Cuore Selvaggio
At the start of October, I finally began a ministry I have dreamed of since the moment I first arrived in Italy! Valley of Hope” is a local, family-run, missionary group. Together, we were able to start a "Wild At Heart” men's group. The group is designed to bring local men together, to recover their muscular hearts, defined in the image of a passionate God. I'll have the opportunity to teach others what it means to be a Christian man who reflects God's image in Italy.
We have an average of five men, aged 16-51, who meet every week for a delicious not enough followed by a deep discussion time. During this time, we talk about the book “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge and the various challenges we each face that separate us from the heart God gave us. I have been pleasantly surprised by how ready these men are to engage in deep conversations and share about their hearts.
This type of ministry is greatly needed in Italy. There are generations of men who have never known what it means to be a man after God's heart. I am very excited to see how God grows and multiplies this ministry. Our vision is to have Italian men start their own groups, inviting brothers and friends to join them on this journey of spiritual masculinity.
This is Discipleship
Scuola Italiana & Mini DTS
In this season, I’ve been able to adjust my schedule enough that I can now attend a proper Italian language school! One of my roommates, Eric, and I are in classes every Monday and Wednesday for 2.5 hours. This has been incredibly helpful in improving my conversational skills. I hope to reach an A1 level by the end of the year.
Towards the end of October, I joined a small team sent out from our base to staff a Mini DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Slovenia. At this time, there are no YWAM (Youth With A Mission) bases in Slovenia, but there are many teenagers who have the fire of the Gospel burning within them.
The Mini DTS is a 5-day camp where we train young Christians about God’s Father Heart and how to hear His voice. We also teach them the basics of evangelism and then take them into nearby towns to practice sharing the Good News with others. We had an amazing time, with more than 30 students joining us from all over Slovenia. I was so inspired when I saw these young adults experience God’s love for them and hear His voice, some for the first time. Staffing at this event reminded me of the time when I served in youth groups before I joined YWAM.
I truly believe the Lord has big plans for Slovenia, and I can’t wait to see how He brings revival to this country!
Champagne Training
In early November, I attended with the rest of our Outdoor DTS team a special DTS staff training workshop in Champagne, France. This week-long course was incredibly helpful for us as we plan for this new DTS. Experienced missionaries led this training, sharing their many successes and failures, discussing what made those experiences positive or negative, and explaining how the Lord brought them through various challenges.
This was also a great opportunity for me to ask any questions that arose last year when I was staffing my first DTS, allowing me to continue growing in my leadership skills. I learned a lot and am very excited to apply everything I learned as I staff this upcoming Outdoor DTS in March.
What’s Next? December-
As we come to the end of the year I am planning to take a couple of weeks off to rest and enjoy the holidays. We also want to start advertising the Outdoor DTS more in the next few months so that means I will get to spend more time practicing my videography. We also are making big preparations ministry during the 2026 winter Olympics.
Here is my latest video project
Prayer Points
We currently have 2 students and 6 staff confirmed for the Outdoor DTS and more that have showed interest. Please pray with us that God would bring more people and the right people for this upcoming school.
One of my supporters has offered to sponsor for half of the cost to get surgical eye correction if I'm eligible. I'm praying for wisdom and opportunity.
Ask The Lord to continue blessing my mind as I am learning the Italian language.
I will be away from home for the holidays again this year. Ask the Lord to give me focus and resilience.
Lastly, I would love continued prayer for my Kombucha fundraiser that I started in October to start raising funds fix my scooter and possibly buy a more reliable vehicle for the winter.
If you would like to partner with me financially through a tax-deductible donation, please use the link below or contact me for more options.
Blessings to all! Thank you for reading my newsletter!
Alla prossima volta amici,
Josiah Potter
