It's not about the numbers, 

Its about His Reckless Love!

We have been so blessed this year to have felt Gods overwhelming reckless love he has to offer us. 

With such a spirit filled year we have had serving His people in Peru. Without each one of you and your prayers and financial sacrifice it would have been impossible. I cannot thank you, our mission partners enough for everything you have done, for all the hurdles you have jumped to make it possible for us to be the hands and feet of Christ to the people we live among. 

This year has not been short of suffering and trials, “but there is no mountain He wont climb up,There’s no wall He won't kick down, Lie He won't tear down Coming after us.”

The struggles and adjustments we had to make our small in comparison to the glory and goodness that has come from the Lord during our time serving in Peru. 

The song from Cory Asbury called Reckless Love has been replayed in my heart and my head for the past week, while we have been so blessed to have returned to the states to attend a much needed retreat for my family and other missionaries from all over the world. This song is very true. As we go out again into the mission field living in a 3rd world country I cannot lie it is difficult at times, even paralyzing, but God leaves the 99 to save the one. And he comes to us each and every time we fall to our knees.
But more remarkable its how he wants us to leave the 99 to save the one. He wants us to show the same reckless kind of love to others. That one baby who has no milk, because the mom is so malnourished, because she has nothing to eat. That one child who has no shoes. That one single mom who is trying to raise her daughter alone. That one lonely person that has no one to pray with them during their suffering of death.
See, God keeps coming after us, He saves us and strengthens us and with that empowerment he commands us to go and bring that same reckless kind of love to that ONE lost person. 

I should make clear that numbers do not matter. We our not living in some corporate world that can analyze to make sure the company is still successful and in the black.
No, we must rely on his word found in the book of Luke 15 when Jesus leaves the 99 for the 1 lost sheep. He states clearly he came for everyone not just the elite but everyone. That he rejoices in heaven over just one sinner who repents. That He does not even count the cost of saving us over and over again. So clearly it's not about the numbers.

But here is a quick look at just some of the amazing fruit that came from your generosity of prayers and financial support 

• Our family of 3 lived in the Jungle
• 80 people whom we served received and learned how to use the Holy Bible. 
• 20 of them faithfully attended bible study each week.
• 59 received sacraments within the three pueblos we serve.
• 100 children and young adults attend catechism classes each week for 6 months.
• 100 religious books and folders purchased. 
• 3 families received food each week. 
• 129 celebrations of the word were celebrated in three different pueblos. 
• 1 church was painted inside and out with repairs made to the exterior walls. 
• 3 churches received stations of the cross plaques.
• 40 plants planted to create a small prayer garden.
• $1200.00 worth of medicine and eye glasses purchased for the poor.
• 2 different lonely people per day were chosen to received a visit and prayers from us. 
• 5 school uniforms and shoes purchased.  
• 200 rosaries handed out with teaching of how to pray the rosary. 
• 315 days three pueblos had the presence of a Catholic family living among them.

We cannot tell you enough nor can we brag enough to Christ about the amazing work you all have completed this year. Thank you again for being a Mission partner with us. 

I would like to ask if you would consider spreading the word among your friends, family and coworkers about our mission here in Peru, so that they too can pray about becoming a Mission partner with us. We have been blessed by Christ and He has shown us great mercy in the last year making sure our needs were taken care of.

However towards the last four months their has been a few mission partners that could not continue to support the mission due to health related issues. We currently live off of $700.00 US dollars, which includes our personal expense such as home, electricity, food, as well as all of our financial donations, Alms giving and ministries.

We currently have only the monthly support for $350.00 of our current expenses. 

We have been called to return and serve again in Peru but of course we cannot do this without faithful mission partners. We our even more excited that God has called my children and I to pray and discern about becoming the 1st missionaries to open up a new post in the northern part of Peru. It is a long process which requires dedicated prayer and patience to understand clearly the call. But we our delighted that God has trusted us to speak with the Bishop and to have been invited to speak with one of his local Priest who is also praying about us serving the poor in his Diocese. If its truly God who is clearing the path to serve among their people, it could be a possibility that by the end of 2019 we could be preparing and opening a new mission post and serving people whom have never heard of Christ and his merciful love for us all in an area that has never had missionaries and is in an even more remote area of Peru than where we currently serve. 

