✏️INTRO✏️

I would like to start by saying sorry for not getting a BLOG out at the end of June, I ended up moving right at the end of the month, but more of that later. I will try to recap both June and July in this post. First I have a great testimony that I was honored to film! Under that in section one I will talk about the things that happened in June and July. In section two I will talk about some great plans we have in the near future. and in section three I will talk about how God is challenging me and growing me, and how you can be praying for me.

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1️⃣ June & July 1️⃣

At the beginning of June I was very busy because I was trying to get some work done in advanced allowing me to be present and at peace while I visited friends and family and attended my cousin Naomi’s wedding. I had an absolutely wonderful time visiting home and sharing stories of all the things God is already doing through me in Italy! It was very difficult to return back to Arco, though I referred to this city as “home” multiple times while in the States, it was hard saying goodbye not knowing exactly when I would see everyone next and knowing so many things would change while I was gone. There were tears shed in multiple airports and even now while I am typing this. It was even more difficult to hear that the valley I grew up in was being burned to the ground by wildfires at the end of last month. I also had trouble getting home because one of my flights got canceled and my checked luggage didn’t arrive at the same airport as me. However, I was able to recover the luggage a few days later. Soon after my arrival in Arco we jumped strait into the graduation of the DBS followed by them leaving for outreach in Mexico. After they left I was asked to move from the apartment I was residing in to one of the dorms on the main base. I was just getting settled in by the end of the first week of July when we started preparing to host 2 outreach teams that were planning to visit us later in July. I didn’t know that hosting teams was a part of my job description, but I do enjoy it very much. I think hosting is a wonderful way to love others and encourage/support other believers. There was a challenge with the second team because one of their bus drivers had to leave mid outreach and they had nobody to drive the team for the last week of their outreach. They asked if anyone from the team would be willing to help and after praying about it, I decided I would be willing to help so I ended up driving them from Torino to Arco to Venice to Milan and then return the van to Paris France for them. When I finally arrived at the airport in Paris my flight got canceled and I had to spend 24 hours in Paris. Not the worst place to be stuck. Eventually I made it back to Arco in August 2nd and I was so happy to be able to stay in one place to just rest and spend some time with the Lord.

2️⃣ Future Endeavors 2️⃣ 

Later in August I have two big camps that I am planning to help with. The first id called Kingdom Kamp and this camp is for adults from ages 18 to 40 and is a time for believers from different churches and backgrounds. This camp has been very fruitful in bringing Christians into missions and encouraging the m to live out their faith in day-to-day life. I will be helping make social posts during the camp as well as co-lead a workshop on how to use social media for ministry.

The second camp I am helping with is an outdoors adventure camp for university students that some local missionaries host. The primary goal of this camp is to take young adults and teaching them practical skills skills to help them enjoy the outdoors and disciple them in an environment that is safe for them to be vulnerable and talk about struggles and help them answer their questions in love with Christ. I am really looking forward to both of these camps as they are both directed at reaching Italians.

In September we have our next Trailblazers DTS starting. I am not staffing this DTS, but I will be doing a lot of work with them and I’m excited to discover what opportunities God has for me in this next season. I also have a very important meeting in September that I am praying will go well. Another thing that I am very excited about now is in April next year we are planning to run our first ever Outdoor DTS! This is something we have dreamed about as a base for years and it is something that excites me very much! There is a large group of outdoor mountain people that live in this area and they can be difficult to minister to due to the colder culture in the north of Italy. For ow I am praying about how I God needs me to be involved in this first ODTS and how I can be thriving in my giftings while partnering with God in this upcoming season.

Also, later in August is our annual staff retreat where we will have a time of rest to prepare us for the TDTS in September.

3️⃣ Life With God 3️⃣

Now for some current updates! First I would like to say that we have a few new staff members that will be joining us in the next couple months. I truly believe that God is sending people here now to prepare us for the great things he has planned for this next season. I have gotten to read some good books lately that I recommend if you are interested, three of those books are: Garden City by John Mark Comer, Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton, and With by Skye Jethani. I have also been reading through the entire bible again this year and I an currently in 2 Chronicles. Lastly I want to tell you guys that I was able to purchase a 125cc Moped from another missionary that was preparing to move out of town. I got it for a steal of $600 and it is already opening so many opportunities that were not available to me before. I am asking God to give me more opportunities to bless others with this blessing I have received. The last thing I wanted to mention is that after a lot of connecting and prayer I am almost fully funded! I will know after my donations come in on the 15th. I plan to carefully track each expense I have this month so I can see how close I landed to my planned budget and make adjustments where needed. I am discovering that I am at home as long as I am with God. It’s not about where I am, but who I’m with. In the presence of the creator is where I find rest.

👋CLOSING👋

Thank you all so much for going on this journey with me! It has already been so exciting and fulfilling to pursue this path that God has set before me. I have never had a more intimate relationship with our creator. I’m excited to tell you all about the adventures that unfold as I take these next steps of faith. Don’t forget to check my regular social media updates on Instagram and Facebook.

Please feel free to reach out via social media, email, or WhatsApp! I love video calls😉 Until next time, CIAO!

Josiah Potter