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

Laying hands on a Van

Laying hands on a Van

 

My family were able to enjoy the FMC community retreat in Moyobamba Peru in the heart of the Prelatura that we serve in. It was a chance to get to know the new missionaries who just arrived in the country, a time for rest, and a beautiful chance to attend daily mass at the cathedral, and we even had time for some FUN!

The last day of the retreat we as a community were ready to ventured off to a swimming hole about 45 mins north of Moyobamba.  Since most of us missionaries do not own a vehicle, the single girls team and my family needed to find our way to the swimming hole.

We decided to take a taxi. Once we arrived at the taxi terminal we were able to fit the single girls team and my family all in to one van, which was a relief because traveling to an unknown place in a foreign country isn’t always the same as in America . We were quickly on our way for a day of fun. I somehow ended up sitting in the front with the driver with Julianna and Gabriel in the back with the girls team.  Our driver was a young gentleman named Nelson in his mid to late 20’s, wearing shades and dress in a nicely pressed taxi uniform. Windows down and his radio playing a mix of Peruvian and American music from the 80’s.  He was curious to know what country we were from and how long we would be visiting Peru, I explained we were all from the United States and that we were Catholic missionaries and that we live about 3 hours south of Moyobamba serving in small pueblos not to far from one another . About that time one of my single missionary sisters asked me in English if we would like to pray the rosary. So all 7 of us began to pray the rosary; It took a minute for Nelson to realize that we were praying because we were praying in English. I felt a bit upset at my self that I did not explain to him before hand that we were going to pray the rosary and  a bit shy to ask him to turn down his music. (Even though one of the songs that came on during the rosary was BELIEVER from imagine Dragon.)  However the Lord used my shyness and the awkwardness to begin a beautiful conversation with Nelson after we were finished praying.  Once we made the sign of the cross Nelson immediately asked if we had been praying I said “yes we were praying the rosary, asking for Mother Mary to intercede for us and for others”.  It was a perfect chance for me to ask Nelson if he was Catholic. He replied that he has not been to church in a very long time. That he is not Catholic nor any other religion.  The rest of the ride consisted of us talking about the United States and different Languages, and his desire to learn English.  Soon we arrived at the swimming area, I noticed that there were no taxi’s waiting to return with swimmers, so I asked Nelson how we would be able to get back to Moyobamba from here. (After all it wasn’t in my plans that day to be stranded in the middle of NO WHERE.) He was nice enough to give us his cell number and he told us to call him an hour before we were ready to leave and he would pick us back up. What a relief that was!  

We had a wonderful time at the swimming area and enjoyed wonderful community time with all the FMC missionaries. We were ready to head back around 2pm, so decided we should call for Nelson to come and pick us up.

After about an hour wait, just as he had promised, We could hear Nelson coming down the road to pick us up. The music setting the tempo for Gabriel and the single team to practice on their dance moves before Nelson came to a complete stop. The young man was so professional and wanting to offer his best. He jumps out of the van and opens the doors and we all piled in, this time one of the single girls jumped up front. We were all loaded, doors closed and ready to go. After adjusting the volume of the radio our driver Nelson started to turn the van around in the middle of the road and once he put it in gear the van would not move. We were cross ways in the middle of the rode. Nelson tried many times to get the transmission to go into gear. The mood in the van got a bit quite, those whom were not paying attention , now were attentive to the fact the van was not moving and that we were stuck in the middle of the road. Nelson again adjusted the volume of the radio but this time he turned it down right before jumping out of the van and crawling up underneath the van. All at the same time he had pulled is phone out of his pocket to make a call. At that time I mentioned  to everyone we should say a prayer for the van. As we were sitting in the van we all placed both of our hands on the van. Gabriel grabbed the window, I placed both my hands on the roof and between all 7 missionaries in the van we had it pretty well covered. While we began to pray and we begged Christ to  send down his angels to help. We asked that any evil spirits be gone from the van and that we, with Christ help make it back to Moyobamba. You could still hear Nelson trying to make a call from under the van at the same time we were praying. Nelson finally came around to the drivers side; and the person on the other end finally answered. Nelson was explaining that the van would not go in gear, he  sounded a bit nervous, and embarrassed, explaining that the van was full of passengers. Nelson showed is concern about how we were going to make it back. Meanwhile with the looks he gave us when he returned to see us with our hands strategically placed on his van, I am more than positive that this young man, at this time was thinking we were all a bit strange; he just could not say anything to us because he was still on the phone. And on his behalf when he returned   from underneath the van, he came back to the drivers side to see seven missionaries laying their hands on the roof of his van, on the seats, on the windows, and you can bet that our feet were doing some pretty silent work of their own, all as we prayed for Gods help. By the end of Nelsons conversation with the gentleman on the phone he sat down in the drivers seat;  we at this point were praying the Our Father, and about to wrapped up our prayer for help when he tried to put the van in gear again.

