Following the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa on immigrant Africans, OM South Africa has made a counter-response by extending care to those who have moved from informal settlements to shelter in displaced-persons camps.

OM is acting as a collecting point for food, clothes, and blankets for a camp nearby where about 2,000 displaced people reside. Arrangements have been made with three shopping centres for food donations to be collected there. The initial response has been encouraging, with 70kg of food donated on the first day. One staff member is coordinating volunteers at the camp itself.

National Director Peter Tarantal has discussed with seven denominational leaders how they might collectively engage with the government to make the plight of the poor a higher priority on the national agenda. Poverty, unemployment and corruption of local government are some of the contributing factors toward unrest among some South Africans.

Peter recently led a delegation of Christian leaders to the Ugandan and Zimbabwean embassies to repent on behalf of South Africans; the visit was very well received. Further visits are being made to the consulates of Rwanda and Mozambique.

Please pray for OM’s outreach to people seeking shelter in the camps and opportunities to share the Gospel. Pray for wisdom for Peter and the church leaders as they discuss the situation with the government.