Entry from the Buckner Prez's Blog.

So last week I was asked to blog for our President... which is a pretty big deal... I didn't even know they remembered who I was!  So this is the entry that I submitted-- I don't think it quite answered the question they had hoped but hopefully it challenged some people.  Hope you enjoy :)  

(Link to Blog for Buckner President)

The President Asks Questions: ‘What Direction Should Buckner Be Going?’

This month features guest blogs written by Buckner staff that answer a series of questions. This week, I've asked staff members to answer the question, "What directions should Buckner be going?” We have a lot of people see – and minister – in diverse ways. I hope you'll be inspired by their answers and learn more not only about what Buckner does, but who Buckner is. Jouleen Castillo is a missions coordinator for Buckner. She writes:

As I was thinking about my answer to the question, "What direction I see Buckner going in the future," I seriously hit a blank wall… and then it dawned upon me, “Jouleen, you have no idea where you will be in two years; you are surely not going to know where Buckner will be in 10.” So friends, bear with me, I’m taking us in a different direction than most people probably expected me to.

As Christians, Scripture commands us, “Sell your possessions and give to the needy. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:33-34). My pastor brought it to our attention recently that there are 2,103 verses that address the poor and the oppressed, which the Bible defines as the orphan, the widow and the foreigner. So basically, when you meet with the helpless you will no doubt meet with God.

As an organization, Buckner strives to better the lives of needy children and families all over the world. I am truly blessed as a missions coordinator to have witnessed some tangible ways where Buckner has bettered the conditions of many orphanages, making them more stable living environments for the children that inhabit these “homes,” as well as being able to see children loved by people all around the United States and natives from those countries. I stand with confidence and say that the Buckner family has given to the poor and the needy in the time I have been here, so I know it has happened in the past and will continue in the future.

Our challenge is not to get so wrapped up in where else we can help and what else we can do so that we find ourselves constantly looking out—rather, we need to always be looking up. When we pursue God in such a way that our hands are open and we become instruments in His hands, taught to truly live as servants.

Missional living is not a trip once a year where we go and give and then return home to reflect on how blessed we are. Inevitably, we all gain perspective that we should be thankful for the things we take for granted; but that is only the first part.

We need to challenge ourselves and ask, “Where is my heart now? How do I make missions and giving and serving part of my daily life? For where my treasure is there my heart will be also.” That is the command we are given. Singer/songwriter Brooke Fraser sings “Now that I have seen, I am responsible. Faith without deeds is dead.” We are responsible; not only for bettering the homes of orphans, but for giving to the needs of their hearts. These children need someone to be crazy about them, so how as a family will we do that?

I have no idea what direction I see Buckner going, but I know that when we truly live as servants, inevitably our direction will be forward.

So I've decided to do a photo blog of some moments and people I have really enjoyed/appreciated/been on my heart over the past month. Enjoy :)

So... this is Mike. he lives at San Gabriel, an orphanage in Guatemala City. He was absolutely hilarious and he really enjoyed wearing my glasses.

This is my group that I took to Guatemala from Little Rock, AR.








If you didn't already know... most dance moves are universal.















This is Alexander-- the baby boy that I could have easily and gladly stolen and let him pass as my child. Just look at those sweet cheeks!!!

Edvin, Celeste and Suzy. These are kids from the Buckner Transitional Homes... 2 of the 8 girls that I had a slumber party with, and Edvin Fernando, one of my favorite boys ever in the whole world. They're each incredible.

guatemala love,

jo

latin countries and slumberparties!

or shall I say... slumber-parties in latin countries. :)

In the past month I have visited Guatemala for 2 weeks and Honduras for a weekend and then worked and worked.  I'm currently in Tyler, TX hanging out with the fam.  There are 9 of us staying in a 2 bedroom cabin, and I'm still trying to figure out how that works.  

Some highlights I've had though... 

We visited an orphanage and they had just killed dinner and hung it on the side of a wall to drain the blood.  As we walk by all the kids were petting the dead turkey.  

In Honduras I was grabbed by a boy named Christian who even after I reprimanded him walked away very content in his accomplishment. 

