Covenanters Robbed at Gunpoint in South Africa

CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (September 16, 2003) - Dennis and Susan Wadley, Covenanters working in AIDS prevention in South Africa, were robbed at gunpoint on Wednesday (September 10) while driving in a township outside of Capetown, South Africa, with their three children, Covenant News Service has learned.

The Wadleys, along with two volunteer health workers, were visiting the homes of people suffering from AIDS when a gang of armed young men surrounded their van at a stop sign. One of the young men held a gun to Dennis' head.

"They pounded on the doors and we unlocked them," wrote Susan Wadley in an email update sent September 10. "While one worked at getting the wallet out of Dennis' pocket, the guys on my side were trying to pull my plain gold wedding band off my finger unsuccessfully, while demanding my cell phone." The gang took Dennis' watch and cell phone and a watch from Susan's mother, who was visiting from the United States.

One of the men insisted that Dennis had a gun and demanded that he turn it over. "I don't have a gun," Dennis, a Covenant minister, told them. "I'm an Mfundisi [a pastor]."

The gang then dispersed and the Wadleys drove back to St. Paul's Anglican church in the nearby township of Philippi. "We were all too shocked and traumatized to be able to even shut the side door of the van (it sticks)," wrote Susan.

After praying with their partners at St. Paul's church, the Wadleys returned to their home in the community of Stellenbosch, a suburb of Capetown, to make plans for continuing their ministry. They say they are thankful for God's protection - that no one was hurt in the robbery - and have asked that at least 100 people volunteer to pray for their safety and for their work in Philippi.

"Please continue to pray for us, our team and our friends who have to live their lives in Philippi," Dennis wrote. "I promised Lennox and Jeannine (the two AIDs victims they had visited before the robbery) that I would request prayer from our friends in America for them today after I got home. They are both extremely sick. "

The robbery represented one of many difficulties the Wadleys have faced. A few weeks earlier the head gasket blew on their car's engine and just before the robbery, one of their volunteer board members in South Africa was suspended for alleged misconduct.

"As you can imagine, this is a scary and difficult time for us." Dennis told supporters in his email update. "We really need your prayers."

The Wadley's work was featured in the July issue of The Covenant Companion. To read that story, visit Wadley. More information about the couple's work in Philippi also can be found by visiting www.bridges-of-hope.org. Email may be directed to dennis@bridges-of-hope.org.

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