Castle_Hill's Xanga

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 15:18:05 GMT

I am not going to shutdown this Xanga (because I have had entries in this one since I was a Junior in high school)---but I did make a new one I_Love_Goya, and I will be writing entries in that one from now on. So if you enjoyed reading my entries you might want to subscribe to that one too! See you later lovely's!

&hearts;

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 03:07:05 GMT

I am going to DR! I am going to DR!!! w00t w00t. Ok now that I have procrastinated for a number of seconds, I shall get back to working on the newsletter that I have not even begun to write.

Friday, October 21, 2005

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 18:50:13 GMT

Sometimes your heart wants to be somewhere else, but you don't know if that's where the Lord wills it.

Monday, September 12, 2005

Mon, 12 Sep 2005 23:24:27 GMT

I miss writing in this thing

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Sat, 13 Aug 2005 13:08:29 GMT

So I just got back from my vacation in La Isla Del Encanto. I had lots of fun and took lots of beautiful pictures of the sunny skies and rich blue beach water. But overall the best part of the trip I would have to say was none of the above. It wasn't the food (which by the way was DELICIOUS), the sunny weather, the beach or anything else in that physical and material sense, rather it was something more, something God granted that I will cherish and be thankful for forever.

My grandfather's past is a very mysterious one filled with doubts, hurt and past mistakes. When he was a young teenager he fled from his home of San Sebastian, PR for reasons that were crucial for his well being and survival--reasons I care to keep to myself for my family's sake. In any case he left without any family members to guide him out, he was on his own and he was headed to a new life. He met my grandmother years later in Catano, PR around Bayamon and they fell in love and got married (mind you I am leaving out petty details, of course relationships don't just jump to marriage so quickly...lol). So anyway he raised my three eldest uncles in Puerto Rico and then moved to the Bronx with my grandmother and my three eldest uncles and later had my mother (whom was the only girl and middle child) and three more boys. All those years went by and my grandfather didn't once look back to returning to his hometown of San Sebastian......

Just a few days ago my family and I went to investigate the case of my grandfather's past. We all said are own prayers with growing faith asking the Lord that we could be able to find even the smallest details of my grandfather's past so that we would be able to gain closure from the emotional episode since my grandfather's passing just a short few years ago. So we went to San Sebastian via Maunabo....so basically we went from one extreme of the Island to the other which took a good 3 hours more or less in the car, but all for the sake of discovering harbored past remanants of my grandfather's legacy.....

Let me tell you God is so GOOD and FAITHFUL, I have so many living testimonies of that, but this was an especially HUGE one for both me and my family, specifically my mother since this deals with her father's past. Anyway the first day we went to San Sebastian was Monday and we didn't find out much information that could be of great use to us, we did however find out that there was a barrio called "Aibonito Guerrero" in which all Guerrero's from the Island originated from, including my grandfather and his family. Anyway we met a man named Don Pedro Guerrero also known as Peliche and he helped us find a woman named Pura Rivera Guerrero who would be able to help us find our descendants. We went to her house up in the mountaintops and found that no one was home....one door closed, but not to worry God would open a huge one just a few short days later.

We returned to San Sebastian, sacrificing our old plan to go to the rainforest in El Yunque....we had some unfinished business to deal with and God had some unfinished promises He desired to complete. That day was Wednesday and we set out to the Plaza of the town of San Sebastian and went to the Catholic Church located there to investigate whether or not my grandfather was baptized in the catholic church (since we knew before he converted to being a pentecostal he was catholic). God opened a huge door there we were able to get the baptism certificate, thanks to a wonderful lady at the pariochal office who went out of her way to help us. In that baptism certificate was all the information we could ever need to find out about my grandfather's family.

There were tons of names. First the names of his parents. His actual birthdate (which was so much different from what we thought it was), his grandparents names on both sides of his family and his god parents as well as the priest who baptized him on the given date. With this informaton we returned to the barrio of Aibonito Guerrero and met up with Don Pedro (who has a stunning resemblence to my grandfather...it's just too amazing for words). Anyway he led us to a few houses, and then finally the third house we were able to find a family member--my mother's cousin (her mother Maria Guerrero was my grandfather's sister).

