Ministry Nueva Vida y Paz has been established in Central America since 1992 During that time many people have been rehabilitated from addictions like drugs and alcohol through counseling and our use of Christ’s teachings. At our center we offer hope to those who have none. We believe that God is not only ready but moreover desires to put in order every area of our lives. He puts our lives in order in a way that we can do things that please him.
Our lives are restored by Jesus, first by recognizing that he came and was crucified for the sins of the world making a redemptive path in a lost world and, second, understanding that thru Jesus’ sacrifice, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can now have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. This means that we must work and concentrate on bringing all our thoughts and projects into the obedience of Jesus.
A lot of time and patience is required on the road to total restoration. A person must take time to learn and be disciplined. And because this process takes time and patience, a person must be willing and want to be teachable and must commit to the total time of our program, which ranges from 8 to 10 months.
During the program, our residents learn how to walk in the light and love of God. They do this, taking personal responsibilities to increase their goals and privileges. The resident has increased responsibility with each phase of the program, until he learns how to give and receive orders and instructions and how to give and receive care and correction to others with love.
In the love of Jesus
Victor y Chici Barbella
Structure and Length of the Program
The rehabilitation program has a duration of 8 to 10 months, and is divided into four phases and in each on of them, the levels of responsibilities and privileges increase at the same time that the status of the resident also increases. If the graduated resident wishes to stay and help with the function of the center, he must opt for an additional training that goes from 10 to 12 months when he becomes a member of our ministry.
From the time the resident first comes to our program, he or she will go thru a two month period with very few privileges, like sending or receiving mail, and he or she will not have more responsibilities than the usual daily routine schedule. Generally, in that time, residents receive salvation and the Holy Spirit. During the next two phases he will begin to take on some responsibilities and duties which will put some pressure on him and will guide him to the Lord so that he will seek His help. With these new responsibilities also come privileges like receiving and making phone calls, receiving visits from the family, and supervised weekends at home.
In the final phase of the program, the resident will receive training to become a counselor and will provide advice to other residents that are in a lower status. Then the resident will make and send a written report to the Directive Board, in this way they will be helping others in the same way they were helped. Every graduate of the program will receive a Certificate of Completion which will be awarded at the Annual Graduation Supper.
Therapy Types
It’s required that each person in the program follow a daily schedule that includes Bible School, devotional meetings, counseling, participation in recreational activities and daily duties. Disciplinary measures like hand -written compositions or memorizing verses of the Bible, the loss of some privileges or extra duties will be given to correct negative behavior. We don’t use any type of drugs or suppressive medicines, neither do we use group therapy.
Acceptance of Requirements
In order to be accepted in the program, a person must be willing to search for God as the answer to his or her problems and accept His authority. The cases that come from court may be attended to or postponed as long as a month. Medical prescription drugs are allowed if the supervisor approves them. No type of medicine or drugs with any alcohol content are allowed. One must be willing to undergo a preliminary interview before being accepted as a member of the program.
Funding
Nueva Vida y Paz Ministry does not receive any funding from the government nor from any specific denomination. We totally trust in God to move people’s hearts to help us to meet our needs whether it be individually or thru congregations. Our needs include basically everything that a household needs to be functional (food, cleaning items, ready cash, etc.) None of our staff members receive a salary, but we receive donations sent directly to their names individually or to the whole of the team members in general.
About our Directors
Victor has been working with Christian Ministries since 1978, Dolores since 1976. Victor, an ex-heroin addict of 13 years, met Dolores during an Adolescent Mission’s trip to Norman, New Jersey in 1978. They got married that same year. In their lives and in their Ministry, they both have accumulated many years of experience helping and rehabilitating people with drug and alcohol abuse problems.
Victor started to drink and use drugs from the age of 13 and was in jail for robbery, assault and possession of heroin. In 1977, God intervened, and he has been serving Him ever since thru the rehabilitation of drug addicts and alcoholics in his Christian ministry.
Dolores, in the search for meaning in her life, was involved in witchcraft and, at that time, making money was her only goal in life. She did not have any peace in her life but later on she found Jesus watching a 700 Club program and attending a local Church of the Complete Evangelism. She started to work in rehabilitation programs for Alcoholics and Drug addicts and after her marriage to Victor, she has continued serving the Lord through this important Ministry. Both are ordained Ministers.
For more information about voluntary admission to the Rehabilitation center in Nicaragua, call 011-505-603-3423. Our address is Barrio Georgino Andrade, Km 44 on the highway between San Marcos and Masatepe (next to the Free Trade Zone factory) across from the bus stop.
