The Goshorns Step by Step Greetings, It has been 3 months since our last newsletter and since that time we have been busier than ever and restructuring our ministry for the time being. We want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your prayers and faithful support during this uncertain time. You have encouraged us with your extra donations and are helping us remain positive as we face the challenges of the abundant needs of the people around us. We are now in our fifth month of lockdown. We still have curfews and on Sunday, no one is permitted to leave the house. Businesses are slowly opening but many have “For Rent” signs. For that reason, many are still unemployed and the need is great. There has also been some difficulty finding certain medicines for our epileptic kids which is heart wrenching. Also, most of our kids are not attending school because of no computers or internet. Therefore, when the schools do open they will be a year behind. We know how difficult things are in the states so your response to our needs in Peru has been overwhelming. Thank you for your generosity, sacrifice, and prayers, you have know idea what your dedication to the people of Peru means to us. You are helping us provide food for 90 families, well over 350 people. Each week we deliver a bag of food which provides each individual with about 1 meal a day for the week. For many, this is the only food they receive. Thank you for making this possible. You have also provided diapers, rent (to avoid eviction), medicines and medical care, some of which were life saving.
This time has been especially difficult emotionally as we see more and more desperation in the eyes of parents. They just do not know what to do to feed their children. There are no savings accounts, no credit cards, no government checks or unemployment. They are at a loss. But, your willingness to be a light to so many in need has truly been a blessing for us and them. When we pull up to some homes the kids run out and jump up and down because we are bringing food. It is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Could you imagine what it would be like to see your own child or grandchild thrilled to get a bag of rice, lentils and milk? We are so blessed not to have that worrisome burden in our lives. Praise God we are the ones able to give and not wonder where our next meal will come from.
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17
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.
Her Name is Judith Judith is a 20 year old girl we met in June. Her smile lights up the room and she is such a good mom to her 13 month old named Sebastian. We had been bringing her family food for about 3 weeks when she asked to come visit our home. We agreed and she and Sebastian arrived one afternoon at about 2pm. We talked awhile and she finally put Sebastian on the floor to play. She squealed like a child when she saw him crawl across the floor for the first time. Not 5 minutes later, Sebastian pulled himself up and took his first steps! What a joy to see this young mother’s face at the delight of her son’s new accomplishments. She explained that her home has all dirt and rock floors so Sebastian is never on the floor able to move around. But, he sure made up for it, learning to crawl and walk all in one day. We learned that she was originally from Lima. Her parents left when she was very young and they both have other families now and little to do with their first five children. The 5 siblings were raised by their grandparents and live together in one small room. They work finding and cleaning glass and plastic bottles for recycling. The Grandparents both have severe diabetes and are mostly blind. Julia’s younger sister is 14 and has an 18month old as a result of a rape. Her eyes teared up as she told us about them and how she worries for them. When Judith was 13, Antonio who was 20 at the time, met her and brought her to Huancayo to live with him and his family. Judith’s eyes teared up again as she told us that when she met his mother for the first time, she slapped her because she was a low class girl from the slums in Lima. Since then ,she has lived with constant verbal abuse and at times physical abuse from Antonio and his mother. She has even been forces to sleep outside the house in the street when they are angry about something. She desperately wants to return to Lima and get away from them. She attempted to leave once but Antonio found her in Lima and brought her back to Huancayo. He even had her get a tattoo with his name on her forearm, which she does not want. She told Katherine that if she stays in Huancayo, she does not recommend the men here, and then she smiled as to make light of her situation. But, you could see the deep pain in her eyes. Before the pandemic, Judith worked cooking and cleaning 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 800 soles a month. This amounts to a little over a dollar an hour. She was expected to give all the money to Antonio and his family, and naturally she complied out of fear. She approached them one day because she wanted to send her Grandparents 20 soles, about 7 dollars, to help them. The answer was no, she was not permitted to give any of the money she earned to anyone but them. When we saw that she was in no hurry to leave we invited her for dinner and had a traditional North American meal; hamburgers and mac and cheese. Both she and Sebastian ate everything on their plates. I am not sure if they really enjoyed it or if they were just that hungry. Finally, at 7pm Tim said he would drive her home. She did not seem pleased to leave but, knew it was time. It is amazing to see how sweet and pleasant this girl has been able to remain under such harsh and fearful conditions. She started coming to the house to visit with Katherine and do a Bible study. This only lasted about 3 weeks when Antonio and his mother decided she was not allowed to leave the house and they have also taken away her cell phone. Katherine was so upset as was Judith. We see her when we drop off food and Antonio’s mother stands behind the door as we speak to Judith, therefore, we are very careful. Please pray for her safety and her situation.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16
P r aye r R e q u e s t s a n d P r a i s e s
Prayers for continued physical, emotional and spiritual protection.
Prayers for additional financial and prayer support especially during this pandemic.
We are thankful for the support of the body of Christ.
Prayers for travel mercies in Peru.
We are thankful we can provide food for families in need during this crisis.
Prayers for Jennifer’s mom Joan as she battles cancer.
We are thankful we are in Peru for a time
Prayers for parenting from a distance and safety for our children in the U.S.
Prayers that GianFranco will someday hear.
such as this.
Please consider joining us serving step by step in Peru
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: 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 share this with whomever you wish. The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord shine His face upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26