Onward

Dynamic Duos Partners in Mission helps us to be stronger together.

Do you remember Batman and Robin, Abbott and Costello, Cagney and Lacey, Lennon and McCartney, Timon and Pumbaa, Laverne and Shirley, and Chip and Dale? Forever tied together, the names of these dynamic duos connect us back to favourite memories. They fought crime, wrote the soundtrack of a generation, made us laugh, celebrated friendship and did life together. Partnered together they have left an imprint upon our hearts and minds. Since returning to the Canada and Bermuda Territory in October, Commissioner Tracey and I have visited every division to connect with officers, soldiers, employees, volunteers, youth and children. We have appreciated, once again, what Paul referred to in his letter to the Philippians as a “partnership in the gospel” (see Philippians 1:5). We have heard the stories of partners in the gospel sharing the love of Jesus and meeting human needs, and have seen the evidence of communities being transformed one life at a time. What a profound imprint is being left upon the hearts and minds of thousands of our neighbours and friends. As Salvationists, our partnership in the gospel extends beyond the national boundaries of Canada and Bermuda. We are partners in mission with Salvationists around the globe. Over the course of our recent years serving and visiting overseas expressions of The Salvation Army, we

BY COMMISSIONER FLOYD TIDD

have experienced the dynamic and privilege of being partners with others from different countries, speaking different languages yet declaring one message. From the rural communities of the northern highlands to the urban slums of its capital, The Salvation Army is on the ground and active within the life of Papua New Guinea. We joined the march of thousands of Salvationists in the countryside of Zambia as they gathered for a congress to worship and hear from God’s Word. We have witnessed the power of life transformation through education for young girls in Indonesia. These and so many other similar moments of shared experiences have fortified our understanding of the power of partnership.

Being partners in mission not only allows us to be stronger together, but we are individually better for participating in the partnership opportunity. Sharing resources to support and encourage others around the world blesses us with a different perspective and challenges us to be a stronger Salvation Army at home.

Studies have shown that partnerships that make a difference have common traits. 1. Supportive partnerships are strong and effective. The collaboration that takes place brings a sense of optimism and provides a fresh and sustaining hope. When people are supported through partnerships, they become inspired and are enabled to achieve the goal set before them. 2. Effective partnerships serve as a catalyst to bring about growth and success that would not be possible without them. Something in the working together causes a new thing to happen. This type of partnership creates an environment that supports innovation, invention and greater achievements. 3. Partnerships that make a difference are based in service, not selfishness. No one partner does all the work, nor works for their interests alone. There is an intentional focus and action directed toward the other partner. The collaborative effort offered by each partner enables the other to be more and do more than what would be possible without the partnership. As we approach this year’s emphasis on Partners in Mission, remember that we are stronger together. We have the opportunity to participate with other Salvationists in a supportive partnership that enables a worldwide Salvation Army to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs without discrimination. As partners in mission, we can help create new opportunities in the life and ministry of our partner territories, and open our eyes to new possibilities in our own faith communities and neighbourhoods.

I challenge us all to consider what it means to be a true partner in mission. How will we contribute this year to the Army’s worldwide mission? How can we be a part of the “new thing” that God wants to do as we actively and sacrificially partner with others? May our commitment to the partnership opportunity before us leave an imprint upon hearts and minds for eternity, both here at home and around the world.

Commissioner Floyd Tidd is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Your Giftsin Action

India Central Territory

Bapatla

Zone: South Asia • States included in the territory: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana • Languages in which the gospel is preached: English, Tamil, Telugu • “The Salvation Army” in Tamil: Ratchania Senai; in Telugu: Rakshana Sinyamu

Bahamas Division Caribbean Territory

Zone: Americas and Caribbean • Languages in which the gospel is preached: Creole, Dutch, English, French, Surinamese • The Salvation Army "opened fire" in the Bahamas in 1931

Bangladesh Command

The Salvation Army’s Integrated Children’s Centre in Savar, Bangladesh, is a primary school and home for vulnerable girls and visually impaired boys. The centre required a reliable vehicle to transport students and staff to activities and appointments. Last year, the Canada and Bermuda Territory provided a new 16-seater minibus as a mission support project.

