Yesterday we celebrated Asher & Levi’s 13th birthday! I still remember EVERYTHING about that pregnancy & their first year of life. If you followed my blog back in 2009, you TOO know all about my 92 days in the hospital & constant medical drama!

The week after they were born, we had to trade in our mini-van for a 12-passenger vehicle! Simply put – we NO LONGER fit in one car together! We had 4 girls still in car seats, Gabriel in a car seat, & now twin babies. Yeah, you heard me… it’s 7 kids in car seats!  It took us 30-minutes just to buckle every kid in before leaving the drive-way! Not to mention, only 2 of the 7 were potty-trained! 

Here’s a post I made on Facebook when we finally purchased the van! It was 8 years old but had very limited mileage on it! It’s a 2001 Dodge Springer Van!

The van is now 21 years old, fully paid for, has only 86,000 miles on it, and is STILL running! Since we don’t live in the states and drive it every day, it was pretty easy to keep the mileage down. We have learned that some vehicles don’t need to be driven a lot for them to constantly breakdown. Apparently parts can go bad after 21 years even if you treat your car  well!

ANYWAYS…. Back to Malaya

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✔️ LIST OF REASONS THIS VAN WILL BE A HUGE HIT✔️ 

For the past 3 weeks, all of our campus residents have been competing in weekly competitions. The team with the most points at the end of the month –  will get to attend a special 4th of July Party in our yard- complete with food, games, swimming, and fireworks!

To learn more about the competitions from our first 3 weeks – check out our ministry blog: molehaiti.org

 

TONIGHT WAS OUR 4th WEEK OF SUMMER GAMES! ☀️🏆

At 5:30pm, we set-up the basketball court in preparation for tonight’s water games! We had 10 different water-themed competitions! 💦🪣

At 6:50pm, we all met in the cafeteria – so Pierre & I could explain how to play each game.

Though there are 20 members in each team…most games only require 3-10 people. Team captains were required to divide out their group equally – so that EACH person participated in at least 3 different games.

At 7:20pm, we were ready to play game 1. 🔫💧

At 9:30pm, we still had 5 games left. We took a vote to decide if they wanted to stop since it was getting late. ⭐️🌙 BUT EVERYBODY – especially the adults – wanted to keep going!

At 10:15pm, I finally concluded the night. There were still 3 more games left, but we were exhausted! 😴

The best part of ANY activity we do, is watching everyone else laugh & fully engage. They ABSOLUTELY loved tonight!! 💜  I really think they could have kept going if I would have let them! 

In fact, we had a crowd of people on the streets watching us through the chain-link fence – cheering for everyone! 📣 👏

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As always, it takes forever to upload photos & videos to our blogs. Hopefully by this weekend, I’ll be able to post pictures & share all about our night! So, don’t forget to check out our ministry blog in a few days! molehaiti.org

In the meantime, enjoy our short video from tonight!

Yesterday was the last day of school for all of our Campus Kids!

(NOTE: My kids still have another 2 weeks before they are finished). 

We made a SURPRISE announcement on Wednesday, during our weekly meeting.  IF everyone gave their very best on Thursday – which was the last day of exams…. we would have a  HUGE celebration on Friday! 

Everything went perfectly yesterday at school! So this morning, the children woke up at 6:40am! All of the kids, their teachers, Gabriel, Tizzie, and Pierre all headed to the beach and ate breakfast at 7am! Not only did they eat breakfast – but they also ate their lunch there! 

Pierre, Tizzie, & the teachers were responsible for all of the morning activities.  (They didn’t take a whole lot of pictures – because everyone was too busy swimming and having fun!)

DAYTIME FUN – 7AM

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The kids returned back to the campus around 5pm to take showers and change out of their bathing suits. At 6:30pm, my family & Abbey –  took over for all of the night-time plans!  

We started with a big bonfire – where kids roasted hot dogs! Besides hotdogs/bread – we also had chips & soda. Once the kids were finished eating, we started our first round of games.

BONFIRE FUN

 

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The first game we played was our version of “Monkeys in the Middle”. We divided the kids into teams. Those inside the square tried to capture the “foxtail ball” – which was thrown back & forth from outside the boundaries. Winners were rewarded with candy. 

GAMES ROUND 1

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After we finished round 1, we went back to the bonfire to indulge in gooey, delicious s’mores!  

S’MORES

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After we finished eating, we came back together for another round of games.  We also passed out LED sunglasses and a “flying” LED toy. You use a rubber-band to send the toy straight-up in the air. Some of the kids sent them so high, they actually got stuck in a palm tree! LOL!

GAMES – ROUND 2

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Before we knew it, it was already 9:45pm! We hadn’t finished playing all of the games we had planned. However, the kids had been going non-stop at the beach since 7am. So we decided to end with a 15-minute dance party!

