Pig Pens to Weddings and Everything In Between

Peace to you my brothers and sisters!

I trust that you are well and remain blessed by the Lord. I wanted to write to you and give you a report of the amazing transformations that have been taking place here at our mission post, and to honor you for your faithfulness and steadfast love for the Lord as we approach this Sunday, which has been marked as World Mission Sunday!  

 September marked another year for us serving as foreign missionaries here in Peru. During the months leading up to September, it was made very clear that Jesus still desires us to live, to cry and to share His love with the poor here. However little our YES to the Lord feels, he is capable of transforming it in to so much more. With that said we can not welcome this new season without honoring all of the HUGE things that has transpired here just in the last few months. I invite you to take a moment, get a cup of coffee and learn of the amazing things that Christ has done and desires still to do.

A theme that resounds in our hearts, that propels us forward and that we strive to live out each day, are just what Pope Francis used to mark this Sunday, World Missions Sunday, October 24, 2021 with as he selected the theme “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard” Acts 4:20 . The Holy Spirit has used these words in so many ways to advance the Gospel Message and to open doors and opportunities for us to enter into the lives of those we have been called to serve. In each opportunity it looks very different for us. Each day is a new and exciting day, as we discover what medium the Holy Spirit chooses for us to use that day, so that we can reach the hearts of the lonely and broken. Like an artist He is, He can choose clay, paint, or broken crayons like us, to create His art. And that is exactly what he has done here, from Pig Pens to Weddings and everything in between. Jesus the artist, has created the following opportunities for us to reach his beloved poor so we can love them just as he has loved us, and we are compelled to share it with you.

 Maritza’s Pig Pens

 Our goal has been to help Maritza obtain income and financial support. We have been blessed to be able to walk with her and navigate through the government offices here, which is a very intimidating and lonely task when going alone. Our desire was for her to not only obtain government support but to help her also to apply for child support from the father of her children. Which we are happy to share that she now is receiving support from both the government and child support.  We have also bought her 2 female and 2 male pigs, and well they are doing well and reproducing which is all part of Gods Plan and the plan to help Maritza earn money by raising them and selling them. With that said all of these new baby piglets need a secure and safe place to live in grow. So together we our building pig pens, doing the work ourselves to not only save money but more importantly because it allows us to spend time together. We have three more pens to build, and we desire to build a chicken coop for her chickens as well, so if you feel the Holy Spirit nudging and calling you to support this project he probably is. Each Pig Pen cost about $200.00 to build. You can follow the Link below to make a donation. 👇

Donation Link 

Karen Del Castillo | Family Missions Company Family Missions Company

 

Bodegas

You may remember our friend named Camila, who instead of worrying about school at her age sells candy on the streets of a neighboring town. We are so excited to share with you that she was able to receive a huge blessing. Little did I know that when I shared a small story about her a few months ago Jesus was able to create even more beautiful art, as a wonderful family from the states contacted me as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to help her. Often times, as full-time missionaries we work as liaisons, as a connection between those of you in America who have the funds and financial means to help those here. As missionaries we are here full time and it is without a doubt that we get to know the people, their stories of hardship and suffering as we grow in friendship. With that said often we feel the only tool we have to help is prayer. In the silence of our heart Jesus heard our prayers and as a good Father he provided for the needs of this lovely little girl. With the help of this generous family, together we were able to help Camila set up in her small one bedroom home a store called a bodega. Funds were provided to buy her a refrigerator, products to sell such as cokes, waters, chips, and candy. We were also able to purchase tables and chairs so that Camila and her mom can sell chicken on a stick, called anticuchos, at night. With this donation Camila will now be able to stay at home and make money instead of walking the streets all day and all night to sell candy.

Camila and her mother 

Jesus was not done creating his masterpiece with Camila, we were able to help Maritza with the same opportunity to set up a small bodega to help her earn extra income as well. Maritza is such a hard worker but she can not afford daycare, so often she has to leave her children behind when she goes to work in the corn and rice fields, our desire is that this extra income will help her be able to stay with her children. Instead of tables and chairs we bought her a huge pan so she can make a drink called chicha morada which is made from purple corn, cinnamon, and cloves. After she brews it, she will pour it in to recycled plastic coke and water bottles which she has found and cleaned in order to sell them. 

