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August 15, 2025

Unexpected Opportunities

It takes courage and faith to entrust your dream into someone else’s hands.

In 1993, a group of Swiss businessmen became burdened with a vision to reach young people in Romania with the Gospel. Coming from a Brethren background, they contacted a Romanian Brethren congregation in the Western part of the country and asked if they could partner with them to build a camp.

Surprisingly, their new friends pointed them to the opposite side of the country, which is the poorest area and the most unreached with the gospel. Though far from their church, they were convinced this region was uniquely strategic for advancing God’s kingdom. Providentially, it was also the home to a stunning mountain range and the cleanest air in the entire country.

The Swiss gathered together their limited resources and bought a beautiful piece of land in a small valley with breathtaking views of the nearby peaks. That year, they started hosting tent camps with portable toilets and water straight from the adjacent stream.

Many young people gave their lives to Christ, and step by step, the camp began to develop. First, the construction of a main building, then cabins, and sports fields. A young man named Janus trusted Christ there, met his wife through the camps, then went to Bible school and became a missionary in nearby Moldova.

After 20 years, the Swiss team felt they needed to entrust their labor of love to an organization that could take it to the next level. After researching many possibilities, they approached Josiah Venture and asked if we would be willing to accept the gift of a fully functioning Romanian camp.

This month, the transfer of this unique facility to our JV Romania team was completed. It was an unexpected opportunity, but also an answer to specific prayers. Through another act of God’s providence, Janus and his family agreed to return from Moldova and join the JV team to run and expand the camp.

As I write this, I am returning from a visit to Lepsa, Romania, where we drafted a plan to expand the current 80 beds to 200, and use the camp as the base for powerful outreach to thousands of young people in this needy region. It will host some of our English camps, serve as a base for training Romanian youth leaders, and house Edge Sports outreaches. My heart is full of joy at the courage and faith of these Swiss brothers!

Pray with us now that the Lord would provide generous resources to make the expansion possible. If God leads you to give an extra gift to this strategic project you can make a donation by clicking here.

Thank you for making it possible for us to respond to unexpected opportunities.

Thank you,

Dave Patty
President, Josiah Venture

Dave Patty President
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