Around 1,200 youth group leaders from all over Switzerland met in Huttwil at the end of March for the annual BESJ team weekend. Right in the middle: our Youngstars International stand. “Youngstars International does such valuable work!” – we heard that several times during those days.
One pastor stayed at our table for a long time. He is looking for ways to introduce Youngstars International to his church members – and he gave us a reason that stayed with us.
“It matters to me that the people of our church look beyond the borders of Switzerland.”
a pastor at the YI stand
Two young adults came to our stand for the second year in a row. They grew up abroad and plan to return to their country of birth – and to start youth group ministry there again. We encouraged them to get in touch with YI once their plans become concrete.
In all these conversations it was exciting to see how God moves people's hearts for very different regions: for some Central America, for others Eastern Europe, for others Asia. For the two of us, it is Latvia.
That is why our table held, next to the promotional material, small tents and a campfire made of Playmobil. They told of a concrete plan: in summer we will support the Latvian Youngstars team at their third summer camp – for the first time as a tent camp.
The Youngstars group in Latvia does not own any tents. They have to be rented – and so that the camp fee for the children does not have to rise, we had the idea of looking for sponsors for the tent rental in Huttwil.
What the team weekend did in each person, we do not know. We hope people were moved – and that support for the worldwide Youngstars ministry keeps growing. Maybe your heart beats for a particular country too? Tell us about it.
