Highveld Visit
In August 2007, I had the good fortune to be able to visit Monmouth's South African link diocese of the Highveld and stay for a month with a generous priest, Fr Tom, and his equally generous wife, Di. During my time there, I had the opportunity to see for myself some of the work done in the diocese that the Anglican Church there supports, ranging from feeding schemes for primary-school children, to homes for those orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Seeing the very people that money given in Bishop Dominic's Lent Appeal would help was moving, with small sums allowing them to buy essentials such as chairs and tables for a pre-school – Monmouth Diocese's fasting and giving last Lent has made a huge difference on the ground.
I visited many of the 'Home-based care' projects which the Diocese supports. These provide a small stipend to groups who go to people’s homes to provide care and support for them. These range from helping the elderly or those weakened by HIV/AIDS, to making sure orphaned children got up for school, and are sent on their way with breakfast and clean uniforms.
One of the most poignant experiences for me was when I visited a household headed by a grandmother, a not uncommon situation, looking after her orphaned grandson who had become involved in a local narcotic substance. After the visit, she asked me to pray for her, and told me that whenever she wanted to despair, she remembered the words of the 23rd Psalm, words that until then I had never truly appreciated.
As Jesus came into the world and lived among us, it is the mission of the Church to enter into the darkest places and bring the light of Christ to all. While I saw plenty in the informal settlements and townships that could cause despair, we must remember that Jesus is the light shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not, and will not, overcome it.
Royston Price