Road to Recovery Newsletter: June 2016

Jesus hung out with the lost and broken people of society in his day.

Luke 19:1 - 10 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”  But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

It is our call to embrace
the very people
Jesus embraces.

 Not only are the people of Mexico finding healing from their hurts, hang-ups and habits- they are finding the gift of eternal salvation- the greatest gift ever offered to us by God.

A set of 4 books costs $20. If you would like to purchase a set for someone who can't afford them please select RECOVERY MINISTRY from the giving list and then write CR BOOKS in the message area.     Lives are being transformed.

The Recovery Ministry team feels called to change the world one broken person at a time. Participants are admitting their sins, confessing them to God and accepting the healing they need most in their lives.

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

My name is Star and I am a believer in recovery, I struggle with anger.  Prior to starting recovery I was rebellious and had no fear of God.  I drank a lot of alcohol and lead a promiscuous lifestyle. I surrounded myself with very bad people. The only time I would cry out to God was when I was in trouble as this was when I remember he actually existed. I was distant, defensive and could be cruel. I reached the lowest point in my life when I started stealing, cheating, selling my body and ending up in prison. But it was in prison when I realized that even in here there were women getting their lives back together, being transformed by the power of God. I felt that I needed that kind of change in my life too, so I became involved in the Celebrate Recovery group.

Now that I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit has led me to make changes, changes I could not make with my own strength. Celebrate Recovery has taught me to be a better person, a loving and compassionate person, a person who shows mercy to others.  The 12 Steps have been a blessing to my life because they reflect the condition of my heart and also reflect the need I have to depend on God every day. One of the changes that God has done in my life in terms of my relationship with others is that now I am learning to love other people despite their shortcomings and differences, the same way God loves me.

By the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ I no longer lie or steal and I am able to control my anger. All of my trust is in Jesus Christ and I am more aware of my attitudes (good and bad).  I try to please Him at all times.  I have received many benefits and blessings since I started working through the CR program. I am able to see patience in me, love, peace and joy despite being in this place. I am able to encourage new believers by sharing with them that they too can recover from the hurts, hang-ups and habits of their former lifestyle. I can share with them that in Christ they will always find forgiveness, healing and restoration for their lives.
Thank you for letting me share.  God Bless!

*names have been changed to protect their identity*

Pray for the Recovery team:
~ as we reach out to the community of Rosarito. We will be handing out the "Does your life need to change?" invitations and posters in the community so they too can find hope for their broken lives.
~ as we reach out to the lost and broken through special events and training.
May- Mother’s Day event in the prison
May- Movie events at Calvary Chapel Rosarito and the Ensenada Prison
May & July-Information seminars and Celebrate Recovery Step Study training for pastors and church leadership in the East Colonias of Tijuana and Ensenada.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face
shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up
His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’

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

Hello, my name is Carla and I am a believer in recovery from alcoholism, drugs and guilt. My life before recovery was empty. I wanted to leave my destructive behavior but I couldn’t; I wanted recovery for myself and my family but it was too difficult to do on my own. I felt lonely. Deep inside I knew I needed God, but I felt so unworthy. I had been taught about a God who does not hear me unless I am certain kind of person or belonged to a certain religion (Jehovah Witness). I isolated myself and avoided being with my loved ones; I felt more and more alone. I was afraid being around others so I buried myself in alcohol. I eventually lost everything, my house, my car, my job, my marriage, my relationship with my family. I hit rock bottom when I began to steal and entered into prostitution. I remember wandering on the streets aimlessly sleeping on pieces of cardboard in abandoned houses.  Eventually I was thrown into prison.

One day I was invited to the YUGO Bible Study. This has been one of the greatest decisions and blessing in my life! The Celebrate Recovery program has helped me a lot.  I have been set free from the darkness and pain that was inside of me. Best of all, I know I do not have to walk this journey alone.   There are other women just like me who are allowing God to heal them. Jesus Christ is with us in our journey towards recovery. I was so impacted when I learned that God forgives us no matter what we have done. It touched my heart to know that Jesus washed the feet of Judas even though he knew that hours later Judas was going to betray him. This speaks to me of the greatest love, compassion and mercy from God that one can imagine.

Through Celebrate Recovery God has spoken into my life.  The lesson that spoke most to my heart was where God declares me not guilty; also, doing my daily inventory greatly blessed my heart. I can honestly tell you that my life has turned 360 degrees.

