Jan y Dave Castro
Ministerio de Colaboración
USA – Montañas Rocosas
FIELD
Jan has worked in the medical field for many years, first as an EMT, then nurse and now as a physician’s assistant in pediatrics. She has always wanted to use her gifts and training in foreign places as a medical provider.
In 1997 she and Dave were invited to participate in a medical mission trip to Guatemala. The work was hard and the hours were long, but working with the poor was the most meaningful thing they had ever done. Jan was overwhelmed by the number of people in need. It was so impacting that the next year they brought their two sons, Sean and Preston, with them. It was amazing to see the impact it had on them and how their view of the world changed. Both sons participated in trips two more times.
Later Jan and her family participated in a short-term mission trip with Missions Door and Beyond Partnership. It was a building mission rather than a medical mission. She didn’t realize that this team would change all of their lives forever. The first thing Jan remembers Beyond Partnership’s leader asking the team was, “Does God love you more because you have more? And does God love the poor less because they have less?” She was astonished at this statement and it changed her worldview permanently.
The association with the medical teams literally labeled the providers as “heroes.” But Beyond Partnership teams are focused on sharing as Christians, on building relationships and respect rather than being the ones to come and save the day. On the building teams Jan and Dave had the opportunity to foster real relationships with Guatemalans—talking, eating with them and working side by side.
Every year since 2000 Jan and Dave have led teams to Guatemala with Beyond Partnership. In 2008 Jan felt the desire to do more, so she applied and was appointed as a volunteer missionary with Missions Door. She sees her role as one of filling in where different needs arise. She has experience in leading teams and translating, but her main role is supporting her daughter, another Missions Door volunteer missionary, Dayna Brown, with the Guatemala Pastors’ Children’s Education Fund.
FAITH
Jan was born and raised into a very devout Mormon family. She experienced salvation while attending the “How We Got the Bible” course at Salt Lake Seminary in 1996. She trusted Jesus as her Savior and Lord, never looking back, despite the rift in her family.
David’s maternal grandfather was a Baptist pastor for 30 years. He was raised in a Nazarene church and received Christ as Savior and Lord at the age of 8 at a church camp. David has served his church as a deacon, teacher, men’s group leader, and now as Missions Teams leader since 2001.
FAMILY
Jan and David have seven children, all but one of whom has participated multiple times with Beyond Partnership.
