PRAYER REQUEST

There has been some unrest in South Africa in the past week. For some unknown reason, some of the South African people have begun to attack foreigners. There has been looting, riots and vandalism. People's homes and businesses are being targeted. The attacks seem to be growing and fear is quickly spreading.

In the neighborhood around the church, there have been attacks on the homes of non-South Africans. A mother and her 2 daughters came to the church Sunday afternoon after their apartment had been vandalized. Tonight (Monday) there are 3 families staying over night at the church. These people are from another African country. They are here in South Africa legally, but that doesn’t seem to matter to the people who are attacking.

The police are overwhelmed. They have foreigners crowding the police station seeking safety. The attacks are often so spread out that the police cannot be in enough places at one time. And some of the mobs have been so large that the police cannot break them up and then the police become targets of the mob. In a couple of instances, the army has been brought in to help.

The neighborhood around the church has taken on a new feel. There is tension that can be felt as you go down the street. Children are not wandering around like usual. In fact, many children were not allowed to go to school today. Their parents kept them home to make sure they were safe. People do not stand around; they are now quickly walking to get to their destinations. Many shops are closing earlier than usual. And the shops that belong to foreigners are not opening at all due to fear of being looted.

The unrest seems to be secluded to poorer areas. There has been no violence near my apartment. The attacks also seem to be black South Africans attacking black non-South Africans. Due to my color and nationality, I do not feel I am in any more danger than I have ever been in South Africa. If people could see beyond color and nationality, we would not be having the current violence here in South Africa.

I will continue to take common-sense precautions (no walking alone and NEVER walking out after dark, etc.) Gates, doors, locks and barbed wire have never been as comforting as they are right now. I want to be very clear that I do not feel in danger. But I do mourn the fact that the women I work with now live with constant worry and fear. The fear and worry increase by leaps and bounds as the sun begins to set! I mourn that the children are being exposed to violence and greed.

Please pray for the safety of the people here in Johannesburg. Pray that the violence will disappear as quickly as it has arrived. Pray that tempers are cooled. Pray that people who are seeking safety can find it. Pray, pray, pray!