We are delighted to send you this report of the recent YF event held in Durban.

We had an excellent turnout on the day as more than 100 local youth from various assemblies converged at the Old Mutual Sports Hall at the University of KwaZulu Natal.

The venue caters for a wide range of sporting activities, like basketball, volleyball, table tennis etc… In addition to these, we took along a few of our own games, which arrived a few weeks ago in a shipment from Jeffersonville.

The event was scheduled to start at 12:00 noon, and by that time most of the youth had arrived.

We welcomed all the youth and told them of our motives and objectives in bringing them all together in this fashion. I read an excerpt from the November 2008 CTV MAG entitled My Thoughts, in which Brother Joseph explains how he was inspired to start Young Foundations and that its aim is to encourage young people and to teach them more about the Lord Jesus. This provides an alternative to the world they live in, so they may draw strength from one another and draw closer to the Lord.

We then asked a young brother who regularly attends our Quiet Time sessions to open the proceedings in a word of prayer. Thereafter, we unveiled the games and activities and encouraged the youth to enjoy themselves and to interact with others who are like-minded and have a desire to serve the Lord.

It seems that the games was all the encouragement they needed. Young people were scattered all around the facility trying out the various activities. We trust that the pictures will tell the story of how the youth enjoyed themselves.

Pizza was served at lunchtime, and groups of young people could be seen seated on the staircase discussing the details of each game. They made new friends and everyone seemed to have smiles on their faces. The basketball court was constantly abuzz, as was the cricket nets… all in all it was a fun filled day.

Shortly after our lunch break, we got together for a group photo - Shouts of “We Love Young Foundations” echoed through the building. The young voices sounded in unison, so much so that we felt urged to start singing the song that has become somewhat of a “YF Anthem” - Hakuna Wakaita Sa Jesu , followed by the Zulu version: Ageko Ufana No Jesu . The youth seemed to be bubbling over with joy, and this was expressed in their next song - Jesus Love is Bubbling Over. The actions and increased intensity of each verse lead to an outburst of smiles and laughter.

The ground had been prepared, the games and songs had broken down the barriers of shyness and insecurity…it was now time for the voice of the seventh angel to speak to the hearts of these young people. We sang the Zulu song - Diyakuthanda UMoya ONgcwele - (I Love You Holy Spirit) as we introduced the Message: 59–1001 What Went Ye Out To See ?

I turned my head to the audience as Brother Branham was praying towards the end of the sermon and saw young hands lifted up to God. That’s what this day was all about - as Brother Joseph wrote at the end of his Nov “08” CTV article: “Our goal is to help them along life’s journey, and to teach them that if they will just surrender their lives to the Lord, He will be their portion.”

We appreciate the efforts of all the VGR Staff, volunteers and chaperon’s who contributed to the success of this event.

We also wish to express our gratitude to Brother Joseph and Young Foundations for the burden on their hearts for our youth.

May God ever bless you,

VGR Durban Office