"No speak English!"

The Rescue House has been running an afternoon 'English Class' in a juvenile detention centre for teenage boys aged between 14 and 19, for 5 years now. The intention of these classes is ... to teach english... and so much more! Build confidence, renew a desire to learn, perseverance, dream again etc ... but most important - to share Gods love for them. To teach them God has a better plan for their lives, but they need to choose to follow Him.

A new project this year was for the boys to have a goal at completing at least 10 classes and then they could participate in a graduation and receive certificates. Two weeks ago we had the graduation IN THE RESCUE HOUSE! Six boys completed more than 10 classes and 5 of them came for the graduation (the 6th boy is now completing a course in the afternoons and so could not participate).

The 5 boys came with 3 guards (from the detention centre) to our house it was so special for them, they even put on their best clothes for the event! We were super excited to receive them in our house and perform a graduation especially for them.

A YWAM  missionary Felipe took photos for us during the day. He is very talented even with the limits of not being allowed to take photos of the boys faces! Thank you Felipe.

We started with a special word from Michelle (who has been heading up this project this year), then we handed out their certificates one at a time, by a different member from the Rescue House. Whilst presenting the boy with their certificate we took time to bless each boy with specific words of encouragement and then we prayed for the boy. We finished with some worship and then a tasty snack and a special cake! Here are some of the photos that capture how special the day was: