Laws of Man are not a Moral Compass

Greetings and blessings to everyone!

  We want you to know that each and everyone of you are in our prayers. It has been very heartwarming to receive so many emails from many of you who are worried about us and our situation with COVID here in Peru. The outpour of such kindness and prayers, we recognize as blessings and a gift from God.  Our situation here in Peru with the COVID virus is ever changing as I am sure is the case in the US. In July the government removed, for the most part, all of the military from our area and we were left with the obligation of maintaining the social distancing order and the nightly curfew which mandated that we were to be in our homes between 10 pm and 4 am each night. Although we had been asked by our Bishop and priest not to return to our formal ministries such as sacramental prep classes, youth group and bible studies we found comfort in the new normal of just being open to the Holy Spirit and knowing that soon our churches could open and formal ministries would be allowed to continue as we felt we could see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

    However due to the rise in COVID cases, as of August, the 1^st our region, along with many more regions, have now been placed back on a strict quarantine and they have moved our curfew up a few hours making it now mandatory to be in our homes each night at 8 pm until September. With the nightly curfew comes a mandatory stay at home order each Sunday, making the possibility of the Church doors opening here in Peru impossible any time soon, along with halting once again travel between any other regions of the country. Not to mention there is absolutely no concrete idea of when international travel will be allowed to resume which has made it hard for the Peruvian economy as many of the poor here rely on tourism for their family’s income. The government has said that, they are hopeful by the end of 2020 or the 1^st quarter of 2021 being an option of when international flights may return.

    It is surreal to think about what toll and effect this pandemic has taken on so many people’s lives and of the effects caused by the heavy handed governments which have had to take action out of fear rather than faith. I must note that I do not stand on either side of the debate. With one side fussing loudly about the need to wear masks and the other side screaming of the unjust of government overreach by shutting down their lives and meddling in their personal movements and affairs, it seems that picking one of their sides would not solve much when dealing with this pandemic.  It is important to know that with the eyes of the world we cannot combat the virus or its effects on this world; but to see with prudent eyes would be to see it through the eyes of the Lord and perhaps that is the best way to combat this pandemic.

    Knowing are actions must be a mirror image of the Lords merciful nature, and the need to obey the greatest commandment “You shall love...God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength....You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31) it gives a narrow gate to enter but we can be confident that our actions will be aligned with those that Jesus spoke about.

  I cannot help but think of the words of Saint Benedict: “that a person love not his own will nor take pleasure in satisfying his desires, but model his actions on the saying of the Lord, ‘I have come not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”(John 6:38)

 

  With that said I must share with you of my personal struggle during this quarantine, but 1^st I  desire to enlighten you of the familiar story of the two sisters Mary and Martha, which often replays in my head during my personal prayer time. As I recall the many times lately “I” have become a hindrance in Christ’s Mission set before me. I am very much a “Martha”, a planner, go getter, and a worrier, instead of mirroring the wisdom of Mary and her peaceful silence and contemplative nature like I know I should. After all, Jesus told Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things. Mary has chosen the best part and she will not be deprived of it.”(Luke 10:41-42)

     Do not get me wrong Martha’s concerned nature and the life she lived of service is not frowned upon by Jesus; after all the Church celebrates ST. Martha and her life of service every July 29^th. However, Jesus addressed the fact that we cannot always live a life of service at all times. We must also have time for prayer and Holy Silence to set before the Lord. To desire to seek His face and the ability to possess a life of contemplation is also a very important role as a Christian and for our own sanctity. 