After spending time with her and her husband...she gave us a few names and numbers of more family members and let us know that there were two uncles left over, meaning my grandfather still had brothers alive---how crazy is that?? My grandfather died when he was 88 and he still has brothers hanging around...it was a blessing. So we left her house and headed to her brother Maro's house and he was nice enough to take us to my great uncle's house Marcelo. Marcelo is one of the two brothers of my grandfather that are left in existence. When we got there it was an emotional undertaking....that man my great uncle Marcelo of 80 years looked exactly like my grandfather and my eldest uncle (who passed on in '95 from AIDs). It was just incredible, not to mention he had the silly demeanor of my grandfather in him it was so refreshing....it was like talking with my grandfather all over again that I kept having to remind myself that he was gone......

To God be the glory for all this because we prayed with faith and he heard our cry and supplied our need. Not to mention my grandfather has another brother living in Union City, NJ which is not at all far from my home...hopefully we will see him later tonight or sometime soon and dig deeper into my family's past and legacies....thanks to God it's all possible now!

Monday, July 25, 2005

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 19:12:29 GMT

Me Converti En Una Misionera De Verdad
Current mood: cheerful

Man let me tell you right here and now God is so good, and I mean that in every way possible. The Lord brought me out of my comfort zone in the United States and sent me all the way to the puro campo of Central America to preach the Gospel to the broken hearted and distraught. The Lord is good, I felt His hand move there in El Salvador and Guatemala in marvelous ways.

I spent most of my time with young children ranging from many different ages and let me tell you I saw the glory of God in every child's face and innocent smile. I became friends with so many young children that have potential in the Lord, I saw future preachers, singers, evangelists, pastors and even missionaries, and I let each and every one of them know that. They loved hearing it too. Many children accepted the Lord in Arcatao and Trapiche de Agua, and glory be to God two soldiers gave their heart to Christ in the Cancha de la colonia during a service after the parade in Arcartao on Saturday. The Lord truly moves in myserious ways and His promises are everlasting to those who wait to see His glory.

There are so many experiences I can detail out for you about the trip....but I will only choose the three I spoke about at my church on Sunday. First I talked about the parade that was done in Arcatao in El Salvador. All those children were claiming the victory as they raised their voices giving thanks and praises to God, it was so beautiful. Each child screamed a "Gloria a Dios" or a "Jesus Te Ama" and I could tell they were saying these words with all their hearts, and that they truly believed what they were saying. They were little living testiments of God's wonders. After the parade we all gathered together in the Cancha. During the service while Gil was preaching to the masses, Brenda, and I gathered together with the children in a circle and began to pray together for the people of Arcatao, each child cried out to the Lord in a loud voice: "Jesus, Ayudame. Jesus, ayuda mi familia. Jesus, ayuda mi gente. Jesus, ayuda mi pueblo." I am sure God was at His holy throne smiling as each child was moving in the Spirit calling upon His name, it was a beautiful experience. Many children converted that day, the glory be to God.

It never ended there. I remember spending my time with an 8 year old named Tonio. I joked around with my friends saying he was my long lost son, after awhile he even began to look like me....haha. Anyway I talked to that child every opportunity I had about the love of Jesus. I remember one day I looked at him as he smiled and told him "Sabes que? Yo veo el amor de Jesus en ti y en tu sonrisa." He just lit up like a christmas tree when I said that and he giggled. I did really see Jesus in him, I hope he always remembers that. Anyway I remember one day Rosie said she would give bubble gum to those kids who told her what they learned about God. And Tonio piped up: "Yo se bastante cosas sobre Jesus." That had me cracking up, 'cuz he said it with the only cute attitude. And then he started talking about the Lord and how the Lord lives in his heart and how that brings him joy. I miss that boy so much.....

