It has certainly been too long since I updated this!! Many of you keep up with me on Facebook or through my YFC newsletters, but for those who don't, I just wanted to update you that the building Youth for Christ has been renting for its center in Gaborone is up for sale by the owners and we have first right of refusal...meaning we have until this Monday June 30 to raise 3 million Pula (about $344,000) to purchase the place, or else we must vacate and it will be sold to a buyer that is waiting. The center is ideally located, just across from the University and near the heart of the city along a public transportation route. It is greatly suited to host events for youth -- with a basketball court and an outdoor covered patio area that is ideal for meetings/conferences/events.
We have been fundraising, praying & fasting for this place. However, we cannot raise the money alone. The youth in Gaborone have really been praying, even some have been fasting, praying for the Lord to provide. Last night, upwards of 150 youth gathered at the YFC center to worship and pray for 12 hours -- from 6pm to 6am! It was an amazing time together in God's presence. That was the ending of a weeklong prayer conference at YFC called "City on Its Knees" organized by the God Chasers Crew, with whom YFC partners. I helped lead worship all week and then shared a message last night encouraging the youth that our prayers and worship really do make a difference. After we interceded for the city and nation and for the provision for the YFC center, we had a joyful time of praise and dancing! No one wanted to go home, but to stay and sing and dance!!
Truly, the YFC center has become a house of prayer, and a refuge for the youth of Gaborone. Indeed, when youth were asked to describe what it means to them, "It's home"; "It's a refuge" came up more than once. Please pray with us that God does a miracle to provide all the funds we need to keep it. And please prayerfully consider if the Lord could be leading you to take part in helping YFC keep that center.
Here's a video we posted on YouTube that shares more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnS813PjOhw&feature=share
As I played guitar earlier this month at the weekly INFERNO prayer meeting at YFC, I looked out at nearly 40 young people praying together passionately, and I just whispered to God, “It’s beautiful.” I was seeing a “Contending Refuge”–that phrase had come to mind over three years ago when I’d sat alone in the YFC center in Gaborone, praying and asking God what His vision is for the center. At that point, YFC had just started renting it, and I was just beginning to recruit volunteers and develop programs. I wrote down that day what I felt “Contending Refuge” meant:
A place where people find refuge in praising, worshipping, and exalting the Lord Jesus Christ alone, Connecting with His heart and the burning jealous passion therein so we are compelled to contend in corporate intercession for others to find refuge in Him alone; so we are compelled to reach out in Gaborone and small villages. Ignited, Equipped, and Sent Out; Returning to the refuge to refuel, contend, and be sent out again; To bring redemption, restoration, and reformation—To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children & the hearts of the children to the fathers; to turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; and to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS.
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How beautiful indeed to see that vision starting to be fulfilled! On Monday June 16, many of us did “return to the refuge to refuel, contend, and be sent out again” to other villages. We’d been on an 11-day outreach to Molepolole Village until Sunday night, and several were going out again the next day to an outreach in Thamaga Village. The YFC center has been a place where youth can feel safe and loved, have fun, learn about Christ, discover and develop their gifts, and receive training. In the past month, YFC has hosted Youth Alpha training for leaders, creative arts ministry rehearsals, a Youth Hangout with basketball contest, mission/outreach trip planning meetings, INFERNO weekly prayer meetings, an all-night worship & prayer meeting, and the "City on Its Knees" prayer conference and Worship Night.
Let’s Join Together to Keep the YFC Center!
This is our last couple days before we must vacate the premises, UNLESS the Lord provides the remaining funds necessary to purchase the property. Time is short. We only have until June 30 to finish raising just over 3 million Pula ($343,840). Would you prayerfully consider making a donation to help us keep the YFC center? You can be a part of keeping this refuge for the youth. Any gift would be tax-deductible and would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in partnering with YFC to help purchase the center, please email (emliddiard@yfcbotswana.com) the amount of your intended pledge. If the combined pledges do not add up to the amount needed or we already have enough, we will inform you to simply keep your donation. Whether or not you are in a position to give, please pray with us. Nothing is impossible with God!
If you'd like to read more details about the property, YFC's use of it, the situation in Botswana, etc, there is a proposal that I could email to anyone. Just email me to request it.
Thanks so much for your prayers and consideration! Truly, we believe "Greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city!"
Blessings,
Em