Even though I'm in prison I managed to reconnect with my family and friends and I have come to cherish the many wonderful women within the CR program.  I have learned to relate to other people and I do not feel alone. Now I can share that the feelings of fear, insecurity, rejection, guilt and loneliness are gone and this I owe to Jesus Christ.  I know that God loves me, forgives me and has a purpose for my life. Since inviting God into my life, I feel Him walking beside me and now all I do, I do it for Him.  I’ve been made right with God and He has clothed me with His righteousness.

 

Now I get to share my story with other women in the prison, and with my family through letters, telling them how God has changed my life and He has given me hope and a purpose. My greatest desire is to serve at New Beginning women’s discipleship home and rehabilitation centers and where ever the Holy Spirit guides me to bring the Good News. My desire is to reach souls for Christ. I feel like I've finally found my purpose and my happiness.

Thank you and God bless.

*names have been changed to protect their identity*

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

My name is Yesenia, and I am a believer working on my recovery.  My life before Christ and recovery was sad, full of confusion and I felt disoriented.  There were times when I felt resentment towards society and I tried to fill the void with alcohol or other kinds of drugs. I knew that God existed but I didn’t have a relationship with Him.  I never looked for Him and I didn’t trust others who did know Him.  I was insecure and very unhappy. 

Losing both of my parents while being incarcerated has been the lowest point in my life; my heart hurts.  I was invited to attend the YUGO Bible Study called “Celebrate Recovery”.  It was there that I met with Christ and asked Him to be my Savior. My confidence started to grow. The CR program has given me tools to deal with traumas in my life. I’m learning to give everything over to God.  Through the program I was able to discover that while I am an adult I was still suffering and holding on to past hurts deep within my heart.  The divorce of my parents was still causing me pain but I was never able to talk about it but I was given the opportunity while going through the CR program. This was something that marked my life and I had been unable to overcome it, until now.  I also can share with you that now that I know God, my insecure and distrustful life is gone and I can admit that I need help. I have the courage to recognize my faults; I accept the consequences of my actions and recognize that they are because of making wrong choices.

I am learning to walk by faith, believing that God loves me enough to send His Son to die for my sins. With the Holy Spirit as my Helper I am being guided in truth.  One of the benefits of working through the CR program is that I feel set free from the guilt and condemnation that I had before. I depend on the wisdom of God to guide my steps and He has given me the opportunity to share this with others just beginning their recovery process. I have also been able to share the good news about the hope that is found only through Jesus Christ to my family.

Thank you for letting me share.

*names have been changed to protect identity*

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

My name is Yolanda and I am a believer in recovery. I struggle with the memories of my past and the words that I choose to speak.  Before starting my recovery process I was filled with hatred, resentment and I had a thirst for vengeance.  When it came to getting what I wanted I would stop at nothing, thinking that I could do it in my own strength. I felt superior to others. I was good and considerate to those who were poor but to those who had money I was arrogant and rude. My thought of God was that he would help only a certain kind of person. I allowed my husband to abuse me physically and sexually and when I had to be taken to the hospital I justified the beating; I never had the courage to say “no” to my husband, this was about the lowest point in my life. 

With this as my background I came to prison.  One day while I was in my cell I saw a group of women enter the prison and they started handing out hot dogs to a group of inmates. I asked permission to go and was told that I would have to listen to the teaching of the group.  I went thinking that all I really needed was a hot dog.  I was wrong.  I learned quickly that I needed God in my life. I needed forgiveness and His healing touch. Who would have thought that a simple little hot dog would be the way that God captured my attention and get me on the path of recovery.

Accepting Christ into my heart was the best decision I have ever made. I am a blessed woman because I am saved from eternal death. I am blessed because I know Jesus as my Savior.  CR has helped me overcome my insecurities and my life is gradually changing for the good. I say gradually because there is so much more to do in my life but God and I are working on my anger and controlling my impulses. I am learning to recognize my mistakes and apologize when necessary. I am learning how to make amends.  God continues to make big changes in my life and heart – I am far from perfect but I am fighting the good fight and in the process God is teaching me to depend on Him for everything. The insecurity, hatred and resentment that ruled my life before now has been changed by a constant security that comes from God alone.  I am learning to be honest and transparent.

One of the many benefits of working through the CR program is that I now have life mentors. I am learning to have faith, strength, hope and love. I have learned to forgive and receive forgiveness.  Today I encourage those just starting out on their own path of recovery and I am able to share the Good News of God’s love to my family.  I feel called to share the blessing of God’s love with everyone.

Thank you for letting me share and may God bless you.

*names have been changed to protect identity*

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.