Pastoral visit with xenophobia victims in South Africa

On June 10, 2008 Bishop James Tengatenga visited Malawian refugees at two camps in Germiston, South Africa.  They are victims of Xenophobic attacks in South Africa.  (Xenophobia is an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers.)

High Commissioner addressing the refugees.

He was accompanied to the camps by Mr. Alexius Godia of the Malawian High Commission in Pretoria.

The commissioner spent time with individual refugees.

Bishop James speaking with the refugees.

They met with 114 Malawians who are anxiously waiting to come home.
Bishop James spoke words of encouragement to them, prayed with them and blessed them.
At the end they sang for him. The bishop said, "It was a moving experience to see them in these camps."

They were the lucky ones who got a visit from their High Commissioner and a churchman from their home country.

The others, Zimbabweans, Tanzanians, Somalis, etc., looked on.

May the Lord of Justice look with favour on these His children who have lost everything and have to begin all over again when they get back to Malawi.

The following day before the bishop flew on to Jerusalem, Mr Godia telephoned to inform him that he had received phone calls the previous night with reports that the refugees thanked him and the bishop for visiting and comforting them.

He also got news that they were in high spirits and they sang all night!

Praise to God for small mercies.

One of two South Africa camps the bishop visited.

Let us pray for bereaved families and for those still in Hospital and for the people of South Africa.

God bless Africa, guard her children and give her peace.