Jako Nice on Being the Fourth Man

The past week I learned of a non-profit, Christian organization called The 4th Musketeer (http://the4thmusketeer.org/). It is a newer organization that is taking global ground in the fight of God on this earth; to touch the lost, hurt and broken. It was started by Henk Stoorvogel and a few of his close friends who decided to base it off of the spirit and will of the protagonist in The Three Musketeers. Someone who was a go-getter and wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Now, eight years later, there are chapters all over the world who meet for Extreme Character Challenges (XCC) where men spend a weekend in the wilderness and learn about a number of different public issues, including human trafficking, poverty and orphans, in their area while they work to survive the elements. These three day challenges act as a way to add another member to The 4th Musketeer group as well as to reignite the passion for the fight in long time members.

But teaching locals the truth about injustice in their country of origin isn’t the only thing that the 4th Musketeers do. They also raise funds through events called Muskathlons where both members and non-members run, bike, hike or swim to earn money for whatever cause they choose. Each member has a goal to reach of 10,000 dollars or more for each event.

While I was looking through the website’s list of muskathletes I came across a gentlemen living in south Africa where poverty and human trafficking – especially labor trafficking – is running rampant upon minor countries such as Lesotho, named Pastor Jako Nice. He is running for the A21 campaign which is one of our listed Freedom Fighters on our “Get Involved” page. Furthermore he seemed to be, and has proven to be, a man that is dedicated to the cause and also exudes peace and simplistic humility. For this reason I decided to reach out and email Pastor Nice and thankfully he was willing to answer a few of my questions via email about 4th Musketeer and the Muskathlon he will be running in November of this year;

Deanna: “Tell me a little bit about your everyday life in South Africa”

Pastor Nice: “Life in SA is great, it’s really not as bad as the news and the statistics. It truly is God’s country. We have so many beautiful people in this country, so much diversity and so much opportunity. I am married with a 4 year old son so the everyday life is busy with school and work and details of life. I am a pastor and involved in men’s ministry on a weekly and daily basis. I am also an Architect and senior researcher in healthcare and the built environment in South Africa…and involved in the leadership of 4M South Africa, leading Muskathlon event and other: father son and XCC weekends in South Africa with my fellow colleagues who are all committed [to] this calling. So much of my work involves making lives better for others it is truly a privilege. Between all this do a lot of trail running, surfing, and getting in the outdoors with my son and wife who both supports me tremendously[.]”

Deanna: “How did you learn about human trafficking?”

Pastor Nice: “My first introduction and awareness to the injustice of human trafficking came through a men’s XCC (extreme character challenge) Christian weekend with 4M in the Drakensberg of South Africa, when the reality and enormity of the problem was revealed to us. I knew about the fact that it was happening, but not the calibre of organised crime. It shocked me that woman and children can just be commodities for the distribution and wealth of another. ..Then knowing and being aware of the struggles than men go through with pornography and this very struggle actually feeds this system it really disheartened me. That moment I knew we need to do something, I need to do something. And since have learnt more, getting involved more and really being an advocate for this cause… God has made each of with perfection and purpose and to respect and honour his creation, not use and abuse for our own”

Deanna: “What kind of impact have you seen 4M making in issues of justice?”

Pastor Nice: “AS 4M we are committed to make an impact in society and question the norm. We have seen tremendous impact in the changes in the hearts and lives of men and how this impacts their families and their commitments to cause greater than themselves. We have raised for this Muskathlon alone 74000$ to date, and we aim to reach 360 000$ by November. As we speak another Muskathlon is under way in Bulgaria and Greece also for human trafficking and have raised 472 000 US$, The 4th Musketeer to date have raised almost 12 Million US$. The outcome of this funds is of eternal value, every muskathlete gets trained, and his funds support others to get training, their funds support safe houses, food, safety and security, collaboration with organisations to take down the organised crime of human trafficking and sex trafficking.”

Deanna: “How have you been personally affected by the survivors or sufferers you have met?”

Pastor Nice: “I have not had the privilege to meet them as yet. But through other initiatives within my city we have been involved with impacting ladies that work on street corners in red-light district, we assist were possible to get councillors, special investigation units and police involved. I am looking forward to meeting then personally in November 2016.”

Deanna: “What made you decide to join the Muskathlon and what has the experience been like thus far?”

