In her autobiography Out of the Dust (Story of an Unlikely Missionary) Avis Goodhart outlines many challenges, from those of a young girl growing up to her role as founder of Go Ye Ministries.
Speaking to members of Selah Fire in Drayton on Jan. 18, Goodhart described herself as a little girl with a great big God.
As a child, Goodhart’s family moved from town to town as her father suffered from post traumatic stress syndrome after serving in the Second World War. Even though things did not look hopeful, the family relied on their faith. In the back window of the family’s car was a Bible. Nothing was allowed to be placed on top of the Bible. Goodhart’s mother read from it every night. At age 12, her family was helped by a missionary couple. From that point, Goodhart felt the call of God to go into mission work.
Goodhart returned to school as a mature student and obtained employment in special education. A diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy prevented her from teaching and she received a severance package from her employer. Goodhart put the money from the severance into her mission trip to an unlikely location, a garbage dump in Pacasmayo, Peru. On previous missions to Peru she met women and children who actually lived in the garbage dump. She decided to buy the land and build an orphanage.
“I’m an ordinary person. I had no qualifications to become a missionary. God will take anyone who is willing to be changed, have the familiar taken away and start a new way of thinking. You must be willing to allow God to change you to be what He wants you to be”, Goodhart said.
Goodhart put her life in God’s hands and established an orphanage, Casa de Pas, in Pacasmayo, Peru. The miracles and blessings God has shown Goodhart in Peru, continue to amaze her. Despite all the red tape involving the Peruvian government, set backs and disappointments, the orphanage continues to thrive.
The congregation at Selah Fire has played a large role in the work at the orphanage and surrounding area. A spiritual bond formed between Pastor Jeff McCracken and Goodhart during their first telephone call. The mission team from the church is in its ninth year of trips to Peru. Going beyond the compound is a large part of the work the team does in Peru.
Jake and Maggie Hiebert and their three children, from Drayton, now run the orphanage on a full-time basis.
“Jake and Maggie are very teachable, capable, humble, love God and love the children at the orphanage. I am encouraged by the growth at the site. I can now step back from the mothering role at the orphanage to the grandmothering role because of the Hiebert’s involvement,” Goodhart said.
Goodhart was encouraged to write a book by Moriah Brown of 100 Huntley Street. With the help of members of the Selah Fire team, Out of the Dust (Story of an Unlikely Missionary) was published two years later. A Spanish version is now available for purchase. Proceeds from the book go to the orphanage. Goodhart’s goal, in addition to raising funds for the orphanage, is to raise awareness of the work being done in Peru.
Future plans for Goodhart include speaking at different venues in North, Central and South America about her book and mission work. Her focus will be on encouraging others to answer the call to mission work. Spending time with her five children, grandchildren and great grandchildren is also an important part of her life.
Copies of her book can be purchased at Gospel Lighthouse, Amazon.com or by emailing jimjohnson@selahfire.com.