We ask you to pray for us that God will give us the needed strength and that same kind of love he has, that he so recklessly without a doubt shares with everyone. Because that same reckless love is what needs to be shared with the people whom we have been called to serve, and know we our praying for each one of you daily.

Please enjoy this song follow the link 

We love you all so much!
Karen Del Castillo
Catholic Missionary

Contact us with your prayer intentions, follow our blog, or make a donation at the following links.

Email: karendelcastillo@familymissionscompany.com

Web Site: delcastillo.familymissionscompany.com

We suffer sometimes so that 

Gods Glory can be revealed. 

 (Feeling blessed to have made it back to the FMC retreat and FMC Donors Dinner) 

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! 

I have overcome the world." John 16:33

This last 4 weeks of our life has been perfectly crazy and designed by the best travel planner that we could ever have had. Finishing up our 1st year in the mission field, the three of us were super excited to have a chance to return to the States to attend a retreat held by FMC and to visit family for a short time,  before returning to the mission field for our second year of missions.

To be honest we could not wait to escape the heat, the mosquitos and the lack of water and the consistent power outages that we have had to struggle with while living and serving in Peru. Feeling a bit proud of completing our 1st year in the field and I am ashamed to say an inner feeling of being the privileged ones to be able to escape the poverty for a time to rest.

We embarked on our 3 day journey to return to the states which included two lay overs The 1st layover to take place in Lima which required us to stay overnight at. We embraced this layover with gladness, because it was a chance to take a normal shower with Hot water and may I add, with clean water. Before we begin the second leg of our return through Mexico City.  Little did we know that we would not yet be leaving Lima as we had planned. God had designed a travel itinerary better than I could have ever created for us.

Lima Airport

My two children and I were denied permission to leave the country. Sounds scary doesn't it!” Well, I cannot lie indeed it was terrifying for all three of us. You see Peru has a law that if minor children Residents or US citizen  are in the country longer than 90 days they must have permission from both parents to fly out of the country which could only be obtained in person by the parents of the minors at a Peruvian notary. It's not like I went into this not knowing this. I had heard of this law but thought that I was safe because I travel with my divorce papers that clearly shows I have sole custody of my children. But the immigration officers would not budge, they were standing their ground and would not let us board the plane. Explaining in their terms over and over again that the only way they would allow me to leave their country was with permission to travel from both parents. Or to hire a Peruvian Lawyer to present my case to the Peruvian Supreme Court and perhaps than after 6 thousand Dollars and 6 months the judge would allow us permission to return to our home country of the United States. They clearly stated that my divorce papers were not of use in their country serval times to us.  I begged for a second time to persuade them by explaining to the officials that we only have Religious residency in Peru, were not citizens and surely they noted all the information in your system. I mean obviously we spent a great deal of effort, time and diligence with the Peruvian immigration office to obtain our families Religious visas, as a single mom with sole custody,  so that we could stay in the country longer than a tourist to serve their forgotten poor, whom live in the jungles far from the bustling metropolitan city of Lima. It seemed logical to me that the two offices would correspond with one another.

(View of our apartment in Lima)

Confused and feeling defeated,  with no place to stay we humbly asked the owners of the place where we had stayed the night before to stay until we could muddle ourselves out of this crushing new problem we were faced with. So lovingly, the owners were compassionate with us,  and allowed us to return and stay as long as we needed to. What a loving family they were and clearly we could feel the closeness of God. God was so wonderful to us by preparing a place for us to stay which lightened the load of having to worry about a safe place to stay in Lima. It was his perfect plan and a wonderful blessing for us. 

