August 2024 Newsletter

Joshua Vanrenterghem

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Dear Friends, Family, and Loved Ones,

This last month and a half I have seen miracle after miracle of the Lord moving in this new ministry beginning in Trujillo. This newsletter will not be able to contain half of the things I would like to share, but I will do my best!

At Home

Returning from Costa Rica, everything began switching up for the fall season. The CCSG Spanish Ministry began meeting again on Wednesday nights, and it has been a blast getting back into serving in this Spirit-lead, transformative group! During our second meeting back together, we had the pleasure to have a little pachunga (party) time for one of our sisters who is going on a 6-month vision tour to a Middle Eastern country to confirm her call to live there full time. As always, it was sad, but a joyful sad.

I have been purposely taking many extra steps to spend time with the Lord in this short time I have left in the States. One great experience I had was to go to an all night 10:30pm-6:30am worship meeting at Pasadena International House of Prayer with two friends. It was a blessing to take so much time with the Lord in worship, prayer, reading, studying, and meditating.

Stand Firm, Immoveable!

I have just come back from a week-long trip to Peru! I took this trip because Calvary Trujillo was hosting this year’s South American Missions Conference, and we were meeting with some great supporters of this new work with children; Wes and Vicky Bentley, and David Zavala. Wes founded Far Reaching Ministries, the same ministry I used to intern at. The conference gave me many great new connections, and the teachings themselves were on another level of fuego (fire)! The conference was named, “Firmes y Constantes,” based off of 1 Corinthians 15:58. Almost all the teachings encouraged pastors and church planters to be fearless and passionate for the Great Commission, even in the most dangerous places. Actually, during the conference we got to pray for a Venezuelan pastor, Angel, and pastor Cory, who are planning to take a vision tour to Venezuela in January to see how they can plant a Bible-teaching church in Maracay.

One of the messages of the conference was fittingly named, “Preparing for Battle.” Of course, Wes Bentley spoke for this message and it was a great encouragement to me, knowing more and more the kind of dangers involved in rescuing children. During the visit, we had the entire children’s home team meet with Wes and Vicky, and then go out to lunch. It was a great time of sharing encouragement and insight about how to pray and begin this new ministry. By God’s grace, He has provided every important role for the home through members of the church who already have professional training and licenses.

Children’s Home Plans

I have some great updates to share about the children’s home! Cory, with the help of one of the CBI students who has a degree in building architecture, drew up some blueprints and a 3D model of a future home we can build in an open lot directly next to the CBI and church. During the trip, God provided all the funds to buy the property. Now, all that is left is talking with the owner in negotiations. The current building plan would make space for housing 40 children, as well as all the facilities for school classrooms, an outside grass playground, staff housing, and offices. There is also some space for expansion.

God keeps moving in miraculous ways through connections we are getting in the government, police, and church. We have 2 renowned lawyers who write curriculum on law from our church currently working on the bylaws for the non-profit. One of the men in charge of security was a former commandant of the Peruvian Marine Special Forces and the other is a black belt martial arts instructor and MMA competitor, both from the church. God has provided us with some next-level people to play integral parts of this new work.

On the Battle Field

I went on two trips through some areas in Trujillo where children are known to be trafficked, kidnapped, or sold. Through multiple solid sources, we have heard story after story about how children are abducted right from the road at night, as well as bars, night clubs, and hotels who sell them for the evening or house this activity. One of these 24-hour prostitution hotels is a block down the road from the church. One of the pastors from our own church has seen a man leave at night with two children before. This evil is barely even hidden.

Learning more and more of the context and understanding of the local trafficking situation has only strengthened my sense of responsibility to this call and the lives of those children waiting to be saved.

Calling All Partners!

I will be moving to Peru January 2025. In order to move to the mission field full-time as a Saving Grace World Missions missionary, I need to have at least 80% of my monthly budget provided through regular monthly giving to ensure I am able to meet all my needs on the field. So far I am funded 30% of the way. There are also a few one-time payments I will need to make, such as flights. If the Lord is calling you to be a part of this work He is doing through me for the children and church in Trujillo, you can do so through the “Financial Partner” button below! It is my honor to connect you, my sisters and brothers of the American Church, to all God is doing on the mission field, and to show you the fruit of your work through me.

Praise Reports

• The success of the South America Missions Conference in encouraging and building up the pastors and missionaries serving here in South America
• God providing the finances for the land for the children’s home
• Provision of all the important staff and leadership in the home, as well as the support of Far Reaching Ministries
• A great beginning to the Fall season, and God’s graciousness as I never stop growing in my walk with Him

Prayer Requests

• God to be glorified in the calling of rescuing children, and that many children will be able to grow up in a Christ-Centered home
• God’s leading while Cory begins negotiations for the children’s home land
• Monthly provision for me to be able to be sent out as a full-time missionary in January
• Continued provision for the connections we need in government, as well as the creation of the children’s home non-profit organization
• Provision that will be needed for the building, and all the needs of the children