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Kingori explained that no African party could get going without
food, and after a prayer the heaping plates of rice, mashed peas,
and beans with a few cubes of beef were placed before us. The
room was filled with family, friends, and fellow staff who had
been invited. Near the front row of the chair arrangement were
John’s mother (mother of eight) and Jane’s parents (parents
of six), obviously down-country folks, proud of the young man.
Out on the porch were neighborhood children gathered to work on
any remainder of the food supply. At the speaker’s table
we had three soft drink bottles standing at each place adding
to the sense of plenty.
As the meal was winding down the master of ceremonies arose,
further prayer was held, a couple of hymns sung and the six speakers
began. These men represented the hospital, church, friends, and
family. One young man brought a memorized, dramatized passage
of scripture from the epistles. Following my remarks, the main
message was brought by the Kingoris pastor, who took the opportunity
to exhort all partygoers for 30 minutes or so. In closing, brown
envelopes were distributed suggesting that the kind of gift that
would best fit into each friend’s envelope be inserted. Folk
were then invited to come up to hand the guest of honor their
bequest with a handshake. This accomplished and nearly three hours
later, the crowd then departed with many a hug, laugh, and handshake.
Little children dressed in their Sunday best were still working
on the food supply.
And so the parties go on all over the continent. It may be a
pre-wedding party, a graduation, a proposed trip abroad, or the
hatching of an enterprise, in the Christian community it is bathed
in prayer and worship. Often singing, dancing, clapping groups,
or individuals will enhance the occasion. Older women typically
excel in this. The milestones of life are irrevocably bound up
in a communal celebration and open exhibition of the things of
the Spirit.
Come, join the party.
Stan Topple
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