Although the Martha in me has definitely been challenged everyday during this time of uncertainty,  I have also been very blessed to see the new fruits that have come from living day to day, guided by the Holy Spirit and of contemplating on the face of Jesus in Holy Silence, rather than a “to-do” list.  As I have been reminded of the fact that to follow Christ also means that we should make His cares, wishes, concerns, and loves our own cares, wishes, concerns, and loves, rather than those of our own will. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). But to do this “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”--Blessed Mother Teresa and it is “In silence and quiet the devout soul advances in virtue and learns the hidden truths of Scripture.”--Imitation of Christ

 In keeping this commandment, we obviously cannot live in this world, there is no mistaking that the only way to do so is to realign our hearts to that of our Lords. I know as a Christian I cannot without prudence solely live of what the Government demands of us, and live strictly on adherence to their rules, because their laws are not a moral compass, nor can I live on the liberal view point, with the mentality that I can live as if only my rights matter and are more important than my neighbors. Instead I must be focused more on the universal call to holiness and what that means personally for me and for those souls that I may help bring closer to Christ.

  In this season it seems that Jesus desires to highlight the Martha in me, as I have often forgotten to be more like Mary.  As I often heavily weigh my worth and how God sees my worthiness by the works of my hand.  The fact that I am always engulfed in the works of my hands rather than just sitting attentively to Jesus with my gaze fixed to his face has indeed been stressed during this pandemic, leaving no doubt that this season for me was meant to be a season  of change and a season of renewal. 

 With that said I have realized that within our vocation and ministry that we must welcome the opportunity to sit in Holy Silence with our Lord. It is a constant balance that we must maintain not to become too much like Martha and not enough like Mary. Since being called to live as a foreign missionary I have often worried if I am doing enough, If I was sacrificing enough for those I serve. So you can see that when the pandemic hit I felt our ministries were hindered significantly and I begged the Holy Spirit to prepare a way for us to show us how best to serve in this time while still obeying the rules of the government. Thanks be to God, through prayer and discernment the Holy Spirit made it clear to us where we could draw the line between following the rules imposed by the Peruvian government that hindered us from being able to keep the greatest commandment to love God and our neighbor.

  So, with that we have been able to make a respectable and holy decision to not actively visit the elderly in their homes. Forgoing our normal home visits that consisted of prayer and friendly conversation, instead we felt it to be more prudent to visit from a distance, so we have been walking to their homes to check on them and leaving food for them. We have also made the super hard decision to not visit the communities up in the mountains. As we felt that they are so many hours away from this crazy mess, secluded in their own world without intrusion from the outside world, we did not want to bring them harm and enter their secluded communities and bring the virus. Instead we communicate with them via telephone and have been able to check on them and pray together in that way.

  Thankfully, we have, yet again, learned new ways to serve as the Holy Spirit has led us to unusual opportunities this past month.  Thank goodness since the government has reactivated the quarantine measures, we have yet seen the military here in our town. We pray that in this round they will not return to restrict our movements any further than what they are. Because at the moment we are able to move around during the day and to buy our provisions as needed for ourselves and for those we have been helping by supplementing them with food.

  Also, without the militaries presence the children can play a lot longer together outside than the allotted 1 hour per day limit. and thank goodness the police next door has not said anything to them overstaying their play time.  And since our formal ministries have not yet been approved to resume it has provided the opportunity for all three of us to spend more time with the children here.

  I must tell you how Gabriel came up with a new way to serve his friends. He designed a water jug holder, complete with cup holders and had a local young man weld it into existence. It was really awakening to us the 1^st day that Gabriel wheeled out the new water jug holder for the afternoon fun and games in the plaza. It is something so simple that we often forget the riches we have while being able to afford to buy clean drinking water. A 5-gallon jug here is roughly 2 US dollars. Clean water here is a luxury and the children feel so honored to be invited for a drink of clean water and to have their own cup to drink from.  Since water is such a sacred symbol in the bible, and I cannot help but pray that Gabriel’s water ministry will be able to bring others closer to Christ in the way he intended.

  Julianna has been taken this time to fix broken statues, a bit of a different kind of ministry you can say. It all started with her fixing a broken crucifix that had been thrown to the side of the church and ever since she has been asked to repair others from people here in our town.

