Reflection

Hi everyone! :)

Our team only has 5 days left in Uruguay and 3 more days on campus. I find it hard to believe that our time here is coming to an end. To be honest, it makes me sad. I've learned so much in the 5 weeks that we have been here about Uruguay, myself, and God. The Uruguayan people is what I will miss the most. Their friendly and loving culture. I will miss greeting and saying goodbye to everyone with a beso (kiss). I'm going to miss eating dulce de leche and bizcochos (pastries).

As I reflect on these past 5 weeks, I realized that I have never experienced peace in the way that I have here during these past 5 weeks. A peace that only come from God. I have realized that in the United States, I am always worrying about things that sometimes do not even matter or that I do not have any control over. I'm a worrier. For me this a huge take away, learning to trust God not only with the big things, but also with the little things. Being detached has also really helped with me being able to feel at peace.

Also, I have a huge desire and heart to serve the Lord. I have been praying about possibly STINTing here after I graduate and what that may look like. To be honest, the idea of it terrifies me. Leaving everything behind and serving the Lord full-time for 10 months. Pray that I would completely surrender my post-graduation plans to God and that His will would be done whether it is to return to Uruguay or to serve Him somewhere else.

To be honest, I'm excited to go back home, but not excited to leave. I'm excited to see my family and friends. Especially, to see my discipler who returned from STINTing in Montpellier, France who will be picking me up from the airport! :) With that excitement also comes a bit of fear. During Project, you experience community and fellowship in a unique way. At home, I do not really have a community or a group of believers. Pray that God would provide what I need to grow during my time at home before I move back to Milwaukee for my senior year. I am beyond blessed to have been able to serve in this beautiful country these past 5 weeks.

Prayer requests:
1. Pray for our team as we finish our ministry here and for our Project Debrief this weekend. For safe travels back home. Also, pray that we would not forget about the things that we learned here, but that we would continue being intentional about sharing the Gospel with our family and friends back home.
2. For me to continue experiencing peace and that I would completely surrender my post-graduation plans to God.
3. For the student leaders here in Vida Estudiantil in Montevideo and for the movement here. The 10 STINTers will leaving this Thursday back home and we will be leaving on Sunday. Pray for the student leaders as they lead the movement that they would rely on God and that the movement here would continue to grow.

Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement! Besos all the way from Uruguay! :) 

Faith

Hi everyone! :) I hope you are all having a Happy Friday! Here is an update of some of our adventures in Montevideo.

Last week, we went to a soccer game before we left on our Mid-Project Retreat to Salto. We went to a friendly game of Uruguay vs. France. It was a lot of fun and a great experience! 

Below is a picture of the stadium and of our team with some Uruguayans :)  

 

  

At the end of last week, we traveled to Salto which is about 6 hours away from Montevideo for our Mid-Project Retreat. On Thursday, we went to aguas termales (hot springs) a little while after we arrived. On Friday, we went to a water park and that is how I celebrated my 21st birthday with my team. It was hard being away from home for my birthday, but I could of not been more blessed than to celebrate it with my Uruguay Summer Project family! The best part was being able to Skype with my mom for a bit and she sang me Las Mañanitas (happy birthday song in Spanish). Overall, it was a really good time and refreshing.

This week was good. I'm tired, but it's a good tired. Getting tired for the Gospel. Today, one of my roommates and I were able to bring a young man to Christ! It was completely out of our comfort zones, but we are both thankful that we were able to be obedient to the Spirit. He desired to have a personal relationship with God. I asked him, if anyone had ever taken to the time to explain to him how he could have a personal relationship with God and he said no. When I asked him, if he thought it was possible for a person to have a personal relationship with God his response was that he thought it was possible, but  he didn't know how. It brought me so much joy to be able to share the Gospel with him! 

A verse that I have been working on memorizing is 1 Peter 3:15 which says,  "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.."

Please pray for fútbol (soccer) outreach tonight. This is a picture our of last one :)

Prayer requests:
1. For our remaining 2 weeks here in Montevideo. We will be spending time reconnecting with friends that we have made on the different facultades (campuses) and having follow-up appointments with students that we have led to Christ.
2. Pray for Facundo who prayed to receive Christ today. That God would continue to work in his life and that he would grow in their understanding of Him. Also, pray for the other students that God would continue working in their hearts and that they would see their need for Him.

