Some time ago we sent Drake and Hope Tshenkeng back to their parish of Batlharos in the Kimberley and Kuruman with a sum of money intended to help them with their HIV/Aids programme.  I envisaged that the money would be used to buy some essential equipment or pay for some essential supplies. 

Last November we visited Batlharos and were given a presentation by the ladies of the local Home Care teams dedicated to supporting HIV/Aids victims. 

At the end of the colourful and informative presentation that was interspersed with singing and dancing, I was asked to step forward and receive the thanks of the ladies for the money we sent and I did so with much pride.  I was applauded warmly and then told what the money had been spent on.  My heart sank!  The money had been spent on a party for the ladies of the caring teams!  My immediate thought was how could I go home and tell the people of my parish that the money they had given was used for something as trivial as a party?  What would they think?

But then I realised something at once both re-assuring and enlightening.  I realised that these ladies were the truly vital part of the caring process.  Without them, the caring would never be done.  Indeed they were the “equipment” by which the HIV/Aids programme functioned and how right it was that these wonderful ladies were given the opportunity to feel appreciated and supported and their work celebrated with a party.  Our money was like oil helping to make the equipment work well – I realised that the money had been wisely and correctly spent.

I was also reminded of something a wise archdeacon had told me long ago.  “Tom,” he said, “there are many more parties in the New Testament than meetings”.  Once again our African friends had taught us a lesson about Christian living.