  We also have used some of the of extra time that we have on our hands to bake cookies and homemade chicken pot pies to deliver to our older neighbors in the community.

    Each Thursday night we still have Holy adoration and on Sunday we have a celebration of the word, despite the church doors having to remain closed.  We remain obedient to this time and as a family fervently pray that others may hear us as we proclaim the word of our Lord and rejoice in song.

     I can not help but cringe when the church bells rings, as we know it is not to announce Mass is about to start. Instead the only reason they ring is to announce that another person has died. It has become way to common of a sound. Just this week we had another death, not directly because the person had the illness but because of depression due to losing his job because of the governments shut down to stop the spread of the virus. Mr. Luis leaves behind his wife and 7 year old son. This is a ministry that is very hard for my children and I, we ask that you please keep us in your prayers and all those who have passed since March.

I know it is very possible that as my family has, that the recent times have been riddled with many uncertainties for you and your family as well. We pray that you may be blessed to seek and to encounter the face of Christ, and that within your search you will encounter the most holiest of places where you may sit in the midst of His silence,  far away from the noise. You may find to carve out the time in your day, may be difficult at 1^st but rest assure, that once you open your heart and silence the noise, your appetite for such prayer will increase over time; because during these intimate times in prayer your heart will be inflamed with such love and holy wisdom that you will be drawn more and more to these intimate and holy encounters with Christ. There you will find your moral compass! 

We love each one of you!

Karen, Julianna and Gabriel Del Castillo

We would be honored to receive your prayer request. At anytime you may send them to us through our email address listed below.

We would be extremely blessed if you would pray for us to remain obedient and humble to the will of our Lord.  

We thank you for your prayers and your support. 


Without the sacrifices made by each of you this work would be impossible. 

Prayer request
 Email:  karendelcastillo@familymissionscompany.com

Donations Web Site: delcastillo.familymissionscompany.com

 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;

 I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done! 

Psalm 9:1

  

My children and I wanted to reach out to each of you and share with you regarding our current situation here in Peru as we are on a mandated quarantine here. We desired to give you a brief update and to also connect with each of you in this time of uncertainty and despair among many.  First of all we would like to remind everyone that this is a time we must unite in prayer and praise God for his faithfulness and love for each of us. We are reaching out to you,  not because we have great courage or strength but because we are weak and feel the need to be united with you, our sweet brothers and sisters in Christ, in prayer during this difficult time. 

So be strong and courageous, all you who 

put your hope in the Lord!- Psalm 31:24

Julianna with her prayer team

Last week March the 8^th through the 14^th my family and I were blessed by the opportunity to join our fellow missionaries in our old mission post about 9 hours south of us. We joined together to bring medicine, vitamins and two Doctors and two Physical Therapist from the United States to the poor of 6 different pueblos. Julianna served in the prayer station set up at each clinic, she and her team prayed 

with all the patients for Gods healing. Gabriel and I had the task to teach in the education station, were we taught about the importance of washing hands, brushing teeth, diabetes, a healthy diet and drinking water.  

During the clinic we were blessed with so many encounters with the Lord. The witnessing of so many miracles that Jesus performed during the medical mission trip must not be forgotten.  The smiles and the changed hearts we encountered should fill our hearts and last us a life time. For example the beautiful woman pictured below, who walked with her sister over 5 hours away to make it to the clinic. The things we take for granted in the United States and would be frustrated and appalled if we had to do the same. But this lovely woman was so grateful and overjoyed to be able to travel the distance to the free medical clinic. These witnesses and encounters we shared should be indeed cherished forever. 