Zone: South Asia • Country included in the command: Bangladesh • Languages in which the gospel is preached: Bengali, English • “The Salvation Army” in Bengali: Tran Sena

Photo: Mjr Bill Barthau In the India Central Territory, we support several children’s homes through the Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program. Here, Major Donna Barthau, sponsorship co-ordinator, uses a fun game to teach math skills at a girls’ home in Bapatla.

These homes have been providing shelter and education for vulnerable children for close to 70 years. Last year, the Canada and Bermuda Territory funded renovations and provided essential kitchen equipment so the children can thrive in a healthy environment.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the kind support,” says Jeevan Roy Pitta, the sponsorship co-ordinator in the India Central Territory.

In September 2019, hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas. It was one of the worst disasters the country has ever seen. Major Clarence Ingram, divisional commander, Bahamas Division, described this catastrophe as “an incredible devastation.” The Canada and Bermuda Territory provided gift cards to 4,000 displaced people, allowing them to purchase necessary household items and boosting the local economy.

Blessings in Bangladesh

Maternal health, housing and education highlighted in newest Partners in Mission command.

BY LT-COLONEL BRENDA MURRAY

The sights and sounds of Bangladesh are both colourful and vibrant. More than 165 million people call this beautiful land their home—one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The capital city of Dhaka has an electric energy as people move around in rickshaws and on motorcycles. It’s estimated there are more than 600,000 rickshaws in Dhaka alone. For the visitor, the traffic initially seems to be chaos on wheels, but one quickly comes to realize there is an ebb and flow to the movement of people. As a floodplain, with more than 700 rivers and inland waterways, traditional wooden boats, such as Bainkata or Kosha, are also an important means of transportation.

The Salvation Army began work in Bangladesh immediately after the Liberation War with Pakistan in 1971. A team of Salvationists, who had been serving in refugee camps in Calcutta, India, accompanied the thousands who returned to the newly liberated country. Today, The Salvation Army continues to serve in this Muslim-predominant country, with 86 officers, six cadets, 32 corps and 12 outposts. It also has 196 employees, and is involved in vast outreach ministries in the areas of health, housing, education and women’s empowerment. The Canada and Bermuda Territory and Bangladesh Command became Partners in Mission on January 1, 2018. Last year, a team from the world missions department visited Bangladesh to see how The Salvation Army is bringing hope to the communities it serves.

Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray is the director of the world missions department.

Health

 Sweety, a young mother, visits The Salvation Army Mirpur Clinic in Dhaka for a follow-up appointment. After a positive test for tuberculosis, she underwent a successful six-month treatment. “The doctors and nurses have been very helpful,” she says.

The clinic has been treating patients with tuberculosis and leprosy since 1972, when it was first established as a mobile medical clinic. The current building was purchased in 1989. This busy clinic has a holistic approach to community health care, and the words of the Army slogan, "Heart to God and Hand to Man,” are clearly seen in the way people are treated with care and compassion.

 Staff at the tuberculosis control clinic explain their services. In 2018, the clinic treated 286 patients. In addition, they take every opportunity to educate the community and raise awareness of the symptoms and transmission of this disease.

 Dr. Jessy J. Rozario, a medical officer at the leprosy control clinic, with a patient cured of the disease through good medical treatment and care. Antibiotics can cure, but not reverse, the deformities caused by leprosy.

 Major Stephen Biswas, corps officer at Mirpur Corps in Dhaka, with children outside The Salvation Army Mirpur Clinic. The corps provides a spiritual foundation for ministry in the community, as they interact with patients and staff at the health clinic, support the women’s empowerment program and hold regular home league meetings.

 The Salvation Army believes that every child has a right to education. At the Integrated Children’s Centre in Savar, Bangladesh, exercise builds self-esteem and contributes to a child’s overall health and well-being.

