by Joshua Vanrenterghem|Published
March 2025 Newsletter
Joshua Vanrenterghem
I went out… and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire… Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies in waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.Nehemiah 2:13,17-18
Dear Friends, Family, and Loved Ones,
Nehemiah took a few men and viewed the necessities of the city of Jerusalem- the destruction of the walls. Without walls, a city was not a city. There would be no protection or security, and no one would want to live or trade there. This was a great problem, but with the severity of the necessity well understood, the people gathered together and the call went out to rise up and build. This month I got to see God do the same thing here. Pastor Grant, and Tim his son, and Luke, Brent, and Jonathan form Far Reaching Ministries visited us for a week to see and partner in the work of the ministry here. We went all around Trujillo visiting the churches, ministries, and places where child trafficking takes place.
Viewing the Walls
One of the first places we visited was the tourist destination of Huanchaco. The city is a beautiful beach town with some of the best waves for surf, but just behind the peak where the big catholic church stands in the picture on the left, there is a very poor neighborhood. In this neighborhood children are often sold by their parents to be used by the mafia for sex trafficking. Many times children are kidnapped right off the street at night as well.
Another location we took the team was the Basurero, or the garbage dump. This is an extremely poor area of Trujillo near El Milagro where people make money by recycling and raising animal. We talked to a local about the area. She told us how children are kidnapped from the schools, and the mafias threaten to kill the principal or leaders if they try to stop them. When we asked directly about the mafia’s presence in the dump, she said, “I can’t answer that, I have a family, and kids too”.
Aside from our visits with the team, I also want to share a report that came out this month. In the city of Arequipa, the second largest in Peru, an investigation and subsequent raid revealed that the former chief of the National Police of Peru and his wife were selling babies for organ harvesting. The way they did it was through convincing pregnant ladies who wanted an abortion to not abort, but instead give birth and then give them their newborn for about $1k. What wrenches my stomach the most is this is one of the nicest cities in Peru. What could be happening in Trujillo?
Aside from Trafficking, we also got to share the miraculous story of Calvary Buenos Aires, a church mostly filled with Venezuelan refugees, and lead by pastor Angel, also a refugee. Pastor Grant, my pastor from Texas, shared at the Wednesday night service about family discipleship.
Youth Ministry
Weekly I have been visiting a group of orphan boys for discipleship. It has been difficult, but going well. I can see God moving greatly but the ground is by no means soft. They all have very rough backgrounds and often of abuse. One of them named Henry has been very involved in the church and even serving. I can see his growth even in the short time I have been with them, which is a great encouragement!
MOYOBAMBA!
I am sure some of you remember about my trips to the jungle city of Moyobamba when I lived here in 2023, well, I am going again! April 13-19th I will be going with a group of CBI students to support the Calvary church plant and one of my best friends, pastor Andrew. It is going to be a packed week of evangelism, outreaches, and serving at the church. We are going to be visiting the prison to share the gospel with the inmates, and some schools.
Calling All Partners
It is my honor to connect you, my sisters and brothers in America, to all God is doing on the mission field, and show you the fruit of your work through me! If you would like get more involved in this work, there are different ways you can partner with with me as I seek to fulfill my call to rescue and care for children in trafficking, and bring the gospel to the ends of the earth.
One way you can support is through joining my Signal group. This is where I send prayer requests and more frequent updates on my life in the mission field of Peru! You can join this group by responding to this email.
Another way is to partner financially. If you feel lead to become a financial partner, you can give through the link found at the bottom of this news letter! It is by your generosity that I am provided for on the field and available to give my all in this new work.
Thank you all so much for your wonderful partnership and love, I am eternally grateful for your support!
Praise Reports
- Praise God for the successful operation against organ harvesting in Arequipa
- That Far Reaching Ministries wants to be involved and partnering in this work
- Blessing of my pastor visiting from Texas and my friend, his son, Tim.
- Growth of the Ministry, and closing on a new property for the church
Prayer Requests
- For favor in our search for a property for the children’s home
- That as the church and Bible school grow in numbers, they would grow in love and grace as well
- Protection and the filling of the Holy Spirit as we go to Moyobamba to support the church there and share the gospel
- That I would keep learn how to be a better support and assistant to pastor Cory