I saw a baby that looked like he could be mine in Zacapa, Guatemala.  Sweet little Xander, I would have taken him home in a minute!

I sang karaoke with some girls from work :) "What's cooler than being cool?" 

While in Guate I had the great privilege of staying 3 days after my team left to spend time with our transition home kids (the children we have under Buckner's custody) and it was amazing.  I spent the night at the girls transitional home-- we had ice cream, watched movies, danced and took pictures... it was a-mazing to say the least.  Earlier that day I had spent time at the transitional mom's home where we had a dance party and then went over to the transitional boys home.   I walked into the boys home and they asked me what we were going to do and I quickly let them know they had to entertain me... so we played volleyball with a kickball outside and I taught them how to throw an American football.  Then I went with Marcos (the house parent), Edvin and Donaldo to buy them dinner at Pollo Campero.  I craved a milkshake and asked the boys if they wanted one too and they quickly smiled and nodded yes, so we got milkshakes but I told them they had to drink them before we got back home cause they other boys weren't getting one and the biggest grin came over both of their faces amidst chocolate and vanilla delight!  For the first time, I had a strong desire to live in Guatemala.  These kids mean so much to me and after having a day to just hang out and not have to worry about groups or dinners or paying and just have time to really enjoy one another... I loved it.  And for one of the first time in 2 years working with Buckner I was really sad to leave.  I didn't want to leave.  And I missed them every minute of my way home and then for like a week thereafter.   Such amazing teenage men and women.  I can't wait to see them again.  After those 2 days together, I wondered to myself why I hadn't ever done that before and I really appreciated my job.  After getting home, I was motivated to work for about 2 days before reality hit and I soon remembered why I get so frustrated.  'Tis life though.  There are so many times I find myself wishing U.S. Americans lived more like Latin Americans.  Life is so much slower.  I'm going to try to run against the current for as long as I can.  

This week I helped Nathalie and Andrew pick out wedding invitations!

And me and all my girlfriends from Baylor decided on a weekend to have our reunion! 

I've grown to love wii and really want to get one... 

J and I have missed each other in Dallas lately, today especially I've missed him and wish he could be here to hang out with my family.  

I've decided that when I get a dog I want to name him Howie.  I didn't come up with it myself but I really like it! 

enjoy the sunshine and take a swim... its the best season for it! 

love love love, 

Jo

.....sorry for the delay....

Sorry for the absence... I know its been a while.

So life updates. 

I've been on three trips since January (one in January and two in February).  One of the trips was an exploratory trip to Honduras.  It was incredible.  I've never seen such poverty before.  One of the orphanages we went to, Nueva Esperanza, had about 90 children, boys and girls.   When we first walked in, we had children run to us from the door.  I immediately asked, "where are your shoes" and the little boy told me, "we don't have any." Not a single one of them had a pair of shoes.  But it only began with shoes.  They had so many needs that's its indescribable in words.

Umm.... I've been asked seriously now more than really ever before if I'm getting engaged.  And the answer is no.  Not yet anyway.  But Jason does usually get an elbow into his side everytime it happens and he's there. :) 

I'm proud of J though.  He recently just got back from playing with Ashlee Simpson for like 2 weeks and he did a great job!  I'll admit! I'm excited for him-- whether or not she's my favorite. You can check them out here!  So that's the news with him.  We're doing great.  I love him. 

Hmm what else... I just realized that I haven't posted since I last moved.  I'm living in Richardson, in an awesome 3 bdrm house with two great girls-- Nathalie (who I went to Baylor with) and Julia (who I work with).  We've had a lot of fun together!  I love the house and the girls and the location!  We haven't quite thrown a house party yet but maybe the summer will bring one. 

I LOVE my small group.  I always have.  But I'm at the point where I'm seeing the girls more regularly in my life-- and really seeing the fruits of walking in life together and learning from them.  Shout out to Brian and Andi :)  (my leaders).  So my next challenge in the group is to get to know the guys... really I don't really know much more than their names.  Sad to say.  Not because I don't want to... just because before the group got smaller we split up girls and guys and so now that we're combined... I already know the girls and so its easier to talk to them vs the guys.  I'm gonna work on it though.  I don't want them to think I don't like them.