For the first week we could not even breathe. We did not even know where to start.  With the help of FMC and a friend back in the states we were trying everything that would come to mind to understand and figure out how to get us out of Peru. From speaking with immigration lawyers both state side and in Peru. The United States Embassy, Peruvian Consulate both in Washington and in Houston all heard about the FMC Missionary family stuck in Peru. All of which could not find a quick solution for this amazing new challenge God allowed. The phone calls and search for the magical help and solution to this unfair law seemed to lead to dead ends. It was a pressing matter because it's not possible to live in the huge city of Lima without money. Rent was expensive, even food and transportation was more than our missionary families budget in the jungle. We had to find a solution quickly before we were out of funds. It was a hard choice to make because we knew we needed to be close to all the Government offices and courts in Lima and if we returned back to the jungle we would not be able to resolve the problem due to the distance. With all that said it was very straining to not be able to exit a foreign country. 

By this time the devil was winning. He had made his way into my thoughts. Allowing me to second guess why I became a missionary. How dare I think I was healed and unbroken his whispers became deafening.  The Devil had such a great platform to defeat me; my past. If that was not enough a family member even said, I guess I learned my lesson and will not return back to the mission field. Another stated why would you ever become a resident of a third world country, see the problems you have caused. I cannot lie both Julianna and I were wondering if we ever found out a way to leave Peru,  if we would ever return. 

At the close of the 1st week,  Julianna and I realized that the only way we were ever going to withstand this attack is to lay at the foot of the cross and cling to Jesus until the attacked stop. We prayed and ran to Jesus for help. We repented and asked for forgiveness for our delight to be free from the suffering of mission life for the holidays. We asked him to guide us and to make the road clear for us. We did as Jesus did when he prayed to his heavenly Father in the Garden of Gethsemane ; we asked for God to spare us. But if it was Gods will for us to live in Peru and not ever return to the US than we would be faithful to his will. After all he had called us to Foreign missions and to live among the poor. That means to live with them in they're suffering in solidarity with them. After all who did we think we were! Why should we be given a life any different then them. Why is our life more important than theirs? We heard the call to become missionaries over three years ago, to serve the poor and to bring His word to his people in the darkest corners of the earth and if that meant God wanted us never to leave Peru than we must trust in his plan.   

After all Jesus died on the Cross for us. Was it to much for God to ask us to live in Peru until my children were all 18 years old. Requiring us to live in the same suffering and discomforts that we were delighted to take a short break from at the start of our journey just one week ago. 

After letting go of our plans of escaping the sufferings of mission life for bit of rest and surrendering to God’s will, we were instantly awarded with the wisdom and knowledge on what we had to do to leave the country. For a week I had read and reread the law over and over again. FMC and my friend did the same so did the lawyers and government officials . But this time when I read it. I found the words that were meant for me. How could this be. How could the US Embassy, Lawyers and the Peruvian Consulate miss this. It was clearly in the third paragraph. It states the steps for, me a single mom, with sole custody how to gain permission to leave Peru. In our missionary formation we study and learned about ways the devil attacks but this time he was clever. He muddled and made a mess and he was in control. He was able to take control not only me but all those people whom wanted to help.  But when we surrendered to God and renewed our promise to him to follow him to the ends of the earth and handed over all control of our lives to Christ we were able to be free from the attacks of Satan. 

(Church near Notary, with Soup kitchen)

So the second week God guided us to through all of the government offices and red tape. He escorted new birth certificates from the United states ,safely making certain they arrived to us in Lima, despite the fact Satan managed to have them thrown in to the trashcan before being mailed to us. He allowed the translator to expedite her work in under a week. Swiftly guided all the paper work through the Ministers of foreign affairs office without delay. The most impressive office was the Notaries office which he led us to. As soon as we walked in we were able to feel His immediate presence among the people. It was like he was there eagerly waiting for us to come in. Christ’s love could be felt among the lawyers and clerks who handled our case. He even allowed us an opportunity to pray with them. Let me not fail to mention the soup kitchen that was next to the translators offices.

(Soup Kitchen line next to the church and notary office)

Along the sidewalk all three times we needed to go to the office we passed the soup kitchen were many of Limas less fortunate were found waiting in line. Which gave us the opportunity to speak to a few of them and hand out holy cards and able to pray with them.

In Gods goodness and many prayers from all of you and our wonderful missionary family He allowed us to obtain the permission to travel and we were only delayed for 2 1/2 weeks in Lima.

