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group, DVD showings of Christianbased films and ‘chill and chat’ sessions. I am often seen in the kitchen cooking bacon butties for the guys, which gives me an ideal setting to catch up with them. No two days are the same; we simply prioritise and adapt to what is going on.

The one thing that I personally struggle with as a chaplain is having to evict a resident. There is just something about it that goes against the grain for me. But we do have a duty of care, not only to other residents but also to the staff. In a 39-bed men’s Lifehouse, that duty of care is paramount in ensuring everyone’s wellbeing.

I was interested to learn that the word ‘chaplain’ comes from the Old French word chapelain, which in turn comes from the Latin word cappellanus. That word has its origins in the story of the fourth-century St Martin of Tours, who was said to have shown compassion to a beggar by cutting his cloak (cappella) in half with his military sword so he could clothe the beggar with it. At first a cappellanus was a priest who guarded St Martin’s cloak when it accompanied the army to war; then it became a name given to all priests who said mass in the camps.

For me, the word that stands out in the above paragraph is ‘compassion’. It sums up my ministry as a lay chaplain within my particular setting. I need to have and to show compassion to be able to serve in the role I have. In the conclusion of his book, A Theology Of Ministry, John Coleman says: ‘In our own time, when many note a shortage of clergy, we are seeing a

veritable explosion of specialisedmostly-lay-ministries, and although ministry flows from and is certified by the Church, it is destined to serve the entirety of humanity.’

Today’s Salvation Army is relying more and more on people like me – non-officer chaplains or lay chaplains. I believe that whether we are officers or not, we are called by God to shape our ministry to others in and around our life experiences, to identify with those whom we are sent to serve in our work settings. The biblical foundation for this – and the foundation of my ministry here in Ipswich – is the story of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25, where the King says: ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (v40).

Thomas O’Meara says that ministry means ‘doing something… for the advent and presence of the Kingdom of God… on behalf of a Christian community’. I have often said to those around me that my ministry is a ‘presence’ ministry and also a ministry of service to the people of God and to human need. This is how I live out my role on a daily basis. ‘‘ From the avid believer to the selfprofessed atheist, I pray that I have been what they have needed me to be in their darkest hour

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How well do you know the Salvation Army world? This month we give an overview of the Rwanda and Burundi Command

AFTER the Rwandan civil war and the resulting genocide in 1994 General Paul Rader, at his public welcome meeting in London that year, commissioned a team of officers to respond to the refugee crisis. Salvation Army operations were concentrated in the Kayenzi Commune, with a population of 36,000. A total of 267 destroyed homes were rebuilt and 201 water sources rehabilitated.

Mission work by officers from Zaire, Uganda and Tanzania in 1995 led to officers being appointed from Congo (Brazzaville) to develop corps and mission work in the commune. Early that year 41 senior soldiers were enrolled, and 38 recruits and 28 adherent members were publicly acknowledged. Kayenzi Corps officially began its ministry on 5 November 1995. It was not until September 2008 that The Salvation Army was registered as a church in Rwanda.

In 1983 Justin Lusombo-Musese, a Congolese born in Burundi, was introduced by a friend to some of William Booth’s writings. Justin and his friend were so enthused they decided to become members of The Salvation Army. In the ensuing years they persistently requested International Headquarters to start Salvation Army operations in Burundi, and on 5 August 2007 the work was officially recognised, with Justin and his wife, Justine Fatouma, becoming auxiliary-captains.

Mission to serve the

Officers lay wreaths at the Rwandan genocide memorial

International Secretary for Africa Commissioner Benjamin Mnyampi enrols new soldiers

The Rwanda Region was redesignated the Rwanda and Burundi Region in October 2008 and upgraded to command status on 1 April 2010. Spiritual growth, children’s camps, open-air meetings, community engagement and community empowerment are focus areas of the command. Women’s ministries also play a major role through their ‘mission to serve the marginalised’ emphasis. This includes serving and advocating for children with disabilities and their families, as well as other marginalised people in the community, with compassion, love and support. Recent women’s ministries seminars included topics such as how to choose a life partner, creating a small garden for income generation, female genital mutilation and risk management – issues of relevance and significance in this part of Africa. The Officer Training College reopened in February 2017 after a three-year break, and in December 2018 Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham, in his first visit to Africa, commissioned the cadets of the Messengers of Compassion Session. There are a number of community development projects focused on children and youth in this agrarian and densely populated part of Africa. These include… O institutional support for preschools O microcredit for women O youth and children’s clubs O school health care programmes O health insurance O vocational training O water and sanitation facilities

Unfortunately the government has closed activities in some places because they lack the required facilities.

marginalised

PRESCHOOL PROJECT When the project began in 2012, the Rwandan government encouraged schools to provide nutrition feeding programmes, as half the child population under five years of age were malnourished. This project enabled nutritious porridge to be served to the children daily. New learning materials and school supplies were also provided.

WASH PROJECT The Wash (water, sanitation and hygiene) project aimed to supply safe water sources for the village, and six latrines for the preschool, to improve health in Rubirizi, Rwanda. Before the project, people used to walk almost four miles through rough terrain to reach the nearest water pump.

‘The project raised the profile of The Salvation Army, which resulted in building a deeper relationship with the local government and community,’ says International Development Project Co-ordinator Stephanie Gradwell.

COMMUNITY YOUTH PROJECT This project focused on support for returning Rwandan youth who fled to Tanzania or Uganda during the civil war. Many of the children were orphaned or vulnerable, and in need of psychosocial support and skills training.

The project enabled four children’s and youth clubs to be formed. Activities included counselling, games and performing arts opportunities, motivational speakers and informative seminars on conflict management, reconciliation and anti-genocide ideology.

Although the project has now closed, the lessons about reconciliation that were learnt are being implemented by its beneficiaries. ‘This project was a way forward for unity, reconciliation and the establishment of new and healthy relationships between children, youth, adults and the wider community,’ says Stephanie.

A UNITED FRONT While Rwanda has stabilised politically and economically after its harrowing past, Burundi’s political and economic climate hasn’t seen the same success. ‘Given the political and economic unrest in both countries, the Rwanda and Burundi Command shows a firm

THE COMMAND AT A GLANCE

3,113 senior soldiers 902 adherent members 1,748 junior soldiers 18 corps 15 outposts 34 officers 8 envoys 28 employees

and united front,’ insists Stephanie. ‘As the Army continues to support preschools, microcredit programmes for women, youth clubs, vocational training and health projects, its operations will no doubt continue to be needed in the years ahead.’

Despite the challenges faced in Rwanda and Burundi, open-air meetings continue to attract crowds and more people are finding Jesus. Salvationists of the command give glory to God for his endless grace and assured presence with his people.