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.
