He was welcomed at the city's international airport by a large delegation, headed by Fr Vicente Mba Mebian, Rector of the Salesian House in Malabo, and also made up of other Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, students from the "Don Bosco" Spanish boarding school and the "Mary Help of Christians" school, animators of the Salesian youth center, teachers and other collaborators of the Salesian mission in Malabo. The same warm welcome was given to the Rector Major once he reached the entrance of the Salesian community.
Once the welcoming ceremonies were over, in the afternoon the 10th Successor of Don Bosco met the Salesian community, in the presence of the Superior of the Vice Province "Our Lady of Africa" of Equatorial Tropical Africa (ATE) Fr Roland Mintsa. Fr. Á.F. Artime listened to each of those present and showed interest in learning about the reality of the work and the apostolic activities being carried out; then, he found the appropriate word of encouragement and animation for each brother.
Later, in the sports center of the Don Bosco Youth Center of Malabo, the Rector Major met with the boys and girls of the Salesian Youth Movement. The young people of the parish youth groups, of the youth centers "Don Bosco" and "Mary Help of Christians", of the Spanish school "Don Bosco" of Malabo and of the Salesian vocational training center, as well as some educators took part in it. In the festive gathering, characterized by Salesian cheerfulness, by artistic manifestations on the part of the youngsters, and by the typical features of Salesian youth spirituality, the Rector Major encouraged the youngsters to have big plans, to follow Don Bosco's example of always believing in youth, to invest in the future with courage and creativity, and he clearly affirmed: "No youngster should ever stop dreaming."
The last moment of the day took place in the refectory of the Salesian community. After the recitation of Vespers with the members of the Salesian Family (Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Volunteers of Don Bosco and aspirants to Salesian life), Fr Á.F. Artime offered the thought of the "Salesian good night"; he recalled that all the activities carried out by the Salesian Family are based on faith, and for this reason he invited everyone to have a firm faith like that of the king's official mentioned in the Gospel of the day. In this way, he assured, God will make what is sown grow.
