Staff Conference... "Hand Me Another Brick"

Wortelgat... the location for YFC Southern Africa Staff 2010 Conference. Described as God's own place uniquely and picturesquely set in natural vegetation of limestone fynbos and ancient milkwood thickets on the banks of the Kleinrivier estuary with magnificent views of the Kleinrivier mountains... walks and hikes meander through the fynbos, along the koppies and under the milkwoods along the lagoon edge... through the forests to waterfalls in the mountain add to the variety of flora and fauna as does the walk through the nature reserve to a long white sandy beach with magnificent views of whales and dolphins.

220 staff and family representing 10 nations converged for training, encouragement and renewal. Opening the conference with "Taste and See" each centre offered a taste of what their city represents and showed off pictures of their ministry. Knysna is known for their oysters, and offered seafood stew... cooked over the fire!








Daily devotions led by Vicar Dennis Stafford focused on Nehemiah 1 and the importance of prayer in a leader's life... here are some of the points that convicted me.

- "Prayer moves you into a realm of noticing things - God works the miracle out!"
- "Prayer allows leaders to: 1)See further/beyond other people - never having been there before 2) See more than others see - sees the real problem 3) See before others know."
- "Prayer is not to determine what to get from God - but what God gets from you!"
- "Prayer infuses vision - enabling us see what God wants us to do!"
- "Living in the realm of prayer we are not only aware of the need - we are willing to be the answer!"



Other sessions focused on culture and embracing diversity. Not only considering that the Southern Region represents many different countries and respective cultures, but also each YFC Centre especially in South Africa ministers to multiple cultures. During Apartheid YFC South Africa stood it's ground to include all races even when facing police raids at gatherings and camps. Conscious effort was made to include all cultures represented even at the worship at conference... see video!

Each afternoon was open for renewal... walks to the beach, kayaking, ferry ride on the lake, trip to the Hermanus Whale Festival, or just to take a nap! My walk to the beach also included seeing 2 whales!