(a dream and a Prayer answered)

So new tickets were purchased and we were off to the airport. With a lay over still in Mexico City we were on our way back to the states for a rest. But you know our ways our not always Gods ways. We only thought we would be in Mexico City for 6 hours (a little sad that we could not leave the airport to see the Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica,)  But after are ordeal in Lima we forgot all about our prayers  and the prayers of one of our mission partners in Peru that God would allow us to see it someday. But after our 6 hour layover all the passengers and including us were lined up to board the plane when over the loud speaker we heard that our flight has been canceled due to weather. I am not even gonna sugar coat it. We were sad, mad, and all kinds of tired. In disbelief. that we were just stuck in Lima with our problems with immigration and now we are stuck in Mexico City. The quickest they could fly us out was in two days. By the time we regained our luggage and had our new tickets in hand. I turned to Julianna with a smile of delight because I knew the Lord was given us a gift of answered prayers. You see it was not just a delayed flight. It was not meant to be an inconvenience, to us , it was a gift. It was a chance to visit the basilica and to attend mass in one of the most Holiest places on earth. 

(We attend mass 1st before going behind there altar, the kids were amazed)

Many see foreign missionaries as people who have everything together. When bad things happen to us many are quick to judge or to make remarks about our lives and how we are being foolish to go out with nothing, to serve people of 3rd world countries. But we must not forget the disciples and all the saints. They too had troubles and tribulation even problems entering and exiting countries.  Their lives were far from easy. But the most important thing they all have in common and what makes them good and holy people is that they never stopped serving Christ. They were certain of their mission at hand. Saint John writes in chapter 16 very clearly how Jesus spoke to those who followed him and warned them that they too will be persecuted. John 16:33 says “In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’  

I believe we all could agree that Jesus suffered severely on the cross to save us.

There has been many great saints who have suffered so that God’s Glory could be revealed. We as foreign Missionaries  cannot expect any less. We are not somehow free from the suffering. We should embrace the suffering because when we do we are allowing Gods Glory to be revealed. 

God was always fighting our fight and always will. We have been very blessed to have served him and pray that he will continue to allow us to serve him in the coming years. 

(Julianna trying to repackage the donated candle so we can travel back to Peru with it)

Please pray for us as Satan will find any and all ways to try to stop the work we our doing. I guess you could say he's not very happy. Upon our return this year to the mission field the blessed Sacrament will be presence within our pueblo. We have been blessed by many donations upon our return here to our FMC mission base here in Louisiana. We have been given a Monstrance so we can have holy hour, easter candles for all three of our pueblos and two chalices. We  would also like to ask for your prayers since my family has been formally invited to discern opening a new mission post in the northern part of Peru. 

(More donations given to take back with us to the wonderful people in Peru)

It is truly impossible to serve Christ and his people in the darkest corners of the earth without your prayers and financial support.  Please know we are currently needing more financial support it can be something as little as $10.00 a month. We currently live off of $700.00 per month  which includes our family basic needs and Alms giving , but we have lost a few mission partners due to illness. We would like to invite you to pray and consider becoming one of our monthly mission partners. 

Lastly please send us your personal prayer intentions. Prayer is so powerful and we would love to pray for your intentions, You can send them at anytime to us via email. 

As Christians let us pray that we will always keep Christ 1st and not despair when troubles come our way. We should rejoice in gladness knowing Jesus has already conquered the world for us. We should stay focus on the mission of bringing the Gospel and joy to others whom yet have heard. 

We thank you for you prayers and your support. 

With out the sacrifices made by each of you this work would be impossible. 

Karen,  Julianna and Gabriel Del Castillo 

 FMC Missionares / Serving in Shimbillo Peru 

Contact us with your prayer intentions, follow our blog, or make a donation at the following links.

Email:  karendelcastillo@familymissionscompany.com

Web Site: delcastillo.familymissionscompany.com

  

Have you ever read the bible and suddenly had "goose bumps”?

I do each time I read Mark 10: 17-30. But the bumps and the chills I feel down my spine and arms, I call them HOLY SPIRIT BUMPS. It's certain that when I experience the Holy Spirit Bumps I can be confident that Jesus is speaking directly to me.