This sweet women walked with her sister about 5 hours to get to the medical clinic 

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; 

I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

-  Psalm 9:1

But as we are human we fail and in the blink of the eye we can become over whelmed and become highly at risk to forget how good is our God. As we wrapped up the medical mission trip and planned to make the drive back to our mission post we heard that the President of Peru was closing the boarders and placing the country on a mandatory quarantine. With police and military on the ground directing traffic and warning everyone to go home and stay inside,  I heard a voice tell me to “go, go now”,  so we rushed to fuel the truck and pack our belongings as we prayed for open roads, for the ability to refuel along our journey and for Jesus to guide us back through the long journey home. Praise the Lord we were able to make it back to our small town of Cajaruro just in time before the road blocks were enforced. It was in an instance that our world here turned upside down, with absolutely no warning. Sunday night  the President made the announcement and by Monday the airport was closing. By Tuesday the enforcement of the no travel band was in place. No one absolute no one was to be out.   

Military posted everywhere, these guys just walking about town stopping people they saw walking around or driving.

Not normal for the USA, but we are glad to see the Military out in such force. 

We are in day 6 of the 15 day quarantine and it seems this day,  Saturday is a calmer day. The children and I have been diligent and obeying the mandatory quarantine only going out to the local Bodega (store) to make our daily food purchases. As the great Commandment tells us to Love our neighbors as our self’s, we as a family feel very passionate about adhering to the strict regulations during this time. We of all people around us have been exposed to so many different people in the last week. Because we served with the medical mission trip which consisted of 30  missionaries some of which were full time missionaries living here in Peru and others that are based out of FMC’s home base,  and 5 short term missionaries from different parts of the United States we run a high risk of bringing the virus to are small and closed off community. After all, over the course of 5 days we were in contact with over 100 patients each day. To top that off my family even made two trips to the Tarapoto airport dropping of and picking up people.  So needless to say we as a family feel the duty to remain quarantined in hopes to not contaminate anyone else in the event we have been infected by the virus ourselves. 

We must remain faithful even though at times there is no hope, we must be the light for others to know there is better times and a better life to come. For instance on Wednesday we experienced high winds here in our small town, the impact and the force of the winds destroyed many bamboo homes and blew off many tin roofs. Within the last 6 days of the quarantine we  have experienced a day without electricity and a few days without water. And instead of losing hope we must praise Jesus and His Holy Name that we have not had to go with out for long, those who had homes destroyed have found shelter until the quarantine has lifted. Yes there is a huge show of armed military and police officers throughout our small town and we are forbidden to leave our town unless it is for a medical reason or to buy food. But they are here to keep order and to enforce the law in this state of emergency. And to be frankly honest they are doing an amazing job thus far. Though it is not common to see in the United States a show of force from our military within the country I expect it is a common display here in Peru.   One can have a negative outlook and a harden heart about what we are experiencing. But we must not forget that earth is not our eternal home. We were sent here to complete our mission, not to have worldly goods and comforts, we must not forget that in our next life we will not suffer.  Pope Benedict XVI is attributed with saying the following: “The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness!” We should let his words sink in. These times are uncomfortable and scary. Believe me I have had to re-focus my worries to prayer many times in the last 6 days. It is not easy for anyone to live in a third world country but under these times it is especially trying and frightful to say the least. 

Morning after the storm blew through 

Morning after the storm blew threw

I truly want to encourage each of you to take this time of Isolation as a gift, in our suffering we must remember we are united with Christ. We should not panic and we should not be upset for having to change our plans. We should instead have joy and sing praises to the Lord our God,  who does not ever abandon his people. We are in the time of Lent a time of Alms Giving, Prayer and Penance and nothing should keep these things away from us. Yes our Churches have closed, but we must be overjoyed by the faithful and saintly priest that are still celebrating the daily Mass,  all over the world allowing us the body of the church to unite with the Head of the Church, the Bride Groom, whom is our Lord and savior. We should feel we are united with Christ in these desolate and trying times. After all Lent is a reflection of Jesus’s time in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights without food and water. He was tempted by the devil 3 times but even than he remained obedient and focused on His prayer. I cannot help but feel we are called to do the same. 