There is more I can say, but so few time to say it so I will just detail one more testimony one that will truly have an impact, I know it had one on me. One day we were traveling on the bus, I think our destination was to Arcatao from San Salvador. It was a bumpy road there, and the road was truly treacherous. So we all began to sing songs and meditate on the Lord. We were having a great time singing coritos to the Lord and praising His name. Finally Emmanuel started a different song: "Cristo Rompe Las Cadenas". We started singing it with such joy and happiness. Finally we got to the part that says "Tu me libraste del infierno y de la muerte." At that point a car por poco hit us from the front side, but the bus swerved out of sight just when we said "de la muerte". We all stood in shock for just a few seconds and continued "Como es posible yo vivir sin mi Jesus." That song now has new meaning to me then ever before, because while singing it on the bus the jovenes truly understood that the Lord saved us from death, and without Him that would not have been possible.......

Now for Guatemala. That was a new experience. We stayed in a part of Guatemala that was an indigenous area. The people there understood spanish and some spoke it as well, but for the most part thier native language was an indigenous language named "Achi". It was nice hearing them speak the language, I am hoping next time when I go back I will be able to speak it well enough to communicate with them in that language instead of in spanish. At any rate "my son" from Guatemala was a cutie-pie boy named Israel. I love, LOVE that boy....I gotta go back to see him sometime. Anyway I was talking to him and he tells me he accepted the Lord when he was 8 years old (right now he is around 13, Glory be to God), he also told me that his parents had been serving the Lord for 13 years. He told me his father is here in the US and that his mother would soon go, leaving him to the care of his older cousin in Trapiche de Agua, Verapaz, Guatemala. He confided in me over all things he would love to learn how to play the guitar and that he would love to be a teacher. I pray to God that one day he will be able to come to the United States, I know he will have a lot of opportunities here. He is a bright kid and talented, I can see him going places in the Lord. Hopefully God will grant that I will see him again....I know I will. There were other people that impacted my life, among these a young girl. I can't remember her name to tell you the truth, wish I could, but there were over 700 kids so it was hard to remember all of them. At any rate she say my Irish Wedding Ring, the one I fought hard to get in Binghampton...haha. Well anyway she saw it and instantly fell in love with it. She asked me if I would give it to her. Without much thought I took it off my finger and placed it on hers, but I told her I was giving her the ring under one condition and she nodded her head. I told her that whenever she looked at the ring she need to remember that Jesus loves her. I changed the whole meaning of the Irish Wedding Band (to the dismay of the Irish, but I serve a mighty God, and I see HIS beauty in all HIS creation). So I told her the heart signified her heart, and the hands were Jesus hands guarding her heart, and the crown was the Kingdom of God. So everytime I saw her I asked her what does that ring mean and she told me "Jesus me Ama". May she always remember that.....Jesus loves me. Man God is so good. :o)

I MISS TRAPICHE DE AGUA (GUATEMALA) and ARCATAO (EL SALVADOR)

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 16:39:40 GMT

Pero, que LOCURA.

Locations: El Salvador and Guatemala

Food and waterborne diseases are the number one cause of illness in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout the region and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. (See below.)

Malaria is a serious, but preventable infection that can be fatal. Your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including cities. Prevent this deadly disease by seeing your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites (see below).

Malaria risk exists in some parts of Mexico and Central America. Travelers to malaria-risk areas, including infants, children, and former residents of Mexico and Central America, should take an antimalarial drug.

Chloroquine is the recommended drug for Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and the Bocas Del Toro Province of Panama.

Travelers to Darién Province and San Blas Province in Panama (including the San Blas Islands) should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: (listed alphabetically): atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or primaquine (in special circumstances).

For additional information on malaria risk and prevention, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Central America and Mexico. See also Preventing Malaria in the Pregnant Woman (Information for the Public) and Preventing Malaria in Infants and Children (Information for the Public).

A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required for entry into certain of these countries if you are traveling from a country in tropical South America or sub-Saharan Africa. For detailed information, see Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements. Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center.

Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) are diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Protecting yourself against insect bites (see below) will help to prevent these diseases.

Because motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers, walk and drive defensively. Avoid nighttime travel if possible and always use seat belts.

CDC recommends the following vaccines (as appropriate for age):

See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for immunizations to take effect.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.
Yellow fever for travelers to Panama who will be going outside urban areas.
As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.