 Yasin’s smile exudes the joy of the moment. The Integrated Children’s Centre provides housing and education for vulnerable girls and visually impaired boys. An integrated approach to life and learning benefits everyone.

 Manik is excited to show his mosquito net. According to the World Health Organization, a child dies of malaria every two minutes, and more than 200 million new cases of the disease are reported each year. The Salvation Army Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program provides mosquito nets as part of their support to the Integrated Children’s Centre. Through generous donations, you help to prevent malaria one mosquito net at a time— and keep Manik healthy.

Training College

 Music is an integral part of worship. Six cadets of the Messengers of Grace Session share a special song with guests and territorial leaders at the training college chapel.

Women’s Empowerment

 Major Lipi Biswas, corps officer at Mirpur Corps in Dhaka, with women from a community-based empowerment program. They call their group “Mukti,” which means “freedom.” The women organized themselves and, with the support of The Salvation Army, are building their capacity through literacy, education, and savings and loans. Here, they show their government certificate for a microcredit license. They received the registration on April 4, 2017, which has become a day to celebrate every year.

 Future generations are forever changed when women are empowered to reach their full potential.

Corps Ministry

 Captain Sarah Bapari prays with a soldier at an amalgamated service at the school on the Integrated Children’s Centre compound. “We’re all seeking the same Saviour, we’re all seeking the self-same Lord, we’re all claiming the same cleansing, we’re all finding our peace restored.” —John Gowans/John Larsson

Casting a Vision

The Salvation Army Erin H. Gilmour School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Nassau, Bahamas, gives children hope, encouragement and support

A Salvation Army school in the Bahamas empowers blind and visually impaired students.

BY KATHY NGUYEN

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.—Helen Keller

These are the words you’ll find painted on the walls of The Salvation Army Erin H. Gilmour School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Nassau, Bahamas. For nearly 50 years, the Army has been a pioneer in aiding the blind and visually impaired in the Bahamas. This school opened its doors in 1971 and continues to be the only school for the blind and visually impaired in the entire country. The mission of the school is to provide quality education for children with visual and learning impairments so that they can acquire the skills and knowledge to be productive members of society. In many parts of the world, formal education and employment opportunities for the blind are either scarce or non-existent—this school is a true haven for some of the most vulnerable and marginalized children in the country.

At present, there are three visually impaired and 11 completely blind stu

dents attending the school. Many of these children also struggle with learning disabilities, such as borderline autism. With well-trained teachers, individualized teaching, modern equipment and assistive technology devices, the children are being equipped with the tools and resources they need to flourish.

“Individualized teaching helps the students because they receive the attention they need,” says Sheralyn Murphy, the acting principal of the school. “All children deserve an education and I see a great future for each and every one these students.”

Loren Humes works alongside the principal as the school’s braille technician and teachers’ aide. He helps to operate and repair the various machines and equipment, translates materials from print to braille, provides training on how to use them, and has a wealth of knowledge on all things braille. He ensures that the children are well-equipped in their classrooms and is a role model for many. Humes works well with the students and knows what their needs are because he attended this school as a child.

“I was blind at birth,” says Humes. “When my mom held me in her arms, God told her to look me in the eyes and she knew I was blind.”

His mother rushed him to the eye clinic, where she was informed that Humes had cataracts in both eyes. The doctor explained that the clear lenses in his eyes were cloudy, rendering him totally blind. Refusing to give up on her child’s future, she enrolled Humes in the Army’s school when he was eight years old. It was his only opportunity to receive a formal education.

There are no limitations when it comes to this special school—teachers follow the Ministry of Education curriculum, ensuring that the students are receiving the same educational standards as other schools. Humes was able to learn academic subjects as well as valuable life skills, such as cooking, ironing, laundry and even making his bed.

“In the beginning, being a student was a strange concept to me because I didn’t think I’d ever be able to attend a school,” he says. “But the teaching made it easy for me to learn.”