It was a prayer answered, the van went into gear! You could hear Nelson, tell the man on the other end “NEVER MIND”, the van went into gear were on our way.  Nelson hung up the phone and told us the van must have been possessed with brujas (witches). Sitting from the back I replied to his comment, no worries we just prayed for your van, and we will make it back to Moyobamba. We did in fact make the 45 minute trip back to Moyobamba . We pulled to the back of the taxi terminal,  and we were just feet away from entering into the terminal when the van would not make it any further. Praise God for answered prayers.

Since my time here in Peru, as a foreign missionary,  I have learned that there are so many ways that we can evangelize those God has sent us to,  and sometimes he just wants us to have faith in Him, and lay hands on a van. I cannot help but pray that next time Nelson’s van is not working that instead of making a phone call, he would remember the small miracle that God preformed, and that he would choose to just lay his hand on his van and call on Christ for His help !

#LayingHandsOnAVan   #DrivingOutDemons   #InTheNameOfJesusWeCastOutEvil

 #GodHearsOurPrayers

#MissionLifeInPeru   #UnBrokenAreWe

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 made it !

 An update on from the Del Castillo’s on Mission

We made it to Shimbillo Peru on Friday January 26th. Our travel here was without delay however a bit long but we felt that God was protecting us the entire way. He even made the long lines of customs at the Lima airport not an issue for us because he allowed us to pass through the line of people without a wait or with inspection. Not sure how that even happen since we were in the back of a line of about 80 people whom where in front of us waiting to go through customs. 

With a short layover in Lima to catch our next flight to Tarapoto Peru we were able to stretch our legs from the 8 hour overnight flight from Dallas. The flight to Tarapoto was on time and quite. Gabriel and Julianna were more than ready to get off the plane once we arrived in Tarapoto they were a bit restless from traveling since 6pm the day before (which is when we left from New Orleans to catch our connecting Flight in Dallas to Lima. 

As we walked down the stairs from the giant plane that flew us to South America onto the tarmac we were greeted with a sweet smell of the Peruvian air.  With the salve (jungle) in the back ground you could see the native trees blowing in the wind and the mountains of Peru surrounding us. The airport was super small and very simple.  Outside the baggage claim area stood our entire missionary team that has already been on the ground in Peru serving and living simply among the poor. All of the families and teams live in different towns along the great Huallaga river. It was great to feel welcomed by our brothers and sister in Christ as we began our journey following Christ into Jungles (Salve) Peru to serve and to live among the poor.

We arrived to our new home in Shimbillo Peru around 4 pm the same afternoon. To say the least we were very exhausted from the travel which included a 1 hour ride from Tarapoto to Shimbillo in the back of a truck along one of the only paved highways in Peru running along side the  Huallaga river. We were so grateful to see that our new home had three twin size beds and a humble dinner table. It was so welcoming to us that it did not matter that we did not have dinner or a stove to even cook it on. 

Saturday we woke up and began to make since of our new home. Unpacking the items we had brought. God was good to us that morning because we woke up without much of an appetite, I am sure it was due to the heat. However around lunch time we were greeted by our single girls team that lives in a near by town called Puccucca and with them they had a fresh baked loaf of homemade bread. It was such a great sight to see because by lunch time we were very hungry. 

Above are pictures of our home. Our home might not seem like much to the standards of the United States but for here it is very upscale and new. 95% of the homes here our made out of mud and have dirt or concert floors. We live in the back portion using one room as a storage/closet, and another small room is were we sleep and than there is the kitchen, The front portion which you see in the picture is were we have children's ministries and bible studies. We pray in the future we can find two long tables and wooden benches that we can afford so the children do not have to sit on the floor. We also have two more bedrooms upfront one will be a guest bedroom for mothers in need and the other will be a chapel. 