Pastor Nice: “Living with purpose, living this live for something more than myself. I have always been an extreme athlete, Ironman, MTB, big wave surfing, climbing mountains, etc.… but until recent[ly] I realised that many of these things are wonderful and great, but truly is the value eternal. Does it give back to my family, friends and community? In this I realised that something like [a] Muskathlon, and extreme event could bring together the side that [I] enjoy in life: sport and people. I could partake but with the outcome that is for something more than myself. That I can through my involvement make an impact on other people’s lives, be a voice for the voiceless. Leave a legacy for my children and friends and community. We have an estimate OF 47000 slaves in South Africa, and 16% in sub-Saharan African of the total of 27 million worldwide”

Deanna: “What has training been like for you?”

Pastor Nice: “It is tough, and requires commitment. But the pain and the distance brings joy when you know it has value beyond the moment. My tiredness and pain will be another person’s freedom and joy….I have been able to talk to others, and really be an advocate for this cause. I have run some long distance trial running events as preparation and plan to do 1 or 2 more before I run my 60km ultra for this A21 cause.”

Deanna: “What would you say is the biggest lesson you have learned while being a 4th musketeer?”

Pastor Nice: “That as a man in this world, I have a responsibility to lead with integrity and courageously. 1st to really make a difference in my community and the people around me and live this live that God called me to. To live with integrity and boldness representing the king. 2nd to get more involved with my church and really impact the men and woman and commit to making a difference for the eternal purpose, 3rd to live a life evidence by the person of Jesus Christ…His love and grace given to me, to live and speak a live in such a way that I influence and cause ripple in each person I know. And lastly charity: That we reach out and impact the ones who don’t have a voice, that through our lives, our finances and our capacity we change society. That meant for this Muskathlon A21… human trafficking.”

Deanna: “What made you decide to run for A21 instead of some other organization?”

Pastor Nice: “That this [human trafficking] was local, that this impacted my people, my country. The fact that so many of the woman and children cannot do anything for themselves and need the voice of others to help them. I purpose to lead courageously and stand up for injustice…making this a cause that has purpose and changes lives.”

Deanna: “What do you hope that your campaign and your marathon will accomplish?”

Pastor Nice: “Setting people free, raising awareness and training new courageous men and woman to make a difference.”

Deanna: “What can someone who wants to get involved do – not just to help you in your campaign – but to really become part of the movement against human trafficking long term?”

Pastor Nice: “Well, one way is to get involved [is my] campaign https://www.muskathlon.com/en-nl/athletes/1056/jako-nice.html, all the funds that are raised will be directed to A21 South Africa, this allows volunteers to be trained, empowering them to go into the most hostile environments and extract these woman and children. Then invest in their lives, providing safe and secure place to stay and the equipping [them] and building their confidence that they may get on their feet and now make a difference and live a [fulfilled] life of freedom. You can get involved through the various public marches by A21 that raises awareness, by enrolling at a local chapter and get training or through OM (operation mobilization) and do the same. Commit time and purpose and realty get involved. Training will help you see the tell-tale signs of victims and allow you to alert the trained people, police etc to step in. In South Africa: A21 does:’ Placing them in shelters, providing them with access to medical and psychological care, connecting them with education opportunities, and helping them transition back into society. A21 partners with the Hawks (Special investigations unit) to identify, screen, and assist the victims of human trafficking. In 2014, A21 educated 4,502 students on the reality of human trafficking in order to raise awareness, as well as, protect and empower them to make a difference.”

Deanna: “Do you have a word of encouragement for other people trying to end the injustice?”

Pastor Nice: “Your life is more than yourself. [Live] a life that is greater you, that leaves a legacy and gives life. The world is changed by the actions of individuals, people that make decisions in the moment for the greater wellbeing of others. [Lets] fight this fight for freedom of injustice against slavery and human trafficking.

Your support will support others…you can be part of this where you are right now. https://www.muskathlon.com/en-nl/athletes/1056/jako-nice.html”

Pastor Jako's attitude about life is inspiring. I love it when he says, “Your life is more than yourself.” All of us will live happier if we make it priority to live a life that changes the world and impacts the lives of those who can’t change things on their own. At the end of this post my hope is that all of us will come to be like Pastor Jako in that we see the bigger picture and that we can do something big, right where we are, today.

Please donate to Jako’s campaign and look into a charter of the 4th Musketeer or a Muskathlon event in your local area.

All the best,

Deanna Leah