Tuesday, May 10, 2005

The Last Newsletter Before I move to Washington

Hola! I pray you all are doing well.
After school program…Well a lot of things have happened since the last update concerning my work with the after school program. For the rest of my time here my time to serve for the Harambee Center has terminated. Due to this I have stopped living at the retreat house. God’s purpose for this has been obvious to me. I was in much need of rest from ministry. I am staying with three good friends of mine at their condo. They have been gracious to me by letting me stay there and allowing me to rest from ministry, read and study. I have been enjoying my time off and have been using it to pray, read and draw closer to God. I am still in the neighborhood and see the families I’ve drawn close to. As I continue to enjoy my time here my plan is to visit the people I know and thank them for their friendship and love.
I have learned a lot from my last four years here and look forward to what God has for me in the future.

My F.A.T (faithful, available, teachable) boy’s bible study is still going. We haven’t met regularly for the last couple weeks due to all the changes and the boys being involved in a quinceañera and having to practice every night during hang out time. This coming week they are going to have more free time and we are going to be able to get together and fellowship. I have been able to share in the simplest levels of fellowship getting together to study the word, sharing our feelings and transgressions, and serving. I have done as much as I can to expose the boys to Gods character and encourage them to take it a step further in their relationship with Jesus.

At times I find myself having unreal expectations and I have to remind myself they are so young. The trip to Washington was an awesome time of fighting, reconciliation, forgiveness and humbleness. I promise to never take so many young people on my own on a road trip. Although I was able to meet with them on a different level it was a tough trip both physically and emotionally for me. I want to thank Lynn and The Manna Team for their love while we visited.


Cheryl Broetje for helping us get back to California and all of you who came out to the car washes to give your time and to all of you who gave financially and
spiritually. Thank you.
College is going well. I am really enjoying the class I’m taking at Pasadena City College for several reasons; one is because this professor can teach, and two because it’s the last one before I successfully complete my AA. I applied for 4 scholarships which if I receive will help me finish my BA through WSU Tri-Cities. I am applying for the fall.
That’s what is going on with school.

Returning to Washington is exciting on many levels. The first one is my mom. I love that lady so much and I long to spend time with her. Secondly, upon my return I will be entering into and internship with The Manna Project entitling coming along them and helping with their summer project. Please pray with me as I prepare for what the summer holds for me. I will continue to send updates as I am there to let you all know what is going in the life of Sergio. I finish my class June 9th and I plan on driving out on the 11th or 12th of June.

Finances…urgh! Not so good right now since I am completely without any income.
I have five weeks left before I move up north and if you would like to help me make it through these next five weeks and be able to go up north at the end here are my financial needs:

Food: $200
Gas: $100 to get around
Bills: $65 phone bill
Gas: $250 to get back up to WA (gas is very expensive)
Applying for WSU: $38

Totaling: $653.00

I am no longer fundraising through Harambee. If you would like to give you can either go to my website: www.castaneda.blogspot.com and click on the Pay Pal Button on the side bar and follow the instructions from there. If you would like to give via mail by check please feel free to contact me for my current address.

Thank you so much to all of you that have been so faithful to me in doing Gods work here in Pasadena. This is the last newsletter you will receive from down here in Pasadena. I will continue to send them later on from Washington.

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