We had a successful bonfire last weekend. About 230 young people, aged between 15 – 30 years old, from seven Message churches within Lusaka were in attendance. This was our first YF bonfire in Zambia, and it was highly anticipated by the youth.
Primarily, our gratitude goes to Brother Joseph for according us an opportunity to have a YF bonfire in Lusaka, Zambia for the first time. Our prayer is that the Lord God Almighty should continue blessing and nourishing His servant physically and spiritually. He is a blessing to the young people and believers globally.
Our bonfire was scheduled for October 21 at a venue called Olympic Youth Development Centre. We use the same venue when Quiet Time is held outside the office, except that this time it was held outside the main GYM being a bonfire day. The program was planned to start at 4pm and end at 7:30pm. We would have loved to end by 8:30pm but around that time it’s hard to catch public transport in Lusaka.
Most young people arrived by 3pm, and at 4pm over a hundred kids had arrived. The program started at about 4:10pm with a welcome note, a worship chorus (Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken), and opening prayer by Bro. Mayeso (Zambia Assistant Manager).
As young people were seated, they had not much information on what was in store for them. It is summer in Zambia now, and no one needs a fire near, so when they heard about a bonfire they were in anticipation to know the significance of coming together around a summer bonfire. Everyone knew by instinct that there was more to it than just the terminology "bonfire." As we read a Scripture, Psalm 133:1, things started shaping up slowly.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
After such a reading, faces could tell that the fire was not the main picture, but it was believers of like faith gathered in fellowship around the Word of God, the Message of hour.
Snacks were served as early as possible before the sun could go down. It was an awesome fellowship as we sat to enjoy a snack in the shade with a cooling breeze from the trees. It was a good day for such an event. After everyone was done eating, it was announced that Bro Branham will be talking to us for 44 minutes! At this point, the significance of coming together got clearer and clearer!
We weren’t in Eden at the time the Lord came down in the cool of the evening to talk to his children, but on this special day, it felt like Eden. It was an atmosphere of unruffled breezes from trees, and as the sun was setting we listened to the Voice Of God speaking through the lips of His prophet (63-0601 Come, Follow Me). I could attest to the fact that the Lord Jesus was present! After the tape, His presence took everyone in prayer, others kneeling, others standing with hands in the air. It was not easy to offer the last prayer to close the tape service, but because it was getting late, we had to sing a worship song as an alert that we are now closing.
In conclusion, we could not just go home without singing some special songs of praise and worship. Two young men led us in some soul enriching songs. We praised, we danced to the Lord, and we worshipped Him with all the energy in us. By 7pm we wrapped up and closed in prayer by 7:15pm. The Lord granted everyone a safe passage home and there was no bad report received.
Thank you,
Bro Maurice - Zambia Office