BEING THE CHURCH

The Goshorns Step by Step March 2020 When we left the states the corona virus was going strong in China and there were just a couple cases on the west coast and other parts of the world.

A week after we arrived in Peru it was spreading rapidly in Europe, Asia and there were many more cases in the states. Peru then implemented a mandatory 14 day quarantine to anyone flying in from the states and band many flights from around the world. Not long after this Peru closed its borders and airports. No coming or going. They also put into effect no travel in country. No one is permitted to drive and you can only leave the house alone to find food or medicine. If you are caught outside the house between 8pm and 5am you will be arrested. I received permission to drive between these time in order to help. I ventured out a few times to get supplies without too much hassle. I tried to take some food to a Peruvian teammate but the military wouldn’t let me pass. We started worrying more and more about teammates and families of our programs. More on this on the next page. I know everyone is being effected by this virus in some way. We’ll continue to lift you all up in prayer.

In our only free week after returning we were able to have a meeting with the orphanage about Margarita and her sister. Documents from the courts were not finished so another meeting was scheduled but needless to say it has been postponed. We had our kids programs and the kids were so excited as were the moms. We were also invited for the fourth year in a row to participate in the women's day celebration at the prison. Jennifer and her team had

It’s never this empty.

their Bible study at the prison, also with a huge turnout. Needless to say, all programs have been postponed until the travel ban is lifted.

At our Saturday program, Julio and Elena came after the kids had left. They wanted us to pray for Elena. Since we’ve known them she has had many medical issues. You might remember them from stories in the past. They do not have much food and their living conditions are unimaginable. They live and sleep with the sheep and when Jennifer saw this she cried. The community ignores them, they are basically outcast. I am in this community often and when I would see them I would stop and talk. So this past Saturday Julio said something that I never thought of. He said that I’m the only one who will talk to him and that when I stop just to say “hi” he feels important. I have to admit that many times I don’t want to because of time, but I do. Please take time to let people know you care because it matters.

The Lord is working all the time and using us even when we don’t know it.

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.

Special Delivery Many people in the states and around the world are being effected by this virus in one way or another. We started to worry about Peruvian teammates and people in our programs. On Day 1 of the quarantine we went to visit Salvador and his neighbors Julio and Elena. We brought both families some food. They were grateful. Day 3 of the quarantine we were at a commercial grocery store when we were able to contact the sisters from one of our programs. They were hesitant to say anything but finally told me that they had no food and their parents were looking in the farming area for food. I nearly had a meltdown in the produce section. We delivered them food and as we were filling the kitchen table with groceries I could see the emotion in their faces. Day 4, we again went to buy food, we have to go every day because there is a limit as to how much you can buy at one time. This time, as we were on the road leading to the area where the children from our programs live, we were stopped by the police and military. Tim approached the police and told them that we have programs in the community and showed them our documentation. He explained that there are many families without food and unable to buy any. They told us that we could deliver food as long as we had on masks and surgical gloves. On this day we were trying to get to Steb and Estrella’s home but were stopped by about 8 men from the community all wearing masks and gloves. They would not let us pass even though we told them we were just delivering food for the family at the top of the hill. We moved on to Milagros’ home. She lives with her parents, 2 siblings and her aunt and 2 little cousins. When we pulled up, Tim went around the house to see if they were home, and they were all sitting on two benches just looking at each other. When he saw them and told them we had food Milagros jumped up and started clapping. They were facing more than just their usual hunger pains. I brought the bag into the kitchen to unload and saw that all they had was a handful of potatoes in the corner on the floor. This is where most families keep there potatoes. We asked if there was anyway to contact Steb’s family and she told us his dad was just down the road.

Happily, we were able to give him the groceries. Then we went on the home of Rut and Ester. These girls are always so hungry each week at the feeding program. We knocked at the door and their cousin tentatively opened it. We told them we had food and everyone came to the door; there were 8 people. Their Mom was motioning to us to enter but you could just see the fear in their eyes. The people here are terrified of this virus. In the kitchen as we unloaded the food I could only see a few potatoes and half a bottle of oil. The kitchens here have no cabinets or refrigerators. Everything is either on the table, floor or open shelf. Therefore, we could see everything they had or didn’t have. Although, this family in particular, was so fearful of exposure to the virus, Mom gave me a big hug when we left. So for a couple days now we’ve been buying and delivering food to the families.

We are so thankful that we are able to provide a few meals for these precious families. The Lord has truly blessed us personally and through your donations with the ability to do this small act of kindness. The families we visit are so grateful that they are being thought of and not forgotten during this uncertain time. They are worthy of our generosity because they are children of God. They are you and me, just living in different circumstances. We will continue to do this as long as we’re permitted and we have the resources. We have already went through our budget for March, April and part of May but it is necessary. We know things are difficult worldwide, but, if you are able, please consider a donation to this ministry. You can give directly to TMS and in the memo line put Goshorn special project # 5/540 and mail to TMS Global, PO Box 936559 Atlanta GA. 31193-6559. You can also go online at www.tms-global.org/give Every little bit you give will go a long way. We’re not sure how long these restrictions will be in place, but we are sure of God’s provisions and we want others to be sure also. This is not about what we’re doing, this is about being the church. This is about showing others what the church is about and hopefully they will want to be part of God’s Kingdom.

We thank you for making it possible for us to serve. We are so humbled with all your prayer and generous financial support. We’re so proud to serve with all of you in Peru.

1 John 3:17-18 “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in

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The Goshorns Step by Step

P r aye r Re q u e s t s a n d P r a i s e s  

Prayers for continued physical, emotional and spiritual protection.

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Prayers for additional financial and prayer support.

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Prayers for travel mercies in Peru.

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Prayers for Jennifer’s mom Joan as she battles cancer.

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Prayers for parenting from a distance. And safety for our children in the U.S.

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Prayers for Zumilinda, Luzmilda and their family.

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Prayers for those in the healthcare profession.

Prayers for the Bible studies and feeding programs .

Prayers for the team coming in June.

Pray for Gianfranco & that he will someday hear.

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James 2:26 “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead”.

Praises for our Peruvian team and the opportunity to serve in Peru.

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We are thankful for the support of the body of Christ.

Thankful for new partners.

Thankful we can provide food for families in need during this crisis

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:

We’ve had some drop off in support.

We’ve had deaths, loss of jobs and other life events that are uncontrollable. Please consider joining us serving step by step in Peru.

TMS Global PO Box 936559 Atlanta, Ga. 31193-6559 USA Designate gifts to: “Goshorn Support 5/540” Or online at: www.tms-global.org/give and go to “give to a missionary” and use our name.

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 help by sharing this with whomever you wish.

Normal site on the streets.