April 29-30

Pennsylvania!

On Thursday, April 29, WAIT members piled sleeping bags and toiletries into the van for a trip to New Tripoli, Pennsylvania where we participated in an abstinence event organized by high school senior Abby Sayre. We were divided up among several local families to sleep, (thanks Jess, Stevie, Tara and Kelly!) and we rose early to get to the school for the two assemblies.

Laurel Sayre and Koichi Nakai did the main part of each assembly, teaching about how to have great relationships by choosing abstinence before lifetime marriage. WAIT members opened and closed the presentation with several of our acts, such as the breakdancing, songs and hip hop numbers. Everyone was then invited to come to an evening program for parents, friends, and the general public.

The two assemblies included everyone in the school, and at the evening program, about 50 people showed up for the longer program. That included a full WAIT performance, testimonies by those who are practicing abstinence, a recap of the day, and answering of certain audience questions submitted earlier. Two news teams came from local television stations, and one, channel 69, ran about 3 minutes of coverage on the event, with many interviews and performance highlights spliced together to share the abstinence message.

We had to leave fairly late at night, and had a long ride home, but it was worth it. It was inspiring to see what the vision of one person could create, even while in high school. Another high school abstinence club, initiated by Crescentia Hinkle of Reading, PA, also attended and shared their activities. Many people were moved to consider the issue of saving one's own life and love, and others' too, both to stop disease and to create strong and true love relationships. Many thanks to Rob and Sally Sayre, the parents who supported the entire thing, and to the principal, Mr. Neimus and the superintendent, Mr. Crespin, who hosted us and welcomed the events.