These crazy kids

 More Missionaries

Many of you have heard our request for prayers and have joined us in praying for more missionaries to be sent to our mission post over the last year or more. We could not be more delighted to share the good news that in February our mission post will receive two new missionaries. Their names are Sarah and Mallory, they are currently in formation at FMC’s mission base, located in Abbeville Louisiana. I beg of you to please continue to pray for my family and the missionaries that will be joining us. Please pray that the lies of the devil do not overshadow the truth and the goodness of our Lord. I can tell you the devil is super mad right now, and he is waging his war in protest that the Lord answered our prayers. And the spiritual attacks have begun, his lies have all but told me that we are not good enough to receive missionaries, “how stupid does that sound now that its typed”. Another huge lie is that our mission post is not good enough, pretty enough and too secluded for the new missionaries, “I don’t know, that might even sound worse.”  Lastly please pray that the Lord provides the perfect housing for them. We are super excited to receive such a gift from the Lord and can not wait to see all the good things he has planned for us as these two wonderful ladies join us here to serve for the next two years.

 

Mallory and Sarah 

Saint Magdalene’s home

Since arriving on the mission field the Holy Spirit has been very intentional in His ways and by no mistake, He has directed us to His desire to share Christ’s love with single mothers and their children. He has taken our brokenness and heart ache and mended and fashioned it for his own creation and goodness. For over a year I have heard the whispers and faint nudges during prayer and have seen 1^st hand the need of a home for single mothers. With that we invited Father Robert who I serve under here and FMC’s leadership to discern and join in prayer about the possibility of building a home for mothers. We all have been given such peace with the idea of the project and we all confirm that it is a desire that is of the Lord.

Through a director’s appeal and other private donations, we have over a short period of time raised $49,000.00 for the home. With that said we desire before beginning construction to meet the total needed amount to make this home possible. We are almost halfway to reaching the goal of $100,000.00. Which is truly amazing, and I have no doubt that Jesus will soften the hearts of those he is calling to support this project. I invite you today to take this project of the Lord’s to prayer and ask if it is a project that burns within your heart. If it does, please pray about how you can help with this huge project. Is the Lord calling you to make a donation or share the project with others that may desire to help?

Saint Magdalene’s home that will consist of several small family homes for single mothers and their children to live in, along with a community house where we can come together in prayer, and to share meals together. Our goal is to share our lives with them and create an opportunity to walk with them and disciple each of these beautiful families while prayerfully providing opportunities that will allow them to heal and discover the love Jesus has for each of them. To donate click the link below. 👇

Karen Del Castillo | Family Missions Company  Family Missions Company

Weddings

Elever and Iris 

One of the ministries that I find that satisfies my heart is teaching others about the beautiful Catholic faith, and helping, not only children, but couples as well to receive the sacraments. Which is why I am sharing with you about the growth and the bond that has been made between these two couples pictured here, which tells the amazing truth of Jesus’s love. For over a year we have met each week in search of a deeper understanding of the sacrament of marriage, the mystery of the Eucharist and the purpose of man’s life here on earth. And Last Saturday I am so honored to share with you that the Holy Spirit was Alive and Present in a little old mud brick chapel as these two couples received for the 1^st time in their lives the body and blood of Jesus Christ and the sacrament of Marriage. There is no denying the beauty that has been joined together with the joining of these two couples as they invited Christ the Bridegroom into their relationships. 

Elever and Iris / Elmer and Sandra 

May we pray that they always will strive to live as witnesses of a faithful Christian family, and may they grow in their vocation not only to serve each other as spouses and parents but as they learn to serve their community around them as they live the fullness of their Marriage vocation.

 

Iris and Elever walking to the Church 

Sandra walking with her family to the Church

Sandra 

Iris 

Pope Francis writes, “The theme of this year's World Mission Sunday -- "We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20), is a summons to each of us to 'own' and to bring to others what we bear in our hearts. This mission has always been the hallmark of the Church, for 'she exists to evangelize” (Saint Paul VI, EN14).

We cannot think you enough for your steadfast faithfulness and your love for the poor. Because of you we are able to live among these beautiful people and we are grateful for the opportunity to evangelize so many who have yet heard the Good News preached. May this year be more blessed than the last and may we welcome the sacrifices and hardships that come with serving the Lord and proclaiming His message in every dark corner of the world!

In Christ ! 