I am SO thankful for all of the people that made this day possible! Pierre & Gabe were at the beach the entire day. The teachers & Tizzie were moving non-stop this morning to make sure the day went well.

Jose, Malaya, Abbey, & the rest of my kids never sat down – once the kids came back over for dinner. I was anticipating some “complaining” as we walked into the house tonight. But instead, my kids were asking if we could go back again next week!

How blessed am I – to serve alongside my family? Wow! God really is GREAT!!

END OF NIGHT DANCE PARTY – 10PM

(Written Yesterday)

Today is one of those bitter-sweet days.

As many of you know, our family has strong emotional ties to the “Mercer” family.

Diane was my best friend.
Her mother, Ruth, was Malaya’s best friend.
Her father Jerry, filled in for Ruth after her passing.

Jerry was SO good to our family. He made a point to write Malaya EVERY month – without fail. He also sent Malaya several gifts from Ruth, including a cherished porcelain doll from the House of Lladro, Madrid.

When we learned this past weekend that Jerry’s health was declining rapidly, we were overcome with emotions.

Malaya commented that it feels like Ruth is dying all over again. I understand that sentiment. as precious memories flood my mind as well… especially the ones where we are all hanging out together in Diane’s living room.

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We woke up to this message today from Diane’s sister:

June 14, 2022
The struggle is finally over. Shortly after midnight this morning, dad drew his final breath after 85 years this side of Glory living a life he loved with those he loved, even as he deeply longed for his true home and Abba for as long as I’ve been old enough to understand.

In many ways he was an ordinary man with an extraordinary presence. Handsome, gregarious, funny, opinionated. He took thousands of pictures of everything that would hold still long enough for a photo. He was a collector, a teacher, a writer, a poet. . .an evangelist proclaiming the Good News to every brother and sister he met along the way.

As he laid there in the hospital bed, his body was worn out, black and blue with bruising from four days of IVs and life’s many bumps over the years. Unresponsive and fevered, we wiped his body with cool cloths for several days–his forehead, face, arms, chest and legs.  We washed his feet.  Even in death he was drawing us closer to Jesus.

Above all, he was a man of great spiritual discipline. His entire life was a journey to the cross, and those who knew him also knew of the heavy cross he bore.

His final hour was the most holy moment of my life. Today I will abide in that moment for a little bit longer.

Out of all of dad’s published writings my favorite was a collection of personal poetry entitled Scratchings on the Wall of My Prison Cell. Well, now he’s free. He broke out at midnight (he was also such a cowboy) from a shackled life to physical pain and limitation to finally see Jesus face-to-face and embrace his bride again who was all his care.

I don’t know if he surprised her this morning or if she knew he was coming. But I do know what a wonderful day they will share. He had an important date to keep. After all, today is their 65th wedding anniversary.

***

Please continue to pray for all of Jerry’s family and friends. It’s no doubt HIS best day…and yet one of our saddest.

Below are a few pictures from Jerry’s conversations with Malaya, including his last text to her.

Every year we have 2 major Children’s Church Themes – one in the spring & one in the fall. We have the ONLY children’s church ministry in our area. Just like our campus is well- known for it’s festive Christmas Season – our children’s church program is very popular and the “talk of the town” as well. 

Our last theme was  a Game Board Series. Each week, we introduced a classic game (Sorry, Battleship, Candyland, Checkers, Clue, etc). The object/rules of those games were used to share a Bible story — which created a fun  – interactive – and rememberable lesson every single Sunday.

This summer’s Children’s Church Theme is called – YOU’VE GOT TALENT! 

Below is a screen shot of the Series’ Overview! 

Most people don’t realize all the planning & work that is required for this program. The reason why we go so “BIG” – is because for most children, this is the only platform they have to learn about Jesus. If they do attend other local Church services, this is the only resource completely designed with their age in mind. 

We started preparing for this theme back in December. As we began putting away our red curtains, red tablecloths, and other various red decorations… we immediately set them aside and labeled them for this theme.

We had Tom & Sharon Snivley bring in several decorations when they arrived in April – and our family ALSO brought back supplies from our recent trip to the states!

Even still….many of the supplies we wanted were too bulky for suitcases and instead were sent to FLORIDA so that MFI could fly them into Haiti. It typically takes 2-4 weeks to receive supplies from MFI. There is a weekly flight into Haiti and then customs opens every box and taxes all the items. After it clears customs, we then have to find a bus coming to the Mole, which is a 12-hour drive! With Haiti’s political crisis, the roads are often blocked. 

We ordered our supplies for this theme back in February  – HOWEVER – the majority of them just arrived this past weekend!

We didn’t want to miss out on decorating for Sunday- so we pulled an all nighter! We started setting up at 6pm on Saturday and continued non-stop until 1:15am. (We still had more decorations for the tables, but decided to add them next week since we were exhausted!)