Thank you all of you for your continued prayers, support, encouragement, and support! Besos all the way from Uruguay! 

Truth

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

This is a truth that I have been constantly reminded of this week as I have been out sharing the Gospel everyday on campuses here in Montevideo. The truth is many of us are familiar with this verse and many of us may know it by memory, but what do we ever take the time to actually reflect on it? This week I have been taking time to reflect on it. God loved us so much that He gave His one and only son so that we could have eternal life. This reminds me of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross to pay the price for our sins. I've been thinking about it and I don't know many people who would be willing to sacrifice their lives for me. For me, this helps put it into perspective of how much God truly does love us.

God has been doing a lot in my heart this week. On Monday, I was at Catholic with my team sharing and I saw a young lady sitting by herself. I felt that I should go talk to her, but I wasn't sure why. I hesitated to be honest, but continued to walk her way anyways. I went through the Quest Survey with her which is a tool that Cru uses to initiate spiritual conversations that consists of 5 questions. I could sense that something was wrong. She explained to me that she had been going through a rough time and I asked her if she would be willing to share more if she felt comfortable. It turned out she had been in a really bad car accident 15 days ago with two younger girls and both of them died. She knew that God had been protecting her. She told me that she was not very religious before the accident. It reminded me of the importance of living in the present and it gave me a greater desire and sense of urgency to share the Gospel. It was such a blessing to be able to share the Gospel with her and I felt an unexplainable sense of joy when she prayed to receive Christ.

To be honest, I really do enjoy being able to be able to share my faith with the Uruguayan students here in Montevideo, but it is also hard. That's the reality. This week, I've also had moments when I just wanted to cry. So many Uruguayan students have no desire whatsoever in having a personal relationship with God. It just breaks my heart that they do not see their need for Jesus. I constantly have to remind myself that I just need to be a faithful servant of the Lord and preach the Gospel. I need to trust Him with the results. There is nothing that I can do or say to change their hearts. It is only God that changes hearts.

Prayer requests:
1. That God would continue working in the hearts of the Uruguayan students and for my team as we continue to go out preaching the Gospel. That we would be continue to be bold and courageous.
2. For physical and soul rest. At the end of this week, we will be going on our Mid-Project Retreat in Salto just that this time would be refreshing and relaxing.
3. Pray for my birthday. I will be turning 21 on Friday, June 7th while we are on Mid-Project Retreat in Salto. I'm sure it'll be great celebrating with my teammates, but my birthday in particular is very special day to me that I like to celebrate with family.

I just want to say that being here has made me realize how incredibly blessed I am. I'm so thankful for my family, friends, supporters, my education, and my health among so many other things. Tonight, I am thankful for the gentlemen on our team. They have really gone out of their way to love and care for the ladies on our Project. They made us the best dinner I've in Uruguay so far! A Cesar salad, stir fry, brownies, & apples! I've never missed veggies and fruits so much in my life! It's the little things you take for granted. The best part was being able to take Communion together tonight as a family and reflecting on the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross by dying for our sins. Besos all the way from Uruguay! :)

Living in the Moment

Greetings to everyone from Uruguay! :)

Our team made it here safely on Tuesday morning. It was quick turn around from the moment we got off the plane. The 10 STINTers and a few Uruguayans involved with Vida Estudiantil (Cru in Uruguay) gave us a warm welcome at the airport with besos :)  I am so thankful for the 10 STINTers and all we have learned from them these past few days in our trainings and even as we were touring campuses of things that have worked for them and just different things they have learned in their 9 months doing ministry here. A STINT is an internship overseas with Cru. I am thankful for the all their hard work and the fruit of their ministry here in the past 9 months. 

On Wednesday and Thursday we toured 5 different facultades (campuses) each day which are the 10 campuses that Vida Estudiantil and the STINTers are working on. There are a total of 36 universities in Montevideo which means that we are on about 1/3 of them roughly. Thanks to the STINTers the movement has been able to grow. Before they arrived, Vida Estudiantil was only on 5 campuses and those are the ones they know best, but they are now expanding.