Karen, Julianna and Gabriel Del Castillo 

*Mission Post: Cajaruro, Amazonas, Peru*

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

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

To make a special donation or become a monthly mission partner follow the link :

delcastillo.familymissionscompany.com

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To send us your prayer request:  karendelcastillo@familymissionscompany.com

Settling in

 We are so thankful for you all and feel immense Joy to be apart of your life’s in such a Holy way! We pray this blog finds you well ! In this crazy fast pace world it seems that there is so many negatives and so very few positive things in our day to day life’s. But our hearts are over joyed to be able to pray for each of you every day and to have the confidence that we are not alone here at our new post, because we know you are praying for us. 

 Its December already. Since October we have been settling in to our new mission post. Patiently waiting like a horse chopping at the bit to run out of the gates.  However we knew we needed to know the lay of the land a lot better before we started running straight into ministries.  After a lot of prayer and a heavy dose of patience,  we were able in November to begin our full time ministries.

Warning - Photo overload


Blessings in abundance

We have received so many blessings from our ministries in the alturas (the mountains).  Nestled up high above the town we live in,  is a little pueblo called Buenos Aires. When roads are dry we can make it in a bit over an hour. Each Saturday we play games, volleyball and catechize the children and a few devoted adults. We share fruit with them like mangos watermelons and tamarindo,  a cherished commodity that is unavailable to them in the cooler mountain pueblo. Its so amazing how our world here is not based around money. The fruits we bring are given to us from  the generosity of those we live among here in our home town. It’s not uncommon to  receive a knock on the door of people bringing us fruits, rice or yuca. We receive so much there is no way we can eat it all. So we take it to those who go without.  It’s amazing to see there eyes light up when we bring them such simple gifts of fruits and Jesus. You can tell they feel so much love and amazement that we would take time to visit them. The best part is they have no Idea of the wonderful gift that they give us each Saturday. Our hearts are so filled up from our visits with this simple and loving community.

Arriving to Buenos Aires 

Where the earth reaches the sky

Some of the girls enjoying watermelon

Watermelon and Advent wreaths 

Mangos 

And more mangos 

Tamarindo

Learning about Advent

Young and Old enjoy making an Advent Wreath 

Taking turns reading out of the bible

Games , games and games

The abundance of rain in the mountains creates these little water falls everywhere

There is something magical about balloons here in Peru

Stillness and Silence before the Lord

We have been asked by the priest here in Cajaruro to expose the blessed sacrament each Thursday. We take the task we have been given with great honor and respect.  It’s a very new ministry here among our town and it has indeed had challenges for the first day. Despite explaining to them what adoration is,  the concept has proven a bit difficult for the faithful to understand, and that there is no need to do anything, but sit with Jesus. The silence of adoration has not been very appetizing to them.  Please pray that we can endure the strange looks,  and the confused attitudes of those who attend each week.  It seems my entire time in adoration is spent on my knees begging Jesus to speak to them loud enough for them to hear and to soften their hearts so they may be tender enough for him to reach into the depths of their hearts. 

Come, You Spirit of Quiet.
Guide me into your Stillness that I might hear in myself the Word you speak.
Free me from all Fear hat all which binds me leaves me and leaves me to who I am.
Open as a vast chalice I want Your wonders, Your fullness, Your holy presence gently to seize me. Come You Spirit of Breath, breathe your breath into my thoughts, into my feelings. Come and take your place in me.My Lord and my God, take from me everything that distances me from you. My Lord and my God, give me everything that brings me closer to you.

Amen

The Lord's Supper

Through our training with Family Missions Company in 2017 we were introduced and participated each Saturday night in the Lord's Supper.  An evening filled with Songs, Reading of the Gospel, food and friends. In our old post in the Jungle our community did not partake much in the Saturday night Lords Supper. We were so spread apart from the other missionaries and everybody’s schedule made it difficult to make it happen. However while making our new families schedule both Julianna and Gabriel felt a great desire to open our home each week and invite people in our home to share a meal with them. To break bread with them.  They were truly excited to have it on our schedule. Me however that’s a different story.


