The youth arrived at the restaurant promptly at 5 pm dressed up and anticipating a wonderful evening of fellowship. The threat of rain had been forecast which would have proved a problem as pictures were to be taken outside in the courtyard. But, God answers prayer and the evening opened up to a moonlit sky. As each one took their turn for the photographer, the young people wasted no time greeting one other, meeting up with old friends and being introduced to new ones.

Dinner was announced and the youth headed to the banquet room where a three course sit-down dinner awaited them. It was explained to the young people, that they had to wander the room to find their name at their place setting, but as they passed each other, they had to say "God bless you" to each one they passed. Eventually everyone found their seats and began working on the crossword puzzle at their chair. Questions bounded from one to another, "I thought Josiah began to reign at 16?" "No, that was Uzziah." "Tender-eyed? What is tender-eyed?"

Time soon passed and the young people were officially welcomed to the banquet by the pastor. He told each smiling face, that he was very pleased to see each one of them there and passed along greetings from Young Foundations and Brother Joseph, who were keeping the evening in prayer.

Each young person then went around the room and introduced himself or herself and said where they were from: California, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Oklahoma, Maine, Canada, Utah, and Colorado. Just think, believers from around the nation were brought together in a little restaurant in Arizona because they had one thing in common-the Message of the Hour.

One of the brothers then shared his testimony of how the Lord delivered him from the sin and muck of the world when he was just a young man of 18. This brother told of how he had approached another young man and asked him if he wanted to go out with some of the college students. The young man explained to our brother that he did not do those things because of his love for The Lord Jesus. The simple reply from that young man is what brought our brother into this Message.

Dinner was served and the young people made quite an impression on the restaurant staff as later we were asked such questions as: What church group is this? They are such a pleasant group of young people.

The speaker for the evening rose to address these young people. He shared testimonies of God's grace in Brother Branham's own life and other examples of young people in the Bible. He explained how God used young people to do extraordinary things with their lives by taking a stand for the Word of God and living a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

As the night regretfully came to an end, special gifts were handed out to each one. They had to wait until everyone got their gift before they could open theirs. The anticipation was contagious as they started shaking their gifts, and trying to guess what was inside. The go-ahead was given and shrieks of excitement were heard as they tore open the paper. The smiles went from ear-to-ear and the joy on each face was unmistakable as the young people showed each other what they had received from YF.

As these precious young people lingered in the outside courtyard, not quite ready to leave, they said their reluctant goodbyes. As the last car pulled out of the parking lot, a sprinkling of rain could be heard on the windshield.

God bless you