This is me in front of the Falcultad de Derecho (Law Campus)

This is me and some of my teammates in front of the Catholic University.

 

 

Yesterday, was our first day that we went out sharing by ourselves without having the STINTers to guide us or anything. Of course, they are still there as a resource for us :) We have 3 different teams and each team will be on 3 different falcultades this summer. Personally, I will be on Chemistry and Medicine (they are right across the street from each other), Engineering, and Catholic. There is a huge difference between the facultades such as Chemistry and Medicine and Engineering than from the Catholic. The Catholic is a private university whereas the other campuses are publicly funded. I remember on our first day, I told one of the STINTers that I had to go to the bathroom while we were on campus and she asked me if I had Kleenex and I responded no and she gave me some. I was really confused by the question, but the falcutades (public universities) do not have the funds for things like toilet paper or soap. I made sure to carry some Kleenex after day. Luckily, I had some hand sanitizer with me.

 



There is such a HUGE need here for the love and Gospel of Christ. I talked to a few young ladies yesterday in the cantina (cafeteria for the falcultades) in Chemistry and I would introduce myself and did the Quest Survey with them. I was surprised by how many students would be willing to give you some of their time to talk to them. Many of them expressed a desire to have a personal relationship with God, but didn't believe that He was real. They used the phrase "tengo que ver para creer" which means "I need to see to believe." I tried explaining to them that the whole concept of faith is believing in something we can't see. I thought of Hebrews 11:11 which says, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

 

After a few conversations, I was not feeling well at all so I went outside for some fresh air and just prayed for strength and for the hearts of these students. That God would soften their hearts. My last conversation was definitely the highlight of my day yesterday. I got to share the Gospel with 2 young ladies in Medicine with 2 of my teammates. Natalia seemed to have a good understanding of the Gospel and Macarena had heard pieces of it, but had never had it presented to her in such a way. I could see their desire and enthusiasm for the Gospel. It brought me so much joy to be able to talk to them and to share what I believed with them. We went through the Quest Survey and when we asked them to rate their desire to know God on a scale of 1-10, Natalia right away said 10 and Macarena said 8. My teammates and I went through the Four Spiritual Laws with them in Spanish and at the end of the both of them prayed the prayer! I could tell that it was sincere and it was what both of them really desired. I got their contact information and hope to meet with them in the coming weeks.

 

So that's a little bit of what has been going lately. These past few days have been hard. I have been feeling really low on energy still trying to adjust to a different lifestyle here. We do a lot of walking to the falcutades (campuses) anywhere from 30-45 minutes just to get there. There are buses, but for some campuses there is not one bus that will take you directly there so it best to walk. Also, they eat  a lot of meat here. Typical foods are chivito (tender steak with a fried egg), milanesa de pollo o carne (breaded chicken or steak), pizza (for them that's crust with sauce if you want cheese so have to order a muzerella), pasta, and media lunas (half moon- it's a croissant with ham and cheese). They are

very big on ham & cheese. For them it's like a snack. Also, there glazed croissants are the best! I'm already getting tired of eating to be honest. The food is good, but just different than what I am using to eating at home. I'm not used to eating out a lot and am not using eating meat a whole lot either so it is quite the adjustment. Thankfully, in the mornings we have breakfast buffet at the hotel and there is a lot of fruit!

 

Regardless of everything going, I have felt such an overwhelming amount of peace here in Montevideo since we have arrived. I am completely in love with Montevideo. In the midst of all the brokenness, the Uruguayan people are so welcoming, friendly, and loving. My favorite place in Montevideo is La Rambla :) I say it is the equivalent to my Lake Shore Drive in Chicago in Montevideo.

 

 

Prayer requests:
1. For energy and to be able to rest well. To find a balance between resting and hanging out with the Uruguayans late at night. Lately, I'm usually the first one in bed because after a long day I'm just beyond exhausted and my body just needs to rest.
2. For Natalia and Macarena as they prayed to receive Christ in their lives. That God would continue to work in their lives and that they would grow in their understanding of Him. Also, pray for the other students that God would continue working in their hearts. Continue to pray for our team as we will be spending 5 hours each day Monday-Friday for boldness and courage and for Spirit lead conversations as well as divine appointments.
3. Pray for my heart. That I would be open to wherever God is calling me to go after graduation. Before this summer, I was considering either interning with Here's Life Inner City in Milwaukee or STINTing in Uruguay. There is such a HUGE need here! I recognize that there is a BIGGER need here than in Milwaukee. Also, just that I would be focused on being here. I titled my blog living in the moment because I want to focus on being present here and not worrying about what is to come next.