Please know that we are praying for each one of you. I beg of you to join my family in prayer as we fervently pray for an end to the virus and the quarantine. Most importantly we pray for the safety of all our missionaries around the world whom have been effected by the closing of borders, and mandated quarantines to keep them safe from any threats or outbreaks of violence. Please keep all of us safe as we continue to serve your people. We especially pray for the first responders, including my two sons Mason and Maccray and the doctors and nurses whom do not have the option to stay home.  Lord God we pray for you to remain close to us and to breathe your spirit of peace among each of us during this time.   Amen

Please remember at any time please feel free to send us your special prayer request.   You can send them to us by email:

Email:  karendelcastillo@familymissionscompany.com

If this Lenten season you feel called to help support our families mission here in Peru, Please donate by following the link below:

Web Site: delcastillo.familymissionscompany.com

We thank you for your prayers and your support. 

Without the sacrifices made by each of you this work would be impossible. 

Karen,  Julianna and Gabriel Del Castillo 

A wonderful group of missionaries, it was an honor to serve a week with them, 

The doctor found a way to entertain his patient 

Gabriel wanted to help this gentleman make it through the medical stations

Waiting for the Doctor 

Gabriel made it to the small make shift pharmacy with his patient.

Perfect families do not exist

  Listening to the homily on the Feast day of the Holy Family the main focus of the homily was of a family that consisted of a Father, Mother and children. And rightfully so. Their example of obedience to God’s will, their unconditional love for God and for each other. Their immense desire to serve God and others before themselves, and their never wavering faith,  are truly saintly examples for families to live by. 


  However I cannot lie, I did feel for a brief moment,  a bit confused of my purpose not as a foreign Catholic lay Missionary but as a single mother. I also felt heartbroken for all those who were in attendance,  that could not for whatever reason  play part in the “perfect role”.  What did they think, what were they feeling? I feared that those who were present felt they fell short of being worthy enough. With a Homily totally and  intentionally directed to intact, whole, perfect families. (the ones which included Father, Mother and children) Again I whole heartily believe that it should have been this way, however perhaps I am struggling with not what was said, but the lack of what was NOT said.  I certainly feel Jesus would not have excluded so many. After all so many people my family serve (and which were attending mass that night ) must have felt a bit unworthy. Towards the end of Mass the only two complete families who were gathered  were invited to receive a special blessing at the front of the church. 


  My heart was struck with sadness as I  looked upon the rest whom were watching. What about the little 9 year old girl who walks her blind grandfather to church each Sunday. What about Jose who is 19  and loves to serve others, and who has lived with his grandparents since he was 10,  after his Mom and Dad separated and chose to abandon him while they pursued other love relationships. Or Milton who desires and prays daily for his wife and him to receive the sacrament of marriage after living 10 years together. What about all the women who attend the church without their husband for whatever reason and who pray for them in such a holy way. Or for the widows who lost their spouse but yet still must endure and press on for their children.  I could not help but to think that these people felt unworthy to be called a family after what they had heard or rather the lack of. After not being invited to the front of the church to receive a special blessing upon their little,  not so perfect,  rendition of a family. 


  I recently took a class over the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Studying and learning the importance of knowing ones audience while teaching the Catholic faith. To be sure that when passing on the “word of Faith” that it’s done in its wholeness.  Learning that it is truly important for one to know and to take in account the needs of those who we are teaching , “our audience”. The General Directory for Catechesis (GDC 145) reminds us of the importance of the principle  “to teach from the Deposit of Faith for any given audience must take into account, not only the amount of time available, but also such factors as age, education, background, and culture.” I could not help to think that It could be a possibility that the homily for the night was a bit misdirected to the wrong type of group and fell short to engage the attending audience.  However despite the shortness of the full truth,  I found wholeness and a since of purpose in our mission we have been set on here at our new post.  A better understanding of the cross I bear as a single mother and why I have been asked to carry into the mission field for everyone to see. There is honestly no way to hide I am a single mother who also has been called to serve Christ as a foreign missionary.  I am not called to carry my cross with a sadden heart, but with a Joyful heart. Walking with a since of completion and fullness, knowing that Jesus is right beside me. 


