Ray's Testimony

Hello my name is Ray and I am a faithful believer in Jesus Christ.  I battle with anger and self-esteem issues.

When I was 8 years old my dad was murdered on his way home from work.  I questioned God regarding this event in my life and ended up walking away from Him. I wanted nothing to do with God.  As I grew up I started going to parties and gay night clubs. It didn’t take long until I was dressing like a woman, telling my family that I was gay.  5 years into my gay lifestyle I shared with my family that I wanted to have an operation to become a woman.  My mom, who is a Christian, hugged me and told me that she loved me as did God.  I was so angry that when she gave me a Bible and I ended up throwing it at her. Oh how I caused her heart to ache, but, I didn’t care; I was so caught up in the gay lifestyle.

One night, while at a gay club, a young man approached me and asked if he could take me home.  I don’t know what happened that night but I woke up at the Red Cross.  I was beaten and bruised.  Doctors told me that I had been thrown from a car traveling at a high speed.  The doctor told me that I should thank God for saving my life. In that moment I began to cry as I remembered the words of my mom. As soon as I was released from the hospital I went to seek forgiveness from my mom.  She took me to church the following Sunday where I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

The people of my mom’s church were so wonderful even though I was still dressing like a woman and wearing makeup. I am so thankful for their help and advice.  After 2 years of attending my Pastor suggested to me that it was time to start serving.  I joined the Usher’s team. When I was told about the Celebrate Recovery program that our church offered I was so thankful that I didn’t know what to do.  I praise God for the volunteers who took the time to explain the program and invite me to the Thursday night share time. I thank God for allowing me receive the great blessing of having Celebrate Recovery in my life.  I see, think, love and speak different.  The program is a tool that taught me to love myself, forgive myself and my enemies because I do not live anymore but Christ lives in me.

 

Thank you for letting me share.

Ray

*all names have been changed to protect their identity

Road to Recovery March/April 2017

On March 14, 2017 our great friend, Rod Hoople, passed away and moved into the arms of Jesus in heaven! The miracle so many of us wanted, didn't happen the way we wanted it to. Rod was full of love and smiles and always had a kind word and joke for everyone! Along with his beloved wife Cheryl, they were long time members of Calvary Chapel Rosarito and the founders and directors of our Celebrate Recovery Program! 

On Saturday, March 18th, there was a Celebration of Life service held at the Hoople's sending church, St. Albert Alliance. After celebrating Easter in Canada, Cheryl will return to Mexico where on April 22nd there will be a second Celebration of Life service at Calvary Chapel Rosarito. Cheryl will continue with the work that she and Rod began together. Please continue to lift Cheryl up in prayer.

Sandra's Testimony

Hello, my name is Sandra and I am a faithful believer in Jesus Christ who struggles with self-control and other character defects.

My mom was an alcoholic and my dad couldn’t take it anymore so when I was 8 years old my dad left us. My mom met Alfredo who became our stepdad; this man left scars on my body and my heart.  My oldest sister ran away and by the time I was 10 I had the responsibility of caring for my younger siblings. My stepdad was abusive and my focus was to protect my siblings. I was so afraid.
I was 11 when my aunt came from California to unite us with our dad. I was happy to go. With 3 months left to finish High School, my dad decided to return to Mexico to start a business. I chose to stay with my aunt and uncle.  Living with them without my dad turned into a nightmare. After I graduated from High School I ran away with my boyfriend and I became pregnant.  We moved to Mexico and I ended up leaving him after our daughter was born because he started abusing me. At 18 I was a single mom working hard to feed my daughter.  Eventually, I found my dad and moved in with him; he passed away 5 years later.

I met Oscar, the man of my dreams. We got married and had more beautiful daughters. Life was hard but so good.  April 2009 I accepted Jesus into my heart and I thought that at last everything would be fine but I was very wrong.  My husband was diagnosed with bone cancer; he passed away in February 2010.  I am thankful that Oscar knew Jesus.

Today I am a mother of 5 girls and I serve at my church as a 3 and 4 year old children’s ministry teacher.  I am a Celebrate Recovery Facilitator and I serve on the Recovery Ministry team going into the Woman’s Prison weekly.  I am thankful that a friend of mine invited me to Celebrate Recovery.
Principle 5 is a favorite of mine. Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires". I have made amends with the people from my past including my mom.  I asked for forgiveness as I did not want to live with the hate, resentment and anger that was burning inside of me. My mom and I have a great relationship now.
Celebrate Recovery is a blessing for me because God has given me the courage to change the things I cannot change – some of those things are to forgive, not to worry and live one day at a time.

 

Step 7 the Word says, 1 John 1:9 – If we freely admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and continuously cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Thank you for letting me share.

A new session of Celebrate Recovery's 12 Step Studies for English speaking women will begin on May 2nd. The study will be open to newcomers for 6 weeks. We hope you will join us!

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for the Celebrate Recovery Ministry.  Your words of encouragement during this time has been truly appreciated.

Celebrate Recovery Step Studies

A new session of Celebrate Recovery's 12 Step Studies for English speaking women will begin on May 2nd. The study will be open to newcomers for 6 weeks. We hope you will join us!