Closing a Chapter
Some seasons arrive quietly. Others show up carrying suitcases.
Some chapters close quietly. Others arrive all at once with graduation caps, apartment leases, acceptance letters, and empty bedrooms.
As we wrap up another school year, I wanted to give everyone an update on our three boys and share a little of what life looks like for our family these days.
For the first time in more than 21 years, we’re looking at a future where there won’t be little white kids running around our campus in Haiti. I honestly didn’t know what to do with that thought.
Recently it hit me that our hallways are getting quieter. Four of our bedrooms now sit empty. Granted, they’re roughly the size of a large closet and they have curtains instead of doors, but they’ve been home to a lot of life over the years.
Arguments. Laughter. Screaming at each other over things that absolutely did not matter. Someone borrowing something that didn’t belong to them. Someone accusing someone else of borrowing something that didn’t belong to them.
The normal sounds of raising kids.
And while this is exactly what you’re supposed to want as a parent, nobody really prepares you for the moment they stop coming home and start building lives of their own. This August and September, we’ll be making our annual trip to the United States. By the time we come back to Haiti, things will look a little different.
So here’s an update on where life is taking everyone next.
Malaya
Malaya will be a senior at the University of Cincinnati and continues her quest to collect leadership positions the way normal people collect coffee mugs.
- Outreach Director for the Honors Program
- Vice President of her college Ambassador Program
- President of the Criminal Justice Society
- Interning with the Department of Justice this summer
- Applying to Law School this fall
Somewhere in there she occasionally remembers to sleep.
Gabriel
Last year Gabe lived with Malaya, and fortunately their apartment was within walking distance of his high school. While Malaya’s full-time address often seemed to be the University of Cincinnati, at least Gabe could get where he needed to go on foot.
He graduated this spring. If you know Gabe, you know he’d probably prefer I not make a big deal about it. He’s always been more comfortable behind the scenes than in the spotlight. But we’re incredibly proud of him.
He’s been accepted into Northern Kentucky University’s Pre-Veterinary Program. Apparently intelligence runs in the family because he’s following right behind his sister.
Turns Out There’s a Market for Low Income
Thanks to the fact that missionary work has never been a particularly lucrative career choice, we received an impressive financial aid package and qualified for several scholarships.
After decades of faithfully remaining well below the national average income, it’s nice to know we’re finally excelling at something. As a result, he’ll basically be attending for free.
As a missionary family, that’s nothing short of amazing. Unfortunately, Northern Kentucky University is not within walking distance. And while I appreciate Gabe’s commitment to saving money, I’m fairly certain “taking a leisurely stroll down Interstate 75” wasn’t on anybody’s bingo card this year.
Levi & ASHER
Levi will be attending the same high school Gabriel graduated from and living with him and Malaya. Yes, Malaya has a two-bedroom apartment. Yes, she will be sharing it with her two brothers.
Since Malaya believes dirty dishes should be washed immediately and her brothers believe dishes should be allowed time to reflect on their choices, there will undoubtedly be some adjustments.
Malaya is about to embark on a character-building adventure. Please keep her in your prayers. Actually, keep all three of them in your prayers. Possibly a neighbor or two as well.
**
Most of you know Asher. If you’ve ever visited Haiti, chances are you’ve crossed paths with him. He’s translated for you, helped you shop at the market, knows way more than he should about everything happening on campus, and somehow managed to be in three places at once.
He’s also the child who once skipped homeschool and genuinely thought he wouldn’t get caught. Which might have worked if there were 500 students in his class.
There were six.
When we asked him what he was thinking, he explained that he was just trying to “be Jesus to the kids” like we’d taught him. Unfortunately, those kids weren’t home because they were at their own school.
And if we’re being completely honest, there’s a decent chance he secretly gave you the Wi-Fi password, found you a cold Coke after hours, helped you navigate Haiti, or solved a problem he wasn’t technically supposed to be solving.
Asher has always had a servant’s heart. Sometimes that servant’s heart just happens to operate with very little regard for established procedures.
This year he’ll attend Provision School while also beginning Wing Flight’s aviation training program as he works toward earning his pilot’s license.
He’ll be living with Nana and starting a completely new chapter of life. Which means he will be almost two hours away from Gabriel and Levi.
This detail becomes important in about thirty seconds.
Now Let’s Talk About The Problem…
I’ve got four kids living in the United States now. That’s expensive.
Thankfully, tuition has largely been covered. Unfortunately, what were once considered luxuries have somehow become expectations. Honestly, the whole thing feels a little unreasonable.
We went a full year with a generator that didn’t work and electricity that only showed up whenever it felt spiritually led.
Yet somehow my children want to be like “stateside” people.
They believe electricity should work every day, transportation should be reliable, and the refrigerator and pantry should both contain food at all times.
Ugh. It’s amazing how quickly a few months in the States can make someone forget where they came from.
🚗 I Need Two Vehicles.
One for Gabriel.
One for Asher.
And before anyone panics…
What We’re Looking For
✅ Starts more often than it doesn’t
✅ Contains significantly fewer flames than Malaya’s last vehicle
✅ Brakes preferred, prayers accepted
✅ Air conditioning optional. A heater would actually be nice since our children still think 32° is a weather emergency.
✅ Can survive several years of students insisting, “It’s probably fine.”
✅ Parts still exist for it.
✅ Unlikely to become a sermon illustration
Listen…
The vehicle can honestly be as old as they are. I’m pretty sure I’m going to make them wear helmets regardless. The real concern is everyone else on the road with them. I’d feel much better if I could hand out protective gear at every intersection they pass through.
Malaya had a vehicle donated several years ago. It served her faithfully for four years before eventually catching fire. She loved it and it loved her.
Now we would prefer to avoid the spontaneous combustion package this time around, but we’re trying not to be overly picky.
Have a Vehicle You’re Ready to Part With?
Somewhere out there, somebody is getting ready to trade in a perfectly good vehicle. Before you do, maybe consider whether God is nudging you toward a different option.
Gabriel needs transportation to NKU.
Asher needs transportation for school and flight training.
If you have a vehicle you’d be willing to donate, we’d love to talk with you. We’ll gladly provide a tax-deductible receipt and save you the hassle of trading it in. And don’t worry about how to get it to us.
In fact, some of you are always telling us, “We’d love to see you guys more often now that mission teams aren’t coming down.”
Well… here’s your chance.
Donate a car and we’ll show up at your front door.
I’m not saying we’re bribing people with a Castillo family visit…
…but I’m not not saying it either.
While we’d certainly prefer someone hand us the keys to a vehicle, cash donations are also gladly accepted.
We’ve discovered that used cars have become surprisingly expensive, and dealerships remain stubbornly opposed to accepting prayer requests as payment. The sales manager was also oddly unimpressed by my argument that we’ve spent the last twenty years serving Jesus in Haiti.
Either way, your generosity helps make this next chapter possible.
Email: jody@nwhcm.org
or
Give Online: Donate
Checks Payable To:
NWHCM
PO Box 586
Lebanon, IN 46052
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