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