Road to Recovery Newsletter - March 2016

GRACE: receiving something that I don't deserve.

 Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now, I see. T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.

I love this song. The words are so powerful. It brings comfort and healing to a heart so broken and beat up by the world. Those who are participating in the Celebrate Recovery program are learning of and experiencing first hand the grace that God gives. Lead us home Lord Jesus!!

A testimony from a Celebrate Recovery participant: Cherie   
My name is Cherie and I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ. I struggle with overeating and am recovering from sexual abuse. At a young age I found comfort in food as I felt like I could not live up to my father’s expectations. He was a controlling, verbally abusive, workaholic father. I learned quickly that kids like to make fun of overweight people. I became insecure as I struggled with feelings of inferiority. I had very few friends.
     At twelve years of age I was molested, at fourteen I started dating my first husband, at seventeen I was raped, I was married by the time I was eighteen. Our relationship was based on lust. I thought in order to be loved I needed to give sex in return. I never felt like I was thin enough or pretty enough for my husband and I turned to bulimia.  Our marriage was one struggle after another and eventually we both sought relationships outside of our marriage. I became pregnant thinking it would help matters. I left my husband shortly before our daughter was born. The loneliness drove me deeper into drugs and alcohol; I was looking for love in all the wrong places.  I felt like a failure as a wife and as a mother. I knew my parents could take better care of my daughter than I could, so my plan was to use the diet pills I had been taking for years to end my life. God sent my neighbor to intervene.
     My neighbor brought me to church and I accepted Jesus Christ into my life. I never touched drugs again. Accepting Jesus Christ has freed me from life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups.  I learned about the unconditional love of my Heavenly Father. I no longer had to look to man for acceptance and approval.  God has taught me to love and appreciate other people in my life. The deeper my relationship gets with Jesus the more I learn to trust him knowing He has a plan and a purpose for my life.  Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Years after a messy divorce, God sent me a wonderful husband, gave us three beautiful daughters and seven of the most adorable grandchildren.
My first time attending Celebrate Recovery, I felt like I belonged.  Tears of joy dripped down my face as I bathed in the worship songs that felt as though they had been written just for me. By working the Celebrate Recovery program I keep a short inventory so I can see when I am falling back to my old habits. God in his mercy and grace has not only set me free from past hurts, habits and hang-ups, He is also reaching others around me and bringing restoration into their lives.

*names have been changed to protect their identity*

 

We are called and committed to a mission without available resources to complete it; so we ask that you come along side us financially.

Some Celebrate Recovery participants do not have the funds to complete the program; a complete set of books costs $20 - for some households this is their grocery money for the week.

 

Would you pray about becoming a financial partner in the Recovery Ministry?  Your commitment of $25, $50, or $100 per month will purchase books for those who can't and will bring hope and healing to those who desperately need it.

The button to donate at the top of the screen will take you to the YUGO Ministries website where you can join our team - please indicate RECOVERY MINISTRY when donating.
If you have any questions regarding the donation process please contact us.

 Please join us in praying

~ that God would raise up more facilitators/leaders.
~ for those who are deciding to join us as financial partners.
~ that God would protect our participants.
~ for those who continue to struggle with their hurts, habits and hang-ups and are fearful of joining a recovery ministry near them. 

 

Our team is grateful to everyone who has said YES to prayerfully and financially supporting the Recovery Ministry. 

You have made it possible for us to do the kingdom work that is way bigger than us and our own resources. 

 

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*