According to Marcus Pratz, the local representative of YWAM, this conference will be hosted in Mossel Bay annually for the next 5 years.
During the delegates' stay in Mossel Bay they took part in various projects and outreaches in the greater Mossel Bay area.
Apart from visiting 16 schools and bringing a message of hope to almost 10 000 children, delegates took part in upliftment projects such as cleaning up the streets of D'Almeida, which was reported on in last week's Advertiser, and renovating a dilapidated house in Wolwedans, Groot Brak.
Awie, a resident of Wolwedans has been wheelchair bound for the past 13 years and has an 8 year old daughter that is severely mentally disabled. Apart from having greatly difficulty gaining access to his house, the glass from most the windows were broken and had to be replaced.
Gavin Smook from Glass 4 U in Mossel Bay was very accommodating in supplying the necessary material. Thanks to great teamwork and the help of the visiting YWAM delegates, Awie's house had a lovely face lift and now boasts a new coat of paint, repaired window panes and a concrete ramp to help with easy access to his home.
During the conference closing ceremony on Friday 19 August at the Indoor Sports Centre in KwaNonqaba, a special certificate of appreciation was awarded to the Mossel Bay Municipality and accepted at the event by Deputy Executive Mayor, Councillor Harry Levendal.
Over a period of time, the Mossel Bay area has produced many young people that developed into key players in the YWAM organization, both locally and internationally. Therefore, the certificate was awarded to thank the municipality for the role they continue to play in youth development.
YWAM also extended their gratitude towards the municipality for their participation and the accommodation provided during the conference.
A performing arts youth group, South Roots from Roodewal, an area in Worcester rife with gangsterism, performed an inspiring piece called "Shackels Broken" at the event, bringing a message of hope.
Pratz also mentioned that the power of bringing YWAM teams to Mossel Bay lies in relationship building with the community that ultimately impacts sustainable change.
Team YWAM busy replacing windows, painting the house and building the ramp.
During the closing ceremony, attendees were invited to step onto any country on part of a huge world map that was laid out and to pray for that particular nation.
