to do with him until I needed something, then I would cry out to him.  I definitely did not have a personal relationship with him. He was my God when it was convenient.

Because I was driven by my emotions my attitude towards others was unstable.  I wanted to look good but I didn’t care about those around me.  My lowest point was when I was sent to prison.

For four years I was invited to join the CR group but I always said no because attending didn’t interest me. Finally I said yes because it was something new to try. It was through this program that I started to have a personal relationship with Jesus.  I never wanted to deal with my past but now that I have Jesus in my heart, He makes it possible to have healing and closure.  CR has helped me change my attitude towards others. I have learned to love my neighbor.  I have learned to love and appreciate myself as God’s daughter. Now that I know God I want to serve Him and seek His holiness. 

A real benefit of being a part of the CR program is that now I have a spiritual family that supports me. I feel that I can love without limits because God loves me.

May God bless you.

*names have been changed to protect identities*