April 2015 newsletter5

The Goshorns Step by Step April 2015

BACK TO SCHOOL The new school year has started here in Peru. School ends for summer break in mid December and starts back the 1st week of March. Now that school has started, we are back in Iscos helping with Bible study. Before school started we were spending a lot of time at the orphanage because the kids were there the entire day and kept telling us how bored they were. I was able to talk with some of the older boys about God. They are definitely interested in learning more and have said they would attend a bible study if we had one. This is exciting to me because they usually shy away from talking about God in front of others. I guess they’re starting to trust us more and more.

The Lord has also put a Peruvian couple in our path who are very active in trying to help the communities of Huancayo. They have some connections at another orphanage for disabled children. They said it’s possible that we could get involved there and that this orphanage could use some volunteer teams to help out.

This couple also has permission from the government to use the empty building in our community that I have mentioned before. They used the building in the past for children’s programs. It has set empty for a couple years because of lack of volunteers. I asked if we could use the building and they handed me the keys. This building is in very good shape compared to all the other buildings in the area.

We walked back to the building so we could look inside and when we removed the lock we discovered it was locked from the inside. A man saw the building was empty and decided to put

The

in a store. He is illegally using the building and the other couples tables and shelves. He told us the building is now his. I wasn’t going to argue, especially since the person who gave us the key is a lawyer. There are now legal proceedings going on. We will keep you informed.

We are still preparing for our team from the States. They will help build a church and lead a kids club. We’ve been told we are the first outside people in this area in over 70 years. We hope that this will build relationships that will enable us to start future study groups. I also have a meeting with a pastor in our community coming up. We are going to discuss how we can help each other. I’ve been told I will be able to start helping at the men’s prison. Jennifer has a lot of exciting news about the women’s prison on the following page. Please keep praying.

We humbly thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. If you haven’t yet, we ask that you would prayerfully consider financially supporting this ministry in Peru. Without more financial partners this ministry can not continue to grow. We love you all and thank you for being part of God’s work in Peru.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES We are very excited about the opportunity to start a kid’s club on Sunday afternoons at the orphanage. We approached a young woman by the name of Rut, to help lead the kids club. I met Rut in 2009 on a short term mission trip to Peru, and have often thought about her and prayed for her over the years. She is just one of those people you can’t get out of your mind. When I told her what we wanted to do at the orphanage her response was,” When do we start?” So together we translated the Bible study I wanted to begin with, and gathered some music and crafts. The week following, she invited us to her church to a kid’s celebration. What we saw confirmed that she was the right person for the job. The format for the day was exactly what we had envisioned for the orphanage. Our first kids club is the Sunday after Easter. Please pray that it is successful and the children are receptive to the teachings of Christ.

Also, I was finally approved to enter the women’s prison in Jauja Peru. It took nearly three months, but I’m in. I must say your patience is definitely tested when you are on the mission field.

This prison is about an hour ride from our home, and we have to change vehicles several times along the way. It would take half the time if we had a vehicle, but again, I am learning to have more and more patience.

The facility was not what I expected. There are two big rooms that sleep about forty women each, and a “courtyard” area in which the women hang laundry, knit, and visit with each other. This is also where we gather for the weekly Bible study. About fifteen women attend the class each week.

Their ages range from early twenties to sixties. They are very attentive, and some have the courage to ask questions. My first week there two of the women said they did not want to go back to their old lives and that they wanted to leave the prison as changed women living for Christ. What a blessing it was to hear them say that! The Bible studies are very basic and repetitive. I have been told it is because of such an abundant lack of education that things need to be repeated in several different ways several times. Again it takes a lot of patience.

I also learned that two of the women in this group have children at the orphanage where we are working. Both of these boys, ages three and four, were in the prison with their mother until the age of three and are now at the orphanage with us. I have not mentioned to the mothers that I know their children, but when the time is right I will let them know that they are doing well. It is kind of bittersweet knowing the mothers of these two boys. Part of me is sad to see such young children separated from their mothers and yet part of me is hopeful that these women will allow the Lord to work in their lives so that when they leave the prison they will be good examples for their children. I ask that you keep the women in this Bible study David, who's mom is in the prison. in your prayers.

Jennifer

Psalm 69:33 The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

Christopher, who’s mom is in the prison.

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The Goshorns Step by Step

Prayer Requests and Praises  

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CONTINUED physical, emotional and spiritual protection.

Continued financial and prayer support, as well as new financial and prayer partners.

SAFETY as we continue to explore ministry opportunities.

That we trust in the Lord for everything and stay strong in our faith in Him. For Jennifer’s mom (Joan)

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Prayers for Daniel while in collage.

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Prayers that relationships at the orphanage will grow.

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Prayers for prison ministries

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Praises for the people in Peru so willing to help.

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We are thankful for the body of Christ.

We are thankful for our health.

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Prayers for discernment about new ministry opportunities.

Par tner with us God has been very clear that we cannot do anything alone. First we need Him, second we need the Body of Christ. We will never be effective ministers of God’s word without your prayers and financial support. Please consider partnering with us to further God’s Kingdom in Peru.

All tax deductible donations may be made to: The Mission Society PO Box 922637 Norcross Georgia 30010-2637 USA Designate gifts to: “Goshorn Support 5/540” Or online at www.themissionsociety.org/connect/connectmissionaries/people/goshorn At the bottom of the page will be a way of donating online.

Or visit our website at www.goshornstepbystep.com Email: teejaygoshorn@yahoo.com Skype: tim.jen.goshorn US Phone (works wherever we have internet): 859-474-2494

Please share this with whomever you wish.

1 Peter 4: 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.