In July, we will be hosting an actual Talent Competition! The kids have been practicing their “acts” in preparation for this big community event! We will invite all of their parents & passout awards to all the winners!

This has been such a FUN theme for everyone! The kids love sitting in the middle of all the glitz and glam – while they learn about the most famous and talented King of Kings!

Below are a few updates from my FACEBOOK posts…

FROM MAY 3rd…

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FROM MAY 9th

In just a few months from now, Malaya will be spending her senior year of high school in Missouri with a dear family friend.

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As most of you already know, I have to fly out of Haiti every 3-4 months for cancer scans & follow-up surgeries.

One of the therapists who works with us in Haiti, has become a VERY close friend. Our kids are roughly the same ages.

She has a son who is a junior, and his prom was this past Saturday. (Which happens to be the same week of my medical appointments).

He asked Malaya to go and she said yes! For those of you who know Malaya, you are just as shocked as I am!

Dressing up, wearing make-up & jewelry, hanging out with kids her own age – complete strangers at that – – AND knowing that I’m gonna want to take pictures and make funny remarks … that’s her perfect storm!?! 😅🤣😂

But she stepped out of her comfort zone, and had a wonderful night with a really great friend!

I knew she would be okay after we took their pictures. Eli acted silly, made her laugh, and she was immediately at ease.

I am so proud of her. I’m MUCH LESS worried about her senior year now! She’s totally gonna be fine!

***

FROM MAY 16th…

My medical reports look good so far, and I’m cleared to fly back home. Yeah!🎉🥰

In August, we will drop Malaya off in Missouri for her senior year, and begin packing for our annual boat shipment.

Since we’ll already be out for 6 weeks this fall, we have scheduled my two needed surgeries for that same time frame. I hate being away from the kids any longer than I have to, so the doctors agreed we can wait.

We appreciate all of your prayers for my health – and for our safety as we head home! God is good!

HAPPY EASTER FROM THE CASTILLO CLAN!!

 

I know it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted a family update! However, if you click on this link – molehaiti.org – it will take you to the blogs we just posted from this past weekend!  IT’S BEEN SO MUCH FUN CELEBRATING THIS HOLIDAY WITH THE SNIVLEYS!

 

 

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I hope you were able to visit our ministry blog – which detailed Saturday’s party & Sunday morning’s Easter Service.  

Though Easter celebrations usually wrap-up by Sunday night – our festivities didn’t stop until Monday evening.

Our campus hasn’t done anything fun together since New Year’s Eve. So on Monday night, from 7pm-11pm – everyone on campus – adults/kids – came together for a relaxed evening of games, snacks, and egg hunts.

Malaya, Abbey, & Sharon decorated cookies for the party. We also filled 480 eggs with lights (for 2 rounds of egg hunts).

The evening started with a WORD-SEARCH game that we created on the computer. Anyone who could read/write and WANTED to play  – was given the puzzle. We then gave everyone 15 minutes to find as many words as they could. They LOVED this game so much! You’ll see in the pictures below how seriously they studied that sheet.

Cash prizes were given for the top 3 spots as expected. However, I also gave  a cash prize for the one who tried – but never found a single word!! One of the mommas in our children’s home stared at the paper for 15 minutes straight – and simply couldn’t find anything to circle. So she was awarded for her efforts! 

After we finished with the puzzles, we passed out the snacks and began the movie.  

Below are pictures from Monday Night’s Prep & Word-Search Competition

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We stopped the movie after an hour and began the first egg hunt. Anyone under the age of 13 participated in this event. When the kids came back with their eggs, they were immediately handed big bags of candy. We then collected everything they just found- and hid them back in the yard again for round 2.  

After everyone had returned to their seats, we started the movie back-up. The adults were handed smaller bags of candy and everyone received a special cookie.

When the movie finished, the adults lined up for their egg hunt. Everyone was told to collect 16 eggs AND that candy is NOT the award this time. NOPE! This time, those eggs will be exchanged for Haitian money! 

There are 5 different colors of eggs: yellow, pink, blue, green, & orange.  Each egg color was worth a certain amount of money, but no one knew the value until the game was over.

For example: Every pink egg you find is worth $1.00. Every yellow egg you find is worth $3.00.  

So when the hunt was over, one by one they came forward with their bags so we could tally how much money they won! We have learned to make everything into a game or form of entertainment. Hunting eggs was great. However, I think they actually enjoyed watching everyone count up their totals even more!  

Below are pictures from our 2 Egg Hunts – Kids & Adults

I recently made a post asking for a Helping Hand, on our ministry blog, molehaiti.org.

If you haven’t had a chance to read that blog, please click on those links above.