Thanks again for all your prayers, encouragement, and support! It means a lot to me. Besos all the from Uruguay! :)

 

Rest

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28

God promises us to give us rest. This week has been hard. It is finals weeks, but thankfully God has given me the strength that I need to go through this week. I'm constantly reminded that He is faithful and will always provide what we need before we are even aware that a need exists. Resting in Him and His promises today. 

This will be last blog update before I leave in 11 days to Uruguay! :) I'm so excited to be serving the Lord this summer with 14 other college students from the Upper Midwest Region. I'll be moving out my apartment in Milwaukee on  Sunday right after service and spending a week at home in Chicago before I leave. I hope for this to be a good time of rest not just physical, but also soul rest.

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for me and my teammates that we finish up our semesters and support raising well. That we would trust that God is going to provide in BIG ways! I'm $400 short at the moment, but I know that God will provide the rest that I need to serve Him this summer in Uruguay in His perfect timing. I need to have all my support by May Briefing.
• Pray for safe travels. I'll be flying out from Chicago to Minneapolis next Sunday for May Briefing (5/19) and we will be flying out as a team from Minneapolis on the 20th to Uruguay!
• Pray for God to be preparing our hearts for the work that He will do in and through each and every one of us this summer. Also, pray for the Uruguayans that we will interact with this summer that God would also be preparing their hearts to hear the Good News.
• Pray specifically for the college campuses that will be working on in the capital city, Montevideo. We expect God to do BIG things through us this summer in reaching students with the the love and Gospel of Christ! 

Keep up to date throughout the summer by visiting or 'liking' our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UruguaySummerProject

I hope to update my blog on a weekly basis. I'll send you my next update from Uruguay! :)

Also, I have my summer address if you would like to send me a letter or a homemade birthday card to Uruguay! :) I'll be celebrating my 21st birthday in Uruguay on June 7th! Either send me a Facebook message or e-mail me at rosa.castillo@marquette if you would like it. 

How is support raising going?

How is support raising going? That is the number one question that I have been asked these past few weeks. Since so many people have been asking I figured it would be a good time to update all of you on how support raising is going. I would say it's going well. Right now, I am at $4,315. I'm so close to my goal of $4,950 by May 19. God has been providing in ways that I would of never imagined. A week ago, God provided more than $1,000 in a week. I had a few support appointments with married couples. It was such a blessing to be able to share a meal with them, but most importantly to be encouraged by them. It was exactly what I needed to be reminded that even though at times I may feel discouraged others are encouraged by what I will be doing this summer. I am constantly reminded that our God is so good and that He will provide exactly what I need in order to serve Him this summer in Uruguay. I have been just so overwhelmed by His love and people's generosity.

Prayer Requests:
1. For tomorrow night, I am having a Latin Cardio (Zumba) Fundraiser to raise funds for Uruguay. There will be a $5 minimum donation and all the funds will go toward my mission trip to Uruguay this summer.
2.  That I would meet by goal of $4,950 before May 19. I am really trusting God to provide the rest of my support. I have no way of paying for the difference. For me to trust that God has already hand-picked the people who will support me this summer. Also, for God to continue working and stirring in people's hearts to support my ministry this summer.
4. For these next 2 weeks coming up just for strength and peace. Finals week is this coming week and my 2 hardest finals are on Monday in Philosophy and History. I'll be moving out my apartment next weekend and going home for a week before I leave Lord willing.
5. Lastly, pray for my teammates that they would also be able to finish school well and that God would bring in the rest of their support.

