In the middle of the second day of YWAM’s 2011 Global Leadership Forum, Kobus Van Neikerk, the coordinator of YWAM’s Africa leadership team, told a story about his wife, Rika. Kobus and Rika have been laboring for decades to serve YWAM’s staff all over the African continent. They have driven over rough roads to visit teams in remote parts of Angola, have gone into conflict areas in spite of warnings, and have comforted families in Nigeria in the aftermath of a tragic accident. Now Rika had developed vascular issues with her heart, and had not recovered her normal energy after surgery. As she was recuperating, Kobus said Rika had received a call in their Pretoria, South Africa home. A YWAMer in an African country wanted help with a difficult situation. As she tried to respond to this request, Rika’s strength gave way, and she fainted.

A small group of YWAM regional leaders from Zambia, Rwanda, South Africa, Mali and Senegal gathered around Kobus as they ate lunch. They listened to Kobus’ story. They urged Kobus to take some time aside. They each offered to pick up some of Kobus’ responsibilities so he and his wife could take a break.

Later, that group of African leaders sat in a circle again, now surrounded by a much bigger circle that included all the other members of YWAM’s Global Leadership Forum. One of YWAM’s elders, John Dawson, led the group in prayer. They cried out to God on behalf of Kobus and Rika, the Africa leadership team, and the region of Africa itself.

“We speak every blessing over you,” prayed John Dawson. “We say long life to you, Kobus. May the wife of your youth be blessed in your house and may your children be blessed. May your eyes shine with joy as you see their life and vitality. May people around you volunteer, bearing weight and responsibility before they are asked. May God establish that which has been travailed for and hoped for.”

David Hamilton, a leader of YWAM’s University of the Nations, prayed for the African continent. “We thank you that Africa is a continent that is destined to bring leadership to the world. We bless all of our family in Africa. We say be at peace, walk into your destiny. We champion you, we celebrate you.”

Kobus responded by thanking the YWAMers for their prayers. He reminded them that ten years before, a similar group of leaders prayed for him after he had intestinal surgery. He was warned that his medical condition remained serious. He should not travel more than two hours drive from a major hospital or he would risk his life. The doctors said he would never be able to continue his ministry of visiting YWAM teams in remote places. Kobus said that thanks to the goodness of God, he’d been able to continue. “I haven’t done it at the same speed,” he said. “I’ve done it a bit faster.”

Discussion followed on the essential role of the grandparents within the YWAM family story. The stories of YWAM Africa were remembered, from the early trailblazers like Rudi Lack and Ramona Musch, to the pioneers and parental mentors such as Iain and Kirsten Muir, and the diverse and fruitful ministries all over the continent today. The whole assembly waited on the Lord for inspiration and wisdom. Initial compassion for Rika drew them into God’s heart for Africa and a time of intense prayer followed.

Now as Kobus contemplated moving into more of a grandfatherly role in his ministry within Africa, the YWAM leaders concluded their prayer with a song. Edwin Filles led the group in “Sing for joy, Oh Africa! The Lord your God is risen upon you.” As they sang, many began to dance, accompanied by Joshua, a YWAM leader from India, playing along on a bongo drum.