ICO testimonies 10 and

what it was all about. That evening the Holy Spirit came into my life. I went to the mercy seat and gave my life over to God at the age of 13. From then on, Grays Corps became my spiritual home.

In August 1998 I was attending a youth work training session held at Shoeburyness Corps. The whole evening, God was saying to me: ‘I’m not calling you to do youth work, I am calling you to be a Salvation Army officer – and one day you will have a corps just like this one.’

I didn’t want to hear that. I was happy and content with my life. I was happy in work and loved my ministry as corps youth secretary, believing that was all that God wanted from me. I didn’t want to leave what was known and dear to me. I didn’t want to leave my comfort zone. I was not academic – I had left school with very few qualifications. I lacked confidence in myself, I was shy and liked to hide in the background. I wasn’t from a Salvation Army family. I just wasn’t good enough. What would my family say? Why would God call me? I was terrified!

In November that year I gave in to God’s calling. I was commissioned as an officer in 2003 and appointed to Welwyn Garden City Corps, then to Shoeburyness in August 2008 – the corps where God had first called me to officership 10 years before. I have been at Belfast Citadel since 2015.

I never felt worthy or adequate for God’s calling upon my life. Yet, when I look back over the past 19 years of officership, it has been such an adventure and God’s blessings have been endless. I cannot do it in my own strength but, whatever I face, when I place it in God’s hands his faithfulness and mercy never fail and the Holy Spirit equips and empowers me for whatever God calls me to.

CAPTAIN SEOYOUNG YOO

USA Eastern Territory AS the plane took off from Philadelphia to Heathrow, I burst into tears, asking God: ‘Why me? Why now?’ I had so much to care for back home, so flying to London – two of my absolute favourite things – felt so meaningless.

However, as the plane was reaching the sky of beautifully lit-up London, I felt this gentle reminder from God: ‘I am bringing you back to the place where you prayed, laughed, cried, overcame challenges, made lifelong friends, grew in faith, had realisations of my calling and started following me. And you will see what my hands have brought you through.’

I might have needed that breather. My husband and I were commissioned as Disciples of the Cross in 2014 and have been serving at Philadelphia Citadel Corps and Korean Corps since July last year. The joy in our ministry is people. I consider the people I meet in ministry to be family, regardless of their age, gender, nationality, race or background. They are my grandparents, parents, uncles and aunties, sisters and brothers, nephews and nieces.

My biological family was not very supportive about me being an officer, although they were Salvationists. My parents supported me to study English and for a degree in the UK and wished me to live a life of earthly abundance. Who would want their precious daughter to walk the way of the cross when prosperity is almost guaranteed on the other way? However, I broke their wish by meeting a boy who was a candidate, and we dreamt of serving God together. They could not agree with me meeting him or following the call to officership, so I was left alone at my wedding without any family members attending.

Life would have been a lonely journey without God, especially for the couple of times when I got so sick that I faced a life-or-death situation. Each time I prayed: ‘God, would you really take my life like this? People will laugh at how I wanted to follow you and all I got was death. Heal me and use me, Lord.’

I have significant markers in my life when I was so ill that all I could do was to surrender to God – during preparations for the wedding, pregnancy, the time at the college for officer training and my days as an officer. That built a total trust in God for his healing power.

There has never been a place where his hands have not led, healed, touched, restored or rescued me. God not only restored my relationship with my parents but gave me an evergrowing family with my beautiful children, Eugene and Euan. He is a healer, guide, provider, Saviour and Lord. I am not envious of those who hold the prosperity of the world, because I have abundant blessings from Heaven. I love you, God.

One bag at a time

Pat Thorpe introduces Simon Hope to a fruitful community venture that anyone can get involved in

NELSON Mandela once said: ‘We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.’ While this is a lovely sentiment, the power to make a difference often feels far out of reach in everyday life. What can we really do? It is this very question that led a corps and community in Norwich to discover an exciting and fruitful ministry – the Care Kitbag.

Pat Thorpe and her husband, Richard, were drawn to Norwich Mile Cross Corps and became soldiers in 2017. Hailing from a Church of England background, they have long fostered a deep love for people. That care and compassion led to the birth of this fast-developing homelessness venture.

It all started in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, when Pat’s father, Maurice, was hospitalised following severe chest pains. While lying in A&E at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, he overheard another patient explaining to her doctor that she was experiencing homelessness. A true man of God, this touched Maurice deeply and he spoke of it often after he was discharged. He grappled with one question the most: what could the family practically do to make a difference?

The first step they took in figuring out a solution was prayer. This led to what Pat calls a ‘God-led idea’.

‘We thought, what if we could provide a bag of basic toiletries and things, which could be accessible at the hospital,’ she shares. ‘That way, if someone who was experiencing homelessness came in, they would at least have a bag of items to take out with them. And we could put in a message of hope, a prayer and a list of organisations that could help them.’ Thus, the Care Kitbag ministry began.

The new venture could only work if it was entirely community driven. The first hurdle to overcome was sourcing the bags themselves. Buying enough bags alone would have required an intense bout of fundraising, before even thinking about the items to go inside. Thankfully, the Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers, alongside some particularly crafty members of the corps, came to the rescue. By upcycling unused duvet covers, fabric scraps and other odds and ends, they started producing a steady supply of drawstring bags.

The next step was to get the essential items to go inside. This is where the community had an opportunity to shine.

‘Everybody was so embracing of the idea,’ Pat enthuses. ‘The Women’s Institute (WI) are also running with it because they say it’s something they feel they can do.

‘We are very aware of the fact that these items cost money. When you start putting flannels, soap and toothbrushes in, it can add up. But you haven’t got to do it on your own. Some people team up to buy items together. And there’s no time limit, so some people get a bag and add the odd thing every now and then. The nice thing about it is that anyone can get involved.’

Some people even chip in by providing lots of one specific item. One corps member has a knitting group at her sheltered housing complex that focuses on making lots of hats and scarves to go in the bags. A member of the Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers is also donating her speciality craft: Kevin the Hedgehog. The knitted critters are sold for £1 in the charity shop and all funds go towards filling kitbags.

Once the bags are full, it is time to give them out. Distribution first began at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. ‘There was me floundering,’ Pat adds, ‘trying to find who I needed to get hold of and who I could talk to. But the chaplaincy is always a good place to

CARE KITBAG CHECKLIST

soap and shower gel a flannel deodorant shampoo or dry shampoo a toothbrush and toothpaste sanitary towels a brush or comb tissues breakfast bars or sugar-free sweets a hat, scarf and gloves dark-coloured socks underwear