In todays Gospel we hear of the rich young man who wanted to know exactly how to enter Heaven. 

Jesus explained to him how; but the cost was too much for the rich young man!  He JUST wanted to follow the commandments. He thought that would be enough.  It was too much to hear that he must sell all he had and give the money to the poor and on top of that follow Christ.

I often wonder if that's the reason we do not know the name of this rich young man. His name is never mentioned anywhere. He made the decision to turn away with a sad face and leave because he decided his possessions, and his rich life style was worth more than the Kingdom of heaven.  Or perhaps he thought the pain and discomfort would be too much to bear.

Jesus knew how hard headed some of us can be. I honestly feel that's why this scripture was written. (for people just as hard headed)

This is why He spoke in such parables that even I could even understand. 

Jesus said " it is much harder for a rich  person to enter the kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle ".

Sit and think for a moment to reflect on the picture above.  A small child might laugh when he hears such words. For me it pierced my heart. Not that I was rich. I was just a single mom of 4 children working 2 jobs trying to make ends meet. It could have been very easy for me to turn with a sad face and walk away from the call just as the rich young man did. But I knew Jesus needed me to follow him,  to leave all,  to become poor so I could serve his people in places many would not.

Missions is not easy, leaving all behind my two oldest boys , my mom and dad,  my friends , and the countless comforts one has when living in such a rich country like the USA . The simple things we take for granted like having running water, taking a bath daily, and having electricity on a daily basis.

But I was called to sell what little I had to follow Christ.  To leave my mother , father and two oldest sons for the sake of the Kingdom. 

  I find my self just as Peter did, wondering and questioning what will happen to him as he chose to leave all behind to follow Jesus. In times of discomfort , trails and sacrifices we make as missionaries I too ask this question.  And so lovingly Jesus comforts me and ensures me as he did Peter. He promises that  we will receive much more in the life to come.

Jesus said to them" those who leave home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or field for me and the Gospel, will receive 100 times more houses , brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields - and persecutions as well; and in the age to come they will receive eternal life.”

Praise you Lord Jesus Christ for allowing us to be your humble servant. For having Mercy on us and allowing us to be in your presence. 

Lord, all we want is to serve you, to be poor, and follow your humble example to the cross. May everything we own and do serve you. 

May my family and I remain joyful in our poverty and our eyes fixed always on you. 

Amen 

We thank you for you prayers and your support. 

With out the sacrifices made by each of you this work would be impossible. 

Karen,  Julianna and Gabriel Del Castillo 

 FMC Missionares / Serving in Shimbillo Peru 

Contact us with your prayer intentions, follow our blog, or make a donation at the following links.

Email:  karendelcastillo@familymissionscompany.com

Web Site: delcastillo.familymissionscompany.com

Go and make disciples of all nations.

This last past Saturday was a wonderful day in our little town. One of the many blessings we have been able to witness in our 10 months of living here. When we said yes to Jesus's call to missions, We had no idea that he would allow us to journey with so many beautiful people whom longed to enter into the Catholic Church.

All of them spent 8 months learning about the Catholic Church and learning how to read the bible.

In total
16 children recieve the sacrament of baptism. 

13 children and 3 adults received thier 1st communion .

12 received thier sacrament of confirmation.

And a beautiful couple received the sacrament of marriage.

As we explained to them all before. Now the real work begins for each of them.
May they use the gifts they received to be faithful Disciples of Christ.
May they serve him and become witnesses in this wonderful community. 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you......
Matthew 28:19-20

Pablo and Clevelita, what a witness they are for thier two children.

Pablo and Clevelita changing the course of history in thier family. So brave they are to follow Christ. Thier 9 year daughter will forever reminder this day.

All most ready for mass to begain.

What wonder smiles after receiving the sacrament of baptism.

Father called all those whom were receiving communion for the 1st time to the Altar.

Gabriel, receiving his 1st communion.

Gabriel, receiving his 1st communion.

We thank you for you prayers and your support. 

With out the sacrifices made by each of you this work would be impossible. 

Karen,  Julianna and Gabriel Del Castillo 

 FMC Missionares / Serving in Shimbillo Peru 

Contact us with your prayer intentions, follow our blog, or make a donation at the following links.

