Durban YF Banquet Report
Friday, June 18, 2010
In late April 2010, the YF banquet for Durban SA was approved, and in spite of there being only a few Durban area youth names on the database at that time, the date for the event was set for June 5th, 2010. With little over a month to get the other youths registered, it was a race against time. The local pastors and churches were immediately contacted and sent the relevant youth registration forms.
As the weeks passed, the response was overwhelming. By the deadline, approximately 400 registrations had been secured; however, only 187 were able to confirm their reservations by the catering deadline. The occasion was indeed historic, as never before had the youth from the different Durban churches gathered for a banquet like this one.
The day finally arrived and there was great excitement on the faces of the young people as they stood lined up in the Hilton Hotel waiting to enter the banquet hall. It was indeed a sight to behold, each youth elegantly dressed with Bibles in their hands to help them complete the crossword puzzle. Although there were two winners having the most number of correct answers, with each receiving a lovely Centennial Edition Scofield Bible as gifts, none of the others left empty handed as each were given a YF notepad as souvenirs.
As the banquet started, the youth were warmly welcomed to the event. Brother Ronnie Pillay (VGR Durban office manager) offered thanks for the food, then Brother Keith Herne (VGR representative for South Africa) invited the young people to help themselves to a sumptuous buffet ranging from appetizers and salads, hot dishes, roast, and a selection of desserts. Needless to say, they had a gastronomical jubilee.
After the meal, it was time to settle down and enjoy a time of spiritual blessings. Brother Keith and a few other brothers sang some songs to get the atmosphere right before Brother Mostapher Saidi (VGR Malawi office manager) gave a short testimony to encourage the young people. He thereafter handed it over to Brother John Katyale (the Tape boy mentioned in the fall issue of CTV) who was the main speaker for the evening. Brother John sang some of his uplifting Chichewa songs and galvanized the young people into singing with him! He then shared some of the wonderful testimonies of what God was doing on the mission field through the tape ministry, and read some encouraging quotations of Brother Branham. He urged the young people to get involved with spreading the end time Gospel, and drew their attention to the time when Brother Branham was refused entry into Africa and stated that his desire was to one day preach again to the people of Africa. Brother John went on to state that the young people had the opportunity to spread this desire of Brother Branham by going out and sharing this Message of the Hour.
Following Brother John speaking to the young people, a special song was sung by a few of the brothers to bring the event to an end, and then the banquet closed in a word of prayer. The memory of this historic event will live on in the hearts of the youth that attended until time blends in with eternity.
God bless