To stay healthy, do...

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by BOTH filtering through an “absolute 1-micron or less” filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. “Absolute 1-micron filters” are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
If you will be visiting an area where there is risk for malaria, take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your doctor for a prescription.)
Protect yourself from mosquito bites:
- Pay special attention to mosquito protection between dusk and dawn. This is when the type of mosquito whose bite transmits malaria is active.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
- Use insect repellents that contain DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide).
- Read and follow the directions and precautions on the product label.
- Apply insect repellent to exposed skin.
- Do not put repellent on wounds or broken skin.
- Do not breathe in, swallow, or get into the eyes (DEET is toxic if swallowed). If using a spray product, apply DEET to your face by spraying your hands and rubbing the product carefully over the face, avoiding eyes and mouth.
- Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing, purchase a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin or deltamethrin. Or, spray the bed net with one of these insecticides if you are unable to find a pretreated bed net.
- DEET may be used on adults, children, and infants older than 2 months of age. Protect infants by using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with an elastic edge for a tight fit.
- Children under 10 years old should not apply insect repellent themselves. Do not apply to young children’s hands or around eyes and mouth.
- For details on how to protect yourself from insects and how to use repellents, see Protection against Mosquitoes and Other Arthropods.
- If you are visiting friends and relatives in your home country in areas where malaria occurs, please read the malaria prevention recommendations for recent immigrants on the CDC malaria site.
To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot.
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

To avoid getting sick...

Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
Don’t drink beverages with ice.
Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
Don’t share needles with anyone.
Don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague). (For more information, please see Animal-Associated Hazards.)
Don’t swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer. (For more information, please see Swimming and Recreational Water Precautions.)

What you need to bring with you:

Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat to wear while outside whenever possible, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria, dengue, and leishmaniasis).
Insect repellent containing DEET.
Bed nets impregnated with permethrin. (Can be purchased in camping or military supply stores. Overseas, permethrin or another insecticide, deltamethrin, may be purchased to treat bed nets and clothes.)
Flying-insect spray or mosquito coils to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes.
Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicine to take if you have diarrhea.
Iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. See Do’s above for more details about water filters.
Sunblock, sunglasses, hat.
Prescription medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s).

After you return home:

If you have visited a malaria-risk area, continue taking your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (chloroquine, doxycycline, or mefloquine) or seven days (atovaquone/proguanil) after leaving the risk area.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the physician your travel history.

For more information:

Ask your doctor or check the CDC web sites for more information about how to protect yourself against diseases that occur in Mexico and Central America, including the following:

Diseases carried by insects

Dengue
Malaria
- Frequently asked questions
- Prescription drugs

Diseases carried in food or water

Diseases from person-to-person contact

Hepatitis B
HIV/AIDS
- Prevention
- HIV-infected travelers

For more information about these and other diseases, please check the Diseases page and CDC Health Topics A–Z.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Tue, 21 Jun 2005 18:03:30 GMT

Since I am gettting ready to go to El Salvador and Guatemala in July, the missions leader is getting us prepared for what we will deal with. We watched a movie called "Voces Inocentes". I encourage you if you have the time see if you can rent it or look into it. It's a really explicit, but thorough enough look into the Civil War that took place in El Salvador. And if you think it has nothing to do with you, be assured it does, America took part in the cruelties that took place in that war that occurred about 12 years ago. Check out the website:

http://www.vocesinocentes.com/

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Tue, 21 Jun 2005 01:37:39 GMT

Tell me when is it that you are officially an adult?

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 18:14:11 GMT

GOD IS REAL GOOD!!! I am going to the missions trip in July. Pretty funny because my last entry said otherwise. Anyway the trip is to El Salvador and Guatemala and I am soooooo excited. I am glad God has granted me the opportunity.

Just so everyone knows both of my computers are being weird, and I can't use either of them so my internet access is at a minimum level these days. If you want to reach me call the cellie or call my home. If you don't know those numbers holla at me and I will let you know. Love you all so much! It's great to be back home!