SIM USA
P.O. Box 7900
Charlotte, NC 28241-7900
Church planting with the Quechua people of the Cotahuasi Canyon
Cristobal
GianMarco
Eliezer
Working on homework
Zoila showing her improvised kitchen
As they grow in their love for their son and learn about God’s plan for their family, their vision and spiritual guidance includes a desire to see Gustavo grow in faith and wisdom.
Their village has no secondary school, so he and his friends must live away from home to attend school. A couple of years ago, this family decided to send Gustavo far away to the city (a day’s bus ride away) to attend high school, hoping that he would receive better education. So far away, he only saw his mother and father during vacations. Worldly influences and an uncaring environment took their toll on his character and outlook on life. His parents discovered that he needed them to lovingly guide him in the “way he should go” according to God’s word.
Through those difficulties, Gustavo’s family prayed for the answer to their dilemma. With only six secondary schools to serve over forty remote villages, other Christian families have also been praying for a home where their children can stay during the school week, and then be with family on weekends and holidays.
Gustavo woke up on his 17th birthday expecting it to be like any other day. However, when he returned from school, there was something very special waiting for him, something he had never had before: a birthday party complete with cake!
His afternoon was spent in celebration and gratitude to God for his life – a life radically changing for the better, and now full of new hope.
A safe place to live
The eldest of five children, Gustavo is growing up in a remote subsistence faming village. Typical of many who live here, his family lives in a simple hut and his parents struggle to provide basic food and clothing. But, recently a small church was started in his village, and now his parents are growing in trusting Jesus and His word.
Seeing the need, Brad and Gina Shaw prayed about starting a Christian Youth Home to serve the spiritual and physical needs of the growing association of village churches throughout the Cotahuasi Canyon area. It all came together in 2010 as the Lord provided an experienced godly couple to run the home. Alberto and Zoila now minister to 16 boys in a simple rented house. Each student’s family participates in meeting the costs of the home with eleven dollars per month, a difficulty for most families. But, if unable to pay money, they may give their farm produce in exchange for room and board.
Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, Alberto and Zoila teach the youth how trustworthy and pure God’s word is. They work with the boys to instill habits and values from Scripture that are glorifying to God and beneficial in their relationships with others. Brad and Gina, along with other church planters and missionaries encourage the children through friendship and Bible teaching. Each boy is responsible for chores during the week and time for homework, recreation, devotions, Bible study, and prayer.
The Christian community is excited about how the Lord is changing these boys and are praying that more youth may be blessed through the ministry. As Zoila said, “We need another home for girls with [house] parents that know how to love—these kids haven’t known much love.”
“This is a great opportunity for reaching out to these families with ministry to whole families through Bible teaching and counseling through God’s word”, Brad said.
We give thanks to God for Johnny, who used to be timid and shy, but is now more confident and knows God has given him many reasons to smile. There’s Bryan, who comes from a non-Christian family, but now sees the Christian faith lived out in others. And there’s Gustavo, who came to the home from a neglectful situation, rebellious and rude, but who is a changed person now. Happy Birthday Gustavo!
We invite you to join with us in reaching out to these needy youth and getting to know them personally through participating in the “Christian Youth Home” project. Costs include food, lodging, utilities, rent, house parents support, cooks salary, and some academic tutoring. By sponsoring a child for $ 50 USD, you can provide for the food and lodging for one of these physically and spiritually needy children. Please pray about your partnering with us in this effective ministry.
The Cotahuasi Youth Home Project number is PE 91905
Each student's family also contributes to the costs of staying in the Youth Home, buy donating $10 worth of food or money per month. It is difficult for most families to give even this small amount.
Currently, just the basic food and lodging costs per child are about $50 per month.
You may want to sponsor a child for these needs at $50/month, or choose to support the Youth Home to help cover all of the other necessary costs. One time gifts and monthly partnerships are needed and greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Lutt Antony
Gian Carlo
How to partner with this ministry by giving financially
After your prayerful consideration, please write us and inform us of your plans. If you would like to sponsor a child, we will introduce you to one of the youth in the home and inform them of your help.
Twice a year, we would like to receive a hand written note or an email note from you that explains a little of your love for Christ and a few words to encourage the child to trust Jesus Christ and His word.
We will translate this into Spanish and present it to them in order to develop a ministry between you and them.
We will also send you information about how to be a blessing to this growing boy or girl a few small but practical ways.
Click on the blue link button below, for further directions about how to give, or if you desire to give with a check, please see the bottom of the "give" page.
Note:
For partnering from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and
Canada, please see the bottom of the "give" page.
If you have any problems, just email us at
bradley.shaw@sim.org or gina.shaw@sim.org
Thank you, and we look forward to getting to know you as we grow in Him together.