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August 11, 2023

Fathers

Dear Friends,

Every boy needs a Father.

For most teenage boys, church is not particularly exciting. Sitting and listening quietly is not on the top of their list of aspirations. Young men are drawn to action, to challenge, and to older men who model the kind of person they want to become.

Ranno and Kuldar are just those kinds of men. Several years ago, they became burdened as they saw young boys in Estonia growing up without the spiritual leadership and challenge of godly men. They began developing an innovative sports ministry called “Edge” so they could bring the father heart of God to teenage boys.

Using soccer and disc golf, they gather groups of young men into healthy activity and competition. However, these sports are just the context for shaping character and sharing the good news of Jesus. The clubs meet weekly throughout the year, but summer is a special time for intensive investment through five outreach camps.

This summer, one of the camps was in the town of Risti, where they gathered 30 young boys for a week. The environment was simple—they all slept in the gym of a local school and practiced soccer on the fields during the day. Kuldar and Ranno poured their hearts into the young men, teaching them skills, challenging them in areas of character, and introducing them to a personal relationship with Jesus.

Using an innovative “labyrinth” at the end of the week, the boys encountered the main points of the gospel in an experiential way.

At the first station, they wrote the hopes and dreams they had for their lives. The next station offered them a piece of garlic bread that smelled good, but had a disappointing taste with way too much salt. This was a reminder that their best dreams and hopes would not sustain them—they needed a more durable source of life than the one they created. Then, the labyrinth continued with a description of sin and a clear explanation of the sacrifice of Christ.

Three of the boys gave their life to Christ that night, but many others moved closer to knowing him. Ron took a Bible so he could learn more.

At the end of the camp, Ron’s mother came to meet him, and, upon seeing her, he gave her the Bible and said, “Here is the Bible. Now, let’s start reading it.” His mother was surprised and said, “But I don’t know anything about it or how to read it!” Ron replied, “Well then, we’ll learn together.”

A week later, Ron joined the disc golf camp, and there, in a small group, he shared how he now reads the Bible every day, and he has already finished the Gospel of Matthew. Now he is reading the Gospel of Mark.

Ranno and Kuldar are already powerful role models to many young boys in Estonia. But, more importantly, they are leading them to the father heart of God. And so are you, as you sustain the work of Josiah Venture through your gifts and prayers.

Thank you,

Dave Patty President

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Sajmir just wanted to belong. As the youngest son in a Muslim family of eight children, he was expected to serve everyone. Sajmir’s family was oppressed in Albania because they were dark skinned Gypsies. On top of that, during the difficult time after the revolution, his father began drinking and beating his mother. “My father never beat me,” Sajmir said, “but he never showed me love. He never hugged me or kissed me. I never saw a father figure. I was afraid of him. Also, outside in the city, people were not very close to me. I spent most of my time alone, playing soccer alone, or basketball alone.” There was only one soccer field in his village, and when Sajmir tried to join a game, the other kids would kick him out. One day, a group came toward the field and Sajmir began to back away, sure they would ask him to leave. “Will you play with us?” they asked. “You want to play with me?” Sajmir replied. For the first time in his life, someone invited him in. After the game, they invited him to church. “What is a church?” he said. Running home, he asked his parents if he could go. “Don’t go to church,” they answered sternly, “you will shame us.” But the next day was Sunday, and he snuck out when no one was looking. “When I stepped into the church, at the door, someone gave me a hug for the first time in my life,” Sajmir said. “They put me in the first row. I felt like a celebrity. Then I heard the story that someone loves you just as you are, that is, Jesus—as I was, dark skinned, rejected. But still, there is someone who died for me.” “I ran and told my family, but their response was: ’If you go one more time, we will tell your brother to beat you up.’ I went again. My brother beat me up. For three months, I was beaten every week. I was loved and accepted in church, while suffering and being beaten in my family. Then my mom said, ‘Let him go.’” Filled with joy, Sajmir fell on his knees and said, “God, I will serve you wherever you want me to.” That was 25 years ago, and today Sajmir and his family are part of our Josiah Venture team in Albania. Through youth ministry, he recently planted a church called “Mosaic,” which has grown to over 100 people. Every day, young people come after school and in the evening for tutoring, children’s meetings, youth meetings, small groups, discipleship groups, and a very lively Fusion choir. The church is open every day, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and there is always something happening. “Our building is a daily home for everyone; it’s a family,” says Sajmir. “I always remember what God did for me in my youth. My heart is burning to see more young people come to Christ and find that they are loved and belong.” During this Advent season, we remember how Jesus left his home to make a home for us. He was sent to find us, where we play our games alone, and to invite us into his family. He found Sajmir, and you, and me. Thanks for helping us share this good news with young people who are still without a home. Dave Patty President, Josiah Venture