The Program: All the invited young people arrived by the morning of 12th May, at the Don Bosco Animation Centre, Madgaon. After the breakfast at 8am, sessions began with a time of worship, led by the day's in-charges. Daily twoor three young people were given charge of the whole program to oversee everything.

There were altogether six sessions of two hours each before lunch. The topics taught were "How to be a Winenr in Life"- focussing on Joseph and David. and "How to Develop Relationship with others" based on Matt.7:12 and "How to choose your life partner"- based on Eliezer's prayer for Rebekah.

In the afternoons, group discussions focussed on the morning topics and were very useful and stimulating. Evenings, after tea, each one got some time to share his testimony, etc. A workshop held on one afternoon, on testimony writing, was very useful to all.

There was free-time of two hours each every evening before dinner at 8pm. All enjoyed the freetime, going to the beach, playing games or touring parts of Goa. After dinner, there were video filmshows on the Hope by Billy Graham and the life of William Carey.

Ont he final day, after all the sessions were over and each one wrote their comments/suggestions, all stood around ina circle and embraced oner aother with lvoe singing, I lvoe yu with the love of God... and bid farewell,,, After dinner was the cultural show when each one presented some item of songs, music, skits, etc.

Tour of Goa: Goa is well-known as a tourist destination even for many from abroad. Now being the peak season, there were crowds everywhere. After the youth festival was over, all youth hired a bus on 15th and left to see Goa. The first thing, everybody enjoyed was the breakfast in a south Indian hotel.

Then, the first place visited was the old Goa church where St. francis Xavier's dead body is kept Then, went on to the Colangute beach where everybody enjoyed the sea water, etc. Next stop was Panjim city where all had a good lunch. Then, all had the privilege to shop around at Madgaon and then leave to their hometowns according to their train/bus timings. The unforgettable tour of Goa completed the celebration of victory.

The Participants: It was the Lord who led the young people from various parts of India. Invitations were sent only to those who were born again and shared their testimony in the reg. form. There were altogether 20 from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharastra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu States. There were college students, Doctors, Social workers, Pastors, Dean and Professor of a Bible college, Bible translators, and Rly TTE, etc.

Their Experiences: On the final day, each one was given time to write down their comments and suggestions and to share them before all. Here's what some of them shared:

* Asked about what you want to do next, a Rly TTE shares his excitement: " I want to be a winner in my daily life. I'll take every problem as a challenge and also improve friendly relationships."

* These 3 days I had good time and I leaned manythings that strengthened my spritual life to grow more closer to the Lord and also I enjoyed the lectures and topics because they are totally different from what others teach and which I did not learn before. So I thank God for bringing me here..." shares another young man.

* Though the food supplied was not so good, we had good scriptural food! Your teachings were very practical, and inspired me a lot and taken out confusions. I found answers to most of my practical problems.' shares a medical student.

* " Till now I have not attended such a wonderful youth meeting. You have done your best and it is worth appreciating. the video "Candle in the Dark" was amazing. I will do my best to impart all that I have learnt to my fellowbeings, esp. the youth." assures a professor in a Bible college.

* The most I liked was your teaching. the way you presented was interesting, lively and with a good sense of humor. The youth festival was really useful. Though I learned manythings, the important one was how to present my testimony. I have learned also that Christians can be victorious even in the worldly life." testifies a youngman involved with Bible translation work.

To God be all the glory for the great things He has done. Thank you again for your prayers and suppprt.

Pl. pray for these youngmen, as they went back, they may become winners in life for His glory. Amen.
Click to See the Photos here

If Lord wiing, we want to plan and organize more such youth festivals in various cities and states in India. Pl. pray for the Lord to open the door and enable us.

May the Lord bless you,

In His bonds,

A.Othniel

"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God..." Ps. 95:6.