6 minute read
Feature
Overcoming challenges together
It’s all about a worldwide Army making a worldwide effort
THIS year marks 25 years of International Development in the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory.
Over the past quarter of a century, The Salvation Army has established a presence in 27 new countries and is now officially operating in 133 worldwide. During this time, the International Development Unit has supported projects in more than 60 of these countries, partnering territories and working alongside communities to overcome the challenges of poverty, inequality and injustice.
There have been a few changes over the years, including the team’s name: the unit started life as the Overseas Projects Office in 1997. The way we work has also adapted and changed as we have responded to global trends in international development and emerging challenges faced by communities around the world. Though there have been changes, partnership remains central to all that we do, and we continue to collectively work towards our vision of a world without poverty and injustice.
One of the countries we are working with is Burkina Faso. The Salvation Army has been training small-scale farmers to help them improve the soil on their land and boost their harvests.
Farmers learn agroecological farming methods and how to make liquid fertiliser. This means they no longer need to buy expensive synthetic fertiliser, which can damage the soil. Through this project, farmers learn together and improve their lives together.
Salomon is one of the lead farmers. He grows onions and cereals on his land. He used a combination of compost and liquid fertiliser to accelerate the growth of crops because of a lack of water. He said, ‘I have improved the quality of my family’s diet and our income. From the sale of my harvest, I could afford to repair my old bicycle, which my child now uses to get to school.’
As lead farmer, Salomon mobilised his group of farmers to establish a co-operative store for their harvest. This means they can sell when the demand is high – and the prices are highest – to ensure the farmers benefit from all their hard work.
The Salvation Army is a global movement and thus we are connected to people all over the world. However, we recognise that not everyone may know about the work of International Development UK and how the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory works alongside other territories through community development and emergency response projects.
The third annual International Development Week (24–30 October) is, therefore, an opportunity to raise awareness and to explore, celebrate and support The Salvation Army’s work tackling poverty and injustice around the world.
There are lots of opportunities to take part in during the week. A photo exhibition held at International Headquarters will mark our 25th anniversary. Featuring photos from throughout the years, the exhibition will give a glimpse into the lives that have been impacted and the communities that have experienced transformation.
On 27 October, we invite you to flex your trivia muscles in our virtual quiz night. Find out more and book your free ticket at idweekquiz2022.eventbrite.com.
We invite corps to highlight International Development Sunday on 30 October using the resources available on our website, salvationarmy.org.uk/idweek.
We will also share videos, resources and updates on our social media channels, so follow @salvationarmyid or search #idweek2022.
Finally, one of the most important ways that we encourage people to participate is through prayer. Prayer is essential in the battle against poverty and injustice. You can use the Prayer Matters resource for daily prayer prompts or download our ‘Pray With Us’ resource for specific prayer points for our different areas of work, both of which are available on our website.
Salomon with his onion harvest
Find out more at salvationarmy.org.
uk/idweek
HAYLEY STILL
UK Engagement Co-ordinator
The truth will set you free
Major Andrew Bale reminds us that freedom is found in knowing Jesus
JOHN 8:31–47
JOHN 8 is one of my favourite chapters in the Bible but it is difficult, maybe even dangerous, to look at any verses in this passage in isolation from the rest of the chapter. Each section within deals with the identity and authority of Christ and how they relate to sin, forgiveness, judgement and freedom.
At the start of the chapter Jesus is presented with a woman caught in adultery. In his reaction we see one of the most amazing examples of grace in the Gospels. Although Jesus acknowledges her sin, he refuses to condemn her. Instead he uses the encounter to challenge others on their perceptions of righteousness.
In a conversation about the validity of his personal testimony – much to the horror of the Pharisees – Jesus claims that the Father himself is the source of his authority (see vv12–19).
Jesus talks about judgement and, albeit in a vague way, begins to refer to his own role in the provision of salvation (see vv21–30). Once more, he links his identity and authority directly to the Father – his Father.
In verses 48 to 59, Jesus strengthens this claim to such a degree that he ends up in the same danger as the adulterous woman – the Pharisees pick up rocks to stone him.
In verses 31 to 47, Jesus gets to the very heart of what it means to be saved, happy and free.
The Pharisees believed that obeying the Law led to righteousness – and by the ‘Law’ they meant their own interpretation and understanding of the commandments. At the time Jesus lived, the Law had become a systematic tool used by the legal and priestly classes to control and oppress the poor. This legalistic system was also used for profit. The main reason Jesus found himself in conflict with the religious authorities – and ended up being crucified as a blasphemer – was because he openly challenged this status quo.
It is perhaps too easy for us to look at the Pharisees in this passage and side with Jesus, retrospectively condemning them for their short-sightedness and judgemental hypocrisy, but these verses apply to us too. Sometimes, I wonder whether we are a little like the Pharisees, using the teachings of the New Testament to control and oppress others, rather than recognising that true righteousness and freedom are not found in mere religious observance or
Through the week with Salvationist
– a devotional thought for each day
by Major Melvyn Knott
SUNDAY
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
MONDAY
Jesus came down my ransom to be;/ O it was wonderful love!/ For out of the Father’s heart he came/ To die for me on a cross of shame,/ And from sin’s bondage to reclaim;/ O it was wonderful love! (SASB 175)
TUESDAY
(John 8:31 and 32)
