Youth Center...is not a dream anymore

Let me tell you this exciting story. About 3 months ago the Lord spoke to me and Mirella and during that time He told us to start the process for getting the place for the ministry, you know, to start the Youth Center. I am always excited when He does that because when He gave us an order we know He will provide. Of course, we did not have any single penny for this, but we had the faith to believe it. Through the help of an awesome team that we host for two months (Love you guys). We started the process of finding a house. Every week we went to see houses for rent-Mirella was in charge of that and I was working in the schools but nothing. One day finally after some weeks the real state lady called us and we went to see a house in San Miguel Escobar(two miles from Antigua) immediately when we saw it, we said we liked it and the last question was: "How much?"  sweet the price was great, everything was good, I looked at my wife and shook my head: " we take it" and then the real state lady said: " Mister Castillo" is already taken, what do you mean is taken? Yes I am sorry. We where so disappointed. So our adventure kept going for more than two months but finally. A friend of my wife called us saying that one of her houses was empty and we went to see it, ask for the price, etc. and we said Nueva Generacion has a new home. The house is going to be for discipleship classes, counseling youth and parents, to have the office of New Gen, a place to host Mission Teams( so please send your teams over here), youth trainings, retreats and so on.
I just want to share this video with you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCcRLcONQbE

. I was asking the Lord how to share with you the opportunity that everyone has to invest in His kingdom. And I came up with the Movie of Love see I do not want to ask you How many times you go to the movies in the month. But let say that you go once a month. The movies are in some places about $12 plus pop, plus popcorn easily goes to $20. For a little investment you get a lot. With those $20 in a monthly basis we can reach more youth, we can equip the Youth Center, more trainings, etc...I just wanted to ask you one thing can you pray and ask the Lord? if you feel the Lord leading you on this go to: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/MissionImpact/OnlineGiving.html

2. Or Send your gift to Mission Impact PO BOX 45797 Madison, WI 53744

3. Or share this with other friends.

4. Please share with us and contact us, we want to know from you...

5. If you want to contribute to equip the Youth Center. We need this:
-14 bunk beds

-Changing part of the roof and other repairs

-We need a stove of 30 inches

-We need sheets, pillows, shower curtains

-2 Tables- 24 chairs

-White board

-Furniture

Productivity vs. Busyness

I remembered the first time I visited the USA. It was a great experience. I saw it from the airport and I went outside for a few hours. I was traveling to the Middle East; to be specific; I was going for a mission trip in Turkey.  And I had to wait for more than eight hours in the airport of Atlanta. I was amazed about technology, modernism, food and especially about the pace of the people.  Everybody was minding in their own business, but there was a lot of movement at the same time. Well, maybe not for the people that was waiting to get inside the airplane. The pace of everyone was harder than Guatemala. People just spend a lot of hours in activities. Not only in work. A friend from Canada told me it was the same in his country. So, from that fast pace I learned something good. I learned that busyness can be far apart from productivity. I just want to start talking about busyness. In the Dictionary you will find that the definition of busyness: 1. Engaged in activity, as work; occupied. 2. Sustaining much activity: a busy morning; a busy street. 3. Meddlesome; prying. 4. Being in use, as a telephone line. 5. Cluttered with detail to the point of being distracting: a busy design. So, from this perspective I learned that sometimes we are involved in a lot of things. Maybe these things are good. But they are just far away from your personal goal or vision. In other words, they can be a distraction from your productivity.

A few weeks ago I was starting to feel tired; with a lot of anxiety and stress. Finally, I felt I was getting closer to the point of wanting to say: “I just want to quit”. But, instead of slowing down, I just kept going. With the sensation that I was so busy: “Yes, I’m being so productive”, “We are doing so many things in the ministry”. To be honest with you I was far away on being productive. See, I was not praying too much. I was not reading my Bible so often. I did not have a lot of time with myself or God. I did not have a lot of time with my family, until the Lord gave me a different situation.  A friend of mine asks me to help him. He said: “Because you are a translator, I need your help with someone that is going to come from the States. He is going to talk to a bunch of pastors in Ixcan, Quiche (Quiche is a city state in Guatemala). And you are the right man for that job. Do not be concern on your expenses. I will cover all your expenses”. Honestly, after he invited me to come I just wanted to say NO. But something inside of me said YES. So, I thought about it and I meditated on that. Then, I figured out, someone can replace me in the schools and other activities. So, I went. The traveling was not so bad. When, we arrived I was surprised. The pace of that village was so slow. The people were very polite and warm. I had to sleep in a tent. The bathroom was rough. Maybe in another time I can show you some pictures of the bathrooms. But, you know what, it was the medicine I need it for my soul.

See, productivity means: “is an average measure of the efficiency of production”. So, I realize that I was busy but not producing too much. I was lacking of the presence of the Lord in my life. I was talking about Him, but I was not drinking or feeling up of Him. Also, I learned there are other things that not necessarily had to do with your goal. So, I am starting to say NO to some things. And to spend my time in the things that are relevant, for me, for God, for the ministry and for my family…God bless you all

Luis C.