Email:  karendelcastillo@familymissionscompany.com

Web Site: delcastillo.familymissionscompany.com

Prayers and Holy Water it’s all I have

Prayers and Holy Water it’s all I have

          (This is my friends bedroom. What you see is her bed. The clothes are used as a mattress)

I must confess how at times I can feel so inadequate to serve Gods people here.  I feel like Moses when, “From out of the burning bush, God called him to speak for him before Pharaoh. And Moses answered, Pardon your servant, Lord I have never been eloquent….. I am slow of speech and tongue…. Please send someone else” 

(Exodus 4:10-13).

 However God keeps reassuring me that he will equip me with all I will need. 

 God doesn't call the Qualified; He qualifies the Called
  (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

This past month we have been spending our free time working with Magaly. It has been an experience out if this world. We can only be thankful to God for in trusting this beautiful family to us. For calling us from across the world to serve them.

 We are a step closer to getting Magaly’s DNI (ID card) and after that we will be able to take her to the doctor to see if her medical condition is treatable. In the beginning if you can recall; we were wanting just to take her to the doctor because she has seizures and the right side of her body does not function as it should, preventing her to take care of her children. 

God most definitely had different plans for us. It was Gods desire for us to journey with this family. See if it was a quick and easy fix to her problem we would have never really gotten to know Magaly her 4 children and the poverty and abuse they must live in day in and day out. 

(Inside the kitchen)

I am glad that Magaly and I have become friends. True friends. Because now she knows when her husband is abusing her physically she has a place to come to until he calms down. That when she and her children get kicked out of their home that she has a place to take her 4 children, instead of having to stay outside all day in the heat with no food or water. 

I am embarrassed to say I was so reluctant at first to allow her a place of refuge in my home. In my thoughts I allowed the Devil to enter in. I allowed him to tell me that the pueblo will start to say I am interfering between her and her husband. After all my children and I already receive the uneasy stares from the on-lookers as we walk to her house each and every day. Its like they are watching to see what is going to happen to us. They seem to be bewildered why we keep walking to her house,  wondering how can we fixed their problems. In my mind I can honestly say I have had the same thoughts. That this problem is way over my head. I have no money to offer them. I do not have the funds to build them a new home or to get plumbing and water into their home. Or to hire someone to put cement floors in their home so they would not have to live in such filth.  I also began to believe that I had no right to enter in to the emotional and physical problems between Magaly and her family.  That I was not a licensed counselor so how can I help her and her problems. So I was really wanting just to focus on her medical condition that seemed easier to me. Like Moses I feared to speak. I was scared what would happen if I had to talk for real. It is easy to deliver and help with someones physical needs but the emotional and the spiritual needs of someone,  that work must be meant for someone else. Not I; I am not qualified.   

That one night that I feared the most did come. I was preparing dinner for my children and I after a long day of ministries. We heard a knock on the door and standing there was Magaly crying with her 4 children in tow all carrying each a plastic bag of clothes. We quickly invited them in,  and asked her to tell us what was going on. She begin to tell us that her husband kicked her out of the house.  That he was upset because she did not clean the bedroom before he came back from working in the rice fields. Which she admitted to me that she did not because she was upset that her children and her were not allowed to eat the food that we had brought to them the day before, and they were hungry.  By this time her mother in law was now banging on our door screaming and yelling. I invited her in to talk with us. I just simply wanted to calm her down so I could figure out what was going on. 

As I spoke to the mother in law she clearing did not want to speak with me. She would not answer any question that I had nor did she freely want to speak about why Magaly was kicked out of the house. She just kept her head down saying she was tired and just wanted Magaly to follow her back home.  Sadly the only question she answered out of the many I had was “DO YOU KNOW WHAT LOVE IS” ?  The mother in law quickly and clearly answered “NO” in a loud voice.  Showing even more signs of aggravation she also told me that I had no place being Magaly’s friend that I was a Gringa and I have no authority to visit her home; more so that I should be careful interfering in matters not of my own. 

