One of the Mercy Ministry places that I co-ordinate and lead are the visits to the Youth Detention Centre in Lomé. This centre houses mainly boys (although there are a few girls there also) aged between 14-17 who have gotten in trouble with the law. Some of their offenses include stealing, damage to property and inappropriate behaviour towards female workers in their parents house. They are housed at the centre for anywhere between 1-12 months and have to have a hearing with the judge and pay a fine before they can be freed.
The Youth Detention Centre is not the most pleasant place, however, it is far nicer than many African prisons. The cells are about 2-2.5m by 3m and have two concrete blocks, approximately each the size of a single bed in. Each cell houses between 4-6 kids, sometimes more if they have a particularly high number in the centre. They normally get fed three basic meals a day, and they have classes during the week, however, at the weekend and public holidays they are locked in the cells. The main room is fairly small and dark owing to the fact that less than half a metre from the wall and windows is a high wall that blocks most of the light, but exciting things happen in that depressive room
At 7am on a Monday morning I meet with the group and we head out to Brigade Mineur. Whilst we are there we do a Biblical story, often getting them involved in acting out the story as we tell it, and then we have a thought or discussion relating to that story and then a craft. Afterwards we have time for free play with blow up beach balls, Jenga, pairs, chequers, nail polish and friendship bracelets.
Brigade Mineur is my favourite way to start the week. It can be a challenge to keep them focussed, particularly when the tv won’t switch off and is blaring out from beneath a cover but we have had some incredible opportunities to discuss with them and really share what God means to us and how they can also have a relationship with him if they want. Some are not interested, and that is ok, but others have really shown interest and in what we have to say. Who knows what the future will hold for these kids, but hopefully we can show them that there is a hope, and there is something more than what they know. I can’t begin to describe how much fun I have here and how much I enjoy my time spent with this group of kids.
The pictures below are from when we did the story of Jesus turning the water into wine at the wedding (see John 2:1-12. We had great fun getting dressed up and decorating the room to recreate the atmosphere of the wedding. We had cake and dancing, like you would at a celebration and acted out the story. At the end we discussed and thought about the implications of Jesus turning the water into wine and what that told us about him, and we also thought about Mary and how she reacted, and her faith in Jesus and his ability.
The Youth Detention Centre is not the most pleasant place, however, it is far nicer than many African prisons. The cells are about 2-2.5m by 3m and have two concrete blocks, approximately each the size of a single bed in. Each cell houses between 4-6 kids, sometimes more if they have a particularly high number in the centre. They normally get fed three basic meals a day, and they have classes during the week, however, at the weekend and public holidays they are locked in the cells. The main room is fairly small and dark owing to the fact that less than half a metre from the wall and windows is a high wall that blocks most of the light, but exciting things happen in that depressive room
At 7am on a Monday morning I meet with the group and we head out to Brigade Mineur. Whilst we are there we do a Biblical story, often getting them involved in acting out the story as we tell it, and then we have a thought or discussion relating to that story and then a craft. Afterwards we have time for free play with blow up beach balls, Jenga, pairs, chequers, nail polish and friendship bracelets.
Brigade Mineur is my favourite way to start the week. It can be a challenge to keep them focussed, particularly when the tv won’t switch off and is blaring out from beneath a cover but we have had some incredible opportunities to discuss with them and really share what God means to us and how they can also have a relationship with him if they want. Some are not interested, and that is ok, but others have really shown interest and in what we have to say. Who knows what the future will hold for these kids, but hopefully we can show them that there is a hope, and there is something more than what they know. I can’t begin to describe how much fun I have here and how much I enjoy my time spent with this group of kids.
The pictures below are from when we did the story of Jesus turning the water into wine at the wedding (see John 2:1-12. We had great fun getting dressed up and decorating the room to recreate the atmosphere of the wedding. We had cake and dancing, like you would at a celebration and acted out the story. At the end we discussed and thought about the implications of Jesus turning the water into wine and what that told us about him, and we also thought about Mary and how she reacted, and her faith in Jesus and his ability.
We made necklaces and garlands and flowers
Our 'Love is...' craft from a previous week
Decorating the room ready for the celebration
Before the story
Being given flowers before the wedding (I was the bride)
At the wedding
Dancing!
And music and celebration
Acting out the rest of the story.
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