June 2025 Newsletter
Joshua Vanrenterghem
Ah Lord God, behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.
Jeremiah 32:17
Dear Friends, Family, and Loved Ones,
Jesus has been transforming lives in Trujillo! June was a special month, full of joy and new works, relationships, and trials. Halfway through the month I was in the middle of a very difficult situation. I went to Henry’s birthday (one of the orphan boys from Mundo de Ninos, where I have been discipling them each week), and had a great time with them. Unfortunately, the director told how their over night shift caretaker is leaving, with a 1 day notice, and there is no one else to fill the spot! Because of that, she asked me to help her by seeing if there was someone at the church who could take the position. I talked with the church leadership, even though we had already decided as a ministry not to get involved in the home management itself because of differences in ideology, liability, and many other reasons. Though we wouldn’t be able to help, mainly because of liability with the church in case something happens, it still weighed on me very heavily. Having spent a lot of time each Sunday evening with them, I have grown to love the boys very much, and I know what kinds of things they could get into if no one is there to supervise. During my devotional time, the Lord brought the verse above to me. It was very hard to receive because of how helpless I felt in the situation, but I was reminded that God is able to work with or without me. And He did just fine without! I texted the lady I couldn’t help, and she responded they already had someone to fill the shift! I share this story to help stir up your faith in the lord Jesus. He is so mighty and good to us, He never fails us and we should always keep our hope in Him. We can be completely helpless, and yet God works mightily. What a freeing reminder that God doesn’t need you to do His work, but what a privilege that He has called you and every believer to be a part of it!
New Discipleship Opportunity
The Lord has given the Calvary Trujillo youth group open doors to minister at a Jr. High / High School just a few blocks down the road from the church. We have done outreaches at this school before, sharing the gospel, doing games and worship, and having small group conversations. But this time, we will be doing it monthly with the leaders of the youth group. I have been apart of the youth group since moving to Peru, and it is amazing to see the way that God is fortifying and growing the youth. Join me in praying that God would multiply the youth group with many new youth, and He would use the school outreach to bring many to Christ!
New Sordos
I have an awesome story about how God brought me new friendships with some younger ‘sordo’ boys (deaf). During a recent Sunday church service, I met 3 new deaf people, their names are Christian, Jesus, and Darwin. I only got to hangout and talk with them for a short time because I had ministry responsibilities that morning. After church, I went to do some shopping and preparing for a ceviche lunch the next day with two other deaf friends. Before I went shopping, I was very hungry for lunch, as it was already 2:30pm. I decided to get ramen, and after I sat down, an older lady from the church named Carmen came up and said hi. As I looked over my should at her, behind her I saw the three new deaf boys I met that morning sitting at the table next to me. We ended up all eating lunch together, and I got to spend time with them and share the gospel in signs. Although it is possible to understand the gospel in signs, it is still very difficult to fully communicate it, and it is almost impossible to know how much was actually received. Jesus must reveal Himself to them personally! Still, it was a very sweet encounter that I was not expecting at all!
New Road Trip
One last special event this month, and next month, is the wedding of two very great friends of mine- Sara and Salomon! These two are very special to me. I met Sara in Mexico during the Calvary School of Missions. She has been serving here at the Bible Institute for over 5 years, and Salomon I met when I came down the first time to Peru. They are both on fire for the Lord and feel called to the Middle East. Sara has already spent a few months in Bethlehem, serving at a ministry for disabled people, and learning Arabic. June they had their civil wedding ceremony (signing the legal papers for marriage), but in July they will have the official (religious) ceremony on a beach town far away from Trujillo. Please pray for Jesus to fill this new married couple with his love and grace, and give them greater vision for their calling to the unreached Muslim world!
The beginning of July I will be visiting Piura for half a week, where Sara and Salomon will have their official wedding. Right after I will be hopping on a bus to go far away, helping lead a group of 3 girls and 3 other leaders for a missions trip in Moyobamba (a jungle city)! This will be with a small group of girls from the states who are here on our Summer on a Mission program, which was started last year to introduce individuals interested in mission work into practical ministry and service on the field! I already had the opportunity to teach a class on Acts 9-10, and translate one of the other classes they had as well. Be praying for these girls as they learn about Peruvian culture, missions, and the book of Acts! Their names are Bernia, Daniel, and Faith.
Calling All Partners!
It is my honor to connect you, my sisters and brothers in United States, 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 newsletter! 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
- We have have organize a leadership team for the new pre-school and starting to get the government permits.
- My new sordo friends!
- Sara and Salmon’s new season of marriage
- Pastor Cory taught a series of sermons on Biblical leadership, and has now ordained 3 pastors, and a group of deacons and women’s ministry leaders!
- Pastor Cory got to go to a short pastor’s conference/retreat with his assistant pastor Mario in Miami
Prayer Requests
- Prayer! The attacks of the enemy are strong against the missionaries and leadership here, but your prayers make a world of difference
- Rescue to children being trafficked and blessing over preparations for the children’s home
- Protection and the filling of the Holy Spirit as I go with a small group to Moyobamba for a week
- That Christian, Jesus and Darwin would have a transformational, personal encounter with Jesus through dreams, visions, or miracles and experience salvation
- Relief from the heavy ministerial burden on Pastor Cory, especially with the new church leadership organization
- That I would be able to get my residency card, which has been extremely delayed
