As many readers already know, I am a documentary photographer. And while it was a pleasure to teach and develop courses in the Powerhouse’s skills development center, I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t carve out some time to do some serious documentary work. There were many many stories I could have told, but what struck me most and seemed to be internationally important were the scores of Zimbabwean immigrants living in Mamelodi. Xenophobic attacks headlined world news around the beginning of 2008, and it seemed these foreigners (and neighbors) were being painted as the enemy. Yet as I got a chance to know many different Zimbabweans during our time in Mamelodi, I couldn’t help but be encouraged by their strong faith in the Lord to sustain and deliver them out of their dire circumstances where they struggled to survive just like their South African brothers and sisters. The photos below show just one of the many touching families and individuals we got to know. I personally learned a great deal from Vugani as a pastor and friend. You may view the photos below, or for a larger view (with full screen option) view them in the image gallery. Please note that some names have been changed in order to protect their identity.

In summary, the following relates Vugani’s struggle: Vugani managed a bakery back in Zimbabwe and made a good living. As the Zimbabwean dollar inflated rapidly and harsh political persecution set in, he left with his wife and two of his children were forced to cross the border, looking for a better life on the other side. Settling in Mamelodi, which exists in one of the wealthiest provinces of South Africa, he and his family are no longer starving, but are hardly living the good life they had imagined. With only his daughter’s income from washing dishes, Vugani and his wife Zanele must look outside their circumstances to find hope and strength.

Filed under: Stories and Zimbabwe by Nathan on November 30th, 2009. Tags: border, dreams, neighbor, pastor, refugee, Vugani, xenophobia, Zanele, Zimbabwe | 1 Comment

Given recent violence that has occurred in South Africa (if you haven’t heard much about this – this article gives a quick intro), many have asked us if we’re still going, if we feel like it’s safe, etc. While we were concerned at first and not sure why the violence was happening or how widespread it was, I think we quickly came to the conclusion that we are called and safety issues or not, we are going. We are trusting God to guide our steps and help us deal with the situations in which He places us. We’ll act with prudence and caution but continue forward as He leads us. If anything, these recent events give us a feeling that what we’re doing is a serious endeavor and makes us all the more eager to get going (in 51 days).  If you love Jesus, we covet your prayers—not that we’d be spared from hardship, but that we’d maintain faith no matter what the circumstance we find ourselves in and be of use to the people there.  I’d also ask for prayer that we would be able to take in and digest all the ins and outs of the various political and social issues in South Africa, and know how to be wise without taking sides.

Based on reading a few blogs from Americans living in Pretoria, there may be opportunities to serve the refugees of Zimbabwe and other neighboring countries that were the targets of the xenophobic attacks. Many of them have fled to their home countries, but many remain in refugee camps, afraid to leave. We’ll of course follow the lead of the Powerhouse Church, and I look forward to seeing how God uses the church in this situation.

If you’ve something to share on this, an interesting article or what, please share your comments.

Filed under: General by Nathan on June 14th, 2008. Tags: Mamelodi, prayer request, south africa, violence, xenophobia | 2 Comments