Xenophobia

Xenophobia - not something I really have thought about - not even sure if I really knew what it meant. Its in the headlines here - xenophobic attacks - the dictionary says that xenophobia is unreasonable hatred or fear of foreigners or strangers - unreasonable - how true - unreasonable that people would hate and attack others for no other reason than that they are from another country or tribe.

Its been an interesting week. It actually started last week - we saw on the news that there were attacks on foreigners in Alexandria - a settlement just outside of Joburg - South Africans attacking those from Zimbabwe or Mozambique or any number of other African countries - beating them, killing some, stealing their possessions and burning their homes (shacks). Hundreds of foreigners fleeing the settlement and taking refuge at police stations - spending the night outside in a field near the station - men, women, and children. It was just a news story then.

On Sunday morning, Cheryl was told that there was more violence against foreigners - we had a special time of prayer during the service for those who were hurt, for those who were displaced, for those who were attacking, for peace.

When I returned to the church after taking the youth on a hike, a woman had come to the church seeking help - her home had been broken into - she was scared - and she wasn't a foreigner. The word we heard was that the Zulu's in the area were attacking anyone that wasn't Zulu. We saw these guys walking down the street with Zulu war sticks - sticks that have been carved so that one end is pointed and the other is like a ball - used for fighting. As I drove away from the church to take the IMB team home, it felt different - like it was volatile - like there was an air of unrest - hadn't felt that before. Seemed like everyone walking down the street was on mission - no one was just hanging out like usual.

On Monday (19th), Amber sent me a text saying that several people from the church had come there asking to stay there overnight - they were from the Congo mostly. They were scared of being attacked - of having their home's broken into and their things stolen. I understand that several children were kept home that day from school and from the preschool - parents afraid to let their children go out. Since then, there have been about 6 adults and 10 children staying in the basement at the church - seeking refuge.

I was wondering on Wednesday if we were going to have Bible study that night. Wondering if anyone would come. On Wednesday morning, I got a call from an elder in the church telling me that I should cancel youth on Friday - he had heard that there was a planned 'purge' on Friday night. A 'purge'? He said it was basically when the Zulus gather and go to the streets and 'purge' anyone who doesn't belong. The specific target being a factory near the church because a lot of people from Mozambique work there. Another leader from the church wondered if it was a good idea to cancel - that perhaps the youth would want a time together - in the church - a place to gather together in peace. I figured the best thing for me to do was to call Cheryl (she was in Capetown). She had heard about the plan for Friday too, and also recommended that I cancel. We didn't want to take a chance on any of the youth getting mistaken for foreigners as they walked home. Also, thought it would be better for me to stay out of Troyeville after dark.

Of course, the darkness was one of the reasons I was wondering about Wed. night. Turns out Wednesday was a blessing. Amber, Russell and I prayed together like we usually do on Wednesday afternoons. [the IMB team didn't come - their leader decided that it might be too dangerous) Psalm 91 was our focus. Then we had the worship team meeting. It was neat during the meeting how we came together on the songs - I would think of one that someone else thought of too. Two of the songs picked had lyrics specifically speaking fo difficult times for a nation. After the meeting we had practice - from 5 - 6. One of my guys who has been playing the drums for us came - it was surprising because he is from the Congo and he came from Berea - I was so glad he made it without incident. Then after practice we had our regular prayer meeting - but it was anything but regular.

Some of the youth were there - ones who had never come before - the ones staying at the church were there - the chairs around the table were all full. Congolese, Zulu, Xhosa, Americans, Brits, white South Africans - all gathered together to pray for peace - to pray for those who were hurting - to pray for those who were attacking - all gathered together because we believed in our Almighty God - that God was bigger than the stuff going on in the streets - big enough to bring peace. Prayers were lifted in different languages - how sweet to know that God hears and understands them all.

Then we had Bible study - again - the youth came - most of the ones who come each week were there - about 12-15 of them - all around the table studying God's word together. I LOVED it! There is one young lady who has just become a follower of Jesus - she sits there drinking in God's Word - eager to learn - I love teaching her and the rest about Jesus - helping them to understand what the words mean - its wonderful! Its thrilling to see that the youth are the majority that come each week - not for fun and games, but to study God's word together.

We left the church after Bible study - Cheryl had told us not to go home our usual way towards town, but to go on the highway, so we did. The streets were quiet - much quieter than usual - not many were out and about. Not sure if it was the cold or the fear that kept them inside.

So here I am on Thursday night - actually Friday morning now. We heard today that there were no incidents on Wednesday night. Praise God! The gov't has called in the army to help the police make sure things stay quiet. We're hoping that the attacks are over. The youth weren't happy with Friday night being canceled - they were frustrated that the actions of a few were interfering with their lives. They felt that people were taking advantage of the situation and using it as an excuse to steal.

The news says that there have been about 42 deaths and 15,000 people who have been left homeless because of the attacks - shacks destroyed or burned because they were lived in by foreigners. Several police stations are places of refuge. One of them is near Troyeville, where about 3000 are staying. The cool thing is that God's people are responding - they are feeding the foreigners who have been displaced. Door of Hope and Troyeville are sending blankets, nappies, and clothes to help. We're able to share God's love with the ones who are hurting. Blessings in the midst of pain.

The attacks have been limited to certain areas. Out where we live has been quiet - normal - our prayer is that the weekend will be quiet and that the violence will stop. I'd love to look back on this weekend and think, "turns out we could have had youth on Friday - nothing happened." Wouldn't that be sweet.

Please pray for the folks who are hurting - who don't know where to go now - pray for a return to peace between people of different tribes and nations. Pray for the children who have seen violence and death first hand - that the images would fade. Pray that through this, people would see and feel the love of God through the love of God's people.