Greetings from YFC General World Assembly in Johannesburg South Africa.

After a 16 hour drive our team arrived safely at Cyara 

(YFC Conference Center).   I (Julianna) even drove for 2 hours on the left side of the road and I finally found the Southern Cross (star constellation only found when in the southern hemisphere, equal to finding the Big Dipper in the north)!  

Representing about 100 different countries there are about 800 Young Leaders, National Directors and Board Members attending this GA (held every 3 years).  7 of Julianna's "YFC Family" in the Gambia were able to participate!

Knysna YFC was responsible to set up the "Prayer Zone"; a place where participants could spend time in the presence of the Lord during the conference.  The Prayer Journey mat (also referred to as the Labyrinth), is a journey that allows you to focus on God and release your burdens to the Lord as you focus on Him on the maze to the center, then spend time in the center just listening to His Spirit.  There are many ways to experience prayer in the Zone.  You can choose to put your request on the "Wailing Wall", pin your burden to "Jesus Washing Line" and let Him wash you clean, use your creativity to draw or write a poem, put a pin on the world map for the country you are praying for, or just sit on a pillow and rest in the soft quiet worship music.

The Holy Spirit is moving and the young leaders here are making commitments to lead their generation by living a godly lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, a passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement.  

Nathan and I have also been blessed to meet with many of my friends with YFCI/World Outreach from the Denver office.  God has provided many opportunities to link with others who know people who are in Swaziland, or have a heart to help set up the ministry; this has been a huge encouragement that God is working on our behalf even before we arrive.

We will be traveling back to Knysna on Saturday.  Thank you for your prayer support!!

Living the adventure of a servant to the King!

:)

Final Wedding pictures!

Whew!  I think this is the last Wedding Picture blog... I am sorry that it is so backwards... if you start 3 blogs down you can see them in some sort of order!

After the reception our professional photographer (ok, so she is not a professional, but my sister Debbie... THANK YOU Deb!!) drove us to Duncan Gardens for some of my favorite pictures... I think they speak for themselves!  

After the photo shoot, Deb drove us to the airport to rent a car for our honeymoon in Oregon.  We saw God's hand at work because I don't have a 'major' credit card.  So Debbie put the car on her card, and as the clerk was figuring out the price... Nathan prayed... and the price went down... and he prayed, and the price went down again.  All total I think it was reduced more than $100 for the 6 days that we needed it... God is good!  Our first stop on the way to Albany Oregon was Multnomah Falls.  

Wedding... (this should really be part 2, but I goofed... read this second to have it in order!)

The reception was held in the church (Otis Orchard Community Church, Julianna's home church) annex.  A HUUUUUGE "THANK YOU" to the OOCC women who helped set up and decorate the annex and serve the cake and punch, they were a tremendous help and I really take no credit for the reception!!  

One couple that attended the wedding were Ron and Ruth Berger from YFC World Outreach.  They live on the other side of WA state and were able to come and represent the staff at headquarters in Colorado!  

Wedding Picts (2nd blog)

I just realized that I am doing this a bit backwards... oh well!

Our wedding was very simple (and relatively inexpensive!)

We are all wearing outfits made in The Gambia by local tailors.  My mom did all the flowers (in addition to creating her own skirt from the leftover fabrics from the boys outfits)... THANKS Mom!!  And you will see in the next blog the wedding cakes were from Cosco (gotta love Cosco cakes!).  Besides buying candles for the candle-abra's... and punch and napkins that was all the expenses!!  There was left over mints and nuts from Ciara's wedding, so we were covered!

In the wedding were my three daughters with their husband/boyfriends.  Ciara with her new husband (Brian), Kirsten with her boyfriend Clancy, and Tiffany with her boyfriend Johnny.  My former pastor Neil Nedrow officiated.  

The wedding was in a traditional format... since it wasn't video'd I will tell you about the bloopers.  When my father gave me away he forgot his lines... when asked "Who gives this woman to marry this man?" he answered "My mother and I... I mean my mother and I... her mother and I!"!!  The other funny moment (or moment for concern) was when Ciara almost fainted.  I was facing her new husband (Brian) and all I saw was him lunge across the front of the stage to catch her as she collapsed.  Poor thing!!!  She was back on stage for the signing of the Marriage License (very traditional part of the African wedding ceremonies is to sign during the wedding).  

For music...  for those of you who know my (Julianna) love for Christian music.. you will rest assured that I took much joy in choosing the music!  "The Love Of God" by Mercy Me played for the candle lighting.  All the wedding party, including the bride, walked in to "Indescribable" Chris Tomlin.  Then before the vows a love song by Scott Kryppayne, "Here With You", which made Nathan cry like a baby (or love-sick 'husband-to-be").  As we lit the unity candle and signed the marriage certficate the song "Amazed" (by Ross Parsley) was played.  Then the audience joined us in worship by singing "Great Is Thy Faithfulness".  We were presented as Mr & Mrs Overmeyer and walked out  to "For The Sake Of The Call" by Steven Curtis Chapman.