Instead of reposting that appeal again, I thought it might be more beneficial to share about our brand new therapy room! This room plays an intricate part in our approach to aiding  women & children who are  entangled in abusive situations, 

As I shared on the mole blog:  Over the past decade, I have passionately pursued resources, schooling, seminars, conferences, and spent many years training right alongside licensed therapists.  With each new layer of darkness exposed, I have had the best back-up that anyone could ever pray for.

Back in 2018, we opened the first play therapy room  for the entire northwest zone of Haiti. Here’s a link to that post: PlayRoom

The room was very small, but so was the ministry at the time. As patients came to clinic, anyone suspected of physical/sexual abuse were referred  to the therapy room.

We have had many children as young a 7 years old with sexually transmitted diseases. We’ve had women come to the clinic with broken limbs and bruises – scars that an accidental fall could never cause. We are just as serious in scheduling this appointment, as we would be for any other medical specialist. 

There are a variety of techniques that allow for vulnerable children/women to express what they feel without having to ask direct questions. We have puppets, paint, games, role playing, drawing, sand tray therapy, as well as a variety of other techniques. Honestly, whatever works with the kids usually works on the adults as well.

Once we have established a trusting relationship,  in an environment where they feel completely safe – they courageously share their pain quite openly 90% of the time.  It doesn’t happen right away, usually after 3-4 appointments. 

As the patients begin to share… as predators become identified… as their truth completely  exposes all the darkness surrounding them – we do our best to help. However,  it’s often more dangerous for the children if we intervene in any way. There’s no social services here.  

In fact, when I reached out to authorities back in 2017 , I was ordered to “stay out of it”.  I was trying to resolve a serious problem for an 11 year old girl.  Somehow I managed to inadvertently cause more harm, as I haven’t seen that girl since the day I tried to get her help.

I remember reaching out to my therapy team, explaining how hopeless I felt listening to heart-wrenching stories, knowing I can’t make it better.

 I was reminded that providing a safe environment, allowing children to be seen & heard, showing unconditional love, & talking about that glorious day when Jesus comes – it’s not nothing.

For them, it’s everything. The hugs, the love, the laughs, the smiles…. they look forward to it every week. Their demeanor from the first visit versus a month of meetings, is night & day. It feels like nothing when I can’t fix it…but it’s not nothing to them. 

So, as the ministry grew, so did the room! This past summer we moved from our little room into another one that’s 3-times the size! Not only did we gain more space, but it just so happened that my “back-up” (our therapist, Joan) was here to move us over. 

The President was assassinated the week she was here with her family and their trip got extended several more days. We didn’t waste a single moment, as we now had time to move into the new suite! I’ll share about their time here in another blog. But for now, I’m excited to show you our newly renovated space! 

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Please consider donating towards our ministry’s needs.

The financial burden we carry for this entire campus is heavy. I know life isn’t easy for anyone – no matter where you live

For us – less travelers, higher gas/food prices, Haiti’s political instability, my own continued medical/surgical emergencies, & the scarcity of needed supplies ….aww it’s a lot to carry.  

This is just one of many ministries that God has placed upon our heart. It’s often the one that gets overlooked, simply because meeting the needs of our children’s home takes priority and there’s little left afterwards. 

However, my prayer is that no only do our campus children grow up to be ambassadors for Christ, but that those in the community also feel His love & presence.

Please pray that HIS light doe not grow dim – as we strive to stomp out the darkness in Mole St Nicolas.

CHECKS CAN BE MADE TO:

NWHCM    7984 West State Rd 32.   Lebanon, IN 46052.   – OR   ONLINE GIVING – CLICK HERE

Please mark: HEALING HANDS in the memo/notes section. 

Tonight was our Children’s Church Kick-off (part 2).

We had to postpone Children’s Church for most of December because of our Christmas Movie Nights. Then I flew out in January for hand surgery.

So it’s been awhile since we’ve met. So, tonight we invited the community kids for a movie night. 🍿 We started with games on the basketball court where winners were given prizes! 🎁

It was a great success with over 200 kids in attendance! (We bought 200 bags of chips and ran out before the movie even started).

🎈🎈

We are the only ones in town who have a weekly Children’s ministry. Pierre said when he goes into town, all of the kids ask him when we are going to start again!

Several of the children who come to our program are from abusive homes. And I know for a fact… that we recently lost two 9-year old girls (who ALWAYS attended) – because they were exchanged/trafficked out… and replaced with new girls. 

🎈🎈

For me, this ministry isn’t about sharing a generic Sunday school lesson.

It’s about making God’s Word come ALIVE!

It’s my chance to offer HOPE – that their pain, hunger, and hurt will not be forever.

Every service is about providing a safe space, sharing about a Father who loves them unconditionally, and reminding them that one day – Jesus will come for them.