YAA Day!

OK, the clock has just struck 12 AM and we are finally into the 6th of December 2008. Its YAA Day!

A good 6 months of work and planning and preparation. The Youth Against AIDS Fest 08 is upon us.

Yours truly is taking a seminar on Pornography. Sheba is slated for one called "For Girls Only" - but has suffered terribly the last few days from an infected sore on her tongue which means she can only talk with great pain (didn't stop her from seeing many patients this morning).

The first drive out to the Free Methodist Church takes place tomorrow at 6.30 AM! Make that today at 6.30! I need to sleep as I am dog-tired, but just want to say that I am very proud of all the folks who have slogged to get us to where we are.

There have been countless hours of behind the scenes work - and now this afternoon at 3 PM the gates will be opened and young people from all over the city are expected to be in for a real treat.

6 concurrent seminars, a mini-film fest, a poster competition, food, different NGOs sharing about their work, a clown... and then an evening meeting at 6.30 with a live band, testimonies, a street play and a strong but heart-felt message.

We have had some hiccups and disappointments along the way - but are very very glad that this day is dawning on us. The biggest one probably was the constant doors shutting on us regarding the venue for the YAA Fest. But now, looking back, we would probably have had to cancel since the security situation has become so tense in the larger academic institutions after the terror attacks that killed over 200 in South Mumbai. On the other hand - we are thrilled to be able to use the Free Methodist Church in Andheri. God knows what He is doing when he says 'no' - how much we need to accept him at His word!

I need to sleep so that I can do justice to the day. But just a word of thanks for our three interns from Union Biblical Seminary who have been with us for the past 7 months thanks to Tearfund. Akshaydeep, Leroy and Silvanus have been a great blessing to us all - and we will have misty eyes when we have a small send off for them on Sunday evening. They have become part of our hearts - and are heart and soul of YAA too!

Gentle reader - Thanks for your prayers and support - and for eye-balling this so patiently!