Sunday we were able to attend our little church here in our Pueblo of Shimbillo all though the community cannot celebrate mass since there is only two priest for all of the Picota District we humbly read the readings and sang songs. Later that night we took a motor car to Picota (which is a pretty large town about 25 minutes away from us.) and my family was presented to the community after mass.  As well as we met the very humble Priest from Spain, Padre Francisco that we will be working with in Shimbillo. Padre Francisco is so pleasant and loving towards us. I must affirm that if one takes enough time to pray and humbles themselves at the foot of the cross prayers do get answered. The children and I prayed fervently for months and months that it did not matter what country God sent us to serve in, but that he send us to a loving Priest that was indeed undoubtedly in love with Christ as much as we are. We are thankful for answered prayers,

After just 2 1/2 days in our home town of Shimbillo on Monday 29th we were headed 4 hours away to Moyobamba for the week where we had a retreat focused on getting to know the other missionaries. We stayed at the beautiful Centro Pastoral (the Catholic retreat Center for the Diocese) and we were presented personally to the Bishop of Moyobamba which whom we serve under. 

We were super excited to get back to Shimbillo after being gone for the week and more so to began to get to know the people whom we live among. This last Monday, February 5th began our 1st full week here in Shimbillo. We spend an hour in the morning in prayer after breakfast as a family. Than we set out on foot to visit with those we live among. Visiting with the sick and the elderly.  We return back for lunch and home schooling for Julianna and Gabriel until 3:30 and than we are out the door again for children's Ministry

Which happens by the soccer and volleyball fields each afternoon. Its funny how God had this already planned out. God was just waiting for the YES from us. 

The children here are starving for attention. During the day there seems not to be many adults around town. I believe it is because they are in the fields working. Here it is very common to see a 10 year old girl taking care of their little baby siblings all by themselves.  Or for us, the new Americans in town to have a house full of children in our home coloring and visiting for hours at a time without a bit of concern for the safety of their children. I guess one could say it's a bit more relaxed here. 

We are so very grateful to be able to be here in Peru and to have the opportunity to become friends with each one of these children. 

Above is a Picture Max and Ashley, They are cousin and, well they came with our new home. 

These two cuties crawled up under the back door the 1st day we were here,  curious to whom we are and asking for water. And they continue to visit us each and everyday. For children to drink clean water here is not very common. River water is what most people here in our area drink, cook with, wash clothes with and bath in. In the letter I sent to you the day before we left for Peru I spoke about the woman at the well . It seems the bible story is still being Lived out today

Its comforting to know that God takes our brokenness and take our simple YESES and uses it to transform the lives of others. Like Max and Ashley and the other children, they just came to the well for water and perhaps they have an opportunity to be greeted and loved by Jesus himself as the woman at the well did . 

To all of our prayer partners and financial mission partners thank you. Your prayers and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. Its great to know that we may share our families clean water with the little ones that come to play and pray in our home. But to know Jesus entrusted us to be his hands , feet and voice so that these little ones may receive the living water he has to offer  really has humble us beyond comprehension .  

This coming month all three of us will take a 30 hour bus ride to Lima through the mountains. Please pray for safe travels for us, free from mudslides. We feel paying a $40 US dollar ticket one way is better use of our financial partners money than to travel by air for $100.00 one way even though it would be just a 1 1/2 hour flight.  We must travel to Lima for our appointment with Interpol for dental exams and finger printing. The process will take about a week to complete. This we pray is the only time we must travel so far away to Lima to complete the Religious Visa Process. Once we finish this step everything else should be able to complete an hour away from our home town Shimbillo in Tarapoto.

Its hard to explain the great need of love here. 20 years ago this area was under the rule of a bloody war which killed many, many people killing a whole generation of people and starved the people from having a chance to know Christ. In fact if we were here 20 years ago my family and I would have been killed by now. Thank God for his mighty work that has been taking place here in the region for the last 10 years . This region of Peru has had the presence of Missionary Priest from Spain whom have work very hard to rebuild the Catholic Church here for the last 10 years. But there is so much work to be done. We beg of you to please remember us and our community in your prayers. 

Gabriel waiting for the popcorn to be served. We felt blessed one night to be able to treat ourselves to popcorn. It was a wonderful treat that we had. 

Please know that each one of you are in our daily prayers.

We love each on of you!

Karen, Julianna , Gabriel Del Castillo