Friday evening had finally arrived. The venue was the Lord Charles Hotel situated at the foot of the Helderberg Mountain and the Cape Town winelands, and at the same time overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. The venue was just the perfect setting for the Young Foundation banquet which was being held in Cape Town. This was the first of its kind for YF to be launched on South African soil.
The excitement filled the air as the cars rolled up to drop the young people. The banquet started at 5pm, and it was obvious from the expressions on the faces that they were expecting something big, not knowing what was in store. Even all the parents that I spoke to were so excited that their children were being offered such a special evening by Voice of God. There were people from as far away as Durban (2000km), Kimberley (1200km), and Port Elizabeth (800km). People had traveled through the night to get there, and many would be meeting for the very first time.
Refreshments were offered on arrival, and the young people stood around in the foyer getting acquainted with each other and trying to guess what the evening was all about.
When the time arrived for the official proceedings to start, each person was handed a Bible/Message quiz as they took their seats, and given a time limit to complete it. They had so much fun at the tables stretching their brains and working together to complete the quizzes, because each one wanted to be the winner of the prize.
Brother Keith greeted the believers and opened the evening in a word of prayer. He told the youth that this evening was all about them, everything they saw prepared, was with them in mind because the Lord had laid in on Brother Joseph Branham's heart to treat the Bride of Christ in SA as the special Lady that she is. Many got real emotional at this because they were not just young people now, but they were being reminded that they are royalty.
After the food was prayed over, the chaperones for the evening collected the quizzes and escorted the people to the food stations. When the young brothers and sisters had dished their food, they carried their plates from table to table fellowshipping with each other as they enjoyed their meal. Cameras never stopped clicking, and cell phones were taken out as people were exchanging contact details with new friends. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was very relaxed and pleasant.
After the dessert, Bro. Keith went up to address the people and introduce Bro. Gordon Tutani from Zimbabwe. Bro Gordon led the believers in a song service and there wasn't a single seat that was occupied. Everybody was on their feet, joining in the singing and clapping hands and dancing about just praising the Lord. The sweet atmosphere that was there since the start of the evening just got sweeter. I felt that surely all of Heaven was watching us and rejoicing to see how the people were basking in God's presence. Shoes were kicked off and the people were dancing around in worship; school exams were forgotten, work stress was forgotten, the world was forgotten, and we had a taste of Heaven. Even the hotel staff joined in the praising and they all stood around wanting to hear what came next. We also had three wonderful specials from the youth.
Brother Gordon then led us in a song of worship as we prepared to hear what the Lord had laid on the heart of Brother Gerald Buitenkamp. The approach and manner in which he shared his testimony with the young people arrested their attention. It was obvious that they were moved by what he shared, and to see his love and dedication to the Message.
Now it was time to announce the two winners of the quiz competition, who were awarded Brother Branham signature pens as prizes. After the applause died down, Brother Keith reminded the young people that they are all special and winners in Christ, and he had special gifts for each person from Brother Joseph. As they were each handed a YF stamped portfolio and pen, their faces were priceless and beaming in appreciation, to think that Brother Joseph thought so much of them.
The sad part of the evening came when we had to say goodbye. But before the dismissal prayer, Bro. Gordon came up to teach us a final Shona song of praise, and the young people really enjoyed this. The dancing and praising started all over again!
Bro. Keith then came up to dismiss in prayer. The staff came in to clear up the hall, but the believers still lingered because they didn't want the evening to end. It was a great privilege to be there and to see the tremendous enthusiasm and openness among the youth. To see the joy and happiness they came with was a blessing. It was definitely an evening to remember for all, and we know the blessings will go home with each one.