Miraculously, Humes was eventually able to undergo cataract surgery. The Photos: Joel Johnson

surgery was a complete success and he woke up, for the first time, with vision. In order to ensure that Humes had the additional skills to find employment, The Salvation Army sent him to Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts, where he did an intensive two-week training course to receive his braille technician certification. Shortly after becoming certified, Humes' for- mer principal called to inform him she required additional staff at the school. He was hired as a braille technician and has been working at the school ever since. Humes is happy to be working and is grateful for the opportunities he’s received at The Salvation Army.

“This school gives children hope, encouragement and support,” he says. “They gave me an opportunity to reach heights I didn’t know I could ever reach.” The Salvation Army acts as a catalyst of change and a haven of hope in more than 130 countries, empowering thou- sands of vulnerable individuals to reach their potential. The school for the blind continues to make a lasting impact in Humes' life; he goes to work every day enriching the lives of students who sit in the same classrooms he once learned in. It’s a story of triumph. Humes' life is proof that when children are given care, support and resources, their dreams can become reality.

Kathy Nguyen is the resource media co-ordinator in the world missions department.

With individualized teaching, modern equipment and assistive technology devices, the children are being equipped with the tools and resources they need to flourish

Loren Humes, who once attended the school, is now a braille technician and teachers’ aide

Students learn academic subjects as well as valuable life skills, such as cooking, laundry and ironing

(left) Girls at the home receive food, shelter, clothing and education. They have come to see the elderly women as grandmothers, and share living space and communal meals. From left, Puvanes, Kalpana and Dana

(below) Mary shares a song with visitors to The Salvation Army Home for the Aged and Girls’ Home in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in the India Central Tty

Joy in The Salvation Army

A unique home in India cares for elderly women and girls.

Joy! Joy! Joy! There is joy in The Salvation Army. Sing together. Joy! Joy! Joy! In the Army of the Lord. Mary claps as she sings this song, one she has known since she joined The Salvation Army as a young woman. While her voice may now be frail, the music still stirs something inside her. Bedridden and in her 90s, Mary delights in visitors and is reluctant to see them go without singing a favourite chorus one last time.

The Salvation Army Home for the Aged where Mary lives is tucked away in Virugambakkam, a residential neighbourhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in the India Central Territory. This area offers respite from the city’s busy streets, where it’s not uncommon to see a three-person family riding on a single motorcycle, hordes of tuk tuks weaving between cars or cows grazing lazily at the side of the road. The Home for the Aged, which doubles as a Salvation Army girls’ home, is a haven for vulnerable women and girls and is a unique example of the Army’s mission to restore hope and dignity to marginalized people. While the building itself is basic, with stone floors and simple furniture, the facility boasts a sizeable backyard where chickens peck for scraps under the shade of mango and coconut trees and a nearby well provides the home’s clean water. The elderly women and girls share a living space and meals together at communal tables in the kitchen. As many of the young girls are orphaned or have come from towns and villages far away, they have grown to see the older women as grandmotherly figures to learn from, alongside Majors Ratnasundari, the officers who run the home.

At 3 p.m., 20 girls race home from school, their backpacks and ribboned pigtails swinging. They enter their dorm rooms and put away their schoolbooks in the cubbies that line the wall opposite the row of single beds. The girls are grateful for what they receive here at the home. They study hard, do well in school, help out with chores, and love to read and play together.

Dana, a 14-year-old girl, sits crosslegged on the floor in a red salwar kameez dotted with daises. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up, she says. Before coming to the girls’ home, she lived in Chennai with her mother. A single parent, her mother struggled to earn enough BY RUTH HOBBIS

to take care of her daughter. She decided to bring Dana to The Salvation Army so she would have a chance to get a quality education and hopefully one day achieve her goal of becoming a doctor.

