Burdened people help burdened people. Severe winters plague the students of Ta Phin Middle School in Sapa, Lao Cai in Northwest Vietnam.  Most of the students in this school are Red Dao and H’Mong ethnic minorities and among the poorest in Vietnam.  People in Lao Cai have experienced many difficulties throughout 2008, including severe winters which killed livestock and ruined their crops, as well as heavy rains and flash flooding.

When Mark Weston, NorthWood’s pastor in charge of Celebrate Recovery, heard this school was in desperate need of 300 winter coats for the students, God laid it on his heart to help these children.  He committed to provide 50 of the 300 coats needed for a coat drive and then went straight to the Celebrate Recovery participants for help.  Within a month, the group had more than 50 coats and managed to send a total of 150 coats to the school.

By being true disciples, these Celebrate Recovery members, who are overcoming their own burdens, were able to help others as they spread the good news of Jesus by providing these children with warm winter coats.

One of the most important things you will learn through Celebrate Recovery is the act of giving.  You will experience the importance of sharing our resources with those who have needs by placing God first in our lives and by being a part of a team where serving brings spiritual victory. 

Are you hurting from divorce, mourning the death of a loved one or having trouble controlling your anger? Suffer from depression, anxiety, co-dependency, or addiction?  Are you drowning in financial debt, find yourself in a broken relationship, or simply have an unforgiving heart?  You may not realize it, but any one of these can be an interference keeping us from living for Jesus Christ.  Celebrate Recovery provides Christ-centered healing as we become followers of Christ in freedom.

Celebrate Recovery is for everyone.  You will find help in dealing with the origins of your issue or addiction.   By following the Eight Recovery Principles, you will experience transformation through the application of Biblical principles.  You will begin to grow spiritually and become free from compulsive, dysfunctional and addictive behaviors. Through Open Share Groups, you will build relationships with others that are based on the open sharing of life experiences and struggles.  Through these, trust will come and lead to an open and honest exchange where hurts and struggles are openly revealed and discussed.

If you are hurting or burdened and would like to become involved with Celebrate Recovery, please contact Mark Weston at extension 145 or email him at markweston@northwoodchurch.org.

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