So I'll work on updating better.  Surely I'll  be good at it for a while and then head into hibernation again.  So enjoy it while it lasts.

PS: Every time I attempted to upload a picture it would spin at me for forever and not let me do it.  So I apologize for the non-photos. They always make it more interesting and fun and make me appear more lively at least.  I'll try again next time.

PEACE!

Merry Christmas!

This speaks for itself....

Merry Chrismas, from the Castillo Family!

Enjoy :)

it's christmas time in the city....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!! well except for yesterday afternoon-- it became summer again-- but today it was cold again... what a teaser huh!?! I realized that I've lived every winter in Houston, where there is no winter, and so my collection of sweaters and winter clothes is very limited for my first winter not in texas... we'll see what happens, I don't know if my usual layering tactic will cut it.

On other updates, Jason wrote me a song. My first. I cried and I LOVE it. (www.myspace.com/jasonandrewdering) It's called Everything. Check it out!!! I love it, I love him, it makes me smile every time I hear it! Really I know you're jealous, cause he's amazing.

Speaking of things I love, this past weekend I got to see all of my girlfriends for the first HTC wedding! My best friends from Baylor, 7 girls who know me better than almost anyone, and bring me SO much joy! We started Hot Tub Club and would hot tub every Thursday for about 2 years... we've got story after story to keep you dying laughing from all of our road trips, crazy adventures, and late nights! I love them so so much! Last weekend Katie got married! The first, we called it though... it was absolutely beautiful-- a sweet Christmas themed wedding with lit trees, holly, cider, and fun holiday songs. I am so happy for her! It was really great being able to celebrate her! Next is Newie in January. Today I realized that almost all of my roomates I've ever had are married-- Julie got married in June (sophomore year roomate), Amy is getting married in May (sophomore/junior year roomie), Newitt gets married in January (senior year roomie), Christine is engaged and getting married next summer (senior year roomie), and Katie just got married, my roomate from this past year-- I really don't know what is happening... so really if you want to get engaged, apparently you should live with me soon.... crazy crazy crazy!

So December is always full of fun-- i'm currently trying to figure out christmas gifts and get the holiday activities figured out! already my month is filling with festivities... PLUS i'm moving! So sometime in between shopping i'll be packing and moving into a house in Richardson with 2 amazing girls! I'm really looking forward to it.

make sure you get your fill of peppermint mochas and caramel cider while you can! i sure am!

Turkey Time, Beach Time!!!

So lots has happened in the past couple weeks! I blame my beginners MIA to Vera, my Guatemala friend that has become my temporary roomate! I love it! It's been two weeks and we've got one left-- we've been fairly secretive about her being here, since she doesn't work for Buckner Guatemala anymore and it's a sensitive subject but it's been good times... watching you tube videos, concerts, game nights, shopping like the stores are gonna close next week, road trips, and galavanting fun!!!

We both went to Houston for Thanksgiving... Vera got the best glimpse of the crazy fam that I think any one of my friends has gotten... that's big-- mom danced on the table at one point... my non-english speaking grandpa attempted to play english taboo... the sassafrass sister... and thanksgiving dessert baking 101, it really was fun! My mom loves going to Galveston for Thanksgiving, ask me why she thought it was a good idea to cram 10 people into a 2 bedroom condo. Somehow though, it worked, and there weren't people in my face at all times! Surprising I know. We had a beach model shoot day, vera, julissa and I did... more photos soon to come... and then ran around on the beach with the dog. Thanksgiving day we went around the table and said what we were each thankful for-- and by the end all the girls were crying-- I think my mom passed on the cry at any and every sensitive moment to my sisters and I, cause they just pour out and you can't do anything about it; mom's though, you could put a timer on those things and probably get it right at the start, it's pretty bad. Then we played Spanglish taboo and finally finished the night off with salsa/merengue dance party.

Really, I love my family. As crazy and insane as they are, they're amazing.