I just want to say gracias (thank you) for all your prayers, encouragement, support, and love! I will update this as frequently as I can when I am in Uruguay. Have a blessed day! *Besos*

WORTH THE PRICE

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

This verse has been on my heart lately. I feel like this past week I have just been stressed and just filled with fear. At Kingdom Called, we talked about how being courageous is not a feeling. It is an ACTION, it is a CHOICE! We talked about how it means not waiting until you fear, but rather being courageous despite your fears. One of the fears that I have going into this summer is getting attached to my teammates. As some of you may know, I went on Milwaukee Summer Project last summer. The most difficult part of Project for me last summer was when we all had to go our separate ways. I have to continually have to surrender this fear to the Lord. The reason why I fear getting close to them is because I know the pain that comes with it. I have to constantly remind myself that usually when you experience this kind of pain you know you've experienced something beautiful. It's a good kind of pain. Another one my fears is falling in love with Uruguay and what God may call me to do after this summer. On Wednesday night, after sharing these fears with the ladies in my discipleship group and being prayed for I felt an overwhelming amount of peace. An unshakeable peace that only comes from God. 

I titled this blog "worth the price" because this was the theme of Kingdom Called. We talked about the idea of Lordship and what that means. I really liked one of the metaphors that one of our speakers gave about God's will being like a blank sheet with our signature at the bottom without us knowing what will be on that sheet. Just being willing to go wherever God wants us to go. Many times, when we serve God we want to serve Him on our own terms.

Kingdom Called was such a blessing! I'm so thankful and exhausted. I got to meet my teammates for Uruguay Summer Project. I love my team! I'm excited to see what God has in store for us this summer. We spent a lot of time talking about the culture of Uruguay. This weekend we practiced besos (kisses). Uruguay is a friendly and very welcoming country. People usually greet each other with a kiss on the left cheek. Also, it is socially acceptable for men to greet other men in this way. If you were to walk into a room, you would have to greet everyone in the room with a kiss and when you leave you would have to say good-bye to everyone in the same manner.

Saturday night, we had a mate party after we were done for the night.



Mate is a traditional South American beverage. It  It is prepared from steeping dried leaves of yerba (herb) mate in hot water. It is similar to tea. This is usually drank in social settings. It is normal for the Uruguayans to share this with one another. I really like it! :)

We also talked about expectations for our Project and things we will have to do safety purposes. It is recommended that women do not walk alone just as a precaution. This is so different than what we are told in American society. In American society, we are told that as women we are suppose to be independent. The men are going to have to step up as leaders and be sacrificial with their time. As for the women, we are going to have to let go of that independence and be willing to let the men look out after us. Also, being able to encourage and love them well.

The best part of Kingdom Called was the last part which is the Great Commissioning. It was so cool to see 250 people in one room just on fire for God and for the world and for the Gospel of Christ! We were prayed for and got to pray for the International Summer Projects (Uruguay, Ghana, East Asia, France, and Australia), Here's Life Inner City Interns, STINTers, and Interns for this upcoming summer and year. It was such a powerful experience to get to hear so many people pray at once.

Praise Reports:
1. My mom making a gift during Easter Break towards my Summer Project! She told that she still doesn't want me to go, but that she is proud of me.
2. For the ways in which God has provided, I am currently at $3,000. Working towards my third goal of $3,700 by May 3.

Prayer Requests:
For me:
1. For me to be at peace and that when I do get stressed or fearful that I would turn to God and mediate on His Word and be reminded of His character and His promises.
2. For me to trust God with my academics, time, and support raising - I need to raise $4,950 by May 19
3. For the testimony that I will be sharing on the evening of Saturday, April 27 at our Metro Milwaukee Cru Fellowship Dinner that others would be encouraged by it

For this summer:
1. For our team to fall more deeply in love with the Lord
2. For us to be able to love, care, and encourage one another well throughout summer
3. For the men- to be leaders and sacrificial with their time
 For the ladies - to let go of that independence and to be willing to let the men look after them as well as to be able encourage and love them well
4. For us to be courageous and bold in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ in Uruguay

I just want to say thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, support, and love! I will update this as frequently as I can when I am in Uruguay. It is recommended that we do not bring our laptops with us so my access to Internet will be limited. Our Project Director will be creating a Facebook page where we will be able to share praise reports with all of you throughout the summer. I will share the link with you all once the page is created. Have a blessed day! *Besos*