  It’s our duty as baptized Catholics to pass on the trueness of our Faith. To not water down the teachings of the Catholic Church. However there is a flip side to this. We must not be above others and so caught up in the Hierarchy of the Church, so much that it prevents ourselves from extending love, generosity and forgiveness to those who may fall short of being the living example of the Holy Family.  To exclude the teaching of Jesus’s merciful love and forgiveness,  is not a successful way of discipleship.  After all Jesus healed and  forgave Mary Magdalene, Chose Saint Paul to become a missionary,  despite the fact he persecuted Christians, and  the list does not stop there. Jesus ate with thieves and sinners. Called Zacchaeus down from a tree in order to visit with him in his home. And forgave those who nailed him to the cross. 


  It’s easy to teach from the perspective of Holiness, but from sinner to saint perhaps many of our teachings and Homilies  can fall short throughout the Church. However we must not forget the most fundamental point,  that Jesus came to save. To save the people,  that perhaps have not been born into a life of holiness, or had a loving family to teach them about God or the merciful love of Jesus Christ. He came to save the sinners.

Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" Mark 2:17

The feast day of the Holy Family should inspire all of us to become more like them. To be obedient to Gods will, To serve others, to love without conditions and to have a servants heart. That is how all families should live. Perhaps you are a single mother or a single father. Maybe you are a step parent. Or even have adopted a child or been adopted yourself. Maybe your living with your grandparents.  The fact is our families my look a bit different from the Holy Family. But we still can strive to obtain this level of Holiness. We our still worthy to do so. 


Pope Francis said that “We are all called to be saints; we must remember that holiness is a gift from God- Not something we can achieve on our own. Holiness is not granted only to those who have the opportunity to break away from ordinary task, to devote themselves to prayer. Rather, everyone is called to holiness in their own state of life. It’s by living with love and offering Christian witness in our daily task that we are called to become saints… Always and everywhere you can become a saint, that is, by being receptive to the grace that is working in us and leads us to holiness.” 


He also said at his address to Families on Sept. 27, 2015 

 “Perfect families do not exist. This must not discourage us. Quite the opposite. Love is something we learn; love is something we live; love grows as it is 'forged' by the concrete situations which each particular family experiences. Love is born and constantly develops amid lights and shadows. Love can flourish in men and women who try not to make conflict the last word, but rather a new opportunity. An opportunity to seek help, an opportunity to question how we need to improve, an opportunity to discover the God Who is with us and never abandons us. This is a great legacy that we can give to our children, a very good lesson: we make mistakes, yes; we have problems, yes. But we know that that is not really what counts. We know that mistakes, problems and conflicts are an opportunity to draw closer to others, to draw closer to God.”

   My prayer for this blog is to entice all types of families to call upon The Holy Family to intercede for them. For all families whatever they consist of , or made up of, to seek the Holy Family as a role model and as an example of how a family should live. For those who may be a single parent, my prayer for you is that The Holy Family might join you in your day to day task as you play both roles, Father and Mother to your children. For your children to not feel abandon or alone, that they have a since of a complete family. For your children to see an authentic witness in you;  of your willingness to be guided by our heavenly Father, to willing receive the Love of His Mother, Mary and to have the  obedience of Joseph to follow God’s will.

Please pray for my family. That we may be a family to all those we serve here, who do not know the true meaning of a family. We desire to bring them the knowledge and experience of what it is to have unconditional love, generosity, forgiveness and desire to follow Christ. We pray that through seeing Christ in us,  that they may have a desire to know and become more like the Holy Family – Jesus , Mary and Joseph. 

   Holy Family of Jesus Mary and Joseph pray for us!

Karen, Julianna and Gabriel Del Castillo

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