With a broken heart, I told her that I loved her and that I love her daughter in law Magaly, and all of them. That it did not matter if I was not welcomed by her or her son that I will not stop visiting Magaly and her children due to her threats. That if they wished my family and I harm than so be it we are here ready to die to bring the love of Christ to them. To bring that love to the darkest corners of the world which was clearly their home.  

At that moment I asked Magaly’s mother in law if I could pray over her. I held up a bottle of Holy water and ask her if she knew what I was holding,  she quickly responded “yes” it’s “Holy Water”. I asked her if she knew what Holy power the water had. She replied with a hasty “NO”. I told her that this water can make miracles happen that with this water she can be able to experience and feel what love is. I placed some on her forehead and on her neck. We began to pray that God may enter into her heart and allow her to feel peace and love. I begged God to show her how to love and protect her daughter in law and her grandkids from the abuse of her son. I commanded any evil spirits binding this woman to be gone in Christ’s name.

I had no clue what I was doing. To be honest I was not doing anything even though to a person with little faith it seemed that it was I who was talking. But it was Christ who came to defend Magaly and to speak the truth to her mother in law. I know this for a fact. Because I would have been too scared and worried because I am not qualified to preform such works

Over the course of the next few days were nothing but miracles. 

As I promised to the mother in law and to Christ I would continue to make a visit every day to her home . The following day came quickly, during my morning prayer I was reminded of the power of the Holy water from the night before.  I made sure I was armed and ready for a fight not of the human kind, but for a fight against evil spirits.  I went to their house with an entire bottle of Holy water. I had boldly been given the command by our Lord to bravely drive out what ever dark evil spirit that took up residence in their house.  So holy water in hand and only the prayer that God gave me at that moment I unloaded the whole bottle of holy water in every square inch of Magaly’s home.  Casting out Satan and begging Christ to shine within,  for the darkness of evil, lies and fear to be driven out of their home. 

Then the next day we were walking to Magaly’s home to make a visit upon returning from are ministry in a near by pueblo. When I turned the corner I saw a lady standing outside. I was shocked , I had never seen anyone ever go to Magaly’s home. No one ever wants to walk to the outskirt of the pueblo to visit this family who's living conditions one could say is worse than an animals. When I finally reached Magaly’s home the lady standing outside introduced herself to me. She said she use to live here in Shimbillo years ago and knew Magaly. The woman told me she was traveling through and felt an urged to stop and drop off some food to Magaly and check on how she was doing. That it had been a year or so since she had been by to check on her. Wow what a miracle. Because little did that lady know that we were wanting to bring food for Magaly that day but we did not have any money to do so until our stipend came in the next day.  We could only praise God for His goodness and the gift of her visit. 

The next day we were on are way to Magaly's home again but we did not even make it. We were almost there and as we were getting closer Magaly was approaching us with all 4 of her children. To our surprise she had taken a bath and all 4 of her children had as well. Something we had not seen since we began our friendship months ago.  I questioned where she was going  with a smile they said they were going to the park to play. For once the encounter we had with them seemed light and normal. Their was a certain glow among all of the children and their mom. Since we had just received our stipend of donations we were able to purchase groceries for them which we were on our way to deliver them,  so we offered to take them to her house and leave them with her Mother in law. Little did we know that we were about to see another miracle. When we got to the home we were greeted with a smile and invited to sit a while by Magaly’s mother in law. We took the opportunity given to us by God to read the days Gospel with her.  Walking away from the visit my children and I were at awe of the work of Christ and the miracle of the HOLY WATER.  What ever evil spirit was taking hostage of their home seem to have fled.

We can only praise God for the miracles that he has allowed us to see. As I reflect on the only things I have to offer those whom we serve here as we embrace living in poverty as those whom we live among. My family and I must have faith strong enough to believe that our love of Christ, our prayers and a bottle of Holy water is enough to perform miracles in Christ’s name.  

Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up and walk!”  (Acts 3:6)

  (Magaly came for a visit and we were able to enjoy watermelon together.)

We thank you for you prayers and your support. 

With out the sacrifices made by each of you this work would be impossible. 

Karen,  Julianna and Gabriel Del Castillo 

 FMC Missionares / Serving in Shimbillo Peru 

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