The Asian Baptist Women's Young Women's Leadership Conference was held June 16 – 19, 2006.

When Chiyo Murakami, President of the Asian Baptist Women's Union announced that they had chosen Sri Lanka as the venue for this great event we were really excited.  This was a great challenge. Every one in the organizing committee worked hard to make this event a great success and we thank God for this great opportunity and success.

The theme of the Conference was “Being the Heart and Hands of Jesus". Luke 8:43-54. In spite of the situation in the country forty three foreign participants and sixty local participants attended the conference.

The Conference was held at Brown's Beach Hotel, a spacious Hotel with a lovely beach front situated close to the Sri Lanka International Airport.

It was indeed an honour to have at the opening ceremony the officers of the Sri Lanka Baptist Sangamaya and the Presidents of the Auxiliary bodies.

The Guests were welcomed with betel leaves and the traditional Sri Lankan dance troupe led them to the stage to light the traditional oil lamp with the blowing of the "hakgediya" (conch).

Shashika Rupasinghe performed a dance item.

Patsy Davis, Director, Women's Department, Baptist World Alliance gave the welcome address. She stressed the fact that we will be challenged to live a life that exemplifies the love and compassion of Jesus and to use our hands to put into action what God has called us to do.

The praise and worship team was led by Devika Ukwatta. The announcements were done by Shyamalee Aponso. Nelathi de Soysa, Shehanika Wijesinghe and Niru Samarasekera assisted with the organ music.

Solochana Ganeshwaran shared her message at the Sunday Service and Sujeewa from Sri Lanka gave her testimony.

There were five workshops for the participants to attend.

L. Manel Nanayakkara (Sri Lanka)-Young Women in Leadership.

2. Devika Perera (Sri Lanka)-Creative Hearts and Creative hands

3. Patsy Davis (BWAWD) - Seeing with new eyes the BWAWD

4. Ingrid Subagyo (Indonesia) - Domestic Violence

5. Mikuni Sharable (Japan)-Sunday School

Six young women gave their testimonies to strengthen each other.

Loisa Irfan - Pakistan, Angela Lipika Bairagee - Bangaladesh,

Yuko Motomiya - Japan, Jaksit Sharma - India, Prissana Sae - Thailand,

and Dimuthu Samarasekera - Sri Lanka.

Each country gave their best to the Lord during the Cultural Presentations. This was in the form of dance, song, drama, multimedia presentations and talk.

The closing ceremony was organized by the Asian Baptist Women's Union Officers. Each delegate was presented with a Nilmanel Flower (national flower of Sri Lanka) in a heart shaped transparent box as a token of remembrance.

All Glory and honour to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Ione Algama

Sri Lanka Baptist Women's League

Chairperson -Local Arrangements Committee