I knew Christ was moving us to a new post to teach us something profound and to grow us in Holy  virtues.  To soften our rough edges and make us more into His likeness. Becoming a Betty Crocker here in Peru is not easy and it was not much on my agenda. So you can imagine how God is working on my prideful thinking. Second of all He is working on my humbleness. It has proven to be difficult to keep things simple because I feel I must provide more for our dinner guest. Most days as the locals do we eat rice, bananas and eggs. Of course, inviting others over to your home to eat, I feel it calls one to make something fancier for them. After all in America that’s what we do is make a big Lasagna with a  nice tossed salad and bread sticks or have a BarB-Q of the finest meats or plump juicy burgers, when guest come over. But I have found our two burner camping stove to be a bit limiting.  So it’s been a bitter sweet ministry for us (Pun intended) . Serving a big helping of Eggs, rice and bananas. Along with a side of nervousness because, well I am not the best cook. We open our small one room home each week, pray with those we invite to dinner and share a meal with them in Christian fellowship. The highlight of the night is when we get to invite them to walk to the chapel to attend our pueblos weekly Adoration. Even though  this ministry is not an easy one for me that I tend to dread  while preparing for , it has indeed been very rewarding and fruitful. And more so a chance to grow and become more like Christ. 

Gabriel playing a game of Jenga after dinner with Mrs Rosa 

Sunday’s spent in Paradise

We have been spending some time in a Pueblo called Paraíso (Spanish for Paradise) on Sunday mornings. Its about a 20 minute drive from our home. The road is a small two lane road most of the way. Luckily we have been in a bit of a dry season and have not had to much trouble making it down the dirt portion of our travels to them. The community has not had anyone to open the Church and lead Celebrations of the word each Sunday. So we felt called to help them out. It’s a community with not many youth mainly elderly people but they are so loving. The education level of their Catholic faith is the equivalent to a small child with only the basic knowledge of who God is. Many, many of them cannot read. We have been so delighted and blessed to have the opportunity to teach them new and wonderful things about the Catholic faith. Like how to pray and lead the rosary. Or like last Sunday we introduced to them the meaning of Advent and made advent wreaths. I pray fervently that one day God will see our work and teaching worthy and  fitting  enough for us to bring Jesus to them in the Eucharist each week. 

Of the beaten path

We are blessed to have transportation to reach the small town

After a drive through a bit of mud we have arrived

These cuties always are waiting for us

 


Walking into the Darkness

We also visit a nearby Pueblo called Chariaco, that is walking distance from us. It’s a very desolate place. Dry in the Physical sense as well as Spiritual sense, it’s one of the poorest pueblos in which we visit. And is home to a strong spirit of darkness and despair. You could say the majority of the Pueblo do not care for our presence there. We knock on doors and have had quick opportunities to introduce ourselves, with no warm welcome to enter. Despite the reaction of most of the Pueblo we have been grateful for the two homes that have welcomed us. Both very stark in contrast. One home in which we visit each week is the home of three beautiful children. The mother is warm and welcoming but with reservations. The Father is a well-known  medicine man or witch doctor and he leaves eagerly when we arrive. We can feel an evil spirit among the home. However we have been welcomed and we go each week into the field of combat. In our standards we seem not to be making headway. The most we can do is just have pleasant conversations  about the weather or  the children’s school. But never failing to cease the opportunity to pray the rosary with the 8 year old and 15 year old girls who live there. The two,  seem to be more open to us than anyone else in their family. While praying the rosary at their home I often wonder if they know the power of the rosary. The spiritual battles that have been won by faithfully praying the rosary. We offer our silent intentions for this family to come to know and have a relationship with Jesus; for Jesus to open the doors to this pueblo so they may one day come to have a relationship with Christ.  

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.  May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits

 who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

A typical home in Chariaco

Catholic Church that has been under construction for 4 years.

It now has been a project that has been abandoned

Soccer Fields 

Finding Light in the Darkness

The other home we visit in Chariaco is set apart from the rest of the pueblo. Far enough away that it has not been engulfed by the evil spirit in which lurks and prowls about in the main area of the pueblo. It has been protected in a sense perhaps due to the faithful family who lives there. At first glance of this home you would not ever know of the Joy that lives within its walls made of Bamboo. To be honest when we first found the small bamboo hut we were a bit scared of what we would find. After knocking on doors and having them shut in our face we were not in high hopes that this home would welcome us. However we were greeted with such kindness and love.

In the home lives Milton and his wife with there three children. Faithful and devoted Catholics despite their hardship and poverty.  Doing all they can for others before themselves.

As Marixa stays at home caring for their three children. Milton struggles to find enough work to provide for the needs of his family at times holding down 3 different jobs. If that’s not enough Milton was recently told to leave one of his jobs,  as he confronted his employer and tried to defend the 32 underage children (some as young as 8 years old) working in the factory where he had been working at. Even with the struggles this family has seen financially both Milton and His wife know that they must praise the Lord and to be obedient to Gods will for them. That they must not lose faith.

 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. - John 1:5

A Home for the Poor

Milton and his family  have become such wonderful friends to us.  I am so ashamed to admit that I struggled to see the poverty that they lived in.  After all there is no illness or addictions in the family, there is both dad and mom in the picture and the entire family attends mass every Sunday together. However God insisted that I see them with His eyes. To see their needs and their worth. I am so grateful that God placed such a desire within me that allowed me to see the great need our new friends have.

To know that Jesus had it planned for our families to become friends with each other and that he would place a desire within us to try to help them with a home. Giving us, a chance to reflect on all the rich opportunities that we as Americans have. Even as my family lives here in among the poor of Peru, we as Americans, if the struggles become to unbearable we could always return back to are wealthy country. Where I have been guilty of not ever having to worry about the rain storm coming in . Never have I feared that it would soak the dirt floors that lay within my home. Or have been in fear if the storm comes in with a wind that it will soak everything within my home such as the beds, and clothes. I as an American am guilty of being consumed with what I can fill my home with or  what  decorations should I purchase to hang on the wall. Furthermore I have never had to worry a bit about having to cut bamboo to replace the rotted wall before it falls. So I am so grateful for this opportunity to become friends with Milton and his wife because they have become such treasures to us.

A humble area. Clean dry clothes hang on a line, because their is no drawers. A table made of blocks and bamboo.

The children's bed, with sweet little Alondra taking her afternoon nap! 

They have reminded me and my children why we are here. Of the great wonderful opportunity to have been given to know and love such a beautiful family. To see the poor as God sees them, which is VALUABLE. A bit of a oxymoron, if you will, one can not help to think, how can the poor who suffer and go without basic needs be so valuable?

One of their beds, made with blocks and bamboo 

   Pope Francis’s call to all Christians 

to remember the poor “the treasures of the Church”.  Pope Francis asked “ Do I, a Christian have at least one poor person as a friend?”  Pope Francis reminded all, that

 “the poor are valuable in the eyes of God”, that “they need someone to take them by the hand”. 

But more so “the poor remind us how we should live the Gospel: like beggars reaching out to God.”

We have launched a campaigned for them called “A home for the Poor”. For under $5,000.00 we can build them a more suitable home. Made of bricks and with concrete floors. 

If you fill called to help build Milton and his family a home please make a donation at our homepage:
https://www.familymissionscompany.com/p…/karen-del-castillo/



If you have more questions about the Project or feel the Holy Spirit is calling you to come in person to Peru to Help with the Construction please feel free to contact us. 

Karendelcastillo@familymissionscompany.com



Christmas in Solidarity with the poor

We beg for your prayers during this advent and Christmas season. Most missionaries travel back to the States for a time of rest and to visit family during this wonderful season. Although my children and I would love to return this year, it was not in God’s plans for us to. He made it known that he needed us here among the poor this year. To make humble use of our benefactors donations in which were made to us.  We felt a profound call to be  present among the poor of our new mission post. The call we have heard is not an easy call; it’s even harder to be cheerfully obedient to Gods will.

Our homemade tree. Made of wire, garland, and homemade paper ornaments.

Please pray for us as we live in true solidarity with the poor whom we serve this Christmas. Pray we will be strengthen and that Christ fills us with his immense love for us, especially Julianna and Gabriel. Please pray that our presence can be felt and our unity can become true within the Eucharist among our family, friends and benefactors back home as we courageously serve  Christ in ways that sometimes are very difficult for us and our human desires to understand. Pray that this years Christmas may be filled with immense Joy, and Love.

We pray for each of you to be filled with the true Spirit of Christmas. That you will open your hearts to receive your King wrapped in swaddling clothes, whom was humble enough to be born in a stable, poor and lying in a manger. We pray that your heart will rejoice over His birth. 

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel 

The Del Castillo's

Karen, Julianna and Gabriel

Thank you to all who have heard the call to help us bring the Love of Jesus to the poor here in Peru. The mission here would not exist without your generosity and sacrifices. 

If you would like to become a monthly supporter of our mission here please click on the link:   

https://www.familymissionscompany.com/p…/karen-del-castillo/

All donations are tax deductible.  

Your donations make it possible for us to live here among the poor of Peru and allowing us to bring the Gospel to those we live among.