The city is spic and span and ready for the IYC

Community clean-up campaigns have become the thing. Every year, the city of Düsseldorf in Germany appeals to its citizens for help in ridding the city of its litter. Now the city is ready for the International Youth Convention 2019.

Germany. How can you clean an entire city, and especially a big city, and rid it of dirt and litter? Answer: with a concerted action involving more than 11,000 participants! “Pro Düsseldorf”, the organiser of the twentieth clean-up campaign, was absolutely amazed by the huge turn-out. Alone 39 schools and 32 day-care centres had sent participants. In addition, numerous clubs and private initiatives took part. And the New Apostolic Church also joined the campaign, after all it is their International Youth Day that will take place on the exhibition grounds in Düsseldorf at the end of May. Franz-Wilhelm Otten, the Apostle responsible for the New Apostolic congregations in Düsseldorf, greeted a large group of New Apostolic helpers and himself joined the spring clean-up.

A total of 32 tons of litter was collected and carted to the municipal dump!

Suriname. The youngest congregation in Suriname received its first visit from Apostle Peter Klene on Palm Sunday. Many souls had expressed the desire to be sealed. There were 128 participants in the service. Thirty-eight adults, youth, and children were sealed by the Apostle and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Even a heavy downpour at the end of the divine service could not dampen the people’s festive mood. They mingled easily after the service. Fortunately, the young congregation has a catering team so that there was food for everyone.

South Africa. Only a few days to go before the Dragon Boat Regatta on Canal Walk in Cape Town (South Africa). Monday is the day. Canal Walk is a huge shopping centre in Century City, a suburb of Cape Town, that invites people to browse, relax, and shop. It was built around a canal, creating a small leisure paradise. This year, 60 teams will compete and race against the clock. For the first time this year, a Dragon Boat Regatta will be held in Gauteng, the province in the north of South Africa. Forty teams have registered and will be rowing against the clock.

Since 22 April is a national holiday, Family Day, the day is ideal to spend it watching the race and cheering one’s favourite team on with the whole family. Let’s see who will win this year.

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Peter Johanning, Andreas Rother
18.04.2019