Dana’s friend, Puvanes, comes from a village far from Chennai. Her aunt suggested she come to the girls’ home so she could get the best education and care her mother, also a single parent, could afford. The stories of the other girls are similar—they are orphaned, from families struggling to overcome poverty or are the daughters of single mothers who have been abandoned or widowed. At the Salvation Army girls’ home, they receive shelter, education, regular meals, clothes and other basic necessities. Here, they have a chance to go on to higher education and get a good job, with earnings they can use to support their families and break the cycle of poverty.

Likewise, the elderly women receive a bed, meals and loving care, and their families are unburdened from the worries of caring for elderly parents on a limited income. In this way, The Salvation Army affords the elderly dignity in their final days.

By combining care for elderly women and girls, The Salvation Army Home for the Aged and Girls’ Home in Chennai is a unique example of the Army’s ministry to meet human needs and give hope to the vulnerable. Watching the women and girls learn from and take care of one another is just one of many joys in The Salvation Army.

Exploring Salvation Army officership.

BY MAJOR JENNIFER HALE

Recently, my family and a few friends led a chapel service at The Salvation Army’s Meighen Health Centre in Toronto. Several retired officers were there that evening, and after the meeting we spent some time greeting them and others. As is often the case when I’m in the presence of retired officers, I came away with my heart full, feeling inspired to continue in my own ministry. As they shared some of the joys and challenges they experienced in their various appointments along the way, I thought about the impact they have had on countless lives and communities as a result of their response to God’s call to become a Salvation Army officer. No doubt many have come to know Christ as a result of their decision to say yes to God many years ago.

In the Canada and Bermuda Territory, we give special emphasis and focus to call and commitment during the month of February. The theme for this year is “Kingdom Choices—Kingdom Impact!” We’ll be considering Matthew 6:33: “Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (NLT). We’ll be asking Salvationists across the territory to consider questions such as, “What is this kingdom Jesus is referring to?” “What does it mean practically to seek the kingdom above all else?” “How do we live righteously in a depraved world?” “Can we trust Jesus’ promise to give us everything we need to fulfil his kingdom purposes?” For some, seeking the kingdom above all else will mean surrendering their lives to officership.

The purpose of call and commitment Sunday is to emphasize the call to service Illustration: CSA-Printstock/Digital Vision Vectors via Getty Images

in The Salvation Army, while also giving people an opportunity to respond to that call. Our goal is to inspire every committed Salvationist to consider the impact they can have on God’s kingdom by making his plan and purpose for their lives a priority. We want to say to Salvationists everywhere: “There’s a place for you. There’s an opportunity for you to serve God through the ministry of The Salvation Army, whether as a soldier, a local officer or through officership.” Call and commitment Sunday is a time when we can all be challenged to go deeper in our walk with the Lord and pray about how God’s kingdom priorities are being accomplished through our life and service. It’s a Sunday when the worship, preaching and testimonies are all focused toward God’s plan and purpose for each of our lives and also for The Salvation Army. As long as people are in need of salvation, The Salvation Army will continue to be at work, sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ in communities across Canada and Bermuda and around the world. The need for covenanted officer leaders is great, and the opportunities for advancement in the salvation war are endless. Truly, there is no greater time to be an officer in The Salvation Army.

A variety of resources have been made available to every corps officer in the territory to help with the planning of call and commitment Sunday. Over the past year, the candidates department has promoted officership in a variety of ways, including the “Not Called?” series in Salvationist magazine, which tells the stories of how individuals have heard and responded to God’s call.

How can you participate? Ask your corps officers about the resources, or visit salvationist.ca/candidates/not-calledcampaign. This year, we have included a four-week video Bible study teaching series, by officers in our territory, that you can use personally or in a small group setting. You can also fast and pray for call and commitment Sundays across the territory and ask the Lord for a great response to the call for officers. You can consider your own life and God’s purpose for you in his kingdom plan. You may want to spend some more time volunteering at your local corps or social services centre to gain experience and learn more about The Salvation Army’s work. You can begin a conversation today with your local corps officer or divisional secretary for candidates to explore the possibility of officership for your life. Kingdom choices have kingdom impact.