Aristide preaches in Alex
2004-06-06 16:24
Johannesburg - Ousted Haitian ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Sunday delivered a sermon at the St Michael's Anglican church in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.
Reverent Samson Makhalemele said the purpose of Aristide's visit was to worship and to feel the presence of the Lord.
"I am thankful for his humility and for praying for children," he said. "Unless we become like kids, there is no humility and love," he added.
Makhalemele said Aristide had given a powerful sermon on the Book of Hebrews, on the gift of the Holy Spirit.
During the sermon Aristide thanked President Thabo Mbeki and the first lady Zanele Mbeki for welcoming him in South Africa as a refugee.
However, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma had said Aristide was not a refugee in South Africa, but a free person when welcoming him last week.
Aristide arrived in the country a week ago and is being hosted by government at the request of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the African Union.
Aristide had resigned in February and flew to the Central African Republic after a months-long uprising against his rule and claims of corruption.
- SAPA