✏️INTRO✏️

God has been so faithful this month! From prayers being answered to invaluable relationships being built. If I had any doubt or fear before it is surly far from me now! Big ANOUNCEMENT at the end! Buckle your seatbelt while we dive right in…

NO VLOG THIS MONTH, TECH.DIFICULTIES

❌SORRY❌

😀ON-BASE😀

I’ve already gotten to post 4 projects, viewable here, and I have 8 more that are still being edited! Some of the testimonies I’ve gotten to capture are so incredible they brought me to tears while recording them, I cant wait to share them with everyone as soon as the videos are finished!

I have also been blessed with 4 roommates who are a part of the Discipleship Bible School that is running right now whom I’ve gotten to slowly build relationships with in there free time. We have had so many late night talks about the things they are learning, personal struggles, and life back home.

On Tuesday nights the base rents a field and hosts a calcetto (5v5 soccer) game with some locals. This has been more fun than I expected, and another great way to meet local guys my age and participate in the things that are important to the Italian culture. Also helps me get my cardio in once a week.

😀OFF-BASE😀

I started investing in a house church that has English translation. This house church is hosted by the Testa family, a missionary family from the states that moved here about 8 years ago. They have been such a blessing in helping me build relationships and connections in the local rock climbing community as well as meeting 2 other missionary families that have recently been called to this area (Carpenters and the Daltons). The Testa family also hosts a rock climbing camp for students in the summer time that I plan to help with when they start.

I’ve been visiting the climbing gym 2-3 times a week as well to meet people in the climbing community and build relationships for future ministry opportunities. This has also been very good for my physical and spiritual health. I hope to start climbing on natural slab soon as the weather is starting to get nicer.

There is also a new group called Via Pacis(Insta: @via_pacis), that I met at an interdenominational prayer night on the 24th. Via Pacis isn’t a new group, but they are a large international ministry that started here in Arco. I had a meeting with their social media director on the 29th and it turns out that they are also in need of local videographers that are trained so I am planning to collaborate with them on some big future projects that are already in the works. I am so happy and blessed to have made this new connection and I can’t wait to work on some projects with them! They have collaborated with YWAM Trentino in the past and have also expressed their gratitude for our partnership.

📈INSURANCE📈

I was able to get all my insurance problems that I mentioned in the last update figured out and I had my first eye appointment last week.

TRANSPORTATION:

I currently have 30-90 minutes of commute time by bicycle every day and we have had abnormally rainy weather in the past few weeks. This week I was able to find a used bicycle for 300 euros so I don’t need to borrow other’s bicycles. I am still praying for a better form of transportation that might be able to reduce the time I spend commuting and increase the time spend in ministry. There was a motorcycle for sale that was within my budget, but the day before I was planning to look at it the Lord told me “not yet”, so I decided not to go for it. I trust his timing and provision, but please be praying that I would have wisdom while I’m searching for the solution God has for me.

🎂BIRTHDAY🎂

On the 22nd I got to celebrate my 23rd birthday! We had a small celebration at the base banana cream pie(my favorite dessert). I was given a few gifts from people on base and as well as one from back home that helped me purchase my own bicycle this week. I also took a train to visit my aunt Eva for a couple days the weekend before my birthday and we celebrated with a day at the beach and a nice dinner. She also gave me some lighting equipment as a gift that I’m so excited to use in my future projects. Lighting is one area that I was lacking, so this is a huge blessing!

💰️BUDGET💰️

I have currently received $861 of the approximately $1,400 of monthly support that has been committed so I will be reaching out individually to members of my financial support team to remind those who might have forgotten to send support this month. If you would like to join my Financial Partners team or if you already have and want to make your contribution click here

 disclaimer: these numbers are rounded to the nearest dollar and they exclude my staff fees, rent, and food the base provided, as I have not paid them yet and don’t know what the $ amount will be until I receive the invoices.

🙏PRAYER REQUEST🙏

First, I need wisdom. with the abundance of ministry opportunities I’m being presented with it would be very easy for me to overcommit, witch I’ve been prone to do in the past, and be at risk of burnout.

Second, that the rest of my support would come in soon, and that I would get fully funded. I have quite a few expenses coming up with base fees, rent, ext.

Third, YWAM Trentino has quickly outgrown the base we currently have and we are praying for a bigger building in the area to come on the market soon.

Fourth, That I’m able to pick up the language quickly. I Spend 1 hour a on Duolingo practicing Italian and I practice with the locals every chance I get when I’m in the city. This is incredibly necessary for future ministry opportunities.

⚠️ANOUNCEMENT⚠️

I am coming to visit you! As some of you may know, my cousin Naomi is getting married next month so I will be in Oregon June 11th-25th. I would love grab lunch and visit with you guys while I’m in town. So please reach out via email, Social Media DM, or WhatsApp. I plan to be at Harvest Church on Father’s Day, the 16th.

👋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 been more sure that I am exactly where He needs me at this time. I’m excited to tell you all about the adventures that unfold as I take these next